History of Badminton

Badminton was known in ancient times; an early form of sport played in ancient Greece and Egypt. Badminton came
from a game called battledore and shuttlecock, in which two or more players keep a feathered shuttlecock in the air
with small rackets. The game was called "Poona" in India during the 18th Century, and British Army Officers stationed
there and they took a competitive Indian version back to England in the 1860's where it was played at country houses as
an upper class amusement. Isaac Spratt, a London toy dealer published a booklet, "Badminton Battledore - a new game"
in 1860, but unfortunately no copy has survived. The new sport was definitively launched in 1873 at the Badminton
House, Gloucestershire owned by the Duke of Beaufort. During that time, the game was referred to as "The Game of
Badminton," and, the game's official name became Badminton. Until 1887 the sport was played in England under the
rules that prevailed in India. The Bath Badminton Club standardized the rules and made the game applicable to English
ideas. The basic regulations were drawn up in 1887. However, in 1893, the Badminton Association of England published
the first set of rules according to these regulations, similar to that of today, and officially launched badminton in a house
called "Dunbar" at 6 Waverley Grove, Portsmouth, England on September 13 of that year. They also started the All
England Open Badminton Championships, the first badminton competition in the world, in 1899. The Badminton World
Federation (BWF) was established in 1934 with Canada, Denmark, England, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, New
Zealand, Scotland, and Wales as its founding members. India joined as an affiliate in 1936. The BWF now governs
international badminton and develops the sport globally. While originated in England, badminton has traditionally been
dominated by a few Asian countries and Denmark from Europe on the world stage. China, Indonesia, South Korea and
Malaysia are among the nations that have consistently produced world-class players generations after generations in
the past few decades and dominating competitions on the international level, with China being the most dominant in
recent years.

Toss

The rules of badminton states that a toss shall be conducted before a game starts. If you win, you can choose between
serving first or to start play at either end of the court. Your opponent can then exercise the remaining choice.
Serving

Each game is played to 21 points, with players scoring a point whenever they win a rally regardless of whether they
served (this differs from the old system where players could only win a point on their serve and each game was played
to 15 points). A match is the best of three games.
At the start of the rally, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts (see court dimensions). The
server hits the shuttlecock so that it would land in the receiver's service court. This is similar to tennis, except that a
badminton serve must be hit below waist height and with the racquet shaft pointing downwards, the shuttlecock is not
allowed to bounce and in badminton, the players stand inside their service courts unlike tennis.
When the serving side loses a rally, the serve immediately passes to their opponent(s) (this differs from the old system
where sometimes the serve passes to the doubles partner for what is known as a "second serve").
In singles, the server stands in their right service court when their score is even, and in her/his left service court when
her/his score is odd.
In doubles, if the serving side wins a rally, the same player continues to serve, but he/she changes service courts so that
she/he serves to a different opponent each time. If the opponents win the rally and their new score is even, the player in
the right service court serves; if odd, the player in the left service court serves. The players' service courts are
determined by their positions at the start of the previous rally, not by where they were standing at the end of the rally.
A consequence of this system is that, each time a side regains the service, the server will be the player who did not serve
last time.

Scoring system

The rules of badminton states that a badminton match shall consist of the best of 3 games. In doubles and men's singles,
the first side to score 15 points wins the game. In women's singles, the first side to score 11 points wins the game.If the
score becomes 14-all (10-all in women's singles), the side which first scored 14 (10) shall exercise the choice to continue
the game to 15 (11) points or to 'set' the game to 17 (13) points.
The side winning a game serves first in the next game. Only the serving side can add a point to its score.Recently BWF
have been testing a new scoring format of 21 points per game on all major Badminton competition and decided to
replace the old format permanently.
When the server serves, the shuttlecock must pass over the short service line on the opponents' court or it will count as
a fault.
If the score reaches 20-all, then the game continues until one side gains a two point lead (such as 2422), up to a
maximum of 30 points (3029 is a winning score).
At the start of a match, the shuttlecock is cast and the side towards which the shuttlecock is pointing serves first.
Alternatively, a coin may be tossed, with the winners choosing whether to serve or receive first, or choosing which end
of the court to occupy, and their opponents making the leftover the remaining choice.
In subsequent games, the winners of the previous game serve first. Matches are best out of three: a player or pair must
win two games (of 21 points each) to win the match. For the first rally of any doubles game, the serving pair may decide
who serves and the receiving pair may decide who receives. The players change ends at the start of the second game; if
the match reaches a third game, they change ends both at the start of the game and when the leading player's or pair's
score reaches 11 points.
The server and receiver must remain within their service courts, without touching the boundary lines, until the server
strikes the shuttlecock. The other two players may stand wherever they wish, so long as they do not block the vision of
the server or receiver.

Change of ends

The rules of badminton states that you have to change ends with your opponent after finishing the first game. If a third
game was to be played, you shall change ends when the leading score reaches 6 in a game of 11 points or 8 in a game of
15 points.

Rules of Badminton - Singles

Serving and receiving courts

You shall serve from, and receive in, the right service court when you or your opponent has scored an even number of
points in that game.
You shall serve from, and receive in, the left service court when you or your opponent has scored an odd number of
points in that game.
You and your opponent will hit the shuttle alternately until a 'fault' is made or the shuttle ceases to be in play.

Scoring and serving

You score a point and serve again from the alternate service court when your opponent makes a 'fault' or the shuttle
ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of your opponent's side of court.
No points will be scored when you make a 'fault' or the shuttles ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of
your side of court. The serving right will then be transferred to your opponent.

Rules of Badminton - Doubles

At the start of the game, and each time a side gains the right to serve, the service shall be delivered from the right
service court. Only your opponent standing diagonally opposite of you shall return the service.
Should your opponent's partner touched or hit the shuttle, it shall be a 'fault' and your side scores a point.

Order of play and position on court

After the service is returned, either you or your partner may hit the shuttle from any position on your side of the net.
Then either player from the opposing side may do the same, and so on, until the shuttle ceases to be in play.

Scoring and serving

If you are serving or receiving first at the start of any game, you shall serve or receive in the right service court when
your side or your opponent's side scored an even number of points.
You shall serve from or receive in the left service court when your side or your opponent's side has scored an odd
number of points.
The reverse pattern shall apply to your partner.
In any game, the right to serve passes consecutively from the initial server to the initial receiver, then to that initial's
receiver's partner, then to the opponent who is due to serve from the right service court, then to that player's partner,
and so on.
You shall not serve out of turn, receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as
provided in service court errors and 'lets'.

Service court errors

A service court error has been made when a player has served out of turn, has served from the wrong service or
standing on the wrong service court while being prepared to receive the service and it has been delivered.
If a service court error is discovered after the next service had been delivered, the error shall not be corrected. If a
service court error is discovered before the next service is delivered, the following rules apply.
If both sides committed an error, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and won the rally, it shall be a 'let'. If
one side committed the error and lost the rally, the error shall not be corrected.
If there is a 'let' because of a service court error, the rally is replayed with the error corrected. If a service court error is
not to be corrected, play in that game shall proceed without changing the player's new service courts.

Faults

The rules of badminton consider the following as faults:

- If the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the court, passes through or under the net, fail to pass the net, touches
the ceiling or side walls, touches the person or dress of a player or touches any other object or person.
- If the initial point of contact with the shuttle is not on the striker's side of the net. (The striker may, however, follow
the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke.)
- If a player touches the net or its supports with racket, person or dress, invades an opponent's court over the net with
racket or person except as permitted.
- If a player invades an opponent's court under the net with racket or person such that an opponent is obstructed or
distracted or obstructs an opponent, that is prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is
followed over the net.
- If a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures.
- If the shuttle is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke.
- If the shuttle is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes.
- If the shuttle is hit by a player and the player's partner successively or touches a player's racket and continues towards
the back of that player's court.
- If a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent offences under Law of Continuous Play, Misconduct, Penalties.
- If, on service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top, or, on service, after passing over the net
is caught in the net.

Lets

'Let' is called by the umpire, or by a player (if there is no umpire), to halt play. If a let is called, the rally is stopped and
replayed with no change to the score.

A 'let' may be given for any unforeseen or accidental occurrence. The rules of badminton consider the following as 'lets':
- If a shuttle is caught in the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is caught in the net, it shall
be a 'let' except on service.
- If, during service, the receiver and server are both faulted at the same time, it shall be a 'let'.
- If the server serves before the receiver is ready, it shall be a 'let'.
- If, during play, the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle, is shall be a
'let'.
- If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision, it shall be a 'let'.
- A 'let' may occur following a service court error. When a 'let' occurs, the play since the last service shall not count and
the player who served shall serve again, except where in situations where the Law of Service Court Errors is applicable.

Shuttle not in play

A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net and remains attached there or suspended on top.
A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net or post and starts to fall towards the surface of the court on the striker's
side of the net.
A shuttle is not in play when it hits the surface of the court or a 'fault' or 'let' has occurred.

Continuous play, misconduct, penalties

Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except as allowed in intervals not exceeding
90 seconds between the first and second games, and not exceeding 5 minutes between the second and third games.

Officials and appeals

The referee is in overall charge of the tournament. The umpire, where appointed, is in charge of the match, the court
and its immediate surrounds. The umpire shall report to the referee. The service judge shall call service faults made by
the server should they occur. A line judge shall indicate whether a shuttle landed 'in' or 'out' on the line or lines
assigned. An official's decision is final on all points of fact for which that official is responsible.

An umpire shall:
- Upload and enforce the Rules of Badminton and, especially, call a 'fault' or 'let' should either occur.
- Give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of dispute, if made before the next service is delivered.
- Ensure players and spectators are kept informed of the progress of the match.
- Appoint or remove line judges or a service judge in consultation with the referee.
- Where another court official is not appointed, arrange for that official's duties to be carried out.
- Where an appointed official is unsighted, carry out the official's duties or play a 'let'.
- Record and report to the referee all matters in relation to continuous play, misconduct and penalties.
- Take to the referee all unsatisfied appeals on questions of law only. (Such appeals must be made before the next
service is delivered, or, if at the end of the game, before the side that appeals has left the court.
Equipment
Court
The area of play, as defined by the outer boundary lines. The court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. Courts
are usually marked for both singles and doubles play, although badminton rules permit a court to be marked for singles
only.[10] The doubles court is wider than the singles court, but both are of same length. The exception, which often
causes confusion to newer players, is that the doubles court has a shorter serve-length dimension.
The full width of the court is 6.1 metres (20 ft), and in singles this width is reduced to 5.18 metres (17 ft). The full length
of the court is 13.4 metres (44 ft). The service courts are marked by a centre line dividing the width of the court, by a
short service line at a distance of 1.98 metres (6 ft 6 inch) from the net, and by the outer side and back boundaries. In
doubles, the service court is also marked by a long service line, which is 0.76 metres (2 ft 6 inch) from the back
boundary.
The net is 1.55 metres (5 ft 1 inch) high at the edges and 1.524 metres (5 ft) high in the centre. The net posts are placed
over the doubles sidelines, even when singles is played.

Net
The net is made of fine cord, dark in colour and of an even thickness, with a mesh. : The top of the net should be 5 feet,
1 inch at the poles with the center net being one inch less (five feet off the ground).

Posts
The posts are used to hold the net in place.

Racket
Badminton rackets are lightweight, with top quality racquets weighing between 70 and 95 grams (2.4 to 3.3 ounces) not
including grip or strings. They are composed of many different materials ranging from carbon fibre composite (graphite
reinforced plastic) to solid steel, which may be augmented by a variety of materials. Carbon fibre has an excellent
strength to weight ratio, is stiff, and gives excellent kinetic energy transfer. Before the adoption of carbon fibre
composite, racquets were made of light metals such as aluminium. Earlier still, racquets were made of wood. Cheap
racquets are still often made of metals such as steel, but wooden racquets are no longer manufactured for the ordinary
market, because of their excessive mass and cost. Nowadays, nanomaterials such as fullerene and carbon nanotubes are
added to rackets giving them greater durability.
Strings
Badminton strings are thin, high performing strings in the range of about 0.62 to 0.73 mm thickness. Thicker strings are
more durable, but many players prefer the feel of thinner strings. String tension is normally in the range of 80 to 160 N
(18 to 36 lbf). Recreational players generally string at lower tensions than professionals, typically between 80 and 110 N
(18 and 25 lbf). Professionals string between about 110 and 160 N (25 and 36 lbf). Some string manufacturers measure
the thickness of their strings under tension so they are actually thicker than specified when slack. Ashaway Micropower
is actually 0.7mm but Yonex BG-66 is about 0.72mm.
It is often argued that high string tensions improve control, whereas low string tensions increase power. The arguments
for this generally rely on crude mechanical reasoning, such as claiming that a lower tension string bed is more bouncy
and therefore provides more power. This is in fact incorrect, for a higher string tension can cause the shuttle to slide off
the racquet and hence make it harder to hit a shot accurately. An alternative view suggests that the optimum tension for
power depends on the player: the faster and more accurately a player can swing their racquet, the higher the tension for
maximum power. Neither view has been subjected to a rigorous mechanical analysis, nor is there clear evidence in
favour of one or the other. The most effective way for a player to find a good string tension is to experiment.
Grip
The choice of grip allows a player to increase the thickness of their racquet handle and choose a comfortable surface to
hold. A player may build up the handle with one or several grips before applying the final layer.
Players may choose between a variety of grip materials. The most common choices are PU synthetic grips or towelling
grips. Grip choice is a matter of personal preference. Players often find that sweat becomes a problem; in this case, a
drying agent may be applied to the grip or hands, sweatbands may be used, the player may choose another grip material
or change his/her grip more frequently.
There are two main types of grip: replacement grips and overgrips. Replacement grips are thicker, and are often used to
increase the size of the handle. Overgrips are thinner (less than 1 mm), and are often used as the final layer. Many
players, however, prefer to use replacement grips as the final layer. Towelling grips are always replacement grips.
Replacement grips have an adhesive backing, whereas overgrips have only a small patch of adhesive at the start of the
tape and must be applied under tension; overgrips are more convenient for players who change grips frequently,
because they may be removed more rapidly without damaging the underlying material.
Shuttlecock
A shuttlecock (often abbreviated to shuttle; also called a birdie) is a high-drag projectile, with an open conical shape: the
cone is formed from sixteen overlapping feathers embedded into a rounded cork base. The cork is covered with thin
leather or synthetic material. A piece of cork covered in goat skin with 16 goose feathers attached to one end. It can be
made from natural or synthetic materials.
Synthetic shuttles are often used by recreational players to reduce their costs as feathered shuttles break easily. These
nylon shuttles may be constructed with either natural cork or synthetic foam base, and a plastic skirt.
Shoes
Badminton shoes are lightweight with soles of rubber or similar high-grip, non-marking materials.
Compared to running shoes, badminton shoes have little lateral support. High levels of lateral support are useful for
activities where lateral motion is undesirable and unexpected. Badminton, however, requires powerful lateral
movements. A highly built-up lateral support will not be able to protect the foot in badminton; instead, it will encourage
catastrophic collapse at the point where the shoe's support fails, and the player's ankles are not ready for the sudden
loading, which can cause sprains. For this reason, players should choose badminton shoes rather than general trainers or
running shoes, because proper badminton shoes will have a very thin sole, lower a person's centre of gravity, and
therefore result in fewer injuries. Players should also ensure that they learn safe and proper footwork, with the knee
and foot in alignment on all lunges. This is more than just a safety concern: proper footwork is also critical in order to
move effectively around the court.
Badminton Attire
For casual to non-competitive players, a comfortable pair of shorts and cotton or dri-fit t-shirt is sufficient. Some players
may want to equip themselves with hand grips, wrist bands and ankle guards.

Strokes
1. Overhead Forehand Stroke
2. Overhead Backhand Stroke
3. Underarm Forehand Stroke
4. Underarm Backhand Stroke
5. Serve - underhand stoke to start game play
6. Overhand Clear - overhand stroke driving the birdie high and deep into the opponent's court
7. Underhand Clear - underhand stroke driving the birdie high and deep into the opponent's court
8. Drop - a short shot in which just clears the net, and falls close to the net in the opponent's court.
9. Smash - an overhead stroke in which the birdie travels at a downward angle (spike)
Defensive badminton shots
The Clear Shot
In this stroke, contact the shuttlecock around the middle of your racket head. The aim of the clear is to cause the shuttle
to go up high in the air and land at your opponent's back court.
This is used when you need to buy more time for yourself to return to base before the next return. It is also strategic to
use when your opponent is near to the fore-court, forcing him to retract to the back to retrieve the shuttle.
The Drive Shot
The drive shot is a basic flat shot, directly hit over the net. It is a powerful, quick counter-attacking shot that is easy to
execute. Your racket should be held with the head facing straight ahead.
It can sometimes be strategic to aim the shot at your opponent who will be unable to react or shift his body in time as
their natural reaction will be to duck the shot.
Offensive badminton shots
The Drop Shot
The drop shot is best used when the shuttle is heading towards you in the first half of your court. To perform this stroke,
the player must hit the shuttle cock downwards towards the opponent's fore-court, aiming for it to go just over the net.
You want to make it look like a drive, but instead you only use a little force to push the shuttle over the net. This shot is
strategic to use when the opponent is near to the back court, anticipating your stroke to be a clear or drive.
For more advanced play, if you are in the mid-court you can try slicing the shuttlecock so it will bounce nicely over the
net. If the opponent is in the back court, this shot will make the opponent dash forward.
The closer the shuttle drops to the net, the harder it is to return. However, it also becomes riskier for you as it may not
cross the net and cost you the rally.
The Smash Shot
The badminton smash is considered the most powerful shot in badminton and you can think of it like a drive that is
angled downwards. It is best used when the shuttle when its high in the air, so it can be angled downwards.
When the shuttle comes in from a high angle, it will allow you enough time to arch and get in position to strike. At the
highest point of contact, with a flick of the wrist aim the shuttle downwards in a steep gradient.
You ideally want to aim for spots furthest from your opponent, but another tactic is to aim it towards his upper torso,
making it hard for him to defend.