P.

REVIEWER

Badminton

court or lawn game played with lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock.

Historically, the shuttlecock (also known as a “bird” or “birdie”) was a
small cork hemisphere with 16 goose feathers attached and weighing
about 0.17 ounce (5 grams). These types of shuttles may still be used in
modern play, but shuttles made from synthetic materials are also allowed
by the Badminton World Federation. The game is named for Badminton,
the country estate of the dukes of Beaufort in Gloucestershire, England,
where it was first played about 1873. The roots of the sport can be traced
to ancient Greece, China, and India, and it is closely related to the
old children’s game battledore and shuttlecock. Badminton is derived
directly from poona, which was played by British army officers stationed
in India in the 1860s. The first unofficial all-England badminton
championships for men were held in 1899, and the first
badminton tournament for women was arranged the next year.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF; originally the International

Badminton Federation), the world governing body of the sport, was
formed in 1934. Badminton is also popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan,
and Denmark. The BWF’s first world championships were held in 1977. A
number of regional, national, and zonal badminton tournaments are held in
several countries. The best-known of these is the All-England
Championships. Other well-known international tournaments include
the Thomas Cup (donated 1939) for men’s team competition and the Uber
Cup (donated 1956) for women’s team competition.

Badminton first appeared in the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport

in 1972 and as an exhibition sport in 1988. At the 1992 Games it became
a full-medal Olympic sport, with competition for men’s and women’s
singles (one against one) and doubles (two against two). Mixed doubles
was introduced at the 1996 Games.

Competitive badminton is usually played indoors because even light

winds affect the course of the shuttlecock. (Recreational badminton, on
the other hand, is a popular outdoor summertime activity.) The
rectangular court is 44 feet (13.4 metres) long and 17 feet (5.2 metres)
wide for singles, 20 feet (6.1 metres) wide for doubles. A net 5 feet (1.5
metres) high stretches across the width of the court at its centre. A clear
space of 4 feet (1.3 metres) around the court is needed. Play consists
entirely of volleying—hitting the shuttlecock back and forth across the
net without letting it touch the floor or ground within the boundaries of
the court.

In international play, athletes compete in best-of-three-games matches. A

game is played to 21 points, provided that the winner has at least a
2-point advantage. If a 2-point advantage is never reached, the first player
or team to score 30 points wins. Points were only awarded to the serving
side until 2006, when the BWF adopted the “rally scoring” system, under
which either side can score at any time.

Equipments:

1.Shuttlecock

2.Badminton racket
3. Badminton Shoes
Badminton shoes are designed to give you better traction and grip to stop
in time to return a shot. They should also be lightweight have good
cushioning to absorb impact when you jump or land.
Regular players will find heel cups useful to prolonging the lifespan of
your shoes.
Do not wear jogging shoes as they usually lack grip and traction. You
might end up crashing through the badminton net if you are unable to
stop in time to receive a drop shot.
4. 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.
Each of these items serve a purpose and might also add a dash of colour
to the entire get-up.
When it comes to badminton equipment, select what is appropriate before
turning your attention to aesthetics.
With this in mind, have fun shopping and gearing up for your next match.
To receive the latest updates on the happenings in the Singapore sports
scene, or to find out more about some of the latest programmes on offer at
ActiveSG, like our Facebook page here.
Badminton Rules and Regulations explained
Badminton is one of the most popular racket sports in Singapore. With 17
different ActiveSG venues all over the island to book your courts, it is no
doubt one of the most popular recreational sport amongst Singaporeans.
Equipment is also relatively inexpensive which makes it easy for new
players to take up the sport. To get started, all you need is a badminton
court, net, rackets and shuttlecocks.
 Here is a breakdown of badminton rules based on “Laws of Badminton
Regulations 2017” by the Badminton World Federation. You can also
click here for a beginners guide to badminton rules and regulations.

Setting Up

Before we begin, we ought to be sure that the court we’re playing on is

according to the dimensions provided above and to ensure that the net
separating the two courts are of the right height. Not to worry as all
ActiveSG badminton court are drawn in accordance to international
standards.

The coin toss – who goes first?

Before a tournament starts, a coin is tossed. The winner of the coin toss
will then get to choose either

 to serve or to receive first or

 the preferred side of the court

The loser of the coin toss will then exercise the remaining choice.

However, if it is just a friendly game with your family or friends, you

may wish to use rock-paper-scissors to determine the winner of who’s
going to go first.

Badminton Service

A serve is delivered diagonally across the courts. During service, both the
server and receiver must stand at diagonally opposite sides without
touching the boundary lines of the badminton courts. During a serve, the
point at which the racquet is allowed to come into contact with the
shuttlecock must happen below the server’s waist. Once the players are
ready, the first forward movement of the server’s racket shall be the start
of the service. The server shall not serve before the receiver is ready.
However, the receiver will be considered to have been ready if a return of
service is attempted.

Rally

A rally starts with a serve, often continuing with a series of shots

exchanged between opposing sides before it finally ends when a point is
scored.

Badminton Scoring System – 3 (games) x 21 (points)

The 3 (game sets) x 21 (points) scoring system was first introduced in

December 2005 and is now the official scoring system used at
professional tournaments.

Despite the official updates to the rules, some recreational players

(particularly those who have been playing badminton for many years) still
follow the traditional scoring system where winners are determined by
the best of three games, played to 15 points for men and 11 points for
women.

In the official tournament rules today, a badminton match consists of

three games. The winner of the best of three shall be crowned the winner.

The first player/team to score 21 points wins a game.

A point is awarded to the player/team that wins the rally.

In the event that a game reaches a 20-20 score, players can only win the
set by getting a 2 point lead over the opposing party, e.g. 22-20, 23-21,
24-22 etc.

In the event that the game reaches a 29-29 score, the first team to reach
30 points will win the set and take the service for the next game.

Specific Rules to Badminton Singles vs Doubles

Badminton Singles

Where should you serve from?

The server shall serve from their respective right service court when the
server has not scored or has scored an even number of points in the game.
Vice-versa, the server shall serve from their respective left service court
when the server has scored an odd number of points in the game.

Scoring in Badminton Singles

If the server wins a rally, the server shall score a point and shall serve
again from the alternate service court. If the receiver wins a rally, the
receiver shall score a point. The receiver will become the new server.

Badminton Doubles

Where should the pair serve from and sequence of serving

A player of the serving side shall serve from the right service court when
the serving side has not scored or has scored an even number of points in
the game. Vice-versa, a player of the serving side shall serve from the left
 service court when the serving side has scored an odd number of points in
the game.

The player of the receiving side standing diagonally to the server will be
the receiver.

The sequence of serving in a doubles game shall follow,

From the initial server who started the game from the right service court
to the partner of the initial receiver, to the partner of the initial server, to
the initial receiver and back to the initial server and so on.

Switching sides on the court

Here are a few instances where players or teams will switch sides on the
court,

 At the end of the first game

 At the end of the second game if there is a third game

 During the third game, the first player/team scores 11 points.

For a detailed breakdown of badminton rules, do refer to the Badminton

World Federation “The LAWS of Badminton”. Badminton Court Rules in
a nutshell Like many other sports, winner of the coin toss shall have a say
in who serves first and gets to choose the side of the court they prefer.
Badminton is played in a best of three set formats. The first to reach 21
points will win the set. Service is always delivered diagonally across the
court be it in Singles or Doubles play. Switch sides of the court after
every game and after the first player to score 11 points on the 3rd game if
it exists.
To receive the latest updates on the happenings in the Singapore sports
scene, or to find out more about some of the latest programmes on offer
at ActiveSG, like our Facebook page here.

Whether you would like your child to experience badminton or embark

on a pathway to excel in it, the SBA Badminton Academy @ ActiveSG is
the right place for you! Helmed by professional coaches, they will be on
hand to guide your child every step of the way to instill values and
character development. From fundamental movement skills to core
badminton skills, the programmes are designed to be fun, yet challenging.

Badminton Strategies

Being able to use Badminton Strategies in your game is essential in

winning you crucial points and games. Just knowing how to smash
powerfully will not bring you success if you don't have a game plan. You
have to use some badminton tactics and badminton strategies to outwit
your opponent.
Always remember that you are trying to make your opponent play a weak shot
in which you will be able to make a 'kill'. Too many beginners try to make
every shot a winning shot instead of a negotiating shot to play a winning
game.

Here I am going to show you some basic Badminton Tactics for Singles,
Doubles and Mix Doubles.

Singles Badminton Strategies

One simple badminton strategy often used in singles is to serve long and high
to your opponent's back court. This will force your opponent to move back to
the baseline and open up his forecourt.

Throw in some disguised low serve occasionally and you might just catch
your opponent off guard and win a point outright.

Nowadays in professional men's singles, you seldom see them use the long
serve. This is because the professional players are extremely athletic and
possess great techniques. They can jump really high and smash powerfully
even from the baseline.

It all depends who you are playing with. If the high serve turns out to be your
opponent's favorite and put you under pressure, use the low serve.

Always try to hit the shuttle away from your opponent and make your
opponent move around the court. One exception to this rule is that when you
encounter a tall opponent, you might want to smash straight to his body to
gain an advantage.

Observe your opponent's strength, weakness, favorite shots and pattern of

play. Use it to your advantage.

Your aim is to make your opponent play a weak return, such as a weak
backhand shot from the back court. If your plan works and forces a mistake or
a poor return which you can make a 'kill', use it again. If it is not working then
have the courage to make changes. The key is to be flexible.

If you are in a difficult situation in the game and your opponent is not, you
need to make time for yourself to get back to a favorable position. Do this by
hitting the shuttle high towards the back of the court, preferably near the
middle of the baseline. Your opponent will find it difficult to catch you out
with acute angled returns from there.

Remember always to get back to your base position in the midcourt area after
making each shot. This is a position where you can possibly reach any of your
opponent's shots.

Doubles Badminton Strategies

In doubles play, the tactic is to serve low so that the serving side would not be
placed in a defensive position. If you are serving low, take position on the
front and part of the midcourt area immediately. Your partner shall then cover
the back court. This is known as the Attacking Formation (Front-Back).

You can also use the flick serve to prevent your opponent from rushing to the
net. But you and your partner will have to take up a defensive position
standing side by side. This is known as the Defensive Formation (side-side).

When you defend, try to hit the shuttle deep into your opponent's court. This
is to prevent your opponent in the front position intercepting the shuttle from
mid to front court.

When a chance presents itself, push or drive the shuttle to the area in between
your opponents. Or make a return to the front court of your opponents, forcing
them to lift the shuttle.

In this instance, the player who played that shot will have to take up the front
position immediately while the partner takes the back. An attacking formation
shall be formed. If you are taking the back position, your aim is to make shots
that can create openings for your partner to 'kill' in the front court.

In all types of doubles play, teamwork is the key in forming a formidable

partnership. Although an ideal player will be skillful in all areas of the court,
most will either show greater flair around the net or be more effective with
overhead shots.

You and your partner have to figure out how to make the best out of your
skills together. Play to your own strengths and your opponent's weaknesses.

You will find this much easier if you communicate well with each other. Do
not leave it to guesswork! Talk to your partner. Is there a leader in the
partnership or is it all a matter of shared responsibility? A quick word on court
might change the result of a game which is slipping away from you.

Remember...Teamwork is the success formula in doubles!

Mixed Doubles Badminton Strategies

In mixed doubles, the women usually play in the front of the court, and her
partner takes the shots that get past her. The man should try to hit downward
shots or horizontal shots, while the woman should play net kills and tight net
shots.

Both players should be in a good position to push the shuttle low over the net
to the mid court area, just past the front player's area but in front of the back
player.

The woman should always assume a front position in an attacking formation

(Front-Back) unless forced to move to the back. When defending, the
defensive formation (Side-Side) is used. Apply flick serve frequently to the
woman receiver forcing her to the back court.

Badminton is not only a physical demanding game, it is mentally challenging

as well. You will come to a stage where skills and fitness alone will not be
enough to beat your opponent. Having the right Badminton Tactics in place
will give you that extra edge.

Those who fail to plan, plan to fail... Plan your Badminton Strategies from
now on...
History of tennis
The game that most people call 'Tennis' is the direct descendant of what is
now known as real tennis or royal tennis (which continues to be played
today as a separate sport with more complex rules). Most rules of the
game commonly known as tennis derive from it. It is reasonable to see
both sports as variations of the same game. Most historians believe
that tennis originated in the monastic cloisters in northern France in the
12th century, but the ball was then struck with the palm of the hand;
hence, the name jeu de paume ("game of the palm").[1] It was not until
the 16th century that rackets came into use, and the game began to be
called "tennis." It was popular in England and France, and Henry VIII of
England was a big fan of the game, now referred to as real tennis.[2]
Many original tennis courts remain, including courts at Oxford,
Cambridge, Falkland Palace in Fife where Mary Queen of Scots regularly
played, and Hampton Court Palace. Many of the French courts were
decommissioned with the terror that accompanied the French Revolution.
The Tennis Court Oath (Serment du Jeu de Paume) was a pivotal event
during the first days of the French Revolution. The Oath was a pledge
signed by 576 of the 577 members from the Third Estate who were
locked out of a meeting of the Estates-General on 20 June 1789.
The Davis Cup, an annual competition between men's national teams,
dates to 1900.[3] The analogous competition for women's national teams,
the Fed Cup, was founded as the Federation Cup in 1963 to celebrate the
50th anniversary of the founding of the International Tennis Federation,
also known as the ITF.
Promoter C. C. Pyle created the first professional tennis tour in 1926,
with a group of American and French tennis players playing exhibition
matches to paying audiences.[4][5] The most notable of these early
professionals were the American Vinnie Richards and the
Frenchwoman Suzanne Lenglen.[4][6] Once a player turned pro he or she
could not compete in the major (amateur) tournaments.[4]
In 1968, commercial pressures and rumors of some amateurs taking
money under the table led to the abandonment of this distinction,
inaugurating the Open Era (see below), in which all players could
compete in all tournaments, and top players were able to make their
living from tennis.[7] With the beginning of the open era, the
establishment of an international professional tennis circuit, and revenues
from the sale of television rights, tennis's popularity has spread
worldwide, and the sport has shed its upper/middle-class
English-speaking image[8] (although it is acknowledged that this
stereotype still exists).[8][9][10]
Racket, tennis ball, shoes, and a dress code are mandatory equipment for
the sport. Apart from player needs, the tennis court needs a net to
separate playing area of each player. Know about these equipment in
detail below.

Racket

Rackets can be made of many alloys or wood. There are no restrictions

on the size or materials used in making a racket. It has an oval head and
a gradually widening throat that connects the narrow handle with the
head of the racket.
The head of the racket is tightly woven with strings which are made of
various materials like nylon, gut or synthetic gut. The handles are
covered with leather or nylon for a better grip.

Ball

As per ITF rules, Tennis balls are yellow colored spherical balls, with a
diameter between 2.5 and 2.625 inches. They weigh between 2 and
21/16 oz. Pressurized rubber is used to make semi spherical half shells.
They are then joined with compressed air between them.
The spherical balls are covered with bright yellow colored felt. Kids
aged ten and under play with different colored balls. They move slower,
bounce lower. They are also softer and larger and are easy for kids to hit
them.

Net

A rectangular net is used to separate the two sides of a Tennis court. The
net should cover the space between the two net posts. The net is woven
in such a way that it does not allow the Tennis ball to pass through. It is
usually tied in about 3 feet above the ground at the centre.

Wrist bands
Wrist bands are worn around wrists to prevent sweat from wetting the
players’ palm or the racket. A wet grip might not be strong.

Head band
Headbands are used to absorb sweat. They also tie player’s hair away
from their face. Any tight cap made of absorbent material can also be
used instead of a head band.

Tennis shoes
Just running shoes don’t provide enough lateral support to players.
Tennis shoes are designed to give players better stability and prevent
them from sliding while moving sideways. Shoes shouldn’t damage the
court when players move briskly across the court.

Dress
Men wear T-Shirts or shirts made of materials like polyester that does
not absorb sweat and keeps the player cool. They wear shorts that do not
cover their knees.

Though women are advised to wear just any comfortable dress, of late
many Tennis champions try to make a style statement with their
carefully designed clothes. Many players prefer wearing a tank top or a
T-shirt on a short skirt.