Origins and History of Badminton

Facts and Information About the Game

The origins of the game of badminton date back at least 2,000 years to the game of battledore and
shuttlecock played in ancient Greece, China, and India.

A very long history for one of the Olympics newest sports! Badminton took its name from
Badminton House in Gloucestershire, the ancestral home of the Duke of Beaufort, where the sport
was played in the last century. Gloucestershire is now the base for the International Badminton
Federation.

The IBF was formed in 1934 with nine members: Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands,
England, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The United States joined four years later.
Membership increased steadily over the next few years with a surge in new members after the
Olympic Games debut at Barcelona.

The first big IBF tournament was the Thomas Cup (men’s world team championships) in 1948.
Since then, the number of world events has increased to seven, with the addition of the Uber Cup
(ladies’ team), World Championships, Sudirman Cup (mixed team), World Juniors, World Grand
Prix Finals, and the World Cup.

The World Cup invitational event started in 1981 and is organized by the International Management
Group (IMG). The World Cup series is due to end in 1997, and the IBF is considering organizing
exhibition matches featuring the world’s top players to replace the World Cup.

For the recent Thomas and Uber Cups in Hong Kong, the sale of commercial and television rights
was a multimillion dollar contract. And it’s not just in Asia. In Europe also, there’s a growing number
of companies bidding for rights. Television companies worldwide are already buying exclusive
rights to the 1997 World Championships to be held in Glasgow, Scotland.

A turning point in badminton’s growth was the $20 million tripartite contract in 1994 for sponsorship
of the World Grand Prix Finals. Under the terms of the deal between the IBF, IMG, and STAR TV,
STAR injects the monies into the promotion and development of badminton. In return, STAR gains
total exclusivity for the exploitation of the commercial and television rights to the WGP Finals. “The
deal was good for both main parties,” said David Shaw, IBF’s executive director, who was brought
into the organization with a brief to grow the sport. “We needed a strong partner in television, and
the broadcaster had identified badminton as a vehicle which would attract audiences across Asia to
its prime sports channel.”

The next phase in the rise and rise of international badminton has been to retake the USA. The
U.S. was an early member of the IBF and initially one of the most successful. When the Uber Cup
was introduced in 1956, Americans won the first three events. But then interest waned.

Badminton is a well liked and familiar sport in the USA but, predominantly, is usually played as a
fun game in the backyard or on the beach. We know that once Americans see the other badminton
—international badminton, the world’s fastest racket sport—they will want to see and play more.
The Atlanta Olympics started to raise the sport’s profile in the U.S. The event was a sell-out and
became one of the “must-see” sports. Ex-President Jimmy Carter, Chelsea Clinton, Paul Newman,
and Princess Anne were among the celebrities who came to watch. David Broder of the
Washington Post reported “seeing one of the supreme athletic spectacles of my life.”

The year 1996 was a landmark in USA badminton. It’s not only the Atlanta Olympic Games that
started to generate tremendous interest in the U.S. market. In December 1995, the IBF introduced
a new concept tournament in California, the Hong Ta Shan Cup, a men’s invitation tournament with
the best players and big prize money. There are now plans to add a women’s event and to
increase the prize money. The Hong Ta Shan Group has gone on to sponsor the U.S. Open,
increasing the prize money to $200,000. This makes the event the most valuable World Grand Prix
event in the series and gives it six-star status.

The degree of change is increasing. Badminton’s debut as an Olympic Games sport has manifestly
boosted interest internationally. The STAR TV agreement has increased the sport’s coverage
dramatically. Sponsors and television companies are being attracted to a sport which gives them
access to the Asian economies. And spectators are increasingly attracted to the exciting mix of
angles, tactics, touch, reaction, and fitness that would exhaust a squash champion.

Rules of the Game

What is the rule for playing badminton?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Badminton Equipment and Gear

1. Badminton Racket

Badminton rackets can be made from several types of materials. Depending on the material
selection, this can result in different combinations of racket weight, balance points and string
tensions. With so many different combinations, it will take time to decide which is most suited for
your playing style.

Instead of making purchases online, pop by a badminton shop. Ask for assistance and select a
racket that you feel comfortable with. Swing the racket around to get a good feel of its overall
weight and grip.

2. Shuttlecock

There are two types of shuttlecocks - plastic and feathered shuttlecocks.

Plastic shuttlecocks are far more durable compared to the feathered types which are commonly
used. However, plastic shuttlecocks are only recommended for beginners who are just starting out.
This is because feathered shuttlecocks are expensive and fray easily especially if the wrong
technique is used. Hence, plastic shuttlecocks are good for beginners to use for training. Plastic
shuttlecocks are usually used by young children who play badminton for recreation.
Plastic shuttlecocks tend to travel shorter distances as they are heavier. Hence, they are good for
building strength as you make the transition to feathered shuttlecocks. Most people will progress to
using feathered shuttlecocks as they are used at all competitive tournaments.

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.

Badminton Technical and Tactical Skills

Technical Demands.
The high serve:

The high serve in badminton starts with a forearm action and you should lead with your non-racket
leg and put your racket leg behind the other, then bring the racket back to shoulder level and bring
the racket forward at pace tilted towards the ceiling and follow the Rhythm of the Stroke.

Back hand serve:

Stand in a comfortable position with your racket hand in front, carry out a short swing then bring the
racket forward while holding the shuttlecock at the tip of the feathers strike the shuttle and then
carry out your shot and get the shuttlecock to scum the net tape as it goes over the net.

Smash;

Shift your weight onto your back foot and bend your elbow and lock your wrist ready to hit the
shuttle forward,
As the shuttle reachs it's highest position over you, bring the racket up to meet the shuttle at its
highest point and hit down with a lot of power and recover into your position.

Clear:

You use the clear shot to send your opponent to the back of their court to make other shot shorts
available for yourself, this shot can open up good opportunities to win the point, take your weight
and put it on your rear foot as the shuttle starts to desend over your head hit it and the point where
it just starts to come down, hit it with a bent elbow and straighten the elbow as you finish the
stroke, this will give more power to send them further back.

Drop Shots:

This shot wins points, shift your weight to your rear foot and bend your elbow and lock out your
wrist so you are ready to hit forward, contact the shuttle as high as possible and when it's in front of
you, straigten your elbow as you hit the shuttle. Slice or tap the shuttle as you hit it to reduce the
amount of power and speed that goes into the shot, this slice or tap will give the shot the loop to
just skim the netbtape and drop over.

Tactical Demands:

In badminton the main tactic is give maximum returns with minimal effort. By applying tactics to the
game of badminton you can out win your opponent in no time. In badminton the tactics are all
about reading your opponent and where his next move is going to go, you can determine how
quick, aggressive or light they will play against you in there first couple of shots,
If they play light you play harder and faster if they play hard and fast you do something to throw
them off their game.

Playing the the corners of the court is important because if your opponent is quick footed and
aggressive then playing to the corners will get them tired quickly and will make them to scuff shots.
If the opponents are lazy and sluggish then playing to the corners of the court will get you easy
points.

You also have to use the whole of your side of the court to your advantage and make sure you
work around the court and make sure you become unpredictable so your opponent can not read
your next shot.

Badminton Court Dimensions

Overall Court Dimensions

The overall dimensions of a badminton court is 20 feet by 44 feet. The lines along these
measurements mark the sidelines for doubles play and long service lines for singles play.

The Net Line

The net line marks the middle of the court where the net is placed, creating a 22 feet by 20 feet
area on each side of the net.

Short Service Line

The short service line is marked 6 feet 6 inches (some are marked 7 feet) from the center line. The
area inside the short service line is also called the Non Volley Zone.

Center Line
The Center Line is the line that divides the court from the Short Service Line to the Back Boundary
Line. This delineates the Left from Right Service Court.
Side Line for Singles Play
The Singles Side Line is marked 1 1/2 feet from the edge of the outer boundary (doubles side line)

Back Boundary Line and Long Service Line for Singles

The back boundary line is the same for singles and doubles play it is the outermost back line on
the court.

Long Service Line for Doubles

The Long Service line for Doubles is marked 2 1/2 feet inside the Back Boundary Line.

The Badminton Net

The badminton net measures 5 feet tall in the center.