BADMINTON

Badminton is great for physical activity, and it is an activity that you can use for a lifetime. Physical activity is a
major aspect of living a health life that is the main goal of physical Education.

Badminton evolved from a similar game called battledore played in fifth century B.C. China. The people in
china then played a game called ti jian zi. A direct translation from this word “ti jian zi’ is kicking the shuttle. As
the name suggest, the objective of the game is to keep the shuttle from hitting the ground without using hand.
Whether this sport has anything to do with the history of Badminton is up for debate.

Brief History

In 1934 the International Badminton Federation (IBF), which now known as the Badminton World Federation,
was established. Badminton has its origins in ancient civilizations in Europe and Asia. The ancient game known
as battledore (bat or paddle) and shuttlecock probably originated more than 2000 years ago. In the 1600s
battledore and shuttlecock was an upper class pastime in England and many European countries. Battledore
and shuttlecock was simply two people hitting a shuttlecock backwards and forwards with a simple bat as
many times as they could without allowing it to hit the ground.

Modern badminton can be traced to mid-19th century British India. It was created by British military officers
stationed there. A net was added to the traditional English game of battledore and shuttlecock. As it was
popular in the British garrison town of Poona, the game came to be known as "Poona" or "Poonai".

Initially, woolen balls were preferred by the upper classes in windy or wet conditions, but ultimately
shuttlecocks took over the role of a "ball." This game was taken by retired officers who got back to England. It
was introduced as a game for the guests of the Duke of Beaufort at his stately home 'Badminton' in
Gloucestershire, England where it became popular. Hence, the origin of the name "Badminton." Badminton
was invented long ago; a form of sport played in ancient Greece and Egypt. The game was called "POONA" in
India during the 18th Century, and British Army Officers stationed there took the Indian version back to
England in the 1860's. In 1934, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) was organized Badminton was
first contested as an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona, Spain.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Racket - Badminton racket is quite light and can be made of wood, aluminum, metal or synthetic materials
such as graphite or carbon. A synthetic racket is quite popular now because of its extreme lightness and
strength. A badminton racket weighs roughly 98-100 grams ( 3 ½ oz), and 68 cm. in length .

Shuttlecock - is the official name given to the shuttle or bird. It is made up of 16 goose feathers and is firmly
fixed in a leather covered cock head. It weighs from 4.74-5.50g it may be made of fathers, plastic or nylon.

Court - Badminton courts are rectangular and are divided in half by a center net. Regardless of the game type,
courts are usually marked for both singles and doubles games. Both play styles require the same court length
of 44’ | 13.4 m, but double (full) courts are 20’ | 6.1 m wide and single courts are reduced to 17’ | 5.18 m;
shrinking by 1.5’ | .46 m on both sides.
Basic General Rules and Regulations in Badminton Playing

1. Serving
a. The server must keep both feet in contact with the floor at the time of the serve
b. The bird must be contacted below the waist
c. The racket head must be below the server’s wrist.
d. The server should not serve until the receiver is ready; the opponent is deemed ready if a
return is attempted
e. Partners of the server and receiver may stand anywhere on the court providing they do not obstruct the
opponent’s view
f. A bird that touches the net on the serve and goes into the proper service court is legal
g. If the server misses the bird on the serve attempt, it still counts. In singles and doubles the
serve would go to the opponent. The serve is lost to the opponent.

2. Serving Order-Singles
a. The first serve of the game and all following serves, when the server’s score is an even number, are
made from the right service court.
b. All serves, when the server’s score is an odd number, are made from the left service court.
c. When a rally is lost, the receiving player becomes the server and scores a point.

3. Serving Order-Doubles
a. There is only one server in doubles
b. At the beginning of the game and when the score is EVEN, the server serves from the RIGHT COURT.
When the score is ODD, the server serves from the LEFT COURT.
c. If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same person serves again from the
alternate court.
d. If the serving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side becomes the new
serving side.
e. The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is
serving. You only change sides of the court, from the left to right, when your team has scored while
serving.

4. The winners of the first game serve first in the next game are considered good.
5. During a rally, a bird that touches the net and goes over is in play.
6. A fault (violation of rules) occurs if:
a. On the service, any part of the racket head is higher than the server’s wrist and contact is
made above the waist
b. The service fails to cross the net or go into the proper service court.
c. The feet of the server and receiver are not in the proper courts at time of service.
d. The server hesitates or stops (feint/balk) the service motion or misses the bird.
e. The improper receiver returns the bird on the serve.
f. A bird hit into the net, under the net, against the wall or ceiling is out-of-bounds.
g. A player hits the bird before it crosses the net.
h. The bird touches a player or clothing.
i. The player touches the net while the bird is in play.
j. The bird is hit twice succession by one/both partners.
k. The bird is held, caught, or carried on the racket when struck.
7. Let (a play allowed to be played)
a. The bird becomes caught in or on the net after passing over the net
Scoring Games

Since January 2006 World Badminton Federation changed the scoring system so now points are scored
after all rallies. Games are played to 21 with advantage of 2 and breaks are only at 11 or 21. Below is the
basic explanation for the new scoring system.

Simplified New Rally

Points Scoring System
1. A match consists of the best 3 games of 21 points.
2. The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.
3. At 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game
4. At 29 all, the side scoring the 30Th point, wins that game.
5. The side winning a game serves first in the next game.

Intervals and Change of Ends

1. When the leading score reaches 11 points, players have a 60 second interval.
2. A 2-minute interval between each game is allowed.
3. In the third game, player change ends when a side scores 11 points.

Safety/Etiquette
1. Keep a firm grip on the racket
2. Be careful not to hit your partner with the racket
3. Stay in your own court to avoid the possibility of other players
4. Stop play if other players enter your court
5. Wait until there is a stop in action to retrieve a bird from another court
6. Be aware of the walls and the net posts.
7. Before play, agree on the boundaries and determine the first server.
8. Players call their own lines; replay the point if in doubt.
9. Shake hands after the game/match.