Badminton is a racket sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles). The players take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. It is one of the few sports where men and women can play together. It is a game for all ages and abilities. Although fitness is a key aspect for professional players, it is also played as a recreation game across the world.
History
The origin of the badminton dates back to second century BC. Although it appears that this sport was named after Badminton House, Gloucestershire, owned by the Duke of Beaufort. In 1873, some British army officers in India initially played the game at ‘Poonah’ (now known as Pune) thus derived its name. In 1877 first set of rules were derived. These laws were gradually adopted by other nations. However, the game evolved as an international sport only after the first All England Championship. In 1934, the International Badminton Federation (now known as Badminton World Federation) was formed and the rules of the game were standardized. Badminton Association of India came into existence in the year 1934. Various state level associations are affiliated to it.
Events
The events played in badminton are: (a) Singles’ (Men, Women), (b) Doubles’ (Men, Women), (c) Mixed Doubles’ (Combination of one Man and one Woman) and (d) Teams’ Event (Men, Women, Mixed)
Court
The court is rectangular, and is divided into 2 halves by a net. Court is usually marked for both singles’ and doubles’ play. The doubles’ court is wider than the ‘singles’ court.
The full width of the court is 6.1 metres, and in singles’ this width is reduced to 5.18 metres. The full length of the court is 13.4 metres. 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 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 from the back boundary.
The net is 1.55 metres high at the edges and 1.524 metres high in the centre. The net posts are placed over the doubles sidelines, even when singles is played.
Badminton court
Rules
Starting the game
A coin is tossed to start the game. The player winning the toss has the choice to serve first, or to choose which side of the court would they prefer. The player losing the toss gets the left over option.
Service
- At the beginning of the game of badminton and when the score is even, the server serves from the right service court.
- Server and receiver always stand diagonally in opposite service courts.
- The server’s racket shall initially hit the base of the shuttle.
- While serving the whole of the shuttle shall be below 1.15m from the surface of the court at the instant of impact of the racket with the shuttle.
- Some parts of both feet of the server and receiver must remain in contact with the surface of the court until service is delivered.
- The movement of the server’s racket must continue forward after the start of service until service is delivered.
Let
‘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. It shall be a ‘let’, if —
- there is an unforeseen or accidental situation occurs.
- during play, the shuttle is caught in the net or caught on the net and remains suspended on its top after passing over the net.
- the shuttle disintegrates and the base separates from the rest of the shuttle.
- the server and receiver are both faulted at the same time.
- the server serves before the receiver is ready.
- the line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision.
- in the opinion of the umpire, the play is disrupted or a player of the opposing side is distracted by a coach.
Faults
A player or player’s side loses the rally, if the service or shuttle —
is not correct.
misses the shuttle during service.
lands outside the court.
passes through the net.
fails to cross over the net.
touches the walls or ceiling or ground before being retrieved.
is hit twice.
hits a player, attire, equipment or any person or object outside the court.
is hit by both the doubles partners in succession.
is in play, the player’s racket, parts of his body or his clothes touch the net or its support.
