Badminton
History
Origins of the Game
The sport of 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.
Contemporary Badminton
A contemporary form of badminton - a game called Poon, was played in India in the 1800s
where a net was introduced and players hit the shuttlecock across the net. British officers in the
mid 1800s took this game back to England and 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.
In March 1898, the first Open Tournament was held at Guildford the first 'All England'
Championships were held the following year. Denmark, the USA and Canada became ardent
followers of the game during the 1930s.
IBF Established in 1934
Then in 1934, the International Badminton Federation was formed, with the initial members
including England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Holland, Canada, New Zealand and
France, with India joining as an affiliate in 1936.
The first major IBF tournament was the Thomas Cup (world men's team championships) in
1948. Since then, the number of world events has increased with the addition of the Uber Cup
(womens team), World Championships (individual events), Sudirman Cup (mixed team), World
Junior Championships and the World Grand Prix Finals.
Commonwealth Games Sport - 1966
Badminton was introduced as a Commonwealth Games program sport in Kingston Jamaica in
1966 and has been part of every Commonwealth Games program since then. Initially all five
disciplines were included singles (men, women), doubles (men, women) and mixed doubles
with the Teams Event included in the program in later Commonwealth Games.
Olympic Games Sport - 1992
Badminton is a relatively new Olympic Games sport. After being a demonstration sport in
Munich in 1972, badminton became an Olympic sport in Barcelona in 1992 with the singles and
doubles disciplines introduced for the first time in the Olympic Games. In Atlanta in 1996, a
mixed doubles event was included and this is the only mixed doubles event in all of the Olympic
sports.
The following countries have won medals in badminton at an Olympic Games since its
introduction in 1992 - China, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Russia.
Susi Susanti from Indonesia won the womens singles in Barcelona, becoming Indonesias first
medallist in the 40 years Indonesia had competed at the Games. In the same Olympic Games,
Alan Budi Kusama won Indonesias second gold medal in the mens badminton singles.
Origin
It was invented long ago; a form of sport played in ancient Greece and Egypt. Badminton came
from a child's game called battledore and shuttlecock, in which two players hit a feathered
shuttlecock back and forthwith tiny rackets. 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. The army men introduced the game to friends, but the new sport was definitely
launched there at a party given in 1873 by the Duke of Beaufort at his country place,
"Badminton" in Gloucestershire. During that time, the game had no name, but it was referred to
as "The Game of Badminton," and, thereupon, Badminton became its official name. Until 1887
the sport was played in England under the rules that prevailed in India. They were, from the
English viewpoint, somewhat contradictory and confusing. Since a small army of badminton
players had been recruited, a group formed itself into the Bath Badminton Club, standardized
the rules, made the game applicable to English ideas and the basic regulations, drawn up in
1887, still guide the sport. In 1895, the Badminton Association (of England) was formed to take
over the authority of the Bath Badminton Club, and the new group made rules, which now
govern the game throughout the world.
Equipment & Accessories
Racquet
used to hit the bird, the racquet is shaped like a tennis racquet and has strings, but weighs
much less. The frame of the racket, including the handle, is not to exceed 680 mm (26.75
inches) in overall length, and230 mm (9 inches) in overall width. The overall length of the head
is not to exceed 290 mm. Most racquets are made from light man-made materials such as
aluminum or graphite, and are strung with synthetic material such as nylon.
Shuttle, Shuttlecock, Bird, Birdie
whatever it is called, it is badmintons version of a tennis ball. It has a small ball at the front to
give it speed, and feathers protruding from it to help it float when it is hit high into the air
Shoes
special court shoes are worn to allow players to move quickly across the court, and to give them
traction for quick movements around the court
Parts of the shuttlecock
A shuttlecock shall have 16 feathers fixed in a cork base covered in kid leather. Interestingly, the
best Badminton Shuttlecocks are made from feathers from the left wing of a goose.
The feathers shall be measured from the tip to the top of the base and each shuttle shall be of
the same length. This length can be between 62mm
and 70mm. the shuttle shall weigh between 4.74 to
5.50 grams.
The speed at which the shuttle travels is also affected
by the weather, altitude and temperature. When its
hot, the shuttle will fly faster and when its cold, the
shuttle move
slower. If you are playing in an air-conditioned hall,
use a slightly faster shuttle. If youre playing at high
altitude, use a slower speed shuttle.
Size of the Net
A mesh net divides the badminton court into two sides. A badminton net is placed lower than a
volleyball net at five feet and one inch high on the sides and five feet high in the center. The
length may vary depending on whether doubles or singles are playing, with singles reaching 17
feet and doubles reaching 22 feet. The net is 30 inches wide with a 3-inch white tape doubled
over the top.
Parts of the Racket
Handle
-
The athlete grips the racquet with the handle. The
handle is allowed to be attached to the wrist or hand
for security purposes.
Stringed Area
- The stringed area is the section with which the
athlete hits the shuttlecock. The strings are flat and
uniformly interlaced, and the area cannot be larger
than 280mm by 220mm.
Head
-
Shaft
The head is the ovoid part of the
The shaft extends from the handle to
racquet that surrounds the stringed
connect it to the head, either with or
area and keeps it in place.
without a further portion called the
throat.
Throat
-
The throat is a triangular extension of the shaft that further connects it to the head for
extra support. Not every racquet contains a throat.
Frame
-
The handle, head, shaft and throat (if present) combine to form the frame. It cannot be
larger than 680 millimetres in length and 230 millimetres in width.
Parts of the court
The Badminton Court shall be a rectangle laid out with lines of 40 mm wide, preferably in white
or yellow color . The Badminton Court Dimensions are of 13.4m in length and 6.1 in width.
The post shall be 1.55m in height from the surface of the court and shall remain vertical when
the net is strained. The net shall be made of fine cord of dark color and even thickness with a
mesh of not less than 15mm and not more than 20mm. the net shall be 760mm in depth and at
least 6.1m wide.
The top of the net shall be edged with a 75mm white cloth. The top of the net from the surface
of the court shall be 1.524m (5ft) at the center of the court and 1.55 (5ft 1in) over the side lines
for doubles. There shall be no gaps between the ends of the net and the posts. If necessary, the
full depth of the net should be tied at the ends.
The recommended surface for a badminton court is wood and bituminous material. Avoid
concrete or carpet as playing on it will easily injure you.
Rules and Regulation
Scoring System
A match consists of the best of 3 games of 21 points.
Every time there is a serve there is a point scored.
The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.
At 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game.
At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point, wins that game.
The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
Interval and Change of Ends
When the leading score reaches 11 points, players have a 60 second interval.
A 2 minute interval between each game is allowed.
In the third game, players change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points.
Singles
At the beginning of the game (0-0) and when the servers score is even, the server
serves from the right service court. When the servers score is odd, the server serves
from the left service court.
If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from the
alternate service court.
If the receiver wins a rally, the receiver scores a point and becomes the new server.
They serve from the appropriate service court left if their score is odd, and right if it is
even.
Doubles
A side has only one service.
The service passes consecutively to the players as shown in the diagram.
At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server serves from the
right service court. When it is odd, the server serves from the left court.
If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server
serves again from the alternate service court.
If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side
becomes the new serving side.
The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when
their side is serving.
If players commit an error in the service court, the error is corrected when the mistake is
discovered.
In a doubles match between A & B against C & D. A & B won the toss and decided to
serve. A to serve to C. A shall be the initial server while C shall be the initial receiver.
Course of
Score
action /
Explanation
Service from
Service Court
Love
All
Server &
Receiver
Winner of
the rally
Right Service Court.
Being the score of the
serving side is even.
A serves A &
to C A and B
C are the
initial
server and
receiver.
A & B win a point. A & B will change service
1-0
courts. A serves again from Left service court. C
& D will stay in the same service courts.
Left Service Court.
Being the score of the
serving side is odd
A serves
to D
C&
D
C & D win a point and also right to serve.
Nobody will change their respective service
courts.
1-1
Left Service Court.
Being the score of the
serving side is odd.
D serves
to A.
A&
B
A & B win a point and also right to serve.
Nobody will change their respective service
courts.
2-1
Right Service Court.
Being the score of the
serving side is even.
B serves
to C
C&
D
C & D win a point and also right to serve.
Nobody will change their respective service
courts.
2-2
Right Service Court.
Being the score of the
serving side is even.
C serves
to B
C&
D
C & D win a point. C & D will change service
courts. C serves from Left service court. A & B
will stay in the same service courts.
3-2
Left Service Court.
Being the score of the
serving side is odd.
C serves
to A
A&
B
A & B win a point and also right to serve.
Nobody will change their respective service
courts.
3-3
Left Service Court.
Being the score of the
serving side is odd.
A serves
to C
A&
B
A & B win a point. A & B will change service
4-3
courts. A serves again from Right service court.
C & D will stay in the same service courts.
Right Service Court.
Being the score of the
serving side is even.
A serves
to D
C&
D
