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BADMINTON
BADMINTON

BADMINTON IN A NUTSELL

Badminton is a fast-paced and demanding sport played with a lightweight racket and a shuttlecock (also known as a birdie). It takes place on a rectangular court divided by a net, and features five official disciplines: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. With its combination of speed, technique, and strategy, badminton stands out as one of the most thrilling racket sports in the world.

Matches are played in a best-of-three games format, with each game played to 21 points. A player or pair must win by at least two points, unless the score reaches 29–29, in which case the first to reach 30 points wins the game. Points are scored on every rally (a system known as rally scoring), making every shot count and keeping the pace of the game consistently high.

To win a point in badminton, a player or pair must make the shuttlecock land inside the opponent’s court or force the opponent to hit it out or into the net. Points are awarded on every rally, regardless of who served – this is called rally scoring.

CHAIR REFEREE

Main referee of the match who supervises the game, makes decisions in case of disputes, and has overall control of the match.

LINE REFEREE

Official responsible for observing whether the shuttlecock lands in or out of the court boundaries.

SINGLES SERVICE COURT

Area from which the serve is made in singles matches. It is bounded by the center line, the front service line, the inner side line, and the back boundary line. Approximate dimensions: 2.59 m deep (from the net to the long service line for singles) and 2.59 m wide

DOUBLE SERVICE COURT

Area from which the serve is made in doubles matches. It is wider but shallower than the singles service court. Approximate dimensions: 1.98 m deep (from the net to the short service line in doubles) and 3.05 m wide.

SINGLES COURT WIDTH

The width of the court used in singles matches. Measurement: 5.18 metres.

NET

Mesh that divides the court into two equal halves. Height: 1.55 m at the posts and 1.524 m at the centre.

SINGLES COURT WIDTH

The width of the court used in singles matches. Measurement: 5.18 metres.

DOUBLES COURT WIDTH

The width of the court used in doubles matches. Measurement: 6.10 metres.

COURT LENGHT

The full length of the court from end to end. Total measurement: 13.40 metres.
Each side (half court): 6.70 metres.

TAP TO EXPAND!

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RAQUET AND SHUTTLECOCK

SHUTTLECOCK

Shuttlecock

The feathers used in high-quality shuttlecocks are typically selected from the left wing of a goose. This is because the feathers from the left wing are chosen for their rigidity, strength, and ability to maintain stable flight. Factors such as length, thickness, and shape are carefully considered to ensure consistency and performance in the shuttlecock’s flight.

RAQUET

Raquet

FOREHAND

Forehand

The forehand grip is used to strike the shuttle with the front face of the racket (as if you were shaking hands with the racket).

How to do it:

  1. Hold the racket with your palm open.
  2. Place the base of the handle in the centre of your palm and wrap your fingers around the handle.
  3. Ensure that your thumb rests against the flat side of the handle. This grip allows you to perform forehand strokes, such as clears and smashes.

BACKHAND

Backhand

The backhand grip is used for striking the shuttle with the back face of the racket.

How to do it:

  1. Slightly rotate the handle so your palm faces more towards the back of the racket.
  2. Your thumb should rest flat against the handle, while your fingers wrap around the rest.
  3. This grip enables you to perform backhand strokes, such as drives or clears.

TRACK AND COMMON EQUIPMENT

TAP TO EXPAND!

Raqueta

RAQUET

Professional badminton rackets typically weigh between 75 and 90 grams, while beginner models are usually around 100 to 115 grams (excluding string). They are primarily made of carbon fibre, often combined with a variety of other materials. Carbon fibre is known for its outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, providing excellent kinetic energy transfer during play.

t-shirt

T-shirt

Badminton shirts are designed to be lightweight and breathable, allowing for full freedom of movement during fast rallies. Most professional players wear shirts made from moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester or microfibre to help keep the body dry and cool during intense matches. Sleeveless or short-sleeved options are popular to avoid any restriction in shoulder movement, essential for powerful smashes and quick reactions.

dress

DRESS

In women’s badminton, many players opt for a one-piece dress designed specifically for the sport. These dresses combine style with functionality, using stretchable, sweat-resistant fabrics that provide maximum comfort. The cut is usually fitted at the top and looser towards the bottom, ensuring full range of motion while maintaining a sleek look on court. Dresses also often feature built-in shorts or compression tights for added practicality.

shoes

SHOES

Badminton shoes are a crucial part of a player’s gear, specially designed to offer excellent grip, stability, and shock absorption on indoor courts. They feature non-marking rubber soles to prevent slipping and to protect the playing surface. A low profile and lightweight construction allow for quick directional changes and explosive footwork. Good cushioning helps reduce the impact on knees and ankles during high-intensity movement.

shorts

SHORTS

In badminton competitions, players are required to wear shorts. Like the shirt, they must be comfortable and designed to allow full freedom of movement. Professional shorts are typically lightweight and made from stretchable, sweat-resistant fabrics that ensure comfort during intense rallies and fast footwork.

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BADMINTON SHOOTS

SERVE

To ensure fair play and consistency, all badminton serves must follow specific technical guidelines.

Basic serving rules:

  • The shuttle must be served diagonally to the opponent’s service court.
  • Both feet must remain in contact with the floor at the moment of the serve.
  • The shuttle must be struck below the server’s waist.
  • The racket head must be lower than the handle when making contact with the shuttle.

CLEAR

A powerful shot aimed deep into the opponent’s court, used to push them away from the net. Although primarily defensive, it can also be used offensively depending on the situation. It is typically played in response to high shots.

Clear shot

DROP

A descending shot played from the back of the court that lands just over the net. Often called a fast or high drop, it catches opponents off guard when they expect a smash, as the shuttle lands much closer to the net than anticipated.

Drop shot

SMASH

An attacking shot with a steep downward trajectory, aimed at the back of the opponent’s court. It’s a powerful stroke designed to finish the rally or force a weak return, and is very difficult to defend due to its speed and angle.

Smash shot
Lift shot

Short Service:

The aim is to make the shuttle land as close as possible to the front service line, just clearing the net with minimal height.

Long Service:

The objective is to send the shuttle deep into the back of the service court, landing as near as possible to the rear boundary line.

LIFT

A defensive shot with an upward trajectory, usually played from the front of the court in response to a drop shot or smash. The goal is to hit the shuttle high and deep, forcing the opponent to move to the rear of the court.

Lift shot

BLOCK – DRIVE

Used to counter a smash, players can choose to lift, block, or drive. The drive is a flat, fast shot hit from waist to head height with a horizontal trajectory. It’s an attacking stroke that travels just above the net and puts pressure on the opponent.

Block or Drive shot

NET SHOT

A delicate shot played with the racket parallel to the ground, aiming to make the shuttle drop just over the net on the opponent’s side. Precision is key, as the goal is to have the shuttle fall tight to the net with minimal bounce.

Net shot

UNDERSTAND THE GAME

How to win

  • Matches are played as the best of 3 games – the first player or pair to win 2 games wins the match!
  • Each game goes up to 21 points.
  • If the score reaches 20–20, you need to win by 2 clear points.
  • If it gets to 29–29, the first to 30 wins the game.
  • You score a point on every rally, no matter who served.

Serving

  • The serve must be hit underarm and below the waist.
  • You have to serve diagonally into your opponent’s service box.
  • In singles, serve from the right side when your score is even, and from the left side when it’s odd.
  • In doubles, the serving side rotates when they win a point, but the receiving players stay in their positions.

Which lines count?

  • In singles, the court is narrower – the outer sidelines don’t count.
  • In doubles, the court is wider, but the back line for serving is shorter.
  • If the shuttle lands on the line, it’s considered in – so the point continues.

What’s a fault? A fault is called if:

  • The shuttle hits the ground.
  • It goes outside the boundaries.
  • It doesn’t go over the net.
  • A player hits it twice in a row
  • A player touches the net with their racket or body.
  • Or the serve is done incorrectly (e.g. hit too high or into the wrong area)

What if something unusual happens?

  • If something unexpected happens during the rally – like another shuttle flying onto the court – the point is stopped and replayed. This is called a let.
  • If the shuttle touches the net but still goes over and lands in, the rally continues – this is completely allowed.
  • But if the shuttle gets stuck in the net or doesn’t make it over, it’s a fault.