Badminton is an exciting and fast-paced sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The sport has been around for ages and still seems to be on the rise. Whether you’re curious and want to start playing casually with friends or you’ve been playing for a while and aiming to improve your skills competitively, understanding the rules, mastering basic techniques, and having the right equipment are essential for success. In this guide, we will help you get started on their badminton journey or remind you of some things you may have forgotten.
1. Understanding the Rules of Badminton
Badminton is simple enough to understand. What is nice is that it follows a set of standard rules established by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Here are some key rules every beginner should know:
Scoring System:
Badminton is a game that is considered a “best of three games”. What a player or team needs to do to win is that you need to win two out of three games. Each game is played to 21 points, and in order to win a game, a player needs to be ahead by two points at 20-all. In other words, this means that if the score is tied at 20, you need to reach 22 points and your opponent needs to stay on 20 points in order for you to win that game. However, if the score reaches 29-29 then the first team to get to 30 wins the game, because otherwise the game could go on forever.
To Summaries:
- Matches are played in a best-of-three-games format.
- Each game is played to 21 points, and a player/pair must win by at least 2 points.
- If the score reaches 29-29, the first to 30 wins the game.
Serving Rules:
Serving in badminton is the only time where you have full control over the shuttlecock, so it is vital to serve so that you can win games easily. To serve in badminton, stand within the service court, hold the shuttlecock below your waist with a backhand grip, and hit the shuttle diagonally across the net with a smooth, continuous motion, ensuring the shuttlecock lands within the opponent’s service court; always serve below your waist and with your front foot not crossing the short service line; you can use different types of serves like a low serve (short to the front) or a high serve (deep to the back of the court) depending on your strategy. Below is a video that can help you visualize the badminton serve.
So Summaries:
- The serve must be hit underhand and below the server’s waist.
- The shuttle must land in the diagonally opposite service court.
- The server and receiver must stand within their respective service courts without touching the lines.
Faults and Let Calls:
In badminton, a “fault” is called when a player commits a rule violation during play, resulting in the opposing team being awarded a point, while a “let” is a situation where play is stopped and restarted due to an accidental interference that is not considered a fault, meaning no point is awarded to either side; essentially, a let is a replay of the rally.
Some examples of faults in badminton are hitting the shuttlecock outside the court boundaries, touching the net with their racket or body while the shuttle is in play, serving incorrectly, or hitting the shuttlecock twice in a row, which results in the opposing player being awarded the point. So basically, a fault is any action that breaks the rules of the game and leads to a loss of the rally. Below is a video explaining the faults:
So a “let” in badminton is a call to stop play and replay a rally due to an accident or unforeseen event. Some examples of lets in badminton are when the server serves the shuttlecock and the receiver wasn’t ready, the shuttlecock breaks during play, a hinderance to play, such as a shuttle from another game entering your court. These are just some examples of “Let” calls in badminton.
So to summarize the fault and let rules in badminton:
- A fault occurs if the shuttle lands outside the court, goes under the net, or fails to pass over the net.
- Double hits, touching the net with the racket or body, and serving from outside the service court are faults.
- A ‘let’ is called when a rally is stopped due to unforeseen circumstances, such as interference or a shuttle getting stuck in the net.
2. Basic Badminton Techniques
So now that you know the rules of badminton, it is time for you to start playing the game.To play effectively, beginners should focus on fundamental techniques that improve control of the shuttlecock and movement around the court.
Grip:
There are 4 basic grips in the game of badminton and they are the forehand grip, backhand grip, bevel grip, and panhandle grip. However it is encouraged that beginners just focus on the frehand grip and the backhand grip.
- Forehand Grip: Hold the racket as if shaking hands with it.
- Backhand Grip: Rotate the grip slightly to allow better control when hitting with the backhand.
Below I have included a video to help explain the 4 grips that you will use in badminton:
Footwork:
Footwork is crucial in badminton because it allows players to quickly reach the shuttlecock across the court. Having great footwork gives you the best possible position to hit a shot effectively. Having great footwork also minimizes wasted movements around the court which contributes to better overall performance and agility on the court. Mnay professional players consider great footwork the most important skill in badminton. Below is a video that will help improve your footwork:
- Good footwork is essential for reaching the shuttle quickly and efficiently.
- Always stay on your toes and use small, controlled steps to move around the court.
- The “split step” helps players react faster to their opponent’s shots.
Shots to Master:
Shots that a you should practice and get comfortable with are the following:
- Clear: A deep shot to push the opponent to the back of the court.
- Drop Shot: A soft shot that lands just over the net to catch the opponent off guard.
- Smash: A powerful downward shot aimed at scoring quick points.
- Drive: A flat and fast shot that travels horizontally across the court.
- Net Shot: A delicate shot played close to the net to force the opponent forward.
3. Choosing the Right Badminton Equipment
Now that you know the rules and how to actually play the game, you’ll need some equipment of your own if you want to start taking the sport a bit more seriously. Having the proper gear can enhance your game and prevent injuries.
Badminton Racket:
- Beginners should choose a lightweight racket (80-85 grams) with a flexible shaft for better control.
- Popular brands include Yonex and Li-Ning have some great beginner rackets.
IF you want to see our full list of rackets we recommend, Click here.
Shuttlecock:
- Feathered shuttlecocks provide better flight but wear out quickly.
- Nylon shuttlecocks are more durable and ideal for beginners.
If you want to see our full list and breakdown of what we recommend, Click here.
Badminton Shoes:
Choose non-marking, lightweight shoes with good grip and cushioning to prevent injuries. There are many different options and we recommend starting with basic tennis shoes. These are the best and often times the cheapest so you can get the best bang for your buck.
Clothing:
Wear breathable, moisture-wicking sportswear for comfort. Any sports clothing is perfect and you really do not need badminton specific clothing. That is a waste of money especially if you are just starting out.
4. Helpful Tips for Beginners
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice helps improve hand-eye coordination and footwork.
- Learn from Others: Watch professional matches to understand advanced strategies.
- Warm-Up and Cool Down: Stretch before and after playing to prevent injuries.
- Play with Different Players: Competing against various opponents improves adaptability and skills.
- Stay Patient and Have Fun: Progress takes time, so enjoy the learning process!
By understanding the rules, mastering basic techniques, and using the right equipment, beginners can quickly improve their badminton game. Whether you play for fun or aspire to compete, badminton offers a great way to stay active and challenge yourself. Happy playing!
