How to Play

Basic Rules

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.

Singles

At the beginning of the game (0-0) and when the server’s score is even, the server serves from the right service court. When the server’s 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 ‘set’.
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.

How to for Beginners

Basic Badminton for Beginners

Badminton Rules for Beginners

Common Beginners Mistakes

Footwork

Positioning

4 corner footwork - Basics to Start from

Advanced Positioning

6 corner footwork - Slightly more advanced

Split Step

Serving

4 Types of Serve

Backhand Serve

Long Serve

Smashing

Other Techniques

4 Correct Grips

Doubles defence

Backhand

Drop Shots

When to use certain techniques

Clear shot

Trajectory: high, towards the back court
Played from: Back court
Purpose: Defensive shot

Aim of this shot is to let the shuttle fly high in the air and land at your opponent’s back court. It is used when you need time to get back to the base before the next return or if you don’t have a clear opportunity to kill and win the point.

Drop shot

Trajectory: Looping close to the net
Played from: Back court
Purpose: Attacking Shot

It is used when the shuttle is heading towards you in the back court. As an attempt to this stroke, the player must hit downward towards the opponent’s fore-court, aiming for it to go just over the net. The closer the shuttle drops to the net, the harder it is to return.

This shot is used when the opponent is in the back court, expecting a clear shot or a drive.

Drive

Trajectory: Flat, towards the body
Played from: Mid-court
Purpose: Defensive Shot

The drive is a flat shot hit directly and slightly over the net. It is a very powerful and quick counter attacking shot. Your racket should be held with the head facing straight ahead. It can sometimes be strategic to aim the shot at your opponent who will be unable to react or shift his body in time as their natural reaction will be to duck/avoid the shot.

Smash

Trajectory: Close to the net
Played from: Back court/Mid-court
Purpose: To provide less time for the opponent

Most lethal shot in badminton. It can be defined as a drive angled downwards. It can be used when the shuttle is high in the air and can be angled downwards.

Net lift

Trajectory: high, towards the back court
Played from: Forecourt
Purpose: Defensive shot

The net lift sends the shuttle high up to your opponent’s baseline. It is hit from very close to the net. When you find it difficult to retrieve your opponent’s net shot, you can choose the defensive net lift. Do not hesitate to lift it high and towards the back court. This can prevent your opponent from striking with a net kill. Practice to lift the shuttle high enough so the shuttle won’t hit the net.

Net kill

Trajectory: Flat and downwards
Played from: Fore court
Purpose: To end a rally

A very useful shot to end a rally when your opponent executes a poor quality (too high) net shot.

Page updated

Report abuse