Badminton

Badminton is an exciting indoor game that not only provides entertainment but also excellent exercise. In general, badminton techniques are easy to learn. To learn how to play badminton, you simply hit the shuttle, a small ball with plastic feathers attached to it, with a racket so that it goes over the net and lands in the opponent's court. Learning basic badminton rules is the first step in learning how to play badminton.

Badminton Rules: Basic Badminton Rules

Badminton rules say that play starts with a coin toss. The winner of the toss can choose whether to serve or receive first. Badminton rules also outline the scoring of the game. As you learn how to play badminton, understand that the game's winner is the player who wins the best out of three games. In men's singles badminton, badminton instructions say the first player to score 15 points is the winner of the game. In women's singles, the target score is 11 points. However, if both sides reach 14 (or 10 in a women's game), badminton rules state that the team who first reached 14 should decide whether to play to 17 (13) or just 15 (11).

As you learn how to play badminton, you must understand how a score is made. Badminton rules state that only the player or team that served the ball can score. A point is scored and the serve switches sides if the shuttle touches your opponent's side or your opponent makes a fault. If you are the serving side and the shuttle hits your court or you make a fault, no score is made, but badminton rules say that the serving right is switched to your opponent.

If you are playing singles, an interesting set of badminton rules dictate which side of the court you will play in. When your opponent has scored an even number of points in the game, you must serve and receive in the right service court. If your opponent has scored an odd number of points, you must play in the left service court. Play continues back and fourth until the shuttle is no longer in play or a fault is made.

Badminton Rules: Doubles Badminton Rules

If you choose to play with another player on your team, you must play under doubles badminton rules. Most of the badminton instruction you received when you learned how to play badminton as a single player will still apply. However, there are a few badminton techniques that are particular to playing doubles.

The main difference that applies to doubles badminton rules applies to the serve. You will serve from the right service court, and your opponents must return the serve properly. Only the player standing diagonal to the server can return the serve. After the shuttle has been served, any player may receive or return the shuttle. Serve alternates between each player on the team each time service right is switched.

Badminton Rule: Faults

Faults are an important part of badminton rules. As you receive badminton instruction, understand that the following are considered faults under most official badminton rules:

• The shuttle lands out of bounds, goes under or through the net, does not pass the net, hits the walls or ceiling, or touches a player or a player's clothing.
• A player touches the net with himself or the racket.
• Player goes into the opponent's court under the net or over the net (except when following a strike over the net)
• Player tries to deliberately distract the opponent
• The racket is used to catch and then sling the shuttle.
• A player hits the shuttle twice in a row.
• A serve sends the shuttle into the net
• The shuttle is hit backwards

Each of these faults is cause for a point to be scored under badminton rules, providing the fault is committed by the receiving team or player, not the serving team or player.

Learning How to Play Badminton

Now that you understand the basic badminton rules, you are ready to learn how to play badminton. While you can go out and buy a bunch of equipment, you are probably better off trying out the game before you do. Borrow or rent some equipment, and then sign up at your local health club for badminton instruction. Make sure your shoes are appropriate for indoor sports and are comfortable on your feet, because you will be moving a lot during the game.

Before you jump into a game, get some badminton instruction on how to receive and serve the shuttle. This will help you look more experienced when you head out to the court. Once you can hit the shuttle with various holds on the racket, you are ready to start playing the game and learning a little more about how to play badminton. Find some friends and heat out on the court!