Badminton Court Lines
SCORING SYSTEM
7.1 A match shall consist of the best of three games, unless otherwise arranged ( Part II, Section 1B Appendix 2 and 3).
7.2 A game shall be won by the side which first scores 21 points, except as provided in Law 7.4 and 7.5.
7.3 The side winning a rally shall add a point to its score. A side shall win a rally, if the opposing side commits a "fault" or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the opponent's court.
7.4 If the score becomes 20-all, the side which gains a two point lead first, shall win that game.
7.5 If the score becomes 29-all, the side scoring the 30th point shall win that game.
7.6 The side winning a game shall serve first in the next game.
- SERVICE
9.1 In a correct service:
9.1.1 neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and the receiver are ready for the service. On completion of the backward movement of server's racket head, any delay in the start of the service (Law 9.2), shall be considered to be an undue delay;
9.1.2 the server and the receiver shall stand within diagonally opposite service courts (Diagram A) without touching the boundary lines of these service courts;
9.1.3 some part of both feet of the server and the receiver shall remain in contact with the surface of the court in a stationary position from the start of the service (Law 9.2) until the service is delivered (Law 9.3);
9.1.4 the server's racket shall initially hit the base of the shuttle;
9.1.5 the whole shuttle shall be below the server's waist at the instant of being hit by the server's racket. The waist shall be considered to be an imaginary line round the body, level with the lowest part of the server's bottom rib;
9.1.6 the shaft of the server's racket at the instant of hitting the shuttle shall be pointing in a downward direction;
9.1.7 the movement of the server's racket shall continue forwards from the start of the service (Law 9.2) until the service is delivered (Law 9.3);
9.1.8 the flight of the shuttle shall be upwards from the server's racket to pass over the net so that, if not intercepted, it shall land in the receiver's service court (i.e. on or within the boundary lines); and
9.1.9 in attempting to serve, the server shall not miss the shuttle.
9.2 Once the players are ready for the service, the first forward movement of the server's racket head shall be the start of the service.
9.3 Once started (Law 9.2), the service is delivered when the shuttle is hit by the server's racket or, in attempting to serve, the server misses the shuttle.
9.4 The server shall not serve before the receiver is ready. However, the receiver shall be considered to have been ready if a return of the service is attempted.
9.5 In doubles, during the delivery of service (Law 9.2, 9.3), the partners may take up any positions within their respective courts, which do not unsight the opposing server or receiver.
- SINGLES
10.1 Serving and receiving courts
10.1.1 The players shall serve from, and receive in, their respective right service courts when the server has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.
10.1.2 The players shall serve from, and receive in, their respective left service courts when the server has scored an odd number of points in that game.
10.2 Order of play and position on court.
In a rally, the shuttle may be hit by the server and the receiver alternately, from any position on that player's side of the net, until the shuttle ceases to be in play (Law 15).
10.3 Scoring and serving
10.3.1 If the server wins a rally (Law 7.3), the server shall score a point. The server shall then serve again from the alternate service court.
10.3.2 If the receiver wins a rally (Law 7.3), the receiver shall score a point. The receiver shall then become the new server.
- DOUBLES
11.1 Serving and receiving courts
11.1.1 A player of the serving side shall serve from the right service court when the serving side has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.
11.1.2 A player of the serving side shall serve from the left service court when the serving side has scored an odd number of points in that game.
11.1.3 The player of the receiving side who served last shall stay in the same service court from where he served last. The reverse pattern shall apply to the receiver's partner.
11.1.4 The player of the receiving side standing in the diagonally opposite service court to the server shall be the receiver.
11.1.5 The players shall not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.
11.1.6 Service in any turn of serving shall be delivered from the service court corresponding to the serving side's score, except as provided in Law 12.
11.2 Order of play and position on court
After the service is returned, in a rally, the shuttle may be hit by either player of the serving side and either player of the receiving side alternately, from any position on that player's side of the net, until the shuttle ceases to be in play (Law 15).
11.3 Scoring and serving
11.3.1 If the serving side wins a rally (Law 7.3), the serving side shall score a point. The server shall then serve again from the alternate service court.
11.3.2 If the receiving side wins a rally (Law 7.3), the receiving side shall score a point. The receiving side shall then become the new serving side.
11.4 Sequence of serving
In any game, the right to serve shall pass consecutively:
11.4.1 from the initial server who started the game from the right service court
11.4.2 to the partner of the initial receiver.
11.4.3 to the partner of the initial server
11.4.4 to the initial receiver,
11.4.5 to the initial server and so on.
11.5 No player shall serve or receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as provided in Law 12.
11.6 Either player of the winning side may serve first in the next game, and either player of the losing side may receive first in the next game.
- SERVICE COURT ERRORS
12.1 A service court error has been made when a player:
12.1.1 has served or received out of turn; or
12.1.2 has served or received from the wrong service court;
12.2 If a service court error is discovered, the error shall be corrected and the existing score shall stand.
- FAULTS
- It shall be a "fault":
13.1 if a service is not correct (Law 9.1);
13.2 if, in service, the shuttle:
13.2.1 is caught on the net and remains suspended on its top;
13.2.2 after passing over the net, is caught in the net; or
13.2.3 is hit by the receiver's partner;
13.3 if in play, the shuttle:
13.3.1 lands outside the boundaries of the court (i.e. not on or within the boundary lines);
13.3.2 passes through or under the net;
13.3.3 fails to pass over the net;
13.3.4 touches the ceiling or side walls;
13.3.5 touches the person or dress of a player;
13.3.6 touches any other object or person outside the court;
(Where necessary on account of the structure of the building, the local badminton authority may, subject to the right of veto of its Member Association, make bye-laws dealing with cases in which a shuttle touches an obstruction).
13.3.7 is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke;
13.3.8 is hit twice in succession by the same player. However, a shuttle hitting the head and the stringed area of the racket in one stroke shall not be a "fault";
13.3.9 is hit by a player and the player's partner successively; or
13.3.10 touches a player's racket and does not travel towards the opponent's court;
13.4 if, in play, a player:
13.4.1 touches the net or its supports with racket, person or dress;
13.4.2 invades an opponent's court over the net with racket or person except that the striker may follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke after the initial point of contact with the shuttle is on the striker's side of the net;
13.4.3 invades an opponent's court under the net with racket or person such that an opponent is obstructed or distracted; or
13.4.4 obstructs an opponent, i.e. prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net;
13.4.5 deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures;
13.5 if a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent offences under Law 16;
Good Defensive Clear
The shuttlecock drops steeply to the baseline. Your opponent is forced to take the shuttle at point X, which is near the baseline. He won't have a good angle for a smash from so far back of the court.
The four defensive clears are the:
Every beginner should clear with this stroke first. It's the most basic stroke.
The backhand is most players' weakness. It's definitely the most challenging stroke. However, learn this stroke when your opponent hits a shot to your backhand area.
Very useful shot especially when you're retrieving shots from the forecourt. If your opponent is playing at a faster pace, use the clear if you can't keep up with your opponent's speed. The high clear keeps the shuttle in the air for some time. Therefore, you'll have more time to recover and reorganize your footwork.
Same as the underarm forehand clear, use this high defensive clear when you are pressured by your opponent.
The Attacking Clear
The badminton clear can also be used as an offensive shot!
This shot is suitable for more advanced badminton players. Vary your shots to win rallies.
A drop can be defensive as well as offensive, depending on how you use it.
Don't worry about this first, you'll know when to best use it when you master this shot.
Basically, this shot is done from the back of your court. You then direct the shuttle to the front of your opponent's court. (See picture above)
A GOOD badminton drop will have the shuttlecock passing JUST SLIGHTLY ABOVE the badminton net. Ideally it should land before the service line at point X.
However, don't worry too much about doing the perfect drop first.
Learn the correct technique of performing a badminton drop, and then practise to make it perfect.
Nature of a Badminton Drop Shot
When your opponent returns a shuttle to you that lands at the back your court (your baseline), you will have 3 choices... that is to:
- Lob (or Clear)
- Smash
- Perform the Drop
I highly recommend that you don't smash; even if you can perform a jump smash. Smashing from the back of the court will result in less power in your smash. It will be safer for you to do a badminton clear (lob) or a drop shot. Both shots in these instances are considered to be defensive.
You can perform a shot after clearing (lobbing).
This will make your opponent work harder on his footwork, which gives you the chance to attack.
Tutorial
The overhead badminton drop shot requires a gentle 'complete arm swing'. A drop shot is simply a gentle badminton stroke.
Full arm Swing or Follow Through
Yes you still have to perform a 'complete arm swing' but a gentle one (strong enough to make the shuttle cross JUST SLIGHTLY ABOVE the net).
Although it is a gentle and soft shot, many people make a huge mistake by simply "touching" the shuttle with the racquet.
You must do a full arm swing even though it is a gentle shot.
Important Tips/Advice
- Avoid the most common mistake. Make sure you perform a complete arm swing and follow through when performing a drop shot. Many people think drop shots only require a soft touch. They simply touch the shuttle with the racket.
You can't get a good quality badminton drop by simply tapping the shuttle. Remember complete your swing!
- Balancing arm. Although you won't lose much balance when executing a drop, use of your other arm to balance yourself. Even a gentle badminton stroke will make you lose some degree of balance.
Therefore, extend your non-racket arm to balance the weight of your racket arm when you execute the drop.
- Avoid using your backhand unless you are really forced to. When your opponent hits to your backhand area, quickly position yourself so that you can return a forehand drop. But in some situations, you will need to use a backhand stroke.
A badminton smash is a very powerful offensive shot.
Many people might think that "I am a pro if I can do a 300km/h smash with a tremendous sound".
THIS IS NOT HOW IT WORKS!!
When Should You Smash?
The general rule of thumb is that every time you are about to smash, ask yourself whether your smash will make your opponent lose a point.
If you REALLY think so, GO AHEAD!
Although a smash is very powerful, it has certain disadvantages and it's important that you are aware of it. I'll talk about this in a moment.
The Disadvantages of a Smash
While a smash is powerful when executed correctly, it can also be a dangerous shot to take.
DO NOT SMASH unless you are confident that the smash will help you win a point or at least do some 'damage' to your opponent.
There are two simple DISADVANTAGES of smashing:
- Slows down your footwork: Smashing requires you to do a strong and complete swing. The strength of the swing will then make you lose balance.
You'll then concentrate on maintaining your body balance while you lose time returning to your base. If your opponent is able to defend your smash, it'll be difficult for you to reach the shuttle in time.
- Have less impact if it's executed from the back of the court: A smash executed from the back of the court will not be strong because there will not be sufficient angle to produce a steep smash (look at the picture above).
This type of shot can be easily defended. At the same time, executing a smash will weaken your footwork because you lose some degree of body balance. You might also have trouble retrieving your opponent's return shot.
Important Tips/Advice
- Master the Basics: I suggest you master the CLEAR and DROP SHOT….BEFORE learning the badminton smash.
- Perfect Your Technique for Smashing: As long as you have the correct technique, increasing the power of your smash will not be a problem. Good technique is waaaaay more important when doing badminton smash.
When you begin to train your smash, try to do soft badminton smashes first to familiarize yourself with the correct technique. Once you are familiar with the technique, gradually increase the power of your smash over time.
It's VERY important that you do not start off using your full strength. Your focus will be diverted to doing strong swings and balancing rather than executing the correct technique.
- Non-racket Arm: Always remember to make use of your non-racket arm to help you maintain body balance. When you lose balance after a smash, you won't be able to exert power into your smash. Therefore, your non-racket arm serves as a balancing mechanism. You'll be able to exert more power into your swing and at the same time, maintain body balance.
- Do not smash every time! This is a VERY COMMON mistake. Maybe because most people think that the badminton smash is the 'coolest' shot.
DO NOT execute a smash unless you're confident that your smash will be a strong one. In other words, smash when you have good balance.
A badminton smash is like a double edged sword, it's difficult for your opponent to defend it. BUT if your opponent manages to defend it, you may need to regain your balance quickly to be able to retrieve his return shot.
Use a badminton clear and badminton drop shot to force your opponent to make mistakes. Be patient and WAIT for your chance to do a smash. In this situation, your smash will be very strong and difficult to defend.
The Importance of a Good Badminton Serve
A WEAK serve often creates a chance for your opponent to execute an attacking shot. Therefore it's important to know how to serve properly so that you will not lose a point after making a service.
1. The High Badminton Serve
This type of serve is usually executed when you want the shuttle to land at the back end of the court. A good high serve must have the shuttle dropping steeply downwards at the back end of the court.
A high serve will prevent your opponent from executing a strong smash. Instead, a lob or a drop is more expected from your opponent (unless they can do a jump smash).
Try to serve the shuttlecock to your opponent's backhand area. The objective is to force your opponent to use his backhand. This is because most badminton players, even world class player, have weaker backhands (compared to their forehands)
For example, you're standing at X. You are about to make a high serve... and your opponent is right handed. In that case, direct the shuttle to drop at point A.
This will force your opponent to use the backhand and hence there's a higher chance that he'll return a weak shot.
If your hit it to your opponent's backhand area, but he/she refuses to use the backhand, he will then have to move further away from his base! This gives you the chance to exploit an opportunity to control the game if your opponent does not have Good badminton Footwork.
Let me show you how to do a high serve...
- Hold the head of the shuttlecock with its head facing downwards so that the shuttlecock will drop straight down.
- Stand sideways (the side of your body facing the net) and relax your racquet arm (arm that is holding the racquet).
- Let go of the shuttlecock and swing your racquet arm upwards. As you do this, twist your waist to the extent that your body faces the net. Flick your wrist towards the direction you want the shuttle to land (Flick your wrist upwards, so that the shuttlecock will fly high).
- Your back leg should lift up naturally (with your toes touching the ground).
The high serve is useful against opponents who cannot perform strong smashes from the back of the court.
However, some badminton players (especially taller players) can execute powerful smashes even from the back of the court.
If this is the case, consider using the low serve instead. This is also the reason why professional players nowadays prefer using the low serve.
The Low Badminton Serve
The low serve is used when you want the shuttlecock to land in front of the court (in front of your opponent).
A GOOD low serve will have the shuttlecock flying JUST ABOVE THE NET.
If not, your opponent will have the chance to dash forward and smash the shuttle down to you.
A low serve, when executed beautifully, prevents your opponent from making an offensive shot.
Unlike the high serve, you can let the shuttle drop anywhere in front (forehand area or backhand area of your opponent)
Neither makes a difference because it does not disrupt your opponent's footwork.
As a start, practice serving so that the shuttle drops right in front of your opponent (point A in picture above).
Let me show you how to do a low serve...
- Hold the feather of the shuttlecock with the head of the shuttlecock facing downwards.
- Position the racquet behind the shuttlecock.
- Step slightly forward with your right (left) leg if you are right handed (left handed).
- As you let go of the shuttlecock, flick your racquet lightly while pushing your thumb forward towards the direction you want the shuttle to land. The power comes mainly from the push of your thumb and the slight flick of your wrist.
The Flick Serve ("Fake" Low Serve)
The "fake" low badminton serve can also be used to trick your opponent (deceive your opponent to expect a low serve).
When you stand in a low serve position, your opponent would probably expect a low serve. However, push your thumb and flick your wrist harder so the shuttlecock flies HIGH and heads to the back of the court!
Well, knowing how to serve is one thing. Practicing is another. If you want to make perfect serves, keep practicing until you don't make any mistakes!
