Badminton is one of the most popular sports worldwide, captivating fans with its fast-paced action and thrilling rallies.
It has been a key feature at the Olympics since the Barcelona 1992 Games, with five disciplines now included, including mixed doubles, introduced at Atlanta 1996.
Countries like China and Indonesia have dominated the sport, with China earning a remarkable total of 20 golds, 12 silvers, and 15 bronze medals. Indonesia follows with eight golds, six silvers, and seven bronze medals. While most popular in Asia, badminton also enjoys strong support in Europe, particularly in Denmark.
Badminton: The Fastest Racquet Sport
Basic Rules of Badminton
Singles and Doubles
Badminton can be played in two formats: singles (one player against another) or doubles (two pairs of players forming teams of four).
Scoring System
Matches are best-of-three games, with the first side to reach 21 points winning a game. A point is awarded on every serve, and if the score reaches 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. At 29-29, the first to score the 30th point wins.
Change of Ends
Players change ends at the conclusion of the first game and, if required, the second game. In the third game, they change ends when one side scores 11 points.
5 Common Beginner Badminton Mistakes
Video by Aylex Badminton Academy
How to Win Points
Scoring a Point
Dear Lykkers! Points are scored when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent's court, including on the lines. A point is conceded if the shuttlecock lands outside the boundaries, hits the net, or if a player strikes it twice. Touching the net with the racket or body results in a point for the opponent.
Serving Rules in Badminton
Singles
The server starts from the right service court when the score is even and from the left when it is odd.
Doubles
In doubles, the server alternates sides with their partner, continuing until the opposing team wins a point.
Badminton Court Dimensions
Singles Court
The court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide.
Doubles Court
The width increases to 6.1m (20ft). The net height is 1.55m (5ft 1in) at the ends and dips slightly to 1.52m (5ft) in the center.
Service Areas
The short service line is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net, dividing the court into left and right service areas. The doubles service line is 0.76m (2.5ft) in from the baseline.
The Unique Shuttlecock
Composition
The shuttlecock, or birdie, is cone-shaped, made of feathers or synthetic material, and attached to a cork or rubber base.
Specifications
It consists of 16 feathers, measuring 62-70mm in length, with a weight of 4.74-5.5g. The base is rounded and 25-28mm in diameter.
Badminton’s unique equipment and dynamic gameplay make it a favorite among athletes and fans worldwide, offering excitement and agility in every match.
