Ledyard High School Badminton Handout

History
Badminton was officially created in 1873 in
Badminton, England. Inspired by an Indian
game, called POONA, it grew rapidly after
the first publication of rules in 1867.
Badminton became an Olympic sport in
1992, and World Championships have been
held since 1977. Badminton is played mens
or womens singles (2 teams of one player),
mens or womens doubles (2 teams of 2
players), or mixed doubles (2 teams of 1
female and 1 male player).
The Match
The first serve of the match is determined by
a volley (birdie must cross net three
consecutive times) or by a toss and drop of
the birdie (the team that the birdie points to
will serve). Badminton games are played to
21 points (won by 2 points). Badminton
matches are won by the team that wins two
of three games.
Court Boundaries
Doubles play uses the long and wide lines of
the court.
Singles play uses the narrow and long lines
at all times. A birdie that lands on a
boundary line is considered in.
(See additional handout for court
dimensions)
Serve
Service must take place behind the service
line and be directed to the diagonal service
box. All serves must be contacted below the
waist. Doubles serves are taken from
the right service box on a score of 0 and an
even number and from the left service box
on an odd number score. After a point is
scored, the service team, rotates service
boxes. One person serves on the service
team until the serve is lost (service is lost
when the service team commits a fault).
Singles serves are taken from the right
service box on a score of 0 and an even

number and from the left service box on an

odd number score. After a point is scored,
the server rotates service boxes.
Scoring
Rally scoring, a point is scored on every
serve and/or when the receiving team
commits a fault. When the service team
commits a fault, service is lost and the
opposing team begins service, or, when the
receiving team wins a rally, it gains a point
and the right to serve. A fault occurs when
the birdie is hit out of bounds, touches the
ground, does not go over the net, goes
through the net, touches a player or his/her
clothing, birdie is hit before crossing the net,
or racket/body touches the net.
Vocabulary
Clear- a shot hit deep into the opponents court.
Drop- a shot hit softly and with finesse to fall
rapidly and close to the net in the opponents
court.
Smash- a fast shot hit straight down into the
opponents court so that it cannot be returned.
Serve- The stroke used to put the shuttle into
play at the start of each rally.
High Clear- a defensive shot hit deep into the
opponents court.
Drive a fast and low shot that makes a
horizontal flight over the net.
Rally- exchange of shots while the birdie is in
play.
Shuttlecock- official term for object players
hit.
Bird or Birdie- common term for object
players hit.
Match- series of games to determine a winner.
Side by Side- a doubles formation in which
each partner is responsible for one side of the
court.
Front/Back- a doubles formation in which one
partner is responsible for the forecourt (area
between net and service line) and the other
partner is responsible for the back court.