BADMINTON FAQs: This resource section will improve your knowledge and understanding about the game.
It answers all the top questions about badminton. Check through up-to-date factual content and blog articles on badminton questions.
What Exactly are the FAQs?
FAQs are frequently referred to as the five (5) ‘Ws’. They comprise who, what, when, where, and why? Often, ‘H’ (how?) takes an inclusion as the sixth and occasionally you will see a seventh (how much?).
Note: Each query phrase is a pertinent question (not answered with a simple ‘YES’ or ‘NO’). Thus, learning the answers to frequently asked questions about badminton is a fundamental approach to problem-solving and in information-gathering.
So, let’s jump right in:
Who Invented Badminton?
We believe the history and origins of badminton originated in ancient civilizations during the late 1600s in England. The game started around the same time in many European countries and in Asia.
The original sport of badminton was an upper class ancient pastime. Back then people called it ‘Battledore and Shuttlecock’.
Nowadays, the modern game as we know it, was in fact invented in India during the 1800s. Their version, called ‘Poona’, was popular among British army officers from 1870 onward. The main reason they learned to play badminton was to improve their general fitness.
What Year was Badminton Invented?
In fact, the name of the person who invented badminton in England was the Duke of Beaufort. The game has been called badminton in the United Kingdom since he introduced the sport at his country estate in Badminton, Gloucestershire, England in 1873.
Note: Learn more about the history and origins of badminton game in the historical facts section.
Frequently Asked Questions about Badminton Rules
Is Badminton a Sport or Game?
Badminton is a racket sport (or racquet sport). A game of badminton gets played by two opposing players (called a singles game) or with two opposing pairs (called doubles games).
Opponents take positions on opposite sides of a rectangular court. A fixed and secure vertical net hangs in the center of the pitch. It divides the badminton playing surface into two equal halves.
Players use rackets to hit a feather shuttlecock over the net. In fact, badminton does get played as a team sport in some leagues. But the most common format is the ‘singles’ game.
Beginners May Benefit From:
Badminton Singles Rules
Doubles Game Regulations
Serving Rules in Badminton
Badminton Terminologies
What are Badminton Health and Safety Rules?
The popular indoor court game is not recognised as the most punishing and extreme of contact sports.
But, following the health and safety rules in badminton will help you reduce the physical strain exerted on your body.
What is a ‘LET’ in Badminton?
LETS in badminton are less common than faults, but the rally stops and gets replayed when a LET occurs. Playing a ‘let’ does not alter the score or serving positions.
Is there Badminton in the Olympics?
The game of badminton has been an Olympic sport since 1992. Olympic badminton has five competitive events:
- Men’s singles and women’s singles.
- Men’s doubles and women’s doubles.
- Mixed doubles (each pair consists of a man and a woman).
What is the Scoring System in Badminton?
Currently, the scoring system in badminton is often called the 3 × 21 rally point scoring system. As a rule, the best of three games determines the match winner.
Each game gets played to 21 points. There should be at least two clear points difference after reaching the score of 21. If not, scores can go above 21 to a maximum of 30 points to decide the winner of that game.
What are Badminton Rules for Children?
Few competitive sports are ‘kids-friendly’ for families as much as badminton. That means children will soon get an understanding of the game.
Note: In fact, badminton rules for kids differ only slightly from the same regulations that adults follow.
Badminton Questions and Answers about Equipment
How Big is a Badminton Court?
The minimum recommended area of ground space to play competitive badminton safely is a court that measures 1,620 square feet. The total length of the rectangular court should be 13.4 meters long (44 feet) by 6.3 meters wide (20 feet).
Singles Court Size
The size and dimensions of a badminton ‘singles’ court is 17′ x 44′. There should be at least five feet of unobstructed area on all sides of the playing surface.
Doubles Court Size
The size and dimensions of a badminton ‘doubles’ court is 20′ x 44′. There should be at least five feet of unobstructed area on all sides of the playing surface.
How High is a Badminton Net?
The height of a badminton net is 1.55 meters high (5 feet 1 inch) at the outside edges. It should be 1.524 meters high (5 feet) in the center section.
Two upright posts are used to support the net. The posts should be placed over the doubles sidelines. The posts and net rule is the same even when playing singles games.
It is worth noting that the Official Rules Book of Badminton does not mention any minimum height for the ceiling situated above the court.
What are Badminton Court Service Lines?
Three linear markings delineate the service courts, marked by:
- The center line dividing the width of the court.
- A short service line at a distance of 1.98 meters (6 feet 6 inches) from the net.
- The outer side and back boundaries.
What is the Name of the Ball in Badminton?
Most racquet sports involve a ball, such as in tennis games or squash rules. Players do not use a ball to play badminton. Instead, competitors will strike a feathered projectile known as a shuttlecock.
Since the shuttlecock is extremely light weight, you must play competitive badminton indoors. Doing so avoids the flight of the shuttle being adversely affected by the wind.
Badminton Related Questions and Answers:
Badminton Equipment List
Jump Smash Shot Techniques
Umpire Role and Responsibility
What is the Weight of a Badminton Shuttlecock?
A badminton shuttlecock weighs around 5 grams (0.168 to 0.194 ounces). Sometimes called a ‘birdie’, the shuttle consists of 16 feathers. Each feather is around 70 millimeters (2.8 inches) in length.
The diameter of the cork is 25 to 28 millimeters (0.98 to 1.10 inches). But, the diameter of the circle that the feathers make is around 54 millimeters (2.1 inches).
Badminton Related Questions about the Officials
How Many Officials are there in Badminton?
The team of officials in badminton would typically include a referee, umpires, and line judges. The most senior official in a tournament is always the referee.
As a rule, a badminton singles rules tournament would get officiated by a total of 6 officials. That would be one umpire, 4 linesmen, and one service judge.
A game of doubles rules would often include another 2 linesmen. They would get positioned at the doubles service line – one on each side of the court.
Note: You can learn more about the function and roles of officials in badminton in the master section.
Do Badminton Officials Wear a Uniform?
Yes, as a rule umpires wear a specific uniform. The officials’ apparel should clearly distinguish them from the players and the spectators.
What Specialist Equipment is needed for Badminton Umpires?
Often, the tournament coordinators and sponsors will provide equipment and clothing for the umpire. But, match officials and line judges may need to bring their own badminton officiating tool kit and other items of paraphernalia if not.
How Do Officials Communicate in Badminton?
Umpires and referees use a series of badminton hand signals in communication. This is the way they relate the rules and regulations of badminton to other officials and to the players.
For example: A raised right hand straight above the head while calling the player’s name. That would be a hand signal used to communicate misconduct.