Rules of Badminton 2019 for Beginners
What are the simple rules about badminton UK? Get all the BWF official rules and regulations in badminton game made easy to understand.
BADMINTON RULES UK: This section explains all the key serving tactics in badminton. There is information about match scoring strategies for all badminton players and beginners.
Shuttle badminton rules and regulations is a popular indoor racket sport. The history and origins have noted games played since the 16th century in Greece and parts of Asia.
Some newcomers may find the concise badminton UK rules and regulations a little confusing or difficult to understand.
But this simple guide for novices will soon get you on court and asking for big servings.
The laws of Badminton World Federation govern and promote the global racket game. The badminton national governing body operates from its base and headquarters in Malaysia.
Badminton is one of the most popular indoor racket sports with top-level competitions played around the world. It is currently acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee.
Mastering the fundamental badminton laws and official match rules will give you the edge. Your court game will improve and you will become more competitive.
UK Badminton Rules 2019
Follow UK Rules for 2019 Updates!
Aim of the Game Badminton
The simple aim of winning in shuttle badminton rules and regulation is to triumph at rallies against your opponent.
Players use a racket to propel a light feathered shuttlecock (called a bird or birdie) over a net.
The object of the game is to score more points and win.
You achieve points by grounding the shuttlecock before your opponent can return it. You try to ground the shuttle in designated court areas on their side of the playing field.
Regulation Badminton: Court Playing Area
As a rule badminton gets played on an indoor court more often than outdoors. A 1.55 meter net gets fixed across the center of the court.
The net must get positioned in the center of the rectangular court so it separates two equal halves.
During a match, the badminton court size and net height must measure 6.1 meters wide and 13.4 meters long. Two tram lines run along each side of the court.
The regulations and rules of badminton singles games use the inside tram lines as the parameter. Whereas doubles rules badminton uses the outside perimeter court lines.
Badminton Equipment Used by Players
Opponents use a stringed racket which is smaller in size than a tennis racket. They use the racket to hit the shuttlecock over the net. Professional competitors typically use a lightweight strung badminton racket made from graphite material.
The rules and regulations for badminton govern the shuttle size and shape. The feather birdie should comprise of feathery material surrounding the top section. Shuttlecocks have a half round ball piece at the bottom end.
Serving Rules of Badminton UK
- Players must serve the shuttle diagonally across the net to their opponent.
- Serving stations move from one side to the other as points get won.
- Serving rules state that the shuttle must reach your opponent's service box in their half of the court.
- The serve is good even if the shuttlecock hits the top of the net (termed Net Cord) on its path, providing it reaches the service boundaries. See an explanation of Net Cord in the badminton terminology section.
- You must try to hit the bottom 'ball side' of the shuttlecock. Gravity usually reverts the heavier rubber ball section facing downwards.
- Official badminton rules and regulations do not allow overarm serves. That means you must hit the serve with an underarm action and swing the racket from below your waist.
- If your first serve goes out then your opponent wins the point. Unlike tennis rules, badminton regulations do not permit second serves for the server.
Badminton Players Formation
The different formations can include male, female, or mixed doubles. Player formats are either singles, paired doubles, or mixed doubles (one male and one female).
General Shuttle Badminton Regulations
- Tournaments must get played indoors. The court must follow all badminton official rules for pitch dimensions and safety.
- UK competitive badminton regulation laws of the game do not allow the shuttlecock to bounce.
- Official British badminton rules and regulations allow two rest periods.
- The first is a 90 second break each after the first game.
- The second rest period is for 5 minutes after the end of the second game.
- Fault Points:
- Your opponent receives a point if you touch the net with any part of your body or racket.
- Deliberately distracting your opponent is also a fault.
- If the shuttlecock gets caught in the racket and then flung away.
- The shuttlecock gets hit twice.
- Any player who continues to infract with the badminton laws of the game.
Badminton Fouls and Faults
There are 5 badminton fouls which players should try to avoid making. The names of the badminton rule infringements are:
- Contact Fault
- Over the Net Fault
- Service Fault
- Receiver Fault
- Double Hit
Scoring Rules in Badminton UK
You win points when the shuttle comes to rest on the ground in your opponent's designated court half. Of course, your challenger will try to hit it back and start a rally.
The best way to achieve advantage in badminton scoring rules is by forcing your opponent to hit the shuttlecock out of play or into the net.
Rules and Regulations in Badminton Rallies
A rally occurs if your opponent legally returns the shuttlecock back to you. Players rally the shuttle back and forth using a single shot each time.
Rallies continue unless it either hits the ground or fails to go over the net. You also win the rally if it lands outside the pitch on the other side of the net. The rallying gets repeated until a player wins the best of three games to win the match.
Badminton Rules and Regulations: Points
Points get awarded to you if your opponent commits a fault or fails to return the shuttlecock. Points may get won on either of the service games.
Badminton Umpires and Officials
- The umpire in badminton oversees play and officiates the game by sitting on a high chair.
- Line judges monitor whether the shuttlecock lands in play or not.
- But, the match referee has overriding calls on infringements and faults.
- Badminton umpire equipment includes a high chair, clothing, and a list of official tools.
- Continuously breaking the laws may result in the referee docking points from your score.
- Persistently committing fouls could get you a forfeit of the set or perhaps a disqualification from the match.
- A 'let' may get called by the referee for unforeseen or accidental circumstances.
- 'Lets' may get called for:
- The shuttlecock getting stuck in the net.
- A server serving out of turn.
- One player was not ready to play.
- Unsighted umpire or a decision was too close to call.
Winning a Game of Badminton England Rules
As a general rule the first player to reach a score of 21 wins a set in the game. If scores get tied at 20-20 the winner is the first player who gets ahead by two clear points. The next point decides the winner of the set if the points are still tied at 29-29.
The majority of championship matches get played out to the best of 3 sets. Winning the overall game requires you to win 2 out of the 3 sets.
More Regulations for Badminton
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10 Rules of Badminton: A simple list of the most important regulations of badminton.
Badminton Doubles Rules: Learn the regulation differences for playing doubles games.
Badminton Officials: Learn about the roles and responsibilities of a badminton umpire.
Badminton Singles Rules: Check out significant regulation differences for single players.
Equipment of Badminton: Review a checklist of gear specifications and accessories.
Badminton Court Size: Find out why indoor pitches must get used for all competitive games.
Badminton Footwork Drills: Mastering efficient footwork technique is essential for better play.
Badminton Shots: Badminton shots and strokes explained - "CLEAR, DRIVE, DROP, SMASH".
Badminton Service Rules: Special rules and regulations in badminton for service games.
Badminton Smash Technique: Free tutorial explaining proper practice techniques and advantages.
Health and Safety in Badminton: An important guide covering badminton safety regulations.
Terminologies in Badminton: A concise list of badminton terms and phrases from A-Z.
Badminton Officials Equipment: A list of tools, kit, and clothing as part of refereeing.
BWF Official Rulebook of Badminton: [PDF Download Option]
Badminton Regulations in the News
Fans and supporters asked about...
Badminton Rules for Kids: BWF organise annual tournaments for badminton juniors under the age of 19.
Game-changer League Rules: Showcase National Badminton League (NBL) begins in Britain.
History of Badminton Game: Shuttle badminton rules originated as 'battledore and shuttlecock'.
Rules and Regulations of Badminton Game in the United Kingdom