Badminton is a racket sport that can be played either as singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side).
It’s great for people of all ages, and my 72 year old day still plays weekly so it’s fantastic exercise and a social gathering for the over 60’s. He also whoops me every time we play badders, so age is irrelative too.
You don’t need to be super fit to play, some very capable players do not have athletes levels of fitness. Although it’s not recommended if you have knee osteoarthritis and you should properly stretch and warm up to avoid wrist pain.
Badminton is played indoors, and is known for its fast-paced rallies and requires quick reflexes, agility, and hand-eye coordination. The objective is to score points by landing the shuttlecock in the opponent’s court within the boundaries.
Played on a rectangular court divided by a net, players use rackets to hit a shuttlecock back and forth over the net. It’s similar to tennis and squash, but the shuttlecock travels at a different speed to a ball, so it takes getting used to for beginners. The cork tip head is heavier and air resistance of the feather crown slows the movement, and a clean shot requires connection with the base.
Badminton is believed to have been invented in the mid-19th century in British India based on a game called Poona, developed from a children’s game called “battledore and shuttlecock.” The rules for badminton were formalized in the early 1870s in England and and has been part of the Summer Olympics program since 1992.
The sport is popular in many countries, particularly in Asia and Europe, and has a strong following at both recreational and competitive levels. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body for the sport, overseeing rules, regulations, and competitions worldwide.
If you’re starting your badminton journey, you need to nail the basics first. This is understanding the court layout and mastering essential shots like the clear, drop, smash, and net play. It’s vital to hit the shuttlecock at its peak and move quickly back to the centre after each shot.
You need some essential equipment, including a lightweight racket that feels comfortable in your hand and shoes that support swift, agile movements. You’ll need at least a set of 6 shuttlecock as they can get stuck in the ceiling or nets of sports halls and can also get damaged which impacts the flight.
Practice consistently to improve your grip, strokes, and footwork, as each skill builds your confidence and agility. As you get these fundamentals down, you’ll notice your game improving and your enjoyment increasing. Let’s start here and see how far you can go.
Essential Gear and Equipment
Any breathable sports wear where you can more freely is good, plus non-marking gum sole shoes give the best traction and give that trademark court squeak.
Racquets are lighter than tennis with a smaller head, but grip sizes vary, so make sure you find one that feels natural in your grasp. This will enhance your control and speed, which are critical elements in badminton. There are plenty of cheap beginner brands, but if you are serious and want to play like a pro, take a look at Li-Ning Professional Badminton Rackets.
There are different types of shuttlecocks; feathers offer superior control and speed, while plastic is more durable and beginner-friendly. As mentioned above, they are sold in multipacks for a reason.
Basic Strokes and Techniques
Now that you’ve geared up with the right equipment, let’s focus on mastering basic strokes and techniques to enhance your badminton skills.
First up, hold the racket loosely like you are shaking hands; with your thumb lying against the back surface. Practise this in advance at home, getting used to a forehand and backhand movement with a mild flick of the wrist and follow-through. Understand the mechanics behind each stroke, whether it’s a clear, drop, or smash, this knowledge will expand your shot variety and improve your strategic play.
And remember, they are called strokes, which in itself highlights it’s a more gentle movement than you may think. As you get a feel for the power needed to hit it around the court, you’ll start to get an idea of how you can make your opponent move around to tire them out. At first though, just focus on the return, not the placement. This is badminton for beginners
The common badminton strokes are:
Clear: A shot hit deep to the back of the opponent’s court, used to push the opponent back.
Drop shot: A shot hit softly and close to the net, used to deceive the opponent and force them to move quickly to the front of the court.
Smash: A powerful overhead shot hit downwards at the opponent’s court, usually used to finish off a point.
Drive: A fast and flat shot hit horizontally over the net, used to keep the opponent on their toes and prevent them from attacking.
Drop and lift: A combination of shots where the player alternates between drop shots and lifts to move the opponent around the court and create openings.
Net shot: A shot played close to the net, used to force the opponent into making a weak return or to set up a kill shot.
Keep practicing these basics, and you’ll see how quickly your game and confidence evolves..
Footwork Fundamentals
Footwork is key to enhancing your balance, speed, and efficiency on the court. To truly excel, you’ll need to practice both forward and backward movements while keeping your eyes looking ahead.
You can move side to side like a crab and rush forward easy enough, but fast running backwards into a jump is worth practising.
Positioning centrally is best, as the less you have to move, the more time you have to focus on the swing. Efficient footwork allows you to cover more ground and react quickly to your opponent’s plays. Dedicate time to refine these skills off the courts.
Court markings
If playing doubles, the court size increases. In singles, the court ignores the long outer tramlines, and anything past the inner is out. Doubles uses the outer lines so is wider. In both cases, when serving, only the inner tramline counts.
The court is 44 foot long and 17 foot wide when playing singles, and the net is 5 feet high (although if UK sports centres this is not usually tight like it should be.
The Rules of the Game and How Points Are Scored
Scoring in badminton:
- A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent’s court (see above and if the shuttle hits the line, it is deemed in), or hits the opponent and falls to the floor, or the opponent faults (either by hitting the net and it falling onto their own side, or the return not landing in the court)
- If the serving side wins a rally, they score a point and continue to serve.
- If the receiving side wins a rally, they score a point and become the serving side.
- The first side to reach 21 points wins the game, but must have a two-point advantage.
- If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point advantage (so 21-20 would not win the game, only 22-20 would).
- The match is usually played to the best of three games.
You serve the shuttlecock under your waist level and facing diagonally opposite to your opponent on the court.
To serve hold the shuttlecock (birdie) in your non-racket hand. The shuttle should be hit underhand and below your waist and the server’s feet should not leave the ground before hitting.
Practice Drills for Beginners
Start with simple racket positioning exercises to improve your forehand and backhand shots. Focus on getting under it at first just so you get it over the net. This won’t only boost your shot accuracy but also your confidence as you hear that satisfying thwack each time.
Next, practice footwork techniques that enhance your movement across the court. This gives you a strategic advantage during play and really changes the control of the game.
Practising serves is always worth it too, short and long to make your opponent think on your approach.
Improving Game Strategy
It’s easier said that done, but try to understand your opponent’s playing style, and strengths and weakness. And adjust your own play styles accordingly.
Mixing up your shot selections and targeting their backhand side can disrupt their rhythm and throw them off balance. Always vary your tactics; keep your opponents guessing to enhance your overall game strategy.
If they have a killer smash, try to avoid setting them up too often. You’ll notice the better players will have you running all over the court, and the aim would be to do that to them instead to create gaps.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got the basics down with our guide on how to play badminton, keep practicing and pushing your limits down at the local badminton courts weekly.
Stay focused, stay agile, and most importantly, enjoy every game as a shuttler (badminton player).
With persistent effort and a positive attitude, you’ll see your skills soar. Keep at it, and you’ll be acing your way through matches in no time!
