Badminton

Badminton has long been played as a competitive sport many years ago. But right until now, there are still many people especially in places like USA or Canada who treat badminton as a backyard sports. A sport that is only for fun, enjoyment and not much effort is required.

But the fact is... Badminton is as competitive and as tough as any other sports. Badminton players are as fit if not fitter than tennis players, football players or any other sportsmen or women. Badminton is a game that demonstrates speed, stamina, agility, power and also delicate skills and touches. It is also a game of strategies, tactics and mental fitness. This game is also known as the physical chess game. Badminton is also one of the most played sports in the World as it is a very popular sport in Asia as well as in some parts of Europe like Denmark and U.K. However the sad fact is Badminton is still trailing behind many other sports in terms of recognition, sponsorships and attention.

The Rules

SCORING:  A team scores only when serving.  A player who is serving will continue to do so until a fault is made by his/her team.
A doubles game is played to 15 points.  A singles game is played to 21 points.  A team must win by 2 points.

DETERMINING SERVE:  The two teams will rally until there is a fault.  Winner has the option of serving first or not, or choosing sides. 

SERVING:  The server and receiver must stand within the limits of their court lines.  If the server steps on or over his lines, it is a fault. 
The serve must be made underhand.  The racket must pass below the waist.  The serve always starts in the service court.
At the start of each new game, the 1st serving team is allowed only one fault before giving up the serve to the  opponents.      
         
After that, both members of each team will serve and fault before the serve is turned over to the opposing team. ( When the serving team wins the point, its players will switch courts and the same player will continue to serve.  When the first partner loses the serve, he/she hands the birdie to his partner to serve.) 
               
Only one serve attempt is allowed unless the birdie touches  the net on the serve and it lands in the proper service court. 
Then, the serve is taken over again.  This is called a "let." 

FAULTS:  
1. Hitting the birdie out of bounds 
2. Serving into the wrong service court 
3. Birdie not clearing the net
4. Stepping on the service boundry lines when serving, or receiving 
5. Hitting the net with the racket or body during a rally 
6. Hitting the birdie before it reaches the receiver's side of the net 

DOUBLES PLAY:  The service court for doubles is short and wide  (Singles court is long and narrow)