8th Grade Badminton
Study Guide
Background Info.
Badminton is named for the country estate of Duke of Beaufort, where the game was first played in England in 1873. The origins of badminton are traced to China, Poland, and India, but are played around the world.
Badminton is a great game for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or strength. New players a can quickly achieve success unlike some other sporting competitions which take years of practice to see success. The lightness of the racket, the ‘floating’ speed of the shuttle, and the restricted area of the court allow learners of all ages to experience game satisfaction early on. Though learning the essential skills of the game is relatively easy, mastering the strokes and strategies is challenging.
Because badminton is dominated not by strength but more by skill and finesse, it offers a game where females and males can compete on equal grounds.
Social Skills & Etiquette
Some of the courtesies of badminton include complimenting an opponent’s good shots, calling faults immediately, returning the shuttle to the server after each point, avoiding taking or distracting opponents or a partner during play, not making excuses for poor shots, offering to replay a point if there was interference, and not entering a court unless play has stopped. Encourage each other to respect the equipment by laying rackets down rather than dropping them, carefully removing shuttles caught in the net by pushing them through from the direction of entry and not leaning or pulling on the net.
Rules & Regulations of Game Play
A doubles game consists of 15 points. If a game is tied at 13 points, the team reaching 13 first can set the game at 5 more points or just play to 15. If a game is tied at 14, the team reaching 14 first can set the game at 3 more points or just play to 15.
Only one partner on the team with the first serve in doubles may serve in that team’s half of the inning. After a fault by the serving team, both opponent partners get to serve in their half of the inning. After that, both partners serve in their respective half-innings.
The game starts in the right-hand service court. The server alternates courts until service is lost. Receivers alternate receiving the serve, and no receiver may receive two consecutive serves.
Only the serving team scores points. The serving side scores when the receiving side faults and loses the serve if they commit a fault.
Faults
If the server contacts the shuttle above the waist
If the racket head is not below the server’s hand at contact
If the server’s feet are not in the correct serving court
If the server’s feet are not stationary at the time of contact
If the shuttle does not fall within the proper service court
If the shuttle touches the ceiling, wall, standards, or other players
If the shuttle does not pass over the net, if the player carries the shuttle on the racket
If player hits the shuttle before it crosses the net
If the player touches the net or posts while returning a shot
If player hits the shuttle more than once on a side
Or if a player intentionally obstructs an opponent
If shuttle lands on the line it is ‘in’
A shuttle that touches the net on the serve but still falls into the proper service court is called a ‘let’ serve, such a serve in not played it is a re-serve.
Terminology
Bird- badminton ‘ball’ or shuttle
Carry- catching the shuttle on the racquet and then slinging it
Drive- a hard-hit shuttle that travels flat and close to the net
Drop- a shot that barely clears the net and then falls into the opponent’s front court
Face-the hitting surface of the racquet
Fault- violation of the rules
Match- 2 out of 3 games
Rally- hitting the shuttle back and forth
Side Out- to lose the serve
Smash- a high shot returned sharply
Throw- a carried shuttle; fault
Court Dimensions
