Badminton

Mastering the Game: 10 Essential Rules of Badminton for Enhanced Gameplay

Though several games worldwide have immense popularity, it is impossible to take out the essence of Badminton. Unlike the other games of the world, like cricket, basketball, football, etc., the game is simple yet interesting. And what makes it interesting are the 10 essential rules of Badminton.

The rules of Badminton are not as tough as other games. However, it can be tough for beginners to abide by all of them simultaneously. Hence, if you are a beginner and want to be a pro at Badminton, you need to mind all the 10 essential rules of Badminton.

For your reference, we will highlight 10 common rules and mistakes that you may commit while playing.

10 Essential Rules of Badminton to Improve Your Gameplay

Talking about the rules of Badminton, the first set of rules was drawn out in 1873. Further, these rules were modified in 1890 and finally published in 1893. Since then, there have been minor modifications in the rules of the badminton game. However, the basic rules remain the same.

Let’s take a look at the 10 essential rules of Badminton that beginner players often tend to commit mistakes against.

  1. Serving rules

Committing a serving mistake in Badminton is common for both beginners and professionals. There is a specific serving area from where you must serve the shuttlecock. There is an appropriate height over which you cannot serve. Moreover, the serving position for the players changes with the scoring of each point.

Though they are easy to remember, one may occasionally skip from a person’s mind. Here are some mistakes that you may commit while following Badminton rules for service.

  • Performing the serve from the same courtside after scoring a point.
  • Serving the shuttle over the height of 1.15 metres from the court’s surface.
  • Keeping your racquet phase upward while serving.
  • Serving the shuttlecock from above the waistline.
  • Keeping your feet in the air while serving.
  • Unnecessary delays in serving
  1. Equipment issue

Equipment issues can be fatal not just for the game but for you too. For instance, if you are wearing any random outdoor shoes on a Badminton court, that can affect your grand gameplay significantly. Moreover, you must also pay close attention to the choice of the racquet and shuttlecock you use in the play. To make it easy for you, here is the list of the best badminton racquets that are easy on your pocket while offering supreme performance. 

  1. Footwork fault

Badminton is all about keeping the shuttlecock in the air. This depends on how quickly you can move around in the court. If your footwork fails to coordinate with your overall body movement on the court, it can be tough for you to win a game. You need to be swift in moving across the court.

You can perform specific exercises to maintain excellent footwork on the court. Here are some for you to start with

Split steps: Split step is a swift foot movement on the court to widen the stance so that you can quickly reach the position to hit the shuttle.

Shadow movements: Shadow movement is an excellent footwork exercise where you are not actually hitting the shuttlecock but mimicking the movements as if you are actually playing.

Pointing footwork: In the pointing footwork exercise, you must move to different points on the court based on your trainer’s instructions. These points are right in front of the net, left in front of the net, left back corner, right back corner, and left and right of the sideline.

Shuffling: Shuffling is the exercise that helps you move sideways in the court easily. You need to bend your knees slightly and move side-to-side in small steps. Make sure you don’t jump, as your head’s height needs to be consistent.

  1. Improper stance

Stance in Badminton means how a person stands on the court. It is one of the most crucial aspects of the game, as many things depend on it. The way you receive a serve and the way you serve the shuttlecock are significantly affected by your stance.

Some of you may stand in a comfortable position while playing. However, it is not good in the long run. Here is how you should stand in a Badminton game. Keep your racquet leg backwards and non-racquet leg forward while both your hands are at chest level. The overall posture prepares you to receive the shot and indicates to the opponent that you are ready. 

  1. Off-balance smashes

Regarding stance, off-balance smashes can be a bad mistake in a Badminton game. Smashes are considered one of the best ways to score a point and aggressively reply to the opponent. They are the fastest Badminton shots, allowing the opponent very little time to react.

The same applies to you. If the shuttlecock lands in the middle of the court, it is the best time to attempt a smash. But, if you are not ready and you cannot time it right, never go for a smash, as it may put you in a vulnerable position. It is best to continue the rally and wait for the right time to strike back.

  1. Wrong grip

Whether it is a singles game or a doubles game, you must efficiently implement your gripping techniques. You can only play the game if you can hold the racquet better. There are four types of gripping techniques in Badminton, namely forehand grip, backhand grip, bevel grip, and panhandle grip.

All of these grips have their own significance. In a panhandle grip, the racquet handle is held like a pan, allowing a player to play only drive shots. Further, changing the grip when required can be tough if you hold the racquet too tight. Plus, that can lead to injuries like tennis elbow. Therefore, you must ensure that you hold the racquet with the right grip.

The other types of grips include:

  • Forehand grip: The forehand grip on your racquet is just like shaking someone’s hand. A “V” shape will form between your thumb and index finger. The face of the racquet faces the sides of the court.
  • Backhand grip: In this gripping technique, your thumb is on the wider part of the grip, and your fingers fold around the handle. Further, the face of the racquet faces the floor.
  • Bevel grip: In the bevel grip, your thumb is on the ridge of the handle such that the face of your racquet is at an angle to the floor. The head of the racquet moves around.
  1. Poor reception

Badminton rules for singles and badminton rules for doubles have some key similarities. One of them is the reception of the service. Once the opponent serves the shuttlecock, you receive it and knock it back to the other side.

Most of the beginners receive the shuttlecock in the same way each time. This makes it easy for the opponent to judge, trick, and score against you. Therefore, while receiving the serve, it is best to try shot variations to make the rally a bit perplexing.

  1. Touching the net

Many times, the shuttlecock may be too close to the net. Often, your opponent’s trick is to make you commit a fault. And they may succeed if you try to hit the shuttlecock on the net. If the shuttlecock hits the top of the net and passes over, it is known as a “let serve,” and the player must serve the shuttle again. 

Moreover, if any of your clothes, shoes, or racquet touches the net, it is considered a fault and can reduce your points.

  1. Disturbing the opponent

Disturbing the opponent can take various forms. During a game, one may disturb the opponent by distracting them with trash talk or coming in the way of the gameplay. In Badminton, it is an obstruction of the opponent’s shot.

When the referee observes any such foul playing, he may declare it a fault. Therefore, it is better if you focus on your game.

  1. Double Hitting

Double-hitting in Badminton means hitting the shuttlecock twice in a row. For instance, if you and your partner receive the shuttlecock and you both try to hit it, it touches both of your racquets. Also, it is a fault if you hit the shuttlecock more than once in your court.

Tips to Improve Your GamePlay!

Now that you’ve known the common mistakes and game rules that play a vital role, here are some tips to help you improve your game. 

  1. Focus on returning to your base position as soon as possible. The base position is where you are the most comfortable and can handle any shot. Ensure that you are quick enough to return to the base position after hitting the shuttlecock. It is also known as recovery.
  1. Always keep your observation on as you can learn a lot by watching videos of players playing the game. Moreover, it is also necessary to incorporate those shots into your gameplay.
  1. Make physical activity a part of your pre-game regime. Focus on various balance and muscle training exercises like lunges. Also, focus on swimming, running, and cycling to improve overall body movement.
  1. Always try to play with a variety of players. It will help you learn and adapt to the playing techniques of other players. For example, try playing with a left-handed player if you are right-handed.
  1. Practice hand-eye coordination. To excel in your game on a Badminton court, hit the shuttle at the right time in the right direction. You may lose a point if any of these two things go wrong. Therefore, play games like table tennis or football or practice catching to improve your hand-eye coordination.

With all the above tips and tricks in mind, we help you ensure avoiding most mistakes in your game. Further, if you wish to upskill your game efficiencies, download the PlayO app to access game venues and players around you. Go and get started!

Bhumish Sheth