How to Play Badminton?

Well, let's get to the basics first. Badminton is a game played with a racket and a shuttlecock (known as shuttle birdie in some parts of the world), between two or four players. It was introduced into the Olympics in 1992 as men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. Badminton is an indoor game.

There are several similarities between badminton and tennis; and also an equal number of differences. However, playing badminton is considered easier than tennis; though many will disagree. Here is brief information about playing badminton that will be helpful for beginners.

Apart from the racket and the birdie, there are several other terms used in badminton that you need to be aware of before beginning to play. The movement of the birdie is affected by the wind, and hence, badminton is always played indoors. Similarly, the most basic thing to remember is to use proper technique and strength to hit the shuttle back, and score points. Now that you know the terms, let us see how to play and score in badminton.

• Both, the server and the opponent should stand inside their service courts during the serve.
• In singles as well as doubles, the serve is always done diagonally from one's own right corner to the right corner of the opponent.

• Now, unlike tennis, the birdie should not bounce on the opponent's court before he hits it. It is a direct shot between the server and the opponent.

• The serve should always be done underhand. You can either serve forehand or backhand. However, you should make sure that the serve is underhand.
• The opponent should try to hit the birdie back to the server, without touching the net.
• The back and forth hitting continues until the birdie falls on the ground.

• The lift, the push, and the drive are the common shots that are used while hitting the birdie back to the opponent.

• If the birdie is below the height of the net, you need to lift the birdie upwards to send it back to the opponent's court. Secondly, you can push very slowly to the opponent's court too. Thirdly, you can drive it flat to the opponent's court with full strength.

• Lastly, you should note that you can hit the birdie only once in order to defend / attack and send it back. No double shots or hitting the birdie twice (by the same player) is allowed.

• The professional game of badminton is a match of best of three games. A single game comprises 21 points, with a minimum difference of 2 points to win.
• The player gains a point if the opponent fails to hit the birdie back, hits the birdie into the net, if the birdie lands out of the court, if the shuttle touches any of the body part of the opponent.

• If the person serving loses the point, the service is immediately changed, and the opponent serves next.
• Now, in case of a doubles' match, if the serving team scores, the same person serves, but to a different opponent.

• On the other hand, if the opponent team wins the point, and the new score is in odd number, then the player in the left service court serves. Secondly, if the new score is in even number, then the player in the right service court serves.

These are the rules, tips and techniques on playing badminton for beginners. Note that mastering these basic techniques and using them in the right manner can help in playing the game in a better way. Good luck!