Badminton is a racket sport played by two or four players. Here are the basic rules of badminton:
- The court: Badminton is played on a rectangular court that measures 44 feet by 17 feet for singles and 44 feet by 20 feet for doubles.
- The net: The net is placed in the center of the court, standing 5 feet 1 inch (1.55m) high at the posts and 5 feet (1.52m) high in the center.
- The shuttlecock: The shuttlecock, also called a birdie, is a small, cone-shaped object made of feathers or plastic. It is hit back and forth over the net during play.
- Serving: The game begins with a serve, which must be hit underhand and diagonally across the net to the opponent’s service court.
- Scoring: A point is scored when the opponent is unable to return the shuttlecock or hits it out of bounds. The first player or team to reach 21 points, as long as they have a lead of at least two points, wins the game.
- Rally: The rally starts with the serve, and continues until a point is scored, the shuttlecock goes out of bounds, or a fault is committed.
- Fault: A fault is committed when the shuttlecock is hit into the net, hit out of bounds, or hit by a player before it crosses the net, or if the player steps on the boundary line while hitting the shuttlecock
- Doubles: In doubles, players must hit the shuttlecock in a sequence of diagonally opposite service courts.
- Interval: A 90-second interval between games is allowed and a 2-minute interval between sets.
- Substitution: There is no substitution of players during a match.
Badminton is a high-energy sport that requires quick reflexes, good hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking. It is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels and can be played as a recreational or competitive sport.