Every Malaysian is familiar with badminton, a racquet sport that enjoys great popularity among people of all races and ages in Malaysia. As a minimum, there should be two players in badminton and this is called singles. As you have guessed, four players are called doubles and they compete against each other.
One of the main objectives when it comes to playing badminton is to ensure that the shuttlecock does not hit the ground on your side of the court. Your aim as a badminton player is to ensure that the shuttlecock flies above the net and falls on your opponent's side of the court.
Badminton actually has its roots in India, where British soldiers coined the game. It was later officially organised in England around the 19th century. As time progressed, this sport has won the hearts of many and has become a globally played sport. It was so popular that it became an Olympic sport in 1992.
Unlike many other sports out there, badminton is not only a competitive sport but it is also one that is flexible and can be played almost anywhere by anyone.
In this article let us look at the key rules and techniques in this highly popular sport. If you are someone who is looking into playing badminton, you are in the right place.
Rules of Badminton
Scoring
Every game or sport in the world relies heavily on its scoring system, and badminton is no exception. The scoring is a crucial aspect that shapes the experience and competitive nature of the game. In badminton, the current format in the scoring system is called the rally scoring system. This scoring system was introduced in the year 2001 and here are some of the points of this system.
In badminton, a player needs to secure victory in a minimum of two out of three sets to claim the match. To secure a set victory, a player must reach a total of 21 points. Only then it is considered a win. No matter who serves in the game, a point is scored on every serve. Just say a situation arises where the score for both players reaches 20-20, the players will need to win by a two-point margin or if they reach 29-29. If this happens, the team that scores the 30th point will win the set.
Serving
Serving in badminton is an important part of badminton and there are a whole set of strict rules to follow when it comes to this. The player who is serving must stand in their designated areas and their shuttlecock must be below the height of the player's waist when they serve. This is called the underhand serve and the racket’s head must be pointed downward during this time. The serve needs to be sent diagonally across the court, landing in the service area of the opponent.
Penalties
In order to avoid losing points, a player must be aware of all the faults and penalties that can cost them precious points. Let us discuss some of them here. One of the most common mistakes that can cost players points when they play badminton is called a foot fault. This is when they accidentally step outside their service area when they are serving. Always remember, that you can only step outside your service area after hitting the shuttlecock. Doing so before will only cause you to lose points.
It's important to remember that you should not hit the shuttlecock until it crosses the net into your side of the court. You may only hit it once it has crossed into your area. In order for you to gain points, the shuttlecock must land within your opponent's court boundaries.
In addition to the two mentioned above, you should also not obstruct your opponents. Doing so will result in a fault.
Techniques You Should Know and Master
Grip
Holding or gripping your badminton racquet might seem like an easy thing to do but did you know that there is a proper way to grip your badminton racquet?
There is a reason why when you start playing badminton, one of the first things you will learn is how to hold your racquet. A proper grip greatly influences the precision and strength of your shot.
There are mainly two types of grip out there. The first type is known as the forehand grip, while the second is referred to as the backhand grip. The forehand grip is primarily employed for smashes and various other strokes, whereas the backhand grip is typically utilised for backhand shots.
Footwork
Badminton requires fast movements and one important aspect of this is footwork. Having good footwork is crucial in maintaining your balance as well as speed. When it comes to footwork, there are three main things that you must focus on. The first is basic stance. This is to keep your feet apart as wide as your shoulder width while maintaining a slightly bent position. Always remember to stay relaxed. Another is lunging. Effective and great badminton players are able to use lunging to reach distant shuttlecocks effectively. In order to lunge properly, you will need to push off using your back foot. Another is called recovery. When you play badminton you might move all around the court but you must always remember and be fast enough to move back to the centre of the court after each shot you prepare. This is to ensure that you are ready for the next shot dealt by your opponents.
Shots
In general, there are four kinds of shots. The first is called the clear shot. This is when the player hits the shuttlecock high and is directed to the back of the opponent's court. This is a great way to recover your position in the middle of the court.
Another shot is called the drop shot and this is where the player hits the shuttlecock so lightly that it barely clears the net. This shot is aimed so that the shuttlecock will quickly fall at the front and in the opponent's court.
The third kind of shot is called smash. This is a powerful and very aggressive move that is both breathtaking and impressive. The badminton player will hit the shuttlecock in a downward shot when they aim to finish the rally.
The fourth kind of shot is drive and this is where the player aims his shot at the opponent's mid-court area. This shot is extremely useful and effective to keep their opponent under constant pressure.
The Importance of Strategy in Badminton
When it comes to playing badminton, strategy is extremely important. One of the key points when it comes to strategy in badminton is having an effective position on the court. Generally, there are two kinds of positioning which are the defensive positioning and the attacking positioning. Defensive positioning is when your position always ensures that you can recover from shots. Attacking positioning is when you move towards your side of the net which is useful for smashes.
Always remember to read your opponents properly so that you will be prepared. You should also take advantage and utilise angles as this can be highly beneficial in making your shots more effective.
How to Keep Fit?
When it comes to playing badminton, it is important to ensure that you are in good physical condition. In order to be a successful badminton player you should have good endurance as well as undergo strength training.
Don't let the simple moves in badminton trick you. As a spectator, watching a badminton match, it might seem easy and simple but in order to play badminton, you will need a lot of energy and stamina which is why you must do strength training which will improve your arms, legs and core.
Additionally, it's important to maintain a healthy diet that emphasises both proper hydration and a well-balanced intake of nutrients.
How to Choose the Right Racquet?
If you are looking at starting to play badminton, choosing a racquet is important. You will need to look into three main factors to help you choose the right racquet for you. The first is the weight. This will be followed by the racquet balance and finally the string tension. All these are important factors you must decide on when choosing the right racquet for you.
There are many benefits to playing badminton. It is a fun way to keep yourself healthy and happy. Badminton is a sport that can help you keep fit not only physically but also mentally. If you are a Malaysian, this is a sport we are sure you would have tried playing at least once in your life.
If you find yourself drawn to this sport, why don't you consider hiring a badminton coach from Superprof to help you in your journey to learning this sport? A coach from Superprof can guide you to learn the correct techniques in badminton while providing you with personalised instruction. One of the best things about our tutors is they are there to help you by tailoring their lessons specifically for your needs, skills as well as level. They are also qualified and experienced to help you with your skill development especially when it comes to footwork, net play and many more.
Our platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate. All of our tutors are highly skilled, qualified, and verified by our team. Don’t wait any longer to learn this exciting sport that has captivated millions in Malaysia.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
