Fundamental Skills and Rules in Badminton

By Michele M Howard, eHow Contributor

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1.

Badminton is a quick game to learn and play.

Badminton, like many sports, is played at many levels of skill and ability. The recreational version of this game is easy to learn. The rules are not complicated. Badminton does not even require a lot of equipment. With a few rackets, a shuttle and a net with supports, you are ready to go.

2.Skills Needed
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To play recreational badminton you only need a few basic skills--a forehand, a backhand and a serve. At the professional level, there are several variations and ways to hit these shots. The pros even have a repertoire of trick shots during match play. However, at the recreational level, you do need to be able to start a point with a serve, hitting the shuttle, or "birdie" over the net and into the proper area of the opponent's court. Being able to maintain a rally of hitting the shuttle back and forth over the net with either a forehand stroke or a backhand stroke until a point is awarded is necessary.

Basic Serves
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Two fundamental serves used are the low and high serve. The low serve is gently hit low over the net and designed to land at the front of the receiver's service court. This serve is used more in doubles play. The

high serve is hit with a lot of force, high over the net so that it falls downward and vertically in the back of the opponent's service court. This serve is used more in singles play.

Basic Strokes
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One of the most important fundamental strokes to learn is the clear. This shot can be hit with either the forehand or backhand. The underhand clear is used to return a low shuttle. The overhead clear is probably used more than any other stroke in badminton. With this stroke, the shuttle travels high and deep and keeps your opponent in the back of the court. Being able to hit a smash shot is also useful. This is when you hit the shuttle in a downward direction over the net in an attempt to end the point quickly.

Rules for Serving

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According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), a server must start the serve standing behind the baseline and some part of both feet must be in contact with the court until the racket hits the shuttle. The delivery of the serve must be an underhand stoke, and the shuttle and racket head must be below the server's waist at contact. The serve can be hit with a forehand or a backhand. Only one attempt of a serve is allowed. The serve is hit diagonally cross-court from right to left when the server's score is even and from left to right when the server's score is odd. If the receiver loses the point, the server continues to serve. If the receiver wins the point, he becomes the new server. The shuttle cannot touch the net on the serve.

Rules of Play
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During match play, at no time can a player break the plane of the net to hit the shuttle. The rules state that no part of the player's racket, body or clothing can touch the net during a point. If the shuttle lands on the line during play, it is considered to be in bounds. The shuttle is not allowed to touch the ceiling or walls if playing indoors. During play, once the shuttle touches the court within the lines, if is no longer in play and a point is awarded to the player who just hit it.

Scoring
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Typically, a badminton match is the best of two-out-of-three games and played until one side has won 21 points. A game that is tied at 20 continues to play until one side has scored two consecutive points. If the score is tied at 29, only one more point will be played to determine which side wins the game. Unlike tennis, a point is scored on every serve.

Read more: Fundamental Skills and Rules in Badminton | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6497262_fundamental-skills-rulesbadminton.html#ixzz1XeLYLL2K Use the basic grip on both sides of the body, forehand and backhand. For forehands you hit with the front of the hand leading, whereas for backhands you hit with the back of the hand leading. Forehands feel like hitting with your palm, and backhands feel like hitting with your knuckles. A common mistake in coaching is to teach one forehand grip (the basic grip) and onebackhand grip (the thumb grip). This is incorrect. For backhands at the side of your body, use the basic grip. You may think of forehands as hitting with the front face of the racket, and backhands as hitting with the back face. When you use the basic grip for backhands, make sure the thumb remains extended (straight) throughout the hitting action. This provides support. If you let the thumb curl instead, your hold on the racket will not be stable enough: you will have a floppy backhand.

Learning the basic grip

The V-shape, marked in red

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Hold the badminton racket as though you are lightly shaking hands with the handle, or as though you are lightly holding a blade, such as a knife, a sword, or an axe. Look at the gap between your thumb and first finger; it should form a shape like the letter V. The bottom point of this V-shape should not be exactly on top of the badminton racket handle: it should be placed towards the diagonal bevel on the left, bevel 2. Your hold on the badminton racket should be relaxed (not tight). Left Right Above Below Show all Basic grip photographs

Key tip
Marking your badminton racket handle is an excellent way to help yourself learn this grip.

Common errors
A fist-like grip
A fist-like badminton grip prevents you from using your fingers effectively. Notice there is no V-shape; instead, the webbing between your thumb and first finger makes a rounded U-shape. To correct the error, relax your grip and spread your fingers gently.

Key tip
If you finish your shot with a fist-like grip, that's okay. Its only an error if you start with a fist-like grip.

Correct

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V-shape directly on top

This is commonly taught, but its incorrect. Placing the V-shape directly over the narrow bevel, bevel 1, leaves you with a slight panhandle, which will cause subtle problems in your badminton strokes: for example, when playing a straight forehand clear from your forehand corner, you will tend to hit the shuttlecock out at the side. To correct the error, move the V towards the diagonal bevel, bevel 2, instead. Error

Correct

Pointing the index finger

Extending the index finger, so that it points straight up the badminton racket, will make your hand tense. This will severely limit your stroke skills, and may also lead to a strain injury. To correct the error, allow the finger to rest in a more relaxed position. Its still good to have a gap between the index and middle fingers; just dont point the index finger straight up. Error

Correct

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