Overview and History  Badminton is a racket sport that is played on a court divided by a net five feet high.  The game is played with a shuttlecock (“bird”).  Can be played as singles or doubles.  The object of the game is to hit the shuttlecock over the net so that eventually the opponent is unable to return the shot.  It’s all about placement. If your opponent is in the back of their court then “dink” it over the net. If they are up on the net then “lob” it to the back corner of their court.  The biggest objective you can have is to try and beat Mrs. Callahan and Mr. Youst…… However, they are NOT responsible for any hurt feelings or crushed self- esteem issues you’ll encounter by taking on this task!!

Safety 1.Make sure to always have a firm grip on the racket. 2.Be careful not to hit your partner with the racket. 3.Stay on your own court. 4.Stop playing if others enter your court. 5.If your bird goes into another court, wait until their play stops. 6.Be careful and aware of your surroundings (poles, walls, etc.) 7.Take care of the equipment

Equipment  Rackets are fragile. Avoid hitting the floor, walls, posts, nets, and other people.  Handle the shuttlecocks carefully and only by their rubber tips. If birds get stuck in the net remove them carefully so that they don’t tear.  If your racket is damaged, let us know at the beginning of class. If you don’t, you are held responsible for the damage and will be fined.  Put your racquet and birdie in the assigned spot at the end of class.

Techniques  Serve – long or short  Forehand For right handed players: A stroke hit when the shuttle is on the right side of the body. For left handed players: A stroke hit when the shuttle is on the left side of the body.  Round the head – An overhead stroke played on the left or backhand side of the body.  Smash – A hard hit overhand stroke with a fast downward path. It is a main attacking stroke.  Drive – A powerfully hit forehand or backhand stroke which just clears the top of the net. Difficult to return due to the shuttle’s straight line trajectory.  Clear – A stroke which sends the shuttle high over the opponents head and drops near the backcourt boundary line. It may be hit with and overhand or underhand stroke. Can be used as offensive or defensive play.  Drop Shot – The shuttle is stroked over the net so it drops very close to the net.

Scoring . A match consists of best of 3 games.  21 points shall win the game.  Rally scoring is used where either serving or receiving team may score a point.  If a score becomes 20-20, the side that scores 2 consecutive points shall win that game  If the score becomes 29-29, the side that scores the 30th point shall win the game.  The side winning a game serves first in the next game.

Serving Doubles  Serving always starts from the right court or when the score is even. When the score is odd then the serve should be coming from the left side.  You continue to serve as long as you score.  The serving side switches courts after each point.  The players on the receiving side always stay in their respective court sides.  If a fault is made by the serving side, the server loses the serve, a point is awarded to the receiving side, and they get to start serving.  The serve must go to the player on the receiving team who is diagonally across from the server. Singles  Serving rules for singles is the same as for the rules for doubles.

Serving Rules  The server must keep both feet within the service court during the serve.  The serve must be underhand and the shuttle must be contacted below the waist.  The shuttle must be hit in front of the body.  The server may not serve until the receiver is ready.  During a serve, the partner of the server and receiver may stand anywhere as long as they don’t obstruct the opponents view.  A serve that touches the net and goes into the proper service area is legal.  If the server misses the shuttle entirely on the serve, it is not a fault and they can serve again. If any part of the racket touches the shuttle it is considered a serve and is a fault.  The server should announce the score before each serve.  If a single player is playing a doubles team, the single player is allowed two terms of service.

General Rules  Winners of the first game must serve first in the next game.  Teams change sides after each game.  Any shuttle landing on the lines are good.  During a rally, if the shuttle touches the net and goes over it is good.  You may not swing down or “spike” a shot. It’s about placement.  Cannot touch the net with your racquet

Faults  Overhand serves – Anytime the server contacts the shuttle higher than their waist. If any part of the head of the racket is higher than the server’s hand holding the racket.  During the serve, the shuttle lands outside the correct service court.  If the server’s or receiver's feet are not in the correct service court as the shuttle is served.  If the player touches the net with their racket or body.  If the shuttle… Hits any obstruction such as the ceiling, wall, backboard, etc. Fails to go over the net. Is hit by the other team before it crosses the net. Is not distinctively hit, but held momentarily on the racket. Is hit more than once in succession by a team. Hits any part of the players body.

Strategy  Put your opponent on the defensive.  Hit the bird so that your opponents only possible return is an upward direction.  Hit the shuttle with an overhand stroke whenever possible.  Use the smash if possible.  Play to your opponents weakness.  Use a variety of shots and keep your opponent moving.  Recover your own court position quickly.

Systems of Play (Doubles)  Side by side – defensive positioning Each player is responsible for one side of the court Good positioning to defend against a smash  Up and back – offensive positioning One player in front half the other in back half This allows the team to put pressure on the other team.  Combination – Combination of both systems When a team hits the shuttle in the air, they assume side by side position to defend against the smash At other times they are in up and back positions