How to Play Badminton

Badminton is an exciting, indoor or outdoor, racquet sport you can play with some friends or play competitively through a club. Check out the basics right here, then read further to improve your skills, techniques and strategies.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Badminton Set

1. Toss a coin. The player winning the toss chooses between serving or receiving first.

2. Start service from the right side (always) and serve to the diagonal service box.

3. Serve underhand only.

4. Count scored points only on your serve.

5. Gain control of the serve by winning the point when your opponent is serving.

6. Rally by hitting the shuttle (sometimes called a birdie) over the net, trying to land it on your opponent's court to score a point.

7. Score a point also when your opponent hits the shuttle out of your court, into the net, hits the shuttle with his body or clothing, or hits it before it crossed the net.

8. Win the game by scoring 15 points first.

9. Play a match based on the best two out of three.

Tips & Warnings

• If the score becomes 14-14, the player who reached 14 first decides whether to set the score at 15 or 17.

• Players change ends when the leading scorer reaches eight points and at the conclusion of each game.