The primary objective in the sport of badminton is to score points by successfully hitting a shuttlecock over the net and into the opponent's court in such a way that the opposing player or team cannot return it within the prescribed rules. Badminton is played as both a singles (one player per side) and doubles (two players per side) sport, and the specific objectives and rules remain consistent.
Here are the key objectives and rules in badminton:
1. Scoring Points: Players or teams aim to score points by making the shuttlecock land inside the opponent's court, either within the boundaries of the singles or doubles court, depending on the game format.
2. Serving: Each rally begins with a serve. The server must stand within the service area and hit the shuttlecock over the net to the opponent's service area diagonally. The serve must be underhand and hit below the server's waist.
3. Rallying: After the serve, players engage in a rally, where they take turns hitting the shuttlecock back and forth over the net. The shuttlecock must cross the net and land in the opponent's court.
4. Scoring System:
In standard badminton, games are played to 21 points, and matches are typically best of three games. A player or team wins a game by reaching 21 points first (with a margin of at least 2 points). If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side gains a 2-point advantage or reaches 30 points, whichever comes first.
5. Winning a Match: To win a match, a singles player or doubles team must win the majority of games. In most cases, this means winning two out of three games.
6. Rules and Faults: Various rules govern the conduct of the game. Players are not allowed to touch the net with their body or racket, step into the opponent's court, obstruct the opponent's shot, or hit the shuttlecock outside the boundaries of the court.
7. Service Rotation: In doubles, players must follow a specific service rotation pattern, where the server and their partner must switch service courts each time they score a point.
8. Continuous Play: Badminton is known for its fast-paced nature, with players engaged in continuous play until a point is scored or a fault is committed.
9. Winning the Point: Points can be won by successfully placing the shuttlecock where the opponent cannot return it, either by causing it to land outside the court boundaries, into the net, or by forcing the opponent to make a faulty shot.
Overall, the objective in badminton is to outmaneuver and outscore the opponent or opposing team by skillfully and strategically hitting the shuttlecock over the net while adhering to the rules and regulations of the sport. Badminton combines agility, speed, accuracy, and tactics, making it an engaging and challenging racket sport.
