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Badminton — rules, core skills, and a deeper knowledge check

Learn the court layout, serve & receive basics, rally structure, and practical patterns for singles and doubles. Finish with an expanded self-check to review understanding.

Rules first Clear patterns Deeper self-check
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Rules & basics

Court • Serve • Rally • Scoring • Faults

Court & equipment

  • Court: Rectangle divided by a net. Singles uses narrower side lines; doubles uses full width with a shorter back service line.
  • Rackets & shuttle: Lightweight racket; feather or synthetic shuttle.
  • Service courts: Right/left service boxes; server and receiver stand in opposite boxes.

Serve & receive

  • Serve must be underhand with a continuous forward motion and struck below a defined legal height.
  • Diagonal service: server and receiver stand in opposite boxes.
  • In doubles, the serving side alternates boxes after each rally they win.

Rally & common faults

  • Rally ends when the shuttle lands in/out or a fault is called.
  • Faults include: shuttle not over net, outside boundaries, double contact, or touching the net with body/racket.
  • Let: rally replayed due to interference or uncertainty.

Key terms

Clear

High, deep shot pushing the opponent back.

Drop

Soft shot landing just past the net.

Smash

Steep overhead hit aimed downward.

Drive

Flat, fast shot across the court.

Browse full glossary

Strategy & patterns

Footwork • Shot choices • Singles & doubles

Footwork foundations

  • Split step: Light hop as the opponent strikes to prepare movement.
  • Recovery: Return to base after each shot; stay balanced.
  • Patterns: Front (net), rear (overhead), and mid-court diagonals.

Shot selection

  • Use deep clears to create space and time.
  • Mix drop shots to move the opponent forward.
  • Choose smash when preparation and balance are good; follow with net cover.

Serve/return patterns

  • Short/low serve in singles to limit easy attacks; vary placement.
  • In doubles, prioritize low, tight serves; be ready for push/drive returns.
  • On return, aim low and flat to deny easy overheads.

Singles: a simple plan

  1. Control depth: Deep clears push back; observe weaker side.
  2. Change pace at net: Mix drop/net shots to draw forward.
  3. Finish on balance: Attack only when set; recover to center.

Doubles: roles & rotation

  • Attack formation: Front–back: rear smashes/clears; front covers net.
  • Defence formation: Side-by-side to handle smashes/drives.
  • Rotate: After a lift or push, switch roles to keep formation balanced.

Common mistakes

  • Rushing a smash without balance → easy counter.
  • Standing too close to net after drop → exposed to clear.
  • Late recovery to base → big gaps on next reply.
  • Predictable serve height/placement → easy to attack.
Try the deeper self-check

Knowledge check

Immediate feedback • Neutral explanations
Answered 0/16 • Score 0/16
1) Standard game target and margin?

Choose the accurate description.

2) From which service box do you serve at an even personal score?

3) Which option best describes a “clear”?

4) In doubles defence, which base formation is typical against smashes?

5) Which action most helps prepare movement at the opponent’s hit?

6) Which serve focus is common in doubles?

7) Which is a common fault?

8) After a successful drop, what is a sensible next focus?

9) Which statement about a legal serve is accurate?

10) After any shot in singles, the default recovery is to…

11) Opponent is deep and late in rear court. Best pressure shot?

12) In attack, the typical doubles formation is…

13) Returning a low serve in doubles: a safe, pressuring idea is to…

14) Touching the net with body or racket during a rally is…

15) After an overhead (smash/clear), which footwork helps quick recovery?

16) Doubles serving order: after winning a point on serve, the next serve is by…

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