Tired of tennis? Want to learn a new sport? How about learning how to play badminton?

Badminton can be played by almost anybody no matter how young or old. Whether you choose to play this fast-paced game in your own backyard or in a more professional setting like through the International Badminton Federation (with a membership of one hundred and thirty countries!) the game is becoming more and more popular. In fact in 1992 it was recognized as an Olympic sport. Get in on the fun and action and learn to play badminton!

How to Play Badminton

Badminton is a game requiring stamina and agility as well as good hand-eye coordination and it’s an excellent way to get and stay fit. The basics of badminton aren’t difficult to master and as your skill and fitness levels improve so will your game.

* What You Need to Play Badminton

A Badminton Court or Playing Area

To play badminton, you will need a playing area in your backyard to serve as your badminton court. This area should measure about seventeen feet wide if you will be playing games with two people – one on either side. The court’s length should be about forty-four feet but if you don’t have that much room you can get away with a bit less. Mark your court out using white chalk or yard paint.

The second thing you will need to get a game going is a badminton net. Once it has been set up it will stand about five feet high. You should be able to purchase one at most good sporting goods retailers. Find the middle of your court and get your net in place. Then divide by two and measure out the lengths and widths for either side of the court (the area where each player or pair of players will stand).

You will need to mark each of the three boundary lines on both sides of the playing court. Use some basic yard paint or chalk.

Other Equipment You Need to Play Badminton

Once you have your court set up, you will need to buy some other items for your badminton game. You will need at least a pair of good rackets and shuttlecocks (commonly referred to as ‘birdies’). Visit your local sporting goods store and ask advice on the best equipment to buy.

If you want to dress the part you can buy a good pair of badminton shoes and some shorts and shirts or skirts for the ladies. Badminton is an active game so some sweatbands may not be a bad idea and if you are playing outdoors in summer a cap or hat may come in very handy.

Invest in a few water bottles for instant refreshment while you play your badminton games.

You might also want to invest in a notebook for keeping score (especially if you use a novice referee).

* How You Play Badminton – Informal Game

The aim of a badminton game is for each player to keep the shuttlecock or ‘birdie’ in continuous play after it has been served. The shuttlecock is always served from the right side of the court.

One player will serve the shuttlecock and keep doing so until a fault is made by his or her team of players. Faults may be called for the following reasons:

* If the birdie lands outside the boundary lines
* If the birdie does not pass over the top of the net
* If the birdie is not returned over the net
* If the birdie is not hit with a racket before hitting the ground

If a fault is caused by the server’s team, the opposing team is allowed to serve. However, the opposing team does not score a point. In badminton only the server or his/her team can accumulate points. Thus, if the fault is caused by the opposing team, the server and his team gain a point.

If you play a singles match the first player to reach twenty-one points will be declared the winner of the badminton match. Likewise in a doubles game the first pair of players to reach twenty-one wins the match.

* What About Professional Badminton Matches?

If you play badminton at a professional level the rules are similar but a little more complicated. The equipment used is also slightly different, for example, store-bought shuttlecocks are usually made out of molded plastic while official, regulation birdies are made from cork with an exact number of red feathers attached i.e. sixteen.

Obviously official scores are kept and badminton players can be disqualified for not obeying the correct rules or stepping over the line of good court etiquette.

Find out more by approaching the International Badminton Federation for advice and guidance on how to become a professional player.

Badminton at professional level may not be for everyone but you are perfectly entitled to enjoy a game in your backyard whenever you feel like it.

Moms and dads may want to teach their children how to play badminton and get together with other families for friendly, fun weekend games. If you are a couple looking for an activity to share then badminton may be a great way to bond with each other as well as meet other couples. Make your own court or the one at your local gym or community center and get into the action.

Once you get hooked you will want to play badminton as often as possible, and why not? It’s fun, entertaining and best of all it will keep you and your family healthy! Enjoy it!