Badminton Rules & Beginner Coaching Guide

Quick Start: 10 Essentials

1. Match: best of 3 games to 21 (rally scoring—every rally is a point).
2. Win a game by 2 points; at 29–29 next point wins (30).
3. Serve diagonally, below waist, with a single smooth underhand motion.
4. Server’s score even → serve from right; odd → left (singles/doubles service side).
5. Lines are in. If any part of the shuttle touches a line, it’s in.
6. No double hits, no carry/scoop; one hit per side.
7. You can hit the shuttle if it touches the net and crosses; play continues.
8. Don’t touch the net with racket, body, or clothing.
9. At 11 points (in each game) you may take up to a 60 s interval; 120 s between games.
10. Change ends each game; in game 3 also when a side first reaches 11.

Core Rules (Comprehensive, Beginner-Focused)

Faults, Fouls & Wrong Plays (Full Beginner List)

A) Service Faults

1. Contacting shuttle above the server’s waist (bottom rib line).
2. Racket head not below the server’s hand at impact.
3. Double motion or pause (feint that stops and restarts).
4. Feet lifting or moving before contact (both feet must touch the court).
5. Serving to the wrong court (not diagonal) or the shuttle lands out.
6. Missing the shuttle entirely on an attempted serve.
7. Delaying the serve excessively after starting the motion.

B) Shuttle/Net/Boundary Faults

8. Shuttle lands outside boundary lines.
9. Shuttle fails to cross the net.
10. Shuttle caught in the net on the striker’s side.
11. Double hit or carrying the shuttle.
12. Hitting the shuttle before it passes to your side (reaching over without initial contact on your side).
13. Striking the shuttle twice in succession by the same player in one stroke.

C) Player Position/Obstruction Faults

14. Touching the net or its supports with racket, body, or clothing.
15. Invading the opponent’s court over or under the net in a way that obstructs play.
16. Obstructing or distracting an opponent (shouting, gestures, deliberate movement).
17. Deliberately delaying the game (time-wasting).
18. Partner (in doubles) returning the serve instead of the proper receiver.

D) Conduct & Discipline (Fouls)

19. Racket abuse (hitting posts/floor), shuttle abuse, or swearing.
20. Coaching outside permitted intervals or disrupting play.
21. Persistent misconduct after verbal warning.
22. Yellow card (official warning) escalation to red card (fault/point) for continued offenses.
23. Severe cases may lead to disqualification.
24. Unsporting behavior (e.g., deliberate hindrance, feigned injury).
25. Ignoring umpire instructions.
26. Leaving the court without permission during a match.

Common Beginner Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)

A) Grip & Contact

• Tennis grip carryover → Use a relaxed handshake (forehand) grip; for backhand, rotate so thumb sits on the bevel.
• Grip too tight → Stay loose; squeeze briefly on impact.
• Late contact → Move earlier; strike slightly in front at a comfortable height.
• Arm-only swing → Add forearm rotation and finger power.
• Flat wrist → Keep wrist neutral and mobile for control.

B) Footwork

• Skipping the split step → Small split as opponent hits.
• Crossing feet when retreating → Use chasse or scissor steps.
• Heavy heels → Stay light on balls of feet.
• Poor lunge mechanics → Knee over toes, torso tall, recover quickly.
• Wrong shoes → Wear non-marking court shoes with lateral support.

C) Serving & Return

• Serve too high → Contact below waist; practice short, tight low serve.
• Jerky service motion → Smooth, single forward action.
• Feet moving at serve → Plant until contact.
• Standing too close on return → Half-step back to cover flicks.
• Predictable returns → Mix net shots, pushes, and lifts.

D) Positioning & Rotation

• Not recovering to base → Return centrally after each shot.
• Doubles confusion → Attack: front–back. Defend: side–side.
• Ball-watching → Track opponent + shuttle; anticipate.
• Overcommitting to the net → Keep balance to cover clears.
• Ignoring partner communication → Use simple cues: “mine”, “yours”, “switch”.

E) Shot Selection & Tactics

• Smashing every shuttle → Build: clear deep, drop, then smash when set.
• Hitting to opponent’s strength repeatedly → Vary height, speed, and direction.
• Neglecting backhand → Learn compact backhand clear/drive.
• Always lifting under pressure → Add blocks and drives to break rhythm.
• No rally plan → Use patterns: clear→drop, push→net, smash→cover.

F) Mindset & Etiquette

• Arguing over tight calls → In social play, call a let and replay.
• Rushing between points → Breathe, quick towel, reset intention.
• Skipping warm-up → 5–8 min mobility + shadow swings.
• Using damaged shuttles → Replace to keep timing consistent.
• Negative self-talk → Reframe: “Next rally. Clear target. Quick feet.”

Coaching Instruction Set (Step-by-Step)

1) Warm-up (8–10 minutes)

1. 2–3 min light jog or side-shuffles around court.
2. Dynamic mobility: ankle circles, hip openers, arm swings (1 min each).
3. Activation: 2×10 bodyweight squats, 2×10 calf raises.
4. Shadow footwork: split step + four corners × 2 rounds.

2) Fundamental Skills (12–15 minutes)

1. Grip check: forehand handshake, backhand thumb grip.
2. Contact point: feeder toss → strike slightly in front.
3. Serve mechanics: 3×10 low serves landing just past the short line.
4. Net touch: 3×10 gentle net shots (let the shuttle roll off the strings).

3) Drills (20–25 minutes)

1. Five-point star: base → FL, FR, RL, RR, base (2 rounds). Focus on recovery.
2. Clear–drop pattern: player A clear deep, player B drop; alternate × 20 shots.
3. Drive exchange: mid-court drives, quick hands: 5 bursts of 20–30 s.
4. Serve & third shot: low serve → push/net; server anticipates lift or block (10 reps each side).

4) Conditioning (6–8 minutes)

1. On-court intervals: 20 s fast multi-shuttle feed, 40 s rest × 6.
2. Core finisher: plank 2×30–45 s; side-plank 2×20–30 s/side.

5) Cool-down (5 minutes)

1. Easy rallying or gentle shadow swings (1–2 min).
2. Stretch calves, quads, hamstrings, glutes, shoulders (20–30 s each).
3. Hydrate; note one technical cue to keep for next session.

Coaching Guidelines for Beginners

A) Technique

• Build from grip → contact → footwork → swing (in that order).
• Use relaxed grip; squeeze only at contact.
• Keep strokes compact; prioritize control over power.
• Recover to base after every shot; eyes up.
• Practice both forehand and backhand clears for escape options.

B) Tactics

• Play high to corners to reset; play tight at net to pressure.
• Change tempo: high clear, slow drop, fast push.
• In doubles, attack with downward shots; defend side-by-side.
• Target open space, not the player; move opponents first.
• Use serve variations (low, flick) sparingly and purposefully.

C) Safety & Health

• Warm up and cool down every session.
• Shoes must be non-marking with lateral support.
• Replace worn grips/strings; damaged shuttles cause timing errors.
• Hydrate; take micro-breaks at 11 when permitted.
• Stop if you feel pain; technique first.

D) Etiquette

• Respect line calls; replay unclear points in social play.
• Return shuttles gently via underhand flick.
• Keep rallies flowing; avoid time-wasting.
• Shake hands and thank opponents/partners.
• Mind your language and equipment—no abuse.

Sample Beginner Practice Schedules

Mini Glossary

• Clear: High shot to the backcourt, used to reset or push opponent deep.
• Drop: Soft shot from back or mid-court that lands just past the net.
• Drive: Fast, flat shot across mid-court.
• Lift: Upward shot from net area to opponent’s backcourt.
• Net kill: Quick put-away of a loose net shot.