Badminton Rules Revised over the Years

Badminton is amongst the most popular racket sports played worldwide. It is an Olympic sport with five events - men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. The game has evolved over time, and so have the rules. In this article, we will explore how the badminton rules have changed over the years.

Scoring System

The scoring system is perhaps the most significant change in badminton rules. Initially, the game was played up to 15 points, with only the serving side scoring points. If the serving side lost a rally, the serve would switch to the other side. In 2001, the scoring system was changed to a rally point system, where both the serving and receiving sides can score a point. The game is now played up to 21 points, with a two-point lead needed to win.

Service Rules

In the early days of badminton, players had to serve underhand, and the shuttle had to pass below the server's waist. In 1983, the rule was revised to allow players to serve overhead. The shuttle still had to pass below the server's waist, but players could now use an overhead serve. In 2006, the rule was changed again to allow the shuttle to be served from any height, as long as it was below the server's waist.

The Let Rule

The let rule has also undergone changes over the years. In the past, if the shuttle touched the net during the serve, the server was allowed to serve again. In 2006, the let rule was introduced, allowing for a replay of the rally if the shuttle touched the net during the serve and landed in the correct court. In 2018, the rule was further revised to allow for a let to be called if the shuttle is caught on the net during the rally.

Instant Review System

The instant review system, also known as the Hawk-Eye system, was introduced in badminton in 2014. It allows players to challenge a line judge's decision by requesting a video review of the rally. If the review shows that the line judge made an error, the player's challenge is successful, and they retain the challenge. If the line judge was correct, the player loses their challenge.

Service Court Violations

Service court violations have always been a part of badminton, but the rules have been refined over the years. In the past, players were not allowed to touch the service court lines with their feet during the serve. If a player violated this rule, they would lose the serve. In 2018, the rule was revised to allow players to touch the service court lines with their feet, as long as the whole foot was inside the service court. This change was made to reduce the number of service faults called during a match.

Clothing and Equipment Rules

Badminton players must adhere to specific clothing and equipment rules to ensure fair play. In the past, players were allowed to wear any color clothing, as long as it was not white. In 2018, the rule was revised to allow players to wear any color clothing they choose. Players must also wear non-marking shoes to protect the court surface. In terms of equipment, players are only allowed to use rackets made of specific materials and with specific dimensions. The shuttlecock must also meet specific requirements regarding weight, shape, and materials.

In conclusion, badminton rules have undergone significant changes over the years, primarily to improve the game's fairness and safety. The most significant changes include the rally point scoring system, service rules, and the let rule. Additionally, the introduction of the instant review system has added a new dimension to the game, allowing players to challenge line judges' decisions.