10 Questions You Should to Know about Badminton Floor

Badminton is undoubtedly a fun, empowering and energetic sport that everyone enjoys. People tend to love it because it can be played both outdoors and indoors. This means that there are no restrictions on playing badminton. Outdoor badminton courts are prefered since it's in the open air and more close to the nature. 

Link to Okler

It is essential to know all the basics before playing a particular sport. The reason for this is that this is how you become completely engrossed in the sport and fully master all aspects of the game. Before positioning yourself as a professional badminton player, read on to better understand the game.

1. What is the size of a badminton net?

The net divides the court/playing area into two equal parts, one for each player. The quality and mesh of the net is very good. The net is placed between two poles to keep it straight, stiff and firm. The depth of the badminton net is 760mm, while the width is 6.1m (minimum). The court surface and the top of the net are approximately 1.524m from the center. from the sideline, this distance is 1.55m for a doubles match. the end of the poles and the end of the net are perfectly aligned side by side. This means that there is no gap between the two. 

2. What are the dimensions of a badminton court?

Badminton court dimensions include the length, width and height of the badminton court. The court is rectangular in shape and a badminton net is divided into two parts by a divider. The professional court is 13.4 m long and 6.1 m wide. For singles matches, the width is slightly smaller than usual at 5.18 m. The boundaries of the court are marked with white or yellow distinguishing lines. They are about 40 mm wide. 

Badminton players use the back boundary line as the long service line, while the uprights are placed on the side lines of the court. Another distinct line is marked between the net line and the long service line for short service. The distance between the same line and the back dividing line is about 1.98 m. The total length of the court diagonal is 14.366 m.

3. What is the difference between outdoor badminton courts and indoor badminton courts?

Except for the different spatial locations, the markings and all other badminton court dimensions, as well as the rules and regulations are the same for both types of courts. However, the badminton court flooring varies from indoor to outdoor badminton. Synthetic and rubber flooring courts are usually used for indoor courts. Wooden floors are equally suitable for both types of badminton. Cement flooring is the least popular outdoor and indoor badminton court flooring because it does not provide any absorption and stability to the player's movements.  

4. What are the different types of courts?

From a player's point of view, the badminton court floor or surface is the most important. Since it directly affects the player's performance, there are four types of courts depending on the types of flooring.

a) Cement Ground Courts

These are usually seen in outdoor badminton tournaments such as parks. This is not suitable for daily play as it does not provide shock absorption and hence can lead to knee injuries. 

b) Rubber Floor

These courts have rubber flooring in the form of mats. They are used for indoor badminton courts. They are easy to maintain and they provide relatively good shock absorption.

c) Wooden Floor Courts

They have the natural ability to absorb shocks. Wooden floors are well known and recommended by local sports federations. They are widely used for badminton matches but they have the disadvantage of getting wet due to sweat. This makes the wooden floors slippery for badminton players.

d) Synthetic flooring 

Badminton courts with synthetic floors are the most popular and are best suited for large tournaments and championships such as the Olympics. These floors have a wooden base underneath. They are best suited for bouncing and are highly non-slip. A non-slip surface is a key feature that any player can demand. This prevents players from knee injuries because the pressure on the knees is greatly reduced on such courts. It is also available in two types.

e)  PVC Courts

They are non-slip and come in the form of mats that are easily placed on a wooden base. PVC mats are divided into three layers, including a lower, middle and top mat.

f)  Acrylic Pitch

Compared to PVC mats, acrylic mats are cheaper; therefore they are economical. They are available in different colors and are also widely used for other sports. They also have anti-slip properties, but their shock absorption properties are not as good as PVC mats. 

5. How to maintain the outdoor badminton courts?

Maintaining the court is not a daunting task, but it should be done regularly to prolong its life and improve efficiency. Some tips and tricks related to maintenance are shared below. 

● To increase the grip of your feet, you must apply a non-slip coating from time to time.

● Wear specially designed, non-marking shoes. 

● Over time, the course markings begin to fade. Make a note of them when needed.

● Mopping daily to remove dirt, sweat and sticky substances (such as tape and gum) is necessary. 

● Power sanding is necessary every 2-3 years to improve the life of your wood floors.

● To get a sparkling clean look, wipe the floor with silicone thinner or you can simply use vinegar. Simply add a few drops of them to the mopping solution.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Badminton Floor.

● Use the wheels to move things around the court. Do not drag items, as dragging can cause scratches. It will eventually affect the smoothness of the surface.

1. What is the minimum height for a badminton court?

There is no minimum height for a court specified in badminton’s rules, but ideally it should be high enough so that clears and high serves in singles have no chance of hitting the ceiling.

2. So what happens if the shuttlecock hits the ceiling in badminton?

There is no fixed rule for what happens if a shuttlecock hits the ceiling, it varies from club to club. Typically hitting fixtures such as lights or basketball apparatus will be a let and the point will be replayed, while hitting the ceiling itself will be a fault. In matches the home side should specify their precise rules at the start.

Service

3. Who serves first in a badminton game?

At most clubs, it is normal practice to decide who serves first by hitting the shuttlecock up into the air. Whichever side the shuttlecock points to goes first. However, the rules say that the decision is made by a coin toss and this is how the decision is made in professional matches.

4. How do you tell if your opponent is ready to receive serve?

The convention is that a player is considered ready once their racket is up, they have stopped moving and they have made eye contact with the server.

5. If I miss the shuttlecock when I try to serve can I serve again?

Strictly speaking no. If you attempt to serve and miss the shuttlecock, the rules say this is a fault:
9.1.9 in attempting to serve, the server shall not miss the shuttle.

6. If a the shuttlecock touches the top of the net when you serve but falls into the service area is this a “let” and the service replayed?

In this situation the server would win the point – it is not a let when the shuttlecock hits the net at any part of the game, including the serve. The only exception is if the shuttlecock gets stuck on the net, see below for the rules when this happens.

7. When serving is it a fault if the frame of the racket strikes the shuttlecock and not the strings?

It’s not a fault to hit the frame with a serve, as long as you only hit the shuttlecock once and you don’t hook/scoop the shuttle.

8. When serving in doubles, can you stand within the sidelines?

In doubles the service court is extended to the sidelines, so you may serve from there as long as you don’t stand on the outer sideline:
9.1.2 the server and the receiver shall stand within diagonally opposite service courts (Diagram A) without touching the boundary lines of these service courts;

9. Can 2 players be in the same court while receiving a serve?

Yes, as long as the receiver’s partner doesn’t block the server’s view of the receiver:
9.5 In doubles, during the delivery of service, the partners may take up any positions within their respective courts, which do not unsight the opposing server or receiver.

Faults

10. What happens if the shuttlecock gets stuck on the net?

a) On the serve it’s a fault if the shuttlecock:
13.2.1 is caught on the net and remains suspended on its top;
13.2.2 after passing over the net, is caught in the net;
b) After the serve, it’s a fault if the shuttlecock:
13.3.3 fails to pass over the net; and it’s a let if the shuttlecock is:
14.2.3.1 caught on the net and remains suspended on its top, or
14.2.3.2 after passing over the net is caught in the net;

11. Is a ‘scoop’ shot a fault in badminton?

It’s a fault if during play, the shuttle:
13.3.7 is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke;

12. Is it a fault to hit the net with the racket in the follow-through of a stroke?

Yes, it’s always a fault if you hit the net with your racket during play.

13. Is it a fault if your racket crosses the net?

It’s a fault if a player:
13.4.2 invades an opponent’s court over the net with racket or person except that the striker may follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke after the initial point of contact with the shuttle is on the striker’s side of the net;

14. If the shuttlecock lands so the shuttle head is outside the line but the feathers are on the line, is the shuttlecock out?

Yes.

15. Is it legal, as you’re about to lose the point from a disadvantaged position at the net, to merely stick your racket up to block the shuttle?

Yes, it’s legal to try and block the shuttle like that – as long as your racket isn’t on your opponent’s side of the net when the shuttle hits it, then you can have your eyes shut, be hiding and still legally return the shuttle – and even win the point!

Having said that, rule 13.4.4 says it’s a fault if a player ‘obstructs an opponent, i.e. prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net;’.

In other words, it’s actually a fault to hold your racket up so close to the net that it gets in the way of your opponent’s swing (don’t forget – it’s legal for your opponent’s stroke to finish on your side of the net as long as they hit the shuttle on their side and don’t hit the net in the process).

In practice this rule rarely comes into play – it just means don’t take the mickey and hold the racket up so close to the net that it’s right under your opponent’s nose.

General

16. What’s the maximum points that a winner can obtain in each set?

A winner normally plays to 21 points, but to win you have to be at least 2 points ahead, up to a maximum of 30 points; which is the maximum a winner can obtain.

17. If I’m watching my team play, can I give them advice during a match?

16.5.1 Only when the shuttle is not in play (Law 15), shall a player be permitted to receive advice during a match.

18. How should you test a shuttlecock for speed?

3.1 To test a shuttle, a player shall use a full underhand stroke which makes contact with the shuttle over the back boundary line. The shuttle shall be hit at an upward angle and in a direction parallel to the side lines. Also see this video about testing the speed of the shuttle.

19. What’s the maximum time you’re allowed between rallies?

There is no time limit but a badminton game is meant to be played continuously so it as the umpire’s discretion to hasten the players when necessary.  The rules talk about delays and allowed intervals:

16.4 Delay in play

16.4.1 Under no circumstances shall play be delayed to enable a player to recover strength or wind or to receive advice.
16.4.2 The umpire shall be the sole judge of any delay in play.
16.1 Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except as allowed in Laws 16.2 and 16.3.

16.2 Intervals

Want more information on Badminton Court Flooring? Feel free to contact us.