Simplified Badminton Rules
In Badminton, a match is won by the individual or couple who wins the best two out of three games played against their opponents.
Every time there is a serve, the back and forth of the shuttlecock over the net is referred to as a 'rally'. The side winning that rally adds one point to their score, and that team gets the opportunity to serve next.
In singles play, when the server's score is even he or she will serve from the right service court, and alternate to the left to serve when his or her score is odd. In doubles play, the serve occurs from the right service courts when the serving team has an even score, and from the left service court when the team has an odd score, the same as in singles play. However, in doubles play, if a serving team wins a rally, the serving team switches position before the next rally, essentially keeping the same winning server serving. If a receiving team wins a rally, the receiving team does not switch positions before the next rally, nor does the the team that has just lost the point. If players make a mistake in the service court that mistake may be rectified when noticed with no penalty to either side.
In match play, when the leading score of a game reaches 11 points there is a sixty second 'interval' or break. There is a two minute interval between games. In the third game, the players or teams switch ends of the court when the leading score reaches 11 points.
Although an ancient game with European roots that reach back 2000 years or more, Badminton became popular in the 1600's as an upper class pastime in many European countries. In the 1800's, a contemporary form of the sport was played in India where a net was added. This idea was taken back to western Europe by the British and introduced by the Duke of Beaufort to his house guests. The duke's estate, located in Gloucestershire, England, was called Badminton.
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