Let us move on to another very interesting game, Badminton. It is very popular, both among children and grown-ups. This game can be played between two players (singles) or four players (doubles) and it can be played both indoors and outdoors.

The game takes its name from the county residence, 'Badminton', of the Duke of Beauport, in the southern part of Gloucestershire, England. The game consists of either two or four contestants, who have wooden rackets (that are stringed), with which they bat a shuttlecock back and forth, into each other's court. There's a net tied between the two sides, to demarcate the areas. The aim of the players is to prevent the shuttlecock from falling on the ground. Each time a player drops it, he/she loses a point. At the end, the player with the higher score, wins.

Rules.

The court is a rectangle 44 feet by 17 feet. It is divided into two equal halves and has two posts, on either side, in the middle. These posts are used for tying the net, which is made of fine, dark colored cord of even thickness (15mm-20mm). It is firmly stretched from the two posts and is taut. Its height is kept fixed at 5 feet.

The Game.

The game begins with a toss and the side that wins has the option of-
a) Choosing one end of the court. (Sides)
b) Receiving service first. (Service)

The game has a total of 15 points, as may be agreed in advance, and whichever team scores it first, is considered the winner. However, if a score of 13 each is reached, the side which first reaches it, has the option of setting the game to 5; and when a score of 14 all is reached, the side which scores 14 first, has the option of setting the game to 3. After the game is 'set', the score starts from 'love-all' (i.e. zero) and the side which first scores 5 or 3, wins the game. Sometimes, a game can be played upto 21 points but this is done with prior arrangement.

Once we know the rules, we must learn the exact method of playing the game. In a doubles match, once the toss winners have chosen their side, the player on the right-hand starts the game by serving to the player diagonally opposite him. (Serving means hitting the shuttlecock with his racket so that it flies off.) If the latter returns the shuttle before it touches the ground, it is to be returned by the first side and so on, till a fault is made and the shuttle falls to the ground. The opponent in the right -hand service court then becomes the server, but if the service is not returned or the first side makes a fault, the second side scores a point. The side which starts service, gets only one player to serve, but the second side, losing the first chance, has a second try. They change court and service is now done from the left-hand corner of the court, to the player diagonally opposite. (Changing courts is done only when a team scores a point.) And thus the game continues.

Whenever the sides change service, the player on the right-hand side begins to serve. Once a service is delivered, the shuttle is in play until it touches the ground or a fault occurs. After the service is delivered, the two players on one side may take up any position they choose on their side of the net, irrespective of the boundary lines.

The player, who receives the service, can alone return it. Should his partner touch it, it is deemed a fault and the opponents score a point. When a game is over, the winning side gets to serve first.

There are certain situations that are called faults. Some of them are:
1. If, on service, the shuttle falls on the wrong side of the opponent's court.
2. If the server's feet are even slightly in his partner's half of the court. He has to be fully in his own side.
3. If, either in service or in play, the shuttle falls outside the boundaries of the court or passes through or under the net or fails to pass the net or touches the roof or side walls or the person (body) of a player.
4. If, when the shuttle is in play, a player touches the net with his racket or dress.
5. If the shuttle is hit twice on the same side.

These are some of the rules that apply when a game of badminton is in progress. Once you start this game, its really fascinating and young boys and girls can literally while away the hours, playing this enjoyable game.