SOURCES – BWF
AirBadminton is an outdoor version of badminton designed to create more opportunities for people of all ages and ability to play badminton.
Badminton is a popular, fun and inclusive sport with more than 300 million active players globally, encouraging participation and excitement with a number of health and social benefits.
AirBadminton will make it easier for everyone to access these benefits using a new prototype shuttlecock – the AirShuttle.
The AirShuttle has been designed to be played with existing rackets, which further supports the accessibility of the game.
THE BASICS
The game has been designed around the performance and durability of the AirShuttle, following considerable testing, piloting and data collection.
AirBadminton is played with similar rules to badminton with the main difference being the design of the court, with a two-metre dead zone at the front of the court.
Should the AirShuttle land in that area, it is deemed a fault.
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME?
There are three formats to which you can play:
- Singles – 1 vs. 1
- Doubles – 2 vs. 2
- Triple – 3 vs. 3
The dimensions of the court have been defined to encourage longer rallies and maintain the physical aspects of our sport.
Rallies commence with a service from anywhere behind the 3m marker.
- The AirShuttle must be struck in an upwards direction with both feet stationary behind the 3m marker.
- The server may direct the AirShuttle anywhere into the opposition’s playing area beyond the 2m line.
- Singles and doubles follow the same style of play as badminton, taking into consideration the court dimensions and service regulations.
- In triples, the same service regulations apply, but any one player cannot return the AirShuttle on two consecutive occasions.
SURFACES
AirBadminton is played on an even, safe surface on varieties such as hard, grass and sand.
Due to the aerodynamics of the AirShuttle, where possible, courts should be set up laterally to the prevailing wind direction to allow for the best wind resistance.
- On sand, the height of the net from the surface of the court is lower at 1.45m at the centre and 1.5m over the side lines for doubles and triples.
AirBadminton can also be played on existing outdoor badminton courts.
THE SCORING
- The BWF recommended scoring system is the best of five games to nine points. However, other systems may be used to suit local considerations.
- If the score is tied at 8-all, the side which gains a two-point lead first will win the game.
- If the score becomes 11-all, the side scoring the 12th point shall win the game. The winning side will serve first in the next game.
- Players shall change ends at the end each game and in a deciding fifth game when a side first scores five points.
- Intervals should not exceed 120 seconds between games; and not exceeding 60 seconds in the fifth game when players change ends at five points.