The IHSA Badminton Rules

Many high schools offer students the opportunity to play badminton, a tennis-like game played with a feathered shuttle, or birdie, rather than a ball. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) regulates girl's high school badminton games in that state, and makes the rules regarding uniforms and sportsmanship as well as game play.

  1. Unsportmanlike Conduct

    • Unlike many team sports, badminton does not use a referee or umpire. However, the Games Committee has the right to penalize players who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct during a game. Unsportsmanlike behavior includes expressing frustration physically when losing (e.g. deliberately aiming the shuttle at another player) or otherwise interfering with play. If a coach witnesses unsportsmanlike behavior, she must confer with the Games Committee for that match to determine an appropriate penalty.

    Uniforms

    • There is no specific uniform for badminton; however, athletes may not wear sexually suggestive clothing or clothing containing profanity, slurs or other offensive language. Tank tops are not permitted. Athletes may wear jewelry as long as it does not present a safety hazard to themselves or others.

    Etiquette Rules

    • Teams must be ready to begin the game on time; if a team is more than five minutes late, it can receive a 2-point penalty. Play etiquette also demands that a player who hits the shuttle into the net retrieve it, and that the server call out the score before each shot. After completing a match, players should wait until other games are between plays before walking behind them, so as not to distract the players. Spectators should never walk behind teams while a game is in play.

    Gameplay

    • The game is played by two single players on opposite sides of the court, or by two-player teams. Each play begins with one team serving the shuttle to the other team. The serving player must remain in one place and hit the shuttle over the net from below her waist; she must hold the racket so coaches from both teams can see it. She may not deliberately deceive the other team as to where she is hitting by making it appear she is hitting it someplace else. The opposing team must hit the shuttle back over the net. Play continues until the shuttle falls, with the team that misses losing the play. Scoring must be announced before the next play; if a scoring error is made, it cannot be reversed. Gameplay continues to 15 points; a team must win two out of three matches to win the game.