Badminton Safety Rules

Watching a badminton game outdoors can sometimes give players a false sense of security that injuries rarely occur. It is possible to suffer a serious injury in badminton just as it is in any other sport if the proper safety rules and guidelines are not followed.

Inspect the playing surface of the court. Remove any obstructions such as branches, twigs and wet leaves. All of these could result in an injury from tripping or slipping. Check the area for any holes or slick spots. Apply sand to fill in these holes or cover the slick spots to reduce the risk of injury.

Protecting your eyes is important to avoid injury from the shuttlecock or the racket swung by yourself or another player. Purchase a pair of sports goggles to help reduce your risk of eye injury.

Wearing proper footwear can help you limit your risk of foot and leg injuries. When playing badminton, quick changes in direction are needed by your feet, so a slip-free sole of the shoe is important. Do not purchase shoes with metal or rubber spikes; these could dig into the ground and result in injury to your knees or ankles when changing direction.

To reduce the risk of muscle injuries, it's important to warm up before playing badminton. This warm-up should include stretching drills to reduce the chance of pulling a muscle while playing. In addition to stretching, a short jog can help warm up your leg muscles and reduce the chance of pulls or cramps.

Communication is especially important when playing a doubles game. Agree with your partner the areas of the court each of you will cover. If one of you needs help with covering your section, communicate this vocally. Do not venture into your partner's territory without this type of communication or you could become injured by his badminton racket.