Badminton Doubles vs Mixed Doubles What Sets Them Apart

Introduction

Badminton is a popular racket sport played all over the world. It is a game that can be played in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. While singles and doubles are quite similar, mixed doubles has its own unique style of play. In this article, we will explore the differences between badminton doubles and mixed doubles.

Basic Rules

In badminton doubles, each team comprises of two players. The objective of the game is to hit the shuttlecock over the net and make it land on the opponent’s side of the court. The team that scores 21 points first wins the game. If the score is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one team wins by a margin of two points.

In mixed doubles, each team also comprises of two players, but one male and one female player. The rules for scoring are the same as doubles. However, the serve is different in mixed doubles. The male partner serves first, followed by the female partner. If the serving team wins a point, the same player serves again, but if they lose a point, the serve goes to the other team.

Playing Style

The playing style in badminton doubles is quite different from singles. Since there are two players on each team, the court coverage is wider, and the players have to constantly communicate with each other to avoid overlapping. The main objective in doubles is to keep the shuttlecock in play and force the opponents to make a mistake.

In mixed doubles, the male and female players have different strengths and weaknesses. The male player usually has more power and speed, while the female player has better control and finesse. Therefore, the playing style in mixed doubles is more tactical, with each player focusing on their strengths and covering the court accordingly. The male player usually stays at the back of the court, while the female player stays at the front.

Strategy

In badminton doubles, the strategy is to maintain a good position on the court and to keep the shuttlecock in play as long as possible. Players have to constantly communicate with each other and anticipate their opponent’s moves. A good strategy is to aim for the gaps on the court and to force the opponents to make a mistake.

In mixed doubles, the strategy is more complex as both players have different roles to play. The male player usually tries to dominate the game with his power and speed, while the female player tries to control the game with her finesse and placement. The male player has to cover the back of the court and take care of the smashes and clears, while the female player has to cover the front of the court and take care of the net shots.

Conclusion

In conclusion, badminton doubles and mixed doubles are two different styles of play in the sport of badminton. While doubles focuses on a wider court coverage, mixed doubles focuses on the strengths of each player. Both styles require good communication and strategy, making badminton a challenging and exciting sport to watch and play.