Rules of the Game


Paddleton can be played indoors or out: in a gym, in the backyard or in the driveway. It is great for adults and children alike. Due to the weight of the paddle, however, it is recommended for children in grades three and up. Required equipment includes: wooden paddles, paddleton birdie, and badminton net. The game is played on a standard badminton court, size 13x42 or 17x42 feet, with the net hung at a regulation height of five feet measured from the ground to the top of the net.

Object of the Game

  • The object of the game is to win two out of three games, constituting a match. Each game is won by the player or team first scoring fifteen points.

The Serve

  • The serving line is located four feet from the net. The server must stand behind this line when serving.
  • The serve must be hit underhand.
  • Only one serve attempt allowed. No let serves.
  • The server should attempt to hit the birdie beyond the serving line on the opposite side. If the serve clears the net but is short of the serving line, the opponent can choose to either hit the birdie and play the point or let the birdie fall short and win the point/serve.
  • The server should attempt to hit the birdie beyond the serving line on the opposite side. If the serve clears the net but is short of the serving line, the opponent can choose to either hit the birdie and play the point or let the birdie fall short and win the point/serve.

Scoring

  • Fifteen points constitute a game. Best two out of three games wins the match.
  • The game can be scored in one of two ways:
    • Points are awarded only to the serving team.
    • Points are awarded anytime a mistake is made.
  • Points are awarded in the following situations:
    • An opponent fails to get the birdie over the net.
    • Hits the birdie out of bounds.
    • Hits a short serve that is allowed to drop.
    • Hits the ceiling with the birdie.
    • Misses the birdie on the serve.
    • The birdie hits the net on the serve.

Variations of the Game

  • The game can be played as singles or doubles.
  • The game can be played with teams of up to six players each alternating hits. In this variation, players line up single-file on their team's side of the net, taking turns hitting the birdie as it comes over the net. Once a player hits the birdie, that player quickly moves to the end of the line and the next player steps up to field the next hit. Players are eliminated in the event of a missed hit. The winner is the team to have at least one player standing after all opposing players have been eliminated. Note: For safety reasons, it is important for players not to hit out of turn and to quickly move to the end of the line after each turn. To get elementary age players accustomed to this variation, teams can toss a beanbag over the net before graduating to paddles.
  • Particularly for elementary age players, teams can also alternate hits with the objective of counting how many hits they can keep the birdie in play, without error. They can then move on to eliminating players after reaching some level of proficiency.

Care of the Equipment

  • To lengthen the life of the birdies, handle them by the rubber tip when picking them up and when serving. DO NOT pick up the birdie by the feathers. Store the birdies in the tube.