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With a view to hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leaving no stone unturned. The Public Investment Funds are continuing to make waves in world football. Firstly, the PIF consortium took over an ailing Newcastle United to give them a surge back to Champions League football within two years. Now, they are taking the football world by storm with many of the Saudi clubs snapping up superstars and making the Saudi Pro League lucrative and amongst the most-talked-about football leagues in recent months.

Saudi Pro League is making waves in the world of international football. After snapping one of the greatest footballers of all time Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi clubs are looking to bring in more superstars and make their league one of the most watched in the football world.

In this article, we will be looking at the top footballers who will be plying their trade in Saudi Arabian clubs this season.

Who is joining the Saudi football league?

8. Edouard Mendy (Chelsea to Al Ahli)

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Chelsea’s 2021-22 saviour Edouard Mendy is set to depart from the club. After spending over 2 years at The Blues, Mendy wants a new challenge. Also, it is reported that Chelsea has finally agreed to a £16m deal with Al Ahli for the Senegal international.

Mendy, who arrived at Chelsea in September 2020 quickly became their number-one shot-stopper with the Senegal international helping The Blues to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy. At Chelsea, Mendy played a key role in the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League win, which saw him crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper in Europe that year.

With Mendy not getting enough playtime, it was widely expected the Senegalese international is looking for a club which gets him regular playing time.

7. Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wolves to Al Hilal)

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This was a shocking move. Ruben Neves, one of the best midfielders in world football currently has announced that he will be playing for Al Hilal this season.

The Wolves captain leaves the club after six seasons for a “record fee” reported to be around £55m. Surely, this is the most expensive signing made by any of the Saudi clubs. The Portuguese midfielder is set to pocket almost €18.36 million per year, a significant rise from his €57,632 per week salary at Molineux.

Neves was the backbone of the Wolves’ midfield as the Portuguese appeared for 219 games and scored 27 goals. His magic in the midfield will be of prime importance at Al Hilal.

6. Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea to Al Nassr)

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Ziyech wants out of Chelsea. It is a well-known fact. Well, Chelsea’s negotiation saga with Paris St. Germain last season was quite infamous. Now, as the Saudi Pro League is bringing a lot of superstars, it is widely reported that Hakim Ziyech is also en route to Saudi Arabia.

Ziyech, who was quite magical during his time at Ajax, didn’t quite live up to his expectations at Chelsea. The winger played a total of 60 games in three seasons at The Blues. If everything goes well, Ziyech will be teaming up with his Chelsea teammate Kalidou Koulibaly and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

5. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea to Al Ittihad)

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Another Chelsea player bites the dust. Chelsea’s defensive wall N’Golo Kante has decided to part ways with The Blues. The 32-year-old is out of contract this summer and is being reported to have extensive talks with the Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad.

Regarded as one of the finest central midfielders of the modern era, Kante played a significant role in helping Leicester City achieve the impossible in 2015/16, when they won the Premier League title, before replicating that success at Chelsea 12 months later.

Kante also played significant roles in Chelsea’s Europa League and Champions League successes in 2018/19 and 2020/21, while he has appeared in nine other cup finals for the club.

4. Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea to Al Hilal)

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Seems like Chelsea is off-lading players in bulk. After heavy spending last season, the club is looking to balance their tally sheets by letting go of some players who don’t fit their future plans.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who joined Chelsea from Napoli just last year has announced of leaving the club. The centre-back has announced a move to the Saudi club Al Hilal.

Koulibaly, widely regarded as one of the most talented centre-backs was a flop at Chelsea. During his time at Chelsea, he was plagued with injuries and couldn’t quite gather enough game time to have momentum on his side.

Kalidou Koulibaly will be joined by a list of footballers including Marco Verratti, Demarai Gray and Ruben Neves.

3. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool to Al Ahli)

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Liverpool’s out-of-favour attacking man Roberto Firmino aka Bobby Firmino is widely tipped to join Saudi club Al Ahli. Firmino, who spent eight seasons at Anfield, saw his form fluctuating quite often during his time at the club.

The forward signed from 1899 Hoffenheim arrived at Anfield with quite a fanfare. However, he couldn’t repeat his heroics at Hoffenheim. In a total of 256 games, the forward cum attacking midfielder scored 82 goals.

Now with Liverpool looking for better-attacking options in the market seems like Firmino’s time at Liverpool is over.

Saudi Pro League is bringing big superstars to their league, ensuring it gets as many eyeballs as possible. And it’s not just the players they are targeting. The Saudi clubs are also targeting the biggest managers from the world of football. As per a report, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has received an offer to take charge of either Al Nassr or Al Hilal. Similarly, an offer has been made to Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui and Fulham boss Marco Silva.

2. Neymar Jr. ( PSG to Al Hilal)

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Paris St. Germain is rubbing their star players the wrong way. After Lionel Messi departed for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, it is expected that Neymar Jr., their star signing from 2018 is set to leave the French club.

The 31-year-old superstar has been injured for most of the season, and reports say that Brazil international could be on a move away from Paris this summer, with Saudi’s Al Hilal one of the sides interested in securing the sensation.

Overall, Neymar has played 112 games for Paris St. Germain amassing 82 goals in those matches. He has been a vital cog in PSG’s attack for the last five seasons.

1. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid to Al Ittihad)

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The current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema has successfully completed his move from Real Madrid to Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad. The French striker signed a three-year deal worth $107 million a year.

Benzema has been iconic for Real Madrid. After living in Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadows for the majority of his professional career, Benzema came into his own after Ronaldo departed for Juventus. He reached his peak during the 2021-22 season, being adjudged as the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award for that campaign and also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or. He is also second in Real Madrid’s all-time scoring list with 350 goals.

Overall, Benzema won four La Liga titles with Real Madrid, along with five UEFA Champions League titles. During the 2021-22 UCL season, he was talismanic for his side as they claimed the trophy in a dramatic manner. He also won three Copa del Reys, three Supercopa de Espana titles, four UEFA Super Cup trophies and five FIFA Club World Cups.

Badminton, an indoor sport, originated in the early 16th century. Its history dates back to the mid-1800s in British India, where it was initially played under the name Poon. Known as the fastest racket sport in the world, badminton is an effortless game with simple rules. All you need to play is a net, a shuttlecock, a racket, and a few rules to follow. This minimal equipment is essential for the game. The objective is to serve the shuttlecock to the opponent’s court and engage in a rally as they return the shot. Over time, badminton has evolved from its humble beginnings to become an Olympic event and a popular sport played in various parts of the world. 

Badminton is a fast-paced and exciting racquet sport that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, understanding the rules of badminton is essential to play the game effectively and enjoyably. In this article, we will explore the key rules of the badminton game, covering everything from scoring to serving and faults. By familiarizing yourself with these rules, you can enhance your gameplay and compete with confidence. 

Mastering the rules of badminton games is crucial for players of all levels, from recreational enthusiasts to professional athletes. By understanding the regulations surrounding serving, scoring, gameplay, and faults, you can participate in the sport with confidence and enjoy the competitive spirit it offers. Remember, badminton is not just about power and speed; it requires precision, strategy, and good sportsmanship. 

best Yonex Racquet

Important Rules Of Badminton Game Everyone Must Know

Court and Equipment: 

A standard badminton court is rectangular, measuring 13.4 meters in length and 6.1 meters in width for doubles matches, with a net dividing the court into two halves. For singles matches, the court width is reduced to 5.18 meters. The net should be 1.55 meters high at the edges and 1.524 meters high at the center. 

Players use lightweight rackets to hit a shuttlecock, also known as a birdie or shuttle, across the net. The shuttlecock has a conical shape with a cork base covered by feathers or made of synthetic materials. 

Serves:

The serve is the starting shot of each rally. The server must stand within their service court, diagonally opposite to the receiver. The serve must be hit below the server’s waist and diagonally to the opponent’s service court. The server must ensure that their racket contacts the shuttlecock below their waist. 

In doubles, the server serves from the right service court when their team’s score is even, and from the left service court when it is odd. The receiver’s partner must also stand within their respective service court, and the receiver should try to return the serve. 

Scoring:

Badminton matches are typically played in a best-of-three games format. In each game, players or pairs aim to reach 21 points. However, if the score becomes tied at 20-20, the game continues until one side gains a two-point lead (e.g., 22-20). The first server is determined by a coin toss, and players switch sides after every game. The winner of each game is the first player or pair to reach 21 points or the player or pair with the highest score when the game time limit is reached. 

Rules of scoring: 

1. A match consists of the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. 
2. Players or pairs score a point when they win a rally. 
3. If the score reaches 20-all, the player or pair must gain a 2-point lead to win the game. 
4. If the score reaches 29-all, the side scoring the 30th point wins the game.
5. The winner of a game serves first in the next game. 
6. A badminton match must be played indoors on an official court with the correct dimensions. 
7. Points are scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent’s court, or if a returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court. 
8. At the start of a rally, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. 
9. A legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and across the court.
10. The serve must be underarm and below the server’s waist height, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock should be below 1.15 meters from the surface of the court when struck by the server. Bouncing the shuttlecock is not allowed. 
11. After winning a point, players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. 
12. Second serves are not allowed in badminton. 
13. During a point, a player can return the shuttlecock from inside or outside the court. 
14. Players are not allowed to touch the net with any part of their body or racket. 
15. Deliberately distracting an opponent is not allowed. 
16. A player cannot hit the shuttlecock twice in a row. 
17. The referee may call a ‘let’ if an unforeseen or accidental issue arises. 
18. Each game must include two rest periods: a 90-second rest after the first game and a 5-minute rest after the second game. 

Rally and Gameplay: 

After the serve, the game proceeds as a rally. The shuttle must be hit over the net and into the opponent’s court, aiming to make it land within the boundaries of the court. Players must alternate hitting the shuttle, allowing it to cross the net before being struck. The objective of the game is to make the shuttle hit the ground on the opponent’s side, force an error from the opponent, or create an opportunity for a winning shot. Players can score points when the opponent commits a fault or if the shuttlecock lands outside the boundaries of the court. 

Faults and Let:

A fault occurs when a player violates the rules of the badminton game, resulting in the loss of a rally or point. Some common faults in badminton include: 

Faults in Badminton: 

Illegal Service: 

• The shuttle, at the moment of being hit, is higher than the server’s waist. 
• The head of the racket is higher than the server’s racket hand during the serve. 

Incorrect Service: 

• The shuttle does not land within the correct service court. 
• The server’s feet are not positioned inside the service court. 
• The receiver’s feet are not positioned diagonally opposite the server.

Foot Fault: 

• The server’s or receiver’s feet are outside the boundaries of the service court during the serve. 

Balking or Feinting: 

• Any player deliberately distracting or deceiving their opponent before or during the serve. 
• Out-of-Bounds Shots: 
• A serve or shot that lands outside the court boundaries. 
• The shuttle passes under or through the net. 
• The shuttle touches any obstructions, a player’s body, or clothing. 
• However, shots that land on the boundary lines or service lines are considered in play. 

Early Contact: 

• The shuttle is struck by a player before it crosses the net to their side.
• It is permissible to follow through over the net after making contact with the shuttle. 

Net Fault: 

• A player touches the net or its supports with their body or racket while the shuttle is in play. 
• However, touching the net outside of the playing area is allowed. 

Double Hit: 

• A player hits the shuttle twice in succession.
• This can occur when a player’s racket makes contact with the shuttle twice during a single stroke or when a player hits the shuttle and it rebounds off their body or racket and is hit again. 

A let is called when the rally is interrupted by external factors, such as the shuttle getting stuck in the net or a player being hindered by outside interference. In such cases, the rally is replayed without any points being awarded. 

More rules of Badminton Game: 

No. of players 

1. A badminton match can be played with either two players (singles) or four players (doubles) on the court at a given time. 
2. In doubles matches, after a service is returned, both players on the receiving team are allowed to hit the shuttlecock and are not required to take turns. 
3. Recreational games may feature women playing against men in singles matches, and wheelchair formats are also available for all types of competitive badminton matches. 
4. Competitive badminton games consist of five different types of matches/events: 
5. Men’s singles 
6. Women’s singles 
7. Men’s doubles 
8. Women’s doubles 
9. Mixed doubles, where each team is composed of one man and one woman.

Service Over and Change of Ends: 

If the server commits a fault, such as serving into the wrong service court or not hitting the shuttle below the waist, it results in service over. The serve then passes to the opponent, and they become the new server. After the first game, players or pairs must change the ends of the court. This ensures that no player has a significant advantage due to factors like lighting or wind conditions. 

Doubles-Specific Rules of badminton game: 

In doubles matches, there are additional rules of badminton game to ensure fair play and effective teamwork. These rules include: 

1. In a serve, the receiver’s partner must not touch the shuttle until it has crossed the net.
2. Players must take turns hitting the shuttle, with no more than one stroke per side. 
3. Players can switch positions during the rally, but they must not obstruct the opponent or change the configuration of the court.

Umpires and Officials: 

In official matches, there are umpires and line judges to enforce the rules of badminton games and ensure fair play. The umpire makes decisions on faults, lets, and scoring disputes. Line judges assist in determining whether the shuttle landed inside or outside the boundaries of the court. In high-level tournaments, there is also the use of instant replay technology to review close calls and make accurate decisions.

Have you ever lost your cool during a game because your serve in tennis just wouldn’t connect? There are definitely a few minor errors in your form and serving technique, but we can correct them with a few straightforward actions. The serve is frequently more of a liability than an advantage when the serve technique is incorrect. Simple serving instructions won’t help you master the proper tennis serving technique.

Tennis serves must be consistently practised both on and off the court to be hit perfectly. To speak the truth, the serve is the trickiest and most crucial stroke in tennis. You must thus master every single technical component of this stroke.

You may get additional free points by improving your tennis serve. Additionally, it will give you the ability to attack with the first ball, overpower your rivals, and win more games.

You can hit the finest tennis serve of your life by following these 11 steps.

Step 1: The Grip

Many tennis players use a forehand grip, which is a typical error that reduces the effectiveness of their tennis serve. As a result, the spin and speed that may be created are impacted since they are unable to swing the racquet along the proper swing path.

The best way to improve your tennis serve is to use a continental grip. Make sure your hand is inclined and that your index finger is somewhat spread on the racquet to get this grip. You’ll be able to feel your hand relaxing during the swing thanks to this, which will also help you gain control and feel.

Depending on the serve you wish to hit, there are now small variances. On the forehand side, for instance, you may shift your hand just a little to the right. With what is referred to as a firm continental grip, you may hit a flatter tennis serve and produce greater pronation.

Alternatively, you might slide your hand across to the backhand side. You can simply add extra topspin and slice to your tennis serve by using this grip. However, in order to get started and lay a strong foundation, getting a conventional continental grip is highly advised.

Step 2: Start

You want to have a strong base in the beginning position with your feet positioned properly on the ground. You should stand with your back to the side fence and your body facing it. Additionally, you’ll be looking at your target from behind yourself with your head and eyes.

Many players start off quickly and raise their racquet too early, which affects their timing and rhythm. Additionally, they are holding their hands and arms with too much stress. So before entering the swing’s acceleration phase, you start the action at a modest pace.

Likewise, when you become conscious of how firmly you’re gripping the racquet, make sure to maintain a comfortable posture with your shoulders back and arms at your sides. Creating a dependable pre-serve routine you may, for instance, inhale deeply before starting your action and bounce the ball a certain number of times before each serve.

Step 3: The Stance

Your feet should be positioned such that your front foot is towards the right nett post (for right-handed players) and your rear foot is parallel to the baseline. This is the appropriate tennis serve posture.

In order to remain steady after you start and complete your entire service motion, the toes of the rear foot are also generally aligned with the heel of the front foot.

This is a fundamental viewpoint that you may change based on who you’re serving.

The platform stance and the pin-point stance are the two different kinds of stances used as techniques in a tennis serve. When using the platform serve posture, the feet stay still throughout the whole serving action. You just coil and angle your body while bending your knees, then push off upward into the serve.

In contrast, the pin-point serve stance requires that you begin the serve from a platform stance, pull the back foot closer to the front foot as you toss the ball up, and then push off upwards towards the ball.

Both serve techniques in tennis are appropriate, although often more explosive players choose the platform stance, and taller players who aren’t seeking as much explosive force off the ground use the pin-point stance.

Utilising a platform stance when serving in tennis is advised. It is believed to assist you in developing your concealment, shoulder turn, leg drive, and contact point. Additionally, you’ll be able to serve with more topspin and use the arm appropriately.

In reality, platform stances are used by some of the greatest and fastest servers of all time, like Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. However, there have also been exceptional serves in tennis made with a precise posture, such as those of the Bryan Brothers and Goran Ivanisevic.

Step 4: First Move

One of the most crucial aspects of the tennis serve is the first motion. Most tennis players don’t have the right shoulder turn, which is essential for simple, effective serving. Natural, effortless power is hard to come by when the upper body isn’t functioning correctly. It is also not possible to acquire an extra disguise in order to confuse the adversary.

Feel your body, in particular your shoulder, begin to turn slightly to execute a strong first motion. Your serving arm should follow your throwing arm as you throw. To put it another way, the serving arm must trail or wait behind the hurling arm.

In order to prepare to release the ball, keep your throwing arm straight and lift it smoothly. During this stage, your serving arm may be bent or straight. As the racquet goes towards the pendulum position, you may concentrate on maintaining its closed posture.

Step 5: Toss

Even the fastest server, Roger Federer, acknowledged the value of the coin toss. Tennis players sometimes lament that their throws are unpredictable. It’s crucial to master a consistent throw by figuring out where to find the ball.

As you release the ball, keep your wrist in a neutral position and concentrate on gripping the ball with your fingertips. When the time comes to release the ball, keep your throwing arm straight and extend your fingers. Additionally, make sure your body is steady and that you are throwing the ball from your shoulder.

Understand how far the toss is out in front of you and how far it moves to the left or right if you want to hit a superb tennis serve. You must know how high or low to toss your tennis serve since the toss height is very crucial.

Step 6: Offhand and arm

While transitioning from the initial move to the racquet drop position, the throwing arm remains straight but is not quite locked. The throwing arm will be completely stretched up towards the sky before swinging up to the ball.

Before bursting up to the ball, try to maintain the palm of your throwing hand facing the side fence. This will enable you to maintain the shoulder rotation until the very last second. To obtain a maximal extension, place your offhand in a neutral position with your fingers slightly apart.

Step 7: The Trophy Position

One of the most important aspects of mastering your tennis serve is the trophy position. Lift your serving arm up to the sky while maintaining your throwing arm bent at about a 90-degree angle to get the perfect trophy stance.

Before the racquet drop phase, the racquet face is building momentum while remaining closed (it can go vertical at this stage). The knees are bent, the shoulders are turned, and the body is poised to leap into the ball.

Instead of bending your lower back, keep your wrists neutral and slightly push out your hips. It is advisable to continuously practise the trophy position at least three times each week to grasp this crucial serve component.

Step 8: Legs

Many athletes attempt to increase their power by using their legs, but they frequently do so incorrectly. Their tennis serve becomes less effective as a result. To develop rhythm, keep your legs straight at the beginning of the action. Then, while your elbow is bending, bend your legs.

You may jump with more force from the ground up if your knees are bent sufficiently. Don’t “squat” as you bend your knees during the serve; instead, make sure your leg drive is explosive.

Push off the ground with equal force with both feet if you are in a platform posture. Feel your front leg pushing off if you have a precise stance. To make your body lift and go towards the ball, slightly tilt your front hip towards the net. As soon as the serve is received, hop onto the baseline with your front foot.

Step 9: Racquet Drop

You don’t want to concentrate too much on this when practising your tennis serve. You must first adopt the proper grip, posture, initial action, and trophy pose. This will naturally cause the racquet to drop. Avoid scratching your back, and keep the racquet away from your head and back.

Maintain a relaxed arm and hand as you leap upward with your legs. When you move up to make contact with the ball, get the elbow to lead. If the step preceding it is perfect and in rhythm, this racquet drop will happen.

Additionally, a flexible shoulder is beneficial. The racket’s butt cap will be facing up, and the elbow will be hanging behind as it starts to lead up to the ball. You can easily produce power with this motion.

Step 10: Contact Point

With your arm straight above your body, make contact with the ball. You’re most likely to make contact with the ball on a first serve over the dominant shoulder. You should make contact with the ball above your head for a second serve.

Depending on the kind of serve being hit, the contact and toss locations might change, but the arm should always be fully extended. You may either let the ball fall slightly or make contact with the ball when it reaches its highest point.

Avoid looking at contact and maintain a more slanted posture. Additionally, maintain head contact and try to extend your entire body as you make contact with the ball.

In order to improve your serve consistency, it’s crucial that you establish the proper serve pace. As was previously said in Step 3, starting slowly is essential. You can accelerate all the way to the point of contact.

That racquet needs to be very fast in order for the ball to fly off the strings. This begins with a slower, more fluid, and smoother pace. The momentum continues to grow gradually after that until the swing’s subsequent acceleration. As a consequence, easy power may be produced along with maximum impact at the point of contact.

Step 11: Finish

One of the most underrated areas of the serve is the finish. It’s true that having a solid tennis serve technique might lead to the finish occurring spontaneously. You can concentrate on the finish by ensuring that your hand reaches the opposing pocket at the conclusion of the swing. In addition, you may finish the swing by bending your arm and placing your hand in front of your belly button.

At the conclusion of the swing, slightly curl the wrist so that the palm is facing up. As a result, you may provide the serve spin and control. After making contact with the ball, several players are able to leap onto the court and land inside the baseline. After the serve is made, other players must walk onto the court since they are unable to jump.

When jumping, be sure to touch down on the court with your front leg. Then, to attain ideal balance on your serve, kick up your rear leg from behind. In any case, you want to enter the court with some upward and forward velocity. To hit excellent tennis serves, get your body moving up and forwards.