Introduction

Badminton is a racquet sport that involves hitting a shuttlecock back and forth over a net.
Played both recreationally and competitively worldwide, it is recognized for its fast-paced action
and intense rallies. Originating over 2,000 years ago, its modern-day form started in British India
and was popularized as "Poona."

History

Badminton traces its roots back over 2,000 years to ancient civilizations including Greece and
China, where games involving a shuttlecock were played. The modern variant began in British
India, popularized as "Poona." British army officers stationed in India took the game back to
England in the 19th century, where it was named "Badminton" after the Duke of Beaufort's
Badminton House in Gloucestershire.

Facts

The name "badminton" is derived from the Duke of Beaufort's Badminton House in
Gloucestershire, England, where the game was first played in its modern, competitive form.

Popularity in Asia Badminton is immensely popular in Asian countries, especially in China,

Indonesia, Malaysia, and India. These countries have produced some of the sport's greatest
players and have a strong presence in international competitions.

Badminton at the Paralympics Para-badminton made its debut in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics,
expanding the reach of the sport and providing athletes with physical impairments an
opportunity to compete at the highest level.

Additional Information
Major Tournaments

● All England Open: One of the world's oldest and most prestigious tournaments.
● Thomas Cup & Uber Cup: Men's and women's team championships respectively.
● BWF World Championships: Organized by the Badminton World Federation.
● Olympic Badminton: Became an Olympic sport in 1992.
● Major Tournaments: Aside from the previously mentioned tournaments, the BWF
Super Series and World Tour are major annual events showcasing top talent.

Notable Players of Badminton

● Lin Dan: Often considered the greatest singles player, winning multiple World
Championships and Olympic golds.
● Lee Chong Wei: Renowned Malaysian player with numerous accolades.
● Ratchanok Intanon: The first Thai player to become World No.1 in women's singles.
● Carolina Marin: An Olympic and World Champion from Spain.

Rules of the Game

1. Objective: Score points by making the shuttlecock land on the opponent's side of the
court.
2. Matches are typically best of three games.
 3. A game is won by the first side to reach 21 points, but a margin of at least two points is
needed to win.
4. Serving must be underhand, and the shuttlecock must pass over the short service line
on the opposite side.

Safety Procedures

● Proper warm-up and cool-down to prevent injuries.

● Wearing appropriate footwear to prevent slips and provide cushioning.
● Ensuring the court is free of moisture and debris.
● Using proper grip and stroke techniques to prevent muscle strains.
● Maintaining equipment to prevent accidents (e.g., ensuring no broken strings).

Equipments of the Game

Essential Equipment:

● Racquet: The primary tool used to hit the shuttlecock. Badminton racquets are
lightweight, with frames typically made of materials like carbon fiber, graphite, or
aluminum.
● Shuttlecock: Also known as a birdie, it's the object players hit back and forth. There are
two main types:
1. Feathered Shuttlecock: Made from feathers, typically from ducks or
geese. Preferred for professional and competitive play due to its trajectory
and feel.
2. Nylon or Synthetic Shuttlecock: More durable and often used for
recreational play.
● Badminton Shoes: Specifically designed to provide grip on the court, they are also
lightweight with cushioning to absorb impact. They typically have a gum sole for better
traction on indoor courts.
● Badminton Net: Used to divide the court into two halves. It has a standard height and
width as defined by badminton regulations.
● Badminton Court: The playing area, which can be indoors or outdoors. It has specific
dimensions and markings for singles and doubles play.

Optional Equipment and Accessories:

● Racquet Grip: Provides a better hold on the racquet handle. It can be overgrip (wrapped
over the original grip) or replacement grip.
● String: Though racquets come pre-strung, many advanced players prefer to choose
their strings and tension for better playability.
● Wristbands and Headbands: Help in absorbing sweat.
● Protective Eyewear: Especially important for those who want to protect their eyes from
potential injury from a mis-hit shuttlecock.
 ● Badminton Kit Bag: A bag specifically designed to carry racquets, shoes, shuttlecocks,
and other accessories.
● Socks: Special badminton socks offer more cushioning and are designed to wick away
moisture.
● Clothing: As previously mentioned, wear appropriate sportswear made of breathable
and moisture-wicking material.
● Knee Braces or Ankle Guards: For players who need extra support or protection due
to previous injuries.
● Grip Enhancers: Such as chalk or rosin, for players whose hands sweat a lot.
● Training Equipment: This includes items like shuttle feeding machines, agility ladders,
and other training aids.
● Scoreboard: For official matches or players who want to keep track of scores more
formally.
● Boundary Lines or Court Markers: Especially useful if setting up a temporary court or
playing outdoors.

Court Dimensions

● Rectangular and divided into two halves by a net.

● Singles court measures 17.3 ft x 44.2 ft.
● Doubles court is 20 ft x 44.2 ft.

Officials of the Game

● Referee: Oversees all aspects of the tournament/match and makes final decisions.
● Umpire: In charge of a specific match, ensures players follow rules, and makes calls.
● Line Judges: Positioned around the court to judge if shuttles land in or out.
● Service Judge: Ensures the service is executed correctly.

Technical Skills

● Footwork: Essential for moving around the court efficiently.

● Serving: Must be underhand and accurate.
● Strokes: Clear, drop, smash, and drive are primary strokes used.
● Net Play: Quick reflexes to respond to shots close to the net.

Tactical Skills

● Positioning: Dominating the court and making opponents run.

● Variation: Mixing up shots to keep the opponent guessing.
● Endurance: Playing long rallies to wear out the opponent.
● Decision Making: Knowing when to play a defensive or offensive shot.

Playing Format

● Singles: One player on each side.

● Doubles: Two players on each side. Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles are the sub-
categories.
 ● Team Events: Such as Sudirman Cup, where teams compete in a combination
of singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches.

Different types of shots in badminton

● Clear Shot: This is used to push the opponent to the back of the court. There are two
types:
○ Defensive Clear: Played with a high trajectory to ensure it goes to the back of the
opponent's court.
○ Attacking Clear: Played flatter and faster, used to catch the opponent off-guard.
● Drop Shot: A soft shot that falls rapidly and lands near the net. There are several types:
○ Fast Drop: The shuttle descends steeply.
○ Slow Drop: The shuttle falls gently just over the net.
● Smash: A powerful downward shot aimed at the opponent's side. It’s one of the most
aggressive shots in badminton
● Net Shot: Played from near the net, and meant to just skim over and drop sharply on the
other side.
● Net Drop: A softer touch shot that just clears the net.
● Net Kill: A more aggressive shot, smashing the shuttle down at the net.
● Drive: A fast and flat shot played horizontally, usually from the mid or backcourt. It’s
often used in doubles.
● Lift: Played from near the net, it's used to send the shuttle to the opponent's backcourt.
It can be both defensive and offensive.
● Tumble or Spin Net Shot: A net shot played with spin, causing the shuttle to tumble
over the net.
● Push Shot: A soft-touch shot using the fingers' power to push the shuttle over the net,
often used in doubles near the net.
● Flick Serve: A deceptive serve where the movement mimics a short serve, but the
shuttle goes to the back.
● Hairpin Net Shot: Played from very close to the net, where the shuttle rises just above
the net and then drops sharply.
● Block: Used to counter-attack smashes; it's a defensive shot where the player uses the
opponent's pace to redirect the shuttle.