Helena Frye
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock, also known as a birdie. The aim is to hit the shuttlecock back and forth without letting it touch the ground within the boundaries of the court. The sport is played on a rectangular court divided into halves by a net, with either one player per side (singles) or two players per side (doubles). Points are scored by landing the shuttlecock within the opponent's half of the court. The shuttlecock is made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base, giving it a unique flight pattern compared to other racquet sports. Badminton is believed to have originated in British India in the 19th century and has since become a popular sport worldwide, especially in Asia. The sport made its Olympic debut in 1992 and has been dominated by Asian nations in international competitions.
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What You'll Learn
History of badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The game is believed to have ancient roots, with similar games played in Greece, China, and India. The modern game of badminton, however, has a more recent history that can be traced back to the 19th century.
In the 1800s, British military officers stationed in British India played a game called "Poona" or "battledore and shuttlecock", which is considered the precursor to modern badminton. The game was brought back to England by these officers, and it was first played at the Badminton country estate of the 9th Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset, around 1873. The sport was named after this Badminton estate in Gloucestershire.
As the game gained popularity, the Bath Badminton Club was established in Bath, England, in 1877, and they introduced new rules to the game. In 1893, the Badminton Association of England (BAE) was formed, further standardizing the rules and regulations of the sport. The BAE launched the sport officially in 1899 with the first All England Open Badminton Championships, considered the world's first badminton tournament.
The formation of the International Badminton Federation (now the Badminton World Federation or BWF) in 1934 marked another significant milestone in the sport's history. The BWF became the sport's governing body, and its first world championships were held in 1977. Over the years, badminton has continued to evolve, with changes to equipment, rules, and playing styles. The introduction of synthetic shuttlecocks in 2021 is a recent example of how the sport continues to adapt and develop.
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Badminton rules
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock—a feathered or plastic projectile—back and forth across a net. The game is played either as singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side), with players taking turns to serve and volley.
The Court
The badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. The doubles court is wider than the singles court, but both are of the same length. The full width of the court for doubles is 6.1 metres (20 feet), and for singles, this width is reduced to 5.18 metres (17 feet). The full length of the court is 13.4 metres (44 feet). The net is 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the ends and 1.52 metres (5 feet) high where it dips in the middle. A clear space of 4 feet (1.3 metres) is required around the court.
Scoring
A point is scored when the shuttlecock hits the ground in the opponent's half of the court, within the set boundaries. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. A point is conceded if a shot goes outside the court boundaries, if the shuttlecock hits the net or passes through/under it, or if a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racquet. Players must wait for the shuttlecock to cross the net before playing a shot, and while they can follow through over the net, touching the net with their body or racquet results in a point for the other team. The shuttlecock must be hit below waist height, with players serving diagonally into their opponent's service box.
Serving
In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. A player serves from the left every time they have an odd number of points. Each player will retain serve as long as they keep winning points. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side takes the point, they assume the serve.
Winning a Game
The first side to 21 points wins the game, and a game must be won by two clear points. If the score reaches 20-20, play continues until one side has a two-point lead. Each match consists of three games, and the winner is the first player or team to win two games.
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Badminton equipment
Badminton is a racquet sport played using lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock. The shuttlecock is a unique feature of badminton, as it is not used in any other racquet sport. It is made of feathers or synthetic material and has a unique shape that allows it to fly differently than a ball. The feathers create drag and ensure that the shuttlecock always returns to the ground cock-first, which is why it is essential to hit it with precision.
Now, let's talk about the equipment in detail:
Rackets: Badminton rackets have come a long way from the early days of the sport when they were made of wood. Modern rackets are now mostly made from lightweight materials such as aluminum, graphite, or titanium. The racket's string bed is composed of a network of strings that can be made from synthetic or natural gut material. The choice of racket can greatly affect a player's performance, and there are many factors to consider when choosing one, including weight, balance, stiffness, and string tension. A good-quality racket can improve a player's control and power and provide more comfort and precision.
Shuttlecocks: As mentioned, shuttlecocks are a key piece of equipment in badminton and are available in feathered or synthetic options. Feathered shuttlecocks are traditionally made from goose or duck feathers and offer a more consistent and accurate flight. Synthetic shuttlecocks, on the other hand, are made from plastic and rubber and are more durable and cheaper. The choice between feathered and synthetic shuttlecocks depends on the player's preference and skill level, as well as the playing environment.
Grips: Badminton grips are essential for maintaining a good hold on the racket and absorbing sweat during play. They are usually made from synthetic or leather material and come in different colors and thicknesses. Players can choose between replacement grips, which are full-length grips that cover the entire handle, or overgrips, which are thinner and wrapped on top of the existing grip for a personalized feel.
Shoes: Badminton-specific shoes are designed to provide the necessary support, cushioning, and grip for quick movements and changes in direction. They have a thin sole that allows players to have a good feel for the court and are flexible to allow for comfortable and quick footwork. The shoes also have a gum rubber outsole that provides excellent traction on indoor court surfaces.
Apparel: Wearing the right apparel can enhance comfort and performance during a badminton match or practice session. Badminton apparel is typically made from lightweight and breathable materials that wick sweat away from the body. Players usually wear t-shirts or polo shirts, paired with shorts or skirts that allow for a full range of motion. Some players may also opt for specialized badminton socks that provide additional cushioning and support.
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Badminton scoring
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock—also known as a "birdie"—across a net. The sport is played either as singles, with one player per side, or as doubles, with two players per side.
Scoring
Badminton matches are the best of three games. To win a game, a player or team must be the first to reach 21 points. A point is scored when a player or team wins a rally, i.e., when they strike the shuttlecock and land it within the other team's half of the court, including the lines. If the score reaches 20–20, the game continues until one side achieves a two-point lead, for example, 22–20 or 25–23. If the score reaches 29–29, the game ends when either side scores their 30th point.
At the start of the game, when the score is 0–0, the serving pair chooses who serves first, and the receiving pair chooses who receives. The server hits the shuttlecock so that it would land in the receiver's service court. The receiver will stand in the diagonally opposite service court. If the server's score is odd, they will serve from the left court; if it is even, they will serve from the right court. In singles, the server will always serve from the right service court when their score is even, and from the left when their score is odd.
Whenever the serving side wins a rally, the same person serves again, but from the other service court. The serve does not alternate between partners but stays with one person until the opponents win a rally and get the serve. In doubles, each player has a service court, and when one partner has one service court, the other partner has the other.
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Badminton at the Olympics
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock across a net. The sport was first introduced at the 1972 Summer Olympics as a demonstration sport. It was then exhibited in 1988 before becoming an official Olympic sport in 1989, with its debut in competition in 1992. The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, saw badminton's premiere as a full-medal Olympic sport, with singles and doubles events for both men and women. Four medals were awarded in each event, with two bronzes.
In 1996, a mixed doubles event was introduced, bringing the number of events to five. Since 1996, there has been a playoff between the two semi-final losers to determine the sole winner of the bronze medal, and this format has continued to the 2024 Olympics. Qualification for the Olympic tournament is determined by the Badminton World Federation's ranking list. For singles, around 40 competitors are selected, and for doubles, 16 pairs are chosen. Each National Olympic Committee can send a maximum of two players or pairs if they are ranked within the top 16 or top 8. If they are ranked lower, each NOC can send a maximum of one player or pair.
Olympic badminton consists of a group stage and a single-elimination tournament. Matches are played in a best-of-three-games format, with each game lasting up to 21 points. Rally scoring is used, meaning a player can score regardless of whether they are serving or not. To win a game, a player must be ahead by two points or be the first to reach 30 points.
China has been the most dominant country in Olympic badminton, being the only country ever to achieve a shutout of the medals, which they did in 2012. Indonesia is the second most successful country in the sport at the Olympics. China and Indonesia are the only countries that have won gold medals in every badminton discipline. Denmark's Poul-Erik Hoyer is the only non-Asian badminton player to win an Olympic gold medal, which he achieved in the men's singles event in 1996.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock (also called a birdie) across a net.
Badminton can be played in singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). The aim is to hit the shuttlecock back and forth across the net without letting it touch the floor within the boundaries of the court. A point is scored when a player fails to return the shuttlecock or hits it out of bounds.
The modern game of badminton developed in the mid-19th century among British officers in India as a variant of the earlier game of battledore and shuttlecock. The name derives from the Duke of Beaufort's Badminton House in Gloucestershire.
A shuttlecock is a cone-shaped projectile made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The feathers create more drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate rapidly. This gives the shuttlecock a high top speed compared to balls in other racquet sports, making badminton the fastest racquet sport.
Yes, badminton debuted as a Summer Olympic sport in 1992 with men's and women's singles and doubles events. Mixed doubles were added in 1996.
