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Ball badminton is a racket sport that originated in India in the 1850s. It is played with a yellow woollen ball, rather than a shuttlecock, and is played on a court divided by a net. The game is particularly popular in southern India and is managed by the Ball Badminton Federation of India. Ball badminton is a fast-paced game that demands skill, quick reflexes, agility, and the ability to control the ball with one's wrist. It is usually played outdoors, but indoor versions of the game have been played under artificial lighting.
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What You'll Learn
Ball badminton equipment
Ball badminton is a racket sport native to India. The equipment required for the game is minimal, which is why it was historically popular among rural boys. The game is played with a yellow ball made of wool, which is significantly different from the shuttlecock used in regular badminton. The ball is 27 to 30 grams in weight and 5 to 5.5 cm in diameter.
The standard ball badminton racket weighs between 165 and 185 grams and is 63 to 70 cm in length. The strung oval area of the racket should be 20 to 22 cm across and 24 to 27 cm in length. The racket should be made of tempered steel with a heavy-duty nylon string and a dimpled leather grip.
The court for ball badminton is 12 by 24 metres, divided by a net. The net is made of fine cord to make a 2 cm square mesh along its length and is edged with red tape at the top. It is 100 cm wide and 13.5 metres in length. The net is tied to a centre pole of 183 cm and two poles of 185 cm at the sides of the court to maintain the height of the net. Two posts, each 180 cm high, are fixed one metre outside the court on either side. Hooks are fixed at 1.5-metre height to each pole to tighten the net. The serving crease lines are drawn one metre away from each side of the net line and are parallel to it. The centre line is drawn halfway between the serving crease lines and is parallel to the sidelines. The boundary lines are marked with 10 mm thick white tape.
Ball badminton can be played with two players (singles), four players (doubles), or five players on each team.
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Rules and regulations
Badminton is a popular sport that can be played as singles or doubles. In singles, two players compete against each other, whereas in doubles, two pairs of players form teams, resulting in a game of four players. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game, with a point scored on every serve, going to whichever side wins the rally. If the game reaches 20-20, one side must gain a two-point lead to win. If the score goes to 29-29, the first side to reach 30 wins.
The badminton 'ball' is called a birdie or shuttlecock. It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The shuttlecock must be hit before it hits the ground or goes over the net. It must be hit diagonally across the net and land within the parameters of the opponent's court for a point to be scored.
The court is rectangular and measures 6.1m wide and 13.4m long. The net is 1.55m high at the ends and 1.52m high in the middle. The width of the court extends to 20ft for doubles games. There are two tram lines running along each side of the court, with the inside lines used for singles matches and the outside lines for doubles.
In doubles, the server starts on the right-hand side, continuing to serve and alternate sides with their teammate if they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve. In singles, players must change ends at the conclusion of the first game. If a third game is required, players change ends again at the end of the second game, and in the third game, they change ends when one side reaches 11 points.
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History
Ball badminton is a sport native to India, with roots in the city of Tanjore (now Thanjavur), Tamil Nadu. It is said to have originated as early as 1856, when it was played by the royal family in Tanjore. The game was also played interchangeably with shuttle badminton by the British, especially in wet or windy weather, as the woollen ball was better suited to these conditions.
The sport was first known as "Poona", named after the city of Poona (now Pune) in India. It later took its official name from the Badminton estate in Gloucestershire, England. The sport is said to be derived from the game "Poona", which was played by British army officers stationed in India in the 1860s. The Bath Badminton Club was established in Bath, England, in 1877, and introduced new rules to the game. The formation of the Badminton Association of England (BAE) in 1893 further standardised the rules and regulations of the sport.
Ball badminton was a popular game in rural areas, especially among boys, as it required minimal equipment. The game drew a large number of students from South India, leading to the formation of the Ball Badminton Federation of India in 1954. The sport spread to Andhra Pradesh, and the first national championship was conducted in Hyderabad in 1956. Ball badminton was included in the Indian Olympic Association in 1961.
Today, ball badminton is a recognised sport in India, with 34 units affiliated to the Ball Badminton Federation of India. The sport is particularly popular in southern India and is played in states such as Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.
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Ball badminton vs. badminton
Ball badminton and badminton are both racket sports played on a court with a net. However, there are several differences between the two games.
Firstly, ball badminton is played with a yellow woollen ball, whereas badminton is played with a feathered or plastic conical projectile called a shuttlecock. The shuttlecock's unique design allows it to fly differently from the balls used in other racquet sports, including ball badminton. The lightness of the shuttlecock and of badminton racquets also allows badminton players to make greater use of their wrists and fingers compared to players of other racquet sports.
Secondly, the standard court size for ball badminton is 12 by 24 metres, while a badminton court is rectangular but the exact dimensions are not specified.
Thirdly, ball badminton is traditionally played outdoors, although indoor versions of the game have been played more recently. Badminton, on the other hand, is traditionally played indoors, but can also be played outdoors, with outdoor versions of the game such as Crossminton and Air Badminton being developed.
Fourthly, in ball badminton, games are played between two teams, usually with five players per team. There are also doubles and mixed doubles versions, in which two players from each team participate. In badminton, the most common forms of the game are ""singles" (with one player per side) and "doubles" (with two players per side), although it may be played with larger teams.
Finally, ball badminton is a sport native to India, with records of the game being played as early as 1856 by the royal family in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. Badminton, on the other hand, is believed to have originated in ancient India and later became popular in British India and England in the 1860s and 1870s. The sport may have been introduced to India by officers in the British Indian Army.
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Popularity and future of the sport
Ball badminton is a sport native to India, with a court size of 12 by 24 metres, divided by a net. It is played with a yellow woollen ball and a racket. The game is managed by the "Ball Badminton Federation of India" and is recognised officially in India. It is particularly popular in South India, where it drew a large number of students and was played by the Maharaja of Tanjore. Ball badminton has also spread to other states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Nagaland.
The sport has a rich history, with efforts being made to revive its popularity in South India. The game was popular among rural boys due to its minimal equipment requirements. The Merry Go Round Ball Badminton Club, for instance, has played a proactive role in promoting the sport by organising tournaments. The club has also conducted the South Zone and Inter-University tournaments and hosted 35 major state-level events.
Ball badminton's popularity has spread beyond India to other parts of the world. The sport has a strong following in the UK, with a growing trend of participation. According to the Badminton England Annual Report 2019/20, 265,000 adults played badminton twice a month, and 190,000 juniors played at the same frequency. Badminton has the fourth-highest participation rate in the UK, and there has been a 10% rise in junior players, with a significant increase among the Under 11 age group.
The future of ball badminton looks promising, with increasing popularity due to its inclusivity, health benefits, and accessibility through YouTube and online streaming. The support of the media and educational institutions in organising tournaments can further promote the sport. Additionally, the growing trend of participation in countries like the UK contributes to its global appeal.
However, there are challenges to ensuring the continued popularity of the sport. Enthusiasts are striving to keep the game alive, and regular tournaments and exhibition matches are necessary to revive its glory. The infrastructure provided by governments and local authorities will also play a crucial role in the future success of ball badminton.
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Frequently asked questions
Ball badminton is a racket sport played with a yellow woollen ball instead of a shuttlecock. It is native to India and is particularly popular in South India.
The court is 12 metres wide and 24 metres long, divided by a net in the middle.
Ball badminton is a team sport, usually played with two teams of five players each. However, there are also doubles and mixed doubles versions, where two players from each team participate.
The ball used in ball badminton weighs between 27 to 30 grams and is 5 to 5.5 cm in diameter. It is the same size as a table tennis ball and is made of wool.
The main difference between ball badminton and badminton is that the former uses a ball, while the latter uses a shuttlecock. Additionally, ball badminton originated in India, whereas badminton has its roots in British India and England.
