Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The shuttlecock is a feathered or plastic projectile that flies differently from the balls used in many other sports. The feathers create much higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate more rapidly. Shuttlecocks also have a high top speed compared to other racquet sports, making badminton the fastest racquet sport in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the sport | Badminton |
| Shuttlecock material | 16 or so overlapping feathers, usually goose or duck, embedded into a rounded cork base covered with thin leather |
| Feather shuttlecock advantages | More secure flight at a higher speed, lighter and extremely responsive |
| Feather shuttlecock disadvantages | Lack of durability, high cost, easily damaged, need to be humidified for at least 4 hours prior to play |
| Synthetic shuttlecock advantages | Cheaper, more durable, perfect for beginners to learn the basics of the sport |
| Synthetic shuttlecock disadvantages | Less speed, less consistent flight, heavier than feathered shuttlecocks |
| Shuttlecock speed | Slow, medium, fast, or speed number |
| Shuttlecock weight | Different weights of shuttles are used to compensate for local atmospheric conditions |
| World record for smash speed | 493km/h by Tan Boon Heong |
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What You'll Learn
Badminton rules
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock. The sport is played with two players (singles) or two pairs of players (doubles) on opposite sides of a net. Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with the racquet and landing it within the other team's half of the court, within the set boundaries. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. Play ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor or ground or if a fault has been called by the umpire, service judge, or the opposing side in the absence of a judge.
The shuttlecock is a feathered or plastic projectile that flies differently from the balls used in many other sports. The feathers create much higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate more rapidly. This requires considerable power to hit it the full length of the court. The drag also influences the flight path of a lifted shuttlecock, with the parabola of its flight heavily skewed so that it falls at a steeper angle than it rose. When defending against a smash, players have three basic options: lift, block, or drive. In singles, a block to the net is the most common reply, while in doubles, a lift is the safest option.
In terms of 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. 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 wins the point, they assume the serve.
Badminton is played in best-of-three games, with the first side to 21 points winning. A point is scored on every serve and awarded to whichever side wins the rally. If the game is tied at 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. Players are required to change ends at the conclusion of the first game and, if a third game is played, at the end of the second game as well. In the third game, the change of ends occurs when one side reaches 11 points.
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Shuttlecock construction
Shuttlecocks are used in the sport of badminton, a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The shuttlecock is a feathered or (in informal matches) plastic projectile that flies differently from the balls used in many other sports.
Shuttlecocks are constructed from feathers, usually from the wings of a goose or duck, embedded into a rounded cork base. The cork is covered with thin leather. To ensure the best flight properties, it is considered preferable to use feathers from either the right or left wing only in each shuttlecock, avoiding mixing feathers from different wings as they are shaped differently. The feathers are brittle, and shuttlecocks often need to be replaced several times during a game. For this reason, synthetic shuttlecocks have been developed, replacing the feathers with a plastic skirt.
The construction of a shuttlecock gives it a high drag coefficient, causing it to decelerate more rapidly than balls in other racquet sports. This gives badminton its distinctive character and makes it the fastest racquet sport in the world in terms of shuttlecock top speed.
Badminton companies make shuttlecock corks in two ways: by sandwiching polyurethane between corks or using a whole piece of natural cork. The latter method produces a more durable shuttlecock that retains its shape better.
Feathered shuttlecocks need to be properly humidified for at least four hours before play to ensure they fly the correct distance and speed and last longer. A humidification box or a small moist sponge inserted into the shuttle tube container can be used for this purpose, ensuring no water contacts the cork.
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Feathered vs. plastic shuttlecocks
The sport that uses a shuttlecock is badminton. The shuttlecock is a projectile that flies differently from the balls used in other sports. It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or plastic.
Feathered shuttlecocks are made from bird feathers, while plastic shuttlecocks are made from plastic or nylon. The choice between using feathered or plastic shuttlecocks depends on the level of your game.
Feathered shuttlecocks offer higher aerodynamic lift and are ideal for professional matches. They are more expensive than plastic shuttlecocks and require proper care. They are also less durable, as they can be easily damaged by a bad hit. However, they have a greater initial speed for close net shots, and the feathers create higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate more rapidly. This makes drop shots, especially sliced ones, more effective with feathered shuttlecocks.
Plastic shuttlecocks are more durable and cheaper than feathered ones. They are ideal for casual players or beginners learning the game. Plastic shuttlecocks are also better for smashes as they are slightly faster.
Some players also use hybrid shuttlecocks, which use feathers but have a plastic core or holder. These shuttlecocks offer the benefits of feathers in terms of flight performance while being more durable and cheaper than pure feathered shuttlecocks.
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The history of badminton
The sport of badminton involves using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. While casual games may involve larger teams, the most common forms of the sport are singles (one player per side) and doubles (two players per side).
In 1873, the first rules for the game were drawn up in the garrison town of Poona (Pune), after which the game was named. By 1875, officers returning home had started a badminton club in Folkestone, England. In 1887, J. H. E. Hart of the Bath Badminton Club revised the rules, and in 1893, the Badminton Association of England (BAE) published these new rules and officially launched the sport. The BAE also started the first badminton competition in 1899, the All England Open Badminton Championships for gentlemen's doubles, ladies' doubles, and mixed doubles. Singles competitions were introduced in 1900, and an England–Ireland championship match was added in 1904.
In 1934, the Badminton World Federation (originally the International Badminton Federation) was formed, with England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand as founding members. India joined as an affiliate in 1936. Badminton debuted as a Summer Olympic sport in 1992 with men's singles and doubles, women's singles and doubles, and mixed doubles events.
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Badminton's Olympic debut
Badminton made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain, although it has a long and established competitive history preceding this inaugural appearance. The sport, characterized by the use of a shuttlecock and racquets, quickly became a popular addition to the Olympic programme, with its fast-paced and dynamic nature captivating audiences worldwide.
Leading up to its introduction as an Olympic sport, badminton had already established a strong following, particularly in Asia, where it originated, and in Europe, where it gained popularity in the late 19th century. The sport is governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which standardized the rules and organized major tournaments, including the World Championships, first held in 1977.
The push to include badminton in the Olympics began in the 1980s, and it was officially recognized as an Olympic sport in 1985 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). However, it would be another seven years before it actually featured in the Games. During this time, the BWF worked closely with the IOC to ensure that badminton met all the requirements for inclusion, including having a sufficient number of competing nations and standardized rules.
The debut of badminton at the Olympics included four events: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, and women's doubles. Mixed doubles were introduced at the following Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, expanding the scope of the sport at the Games. Forty-seven nations were represented in the first Olympic badminton tournament, with a total of 177 athletes competing for medals.
The first Olympic badminton medals were awarded to athletes from Indonesia, Korea, China, and Denmark, with Indonesia's Alan Budikusuma taking gold in the men's singles event and Susi Susanti winning the women's singles, making Indonesia the most successful nation in badminton at the 1992 Games. These inaugural Olympic badminton competitions set a precedent for the sport's future in the Games, with Asian countries often dominating the medal standings.
The inclusion of badminton in the Olympics has had a significant impact on the sport's global popularity and exposure. It has provided a platform for the world's best players to showcase their talent and has inspired new generations of athletes to take up the sport. Since its debut in 1992, badminton has continued to entertain and enthral at each successive Olympic Games, contributing to its rich history and tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton.
A shuttlecock is made of feathers, usually goose or duck, embedded into a rounded cork base. Synthetic shuttlecocks are also available, which replace the feathers with a plastic skirt.
Feather shuttlecocks are lighter, faster, and more responsive than synthetic shuttlecocks. They are preferred by professional players and used in tournaments. Synthetic shuttlecocks are more durable and cheaper, making them a better option for beginners and recreational players.
Badminton is played with racquets that are used to hit the shuttlecock back and forth across a net. Points are scored by landing the shuttlecock within the opposing team's half of the court. Each side can only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net.
