What kind of equipment do you

need to play badminton?

A:
QUICK ANSWER
Badminton is played by volleying a small item called a shuttlecock back and forth over a
high narrow net using light long-handled rackets. Two opposing players, or two
opposing pairs, take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court.

The shuttlecock, or shuttle, is a feathered or plastic projectile whose unique aerodynamic

properties cause it to fly differently from the balls used in other racket sports. The feathers, or
plastic cone shape, create a high drag, causing the shuttle to decelerate rapidly. Because the
shuttle is affected by wind, competitive badminton is played indoors. Badminton is played
outdoors as a casual recreational activity.

What is badminton?
A:
QUICK ANSWER
Badminton is a sport that involves the volleying of a shuttlecock over a net with the use
of rackets. Badminton is an aerobic sport that can be played for pleasure or for
competition.

Badminton is a sport that can improve the overall health of a person because of the
aerobic exercise a person gets from participating. The teams that are playing badminton
must constantly be moving around the court to help volley the shuttlecock to the
opposing team. They must be able to volley it back to win the game. Players can play
on teams or can play one on one. People who play one on one get a more intense
workout because they are covering the entire court alone.

Badminton also provides muscular exercise for the people who play it. People must be
moving back and forth while staying on their feet and stretching to reach the
shuttlecock. This constant movement can increase the strength and agility of the
muscles. The movement allows the muscles to become more toned and works as well
as lifting weights or doing simple muscular exercises. The sharp movements that are
required of badminton players can also help people increase their ability to balance.
 What are the objectives of
badminton?
A:
QUICK ANSWER
The objective of badminton is for an opposing player to attempt to land the shuttlecock
on the opposing player’s side of the court. A point is earned by forcing the opposing
side to miss the shuttlecock with their racquet, resulting in it touching the ground. A
point is also awarded to one side if the opposing side commits an error.

FULL ANSWER
Badminton can be played in singles or doubles. Each side is divided by a net on a
rectangular court. Whether in single or double form, each side is allowed to hit the
shuttlecock only once. A rally occurs as the shuttlecock is struck back and forth over the
net, and one side is awarded a point at the end of a rally. The only exception to this rule
is when a let is called. A let is called by a circumstantial disturbance or if the opposing
side was not ready for the serve. Despite their similarities, tennis may be more familiar
to the public than badminton; both sports use racquets, the use of a forehand and
backhand as well as a net separating a rectangle court, but there are rules that make
them significantly different. Just like tennis, strength is needed in badminton, but more
finesse is needed to hit the shuttlecock due to its conic makeup.

What kind of equipment do you

need to play badminton?
A:
QUICK ANSWER
Badminton is played by volleying a small item called a shuttlecock back and forth over a
high narrow net using light long-handled rackets. Two opposing players, or two
opposing pairs, take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court.

The shuttlecock, or shuttle, is a feathered or plastic projectile whose unique

aerodynamic properties cause it to fly differently from the balls used in other racket
sports. The feathers, or plastic cone shape, create a high drag, causing the shuttle to
decelerate rapidly. Because the shuttle is affected by wind, competitive badminton is
played indoors. Badminton is played outdoors as a casual recreational activity.
 What are other terminologies in
badminton?
A:
QUICK ANSWER
Badminton uses lingo and terminology specific to the sport, including alley, backcourt,
balk, carry, clear, drive, fault, flick, kill, hairpin shot, racket, shuttlecock, smash and
wood shot. Badminton terms include let, love, match, net shot, overhead, point and
rally. International rules and vocabulary are standardized by the Badminton World
Federation, which is the international governing body recognized by the International
Olympic Committee. Badminton has been an Olympic sport since 1992.

The Washington Post explains that an alley, in Badminton, is a 1.5-feet-wide extension

of the sideline, which creates a wider court for doubles play. Likewise, the back alley is
between the back-boundary line and long-service lines for doubles. The short-service
line is 6.5 feet from the net, and all serves must go over this line to be considered legal.

A balk, or feint, is an illegal move designed to deceive the opponent of a serving team
while the shuttlecock is served. A carry denotes an illegal tactic in which the shuttlecock
is held on the racket, and then slung by a player.

The shuttlecock is the object hit by players over the net. Traditionally, a shuttlecock is
made of 16 goose feathers attached to a goat-skin-covered cork tip. Modern
shuttlecocks are plastic with rubber tips. Also known as a bird or birdie, the shuttlecock
weighs between 0.17 and 0.19 ounce. The heavier the object, the farther it flies.
Shuttlecocks go farther in higher altitudes and higher temperatures.

When did badminton start?

A:
QUICK ANSWER
Badminton has its origins in the ancient sport of battledore and shuttlecock that was first
played more than 2000 years ago in ancient Europe and Asia. A contemporary form of
badminton is recorded as having been first played in India during the 19th century with
the introduction of nets.

British officers serving in India introduced the game to England where it was first introduced by
the Duke of Beaufort at "Badminton," his state home in Glouchestershire. The first Open
Tournament for badminton was played in March 1898 with an "All England" championship
following the year after. In 1934, the International Badminton Federation was formed with a core
of European and North American countries as the founding members.