There are a few badminton terms that you should be familiar with.

Even if it’s a
casual badminton game, these terms are often used by many people. This might
also be useful when you watch badminton tournaments on television. This post is
definitely enhancing your badminton related glossary.
Ace
In badminton game terms the phrase 'ace badminton' refers to a player winning an
outright point from a serve and one was not touched or returned by the receiver. 
Air Shot
Playing an air shot refers to a stroke where the shuttle is missed completely.
Similar to the 'air-ball' in basketball rules, the miss occurs most often when the
player takes their eyes off the shot just before impact.
Alley (side alley)
The alley is an 18-inch section which is found between the singles and doubles
sidelines on a badminton court and there is one on each side. Basically, the alley in
badminton terms represents the tramlines which are used only for doubles matches.
Angle of Attack
The badminton definition of the phrase 'angle of attack' refers to the trajectory of
the shuttle after it leaves the racket.
Angle of Return
The typical angle of return for the shuttle is formed by several ranges of possible
returns from a given position on the court.
Around-the-head Shot
This is accepted as an advanced shot where a player reaches to his backhand side
from around the head to make a forehand strike on the shuttle. Take care with this
shot because it may leave you off-balanced and vulnerable to a counter attack.
Attacking Clear
Attacking clear is a term used to describe a positive and somewhat aggressive
stroke hit deep into your challenger's court. It is a variation of the traditional clear
shot achieved by driving the bird over the net with a flatter trajectory and with a
hard stroke.
Back Alley (rear alley)
The back alley is a term used for the area on both ends of the court between the
singles and doubles service line.
Back Boundary Line
There are different terminologies in badminton jargon for court boundary
markings. The back boundary line marks the rear ends of the playing area and the
service zone in singles play.
Backcourt
If you are active in the backcourt area you are playing in the area of the boundary
lines in the back third of the court.
  Backhand
Badminton backhand strokes are usually delicate shots played in front of the body
and close to the net. Right-handed players’ play the backhand stroking from the
left of the body or vice versa for left-handers.
 Backhand Grip
There are several terms used to describe the grip on the racket in the terminologies
of badminton. One of the most common is the backhand grip which is used to
provide a player with an option to strike the shuttle with his backhand.
Balk (balk or feint)
The word 'balk' has several different terminologies in badminton such as feinting,
swerving or deceiving. But basically, it refers to a serve that deceives an opponent
and usually results in a poor return.
Base Position
Badminton terminologies include a phrase called the base position which also has a
title of the center position. When you are playing a singles game, your overriding
objective is to return each shot to the relative safety in the center of the court where
the base position is located.
Baseline
There are two baselines in badminton terminology - one in each half of the court.
Each baseline is situated parallel to the net and at the very back boundary.
Basic Strokes
There are three different terms of badminton for a stroke played from either the
forehand or backhand. The strokes are called under-arm, shoulder-high, and
overhead.
Bird (birdie)
Bird or birdie is a name commonly used for the shuttlecock used in badminton
terms.
Bird On
In badminton terminology the cautionary call of 'bird on' often occurs when a
shuttle lands on your court from an adjacent playing court. 
Block Return
The badminton term 'block return' is a shot dropping steeply from a blocked shot
around the net and has very little follow-through because it is played with a swift
flick of the wrist.
Brush
The brush is a power-generated point-winning shot played at speed and high above
the net.
Butt
The butt is the enlarged end of the shaft that prevents the player's hand from
slipping off the handle.
Carry (sling or throw)
A carry was formerly an illegal stroke and often called a throw or sling. If you
carry the shuttle it means you did not hit it properly but caught and held it on the
racket before slinging the execution of the shot.     The codified rules of badminton
jargon generally consider a carry to be a legal tactic providing it was clearly a
single forward stroke.
Centre Line
The center line separates the two service boxes (left and right service zones) and
marks a perpendicular central line from the net to the rear baseline. It is the lines
dividing each court half into two sides.
Changing Ends
The players should change ends at the completion of each game and when the
leader scores six points (11-point game) or eight points (15-pointer) in the third
game.
Clear
Clear shots term defines strokes which are played from the back of the badminton
court to the rear of the opponent's half.
Closed Face
In badminton terms, closed face refers to a situation where the racket face points
downward.
Court
A badminton court is mostly used indoors and it should provide a synthetic or
hardwood surface offering good traction with clear and defined outer boundary
lines. In singles badminton, the court size 17 x 44 feet and 20 x 44 feet for doubles
match.
Cross-court Shot
A cross-court shot is one that crosses the center line.
Cross Strings
Racket cross strings run perpendicular to the shaft and there are around 21 - 23
crosses on a badminton racket.
Dab
The definition of a dab shot in badminton is a crisp downward stroke using
minimal backswing with excessive follow-through played in the forecourt. The
shot must be played with good body position with a flexible arm and wrist. It is
executed primarily with fast action in the fingers but with limited finger
movement.
Danish Wipe
A 'Danish Wipe' shot is a hybrid backhand stroke - a combination of a lob and a
drive. It is used to play a lofty shuttle from far ends of the court. The racket is
swept down deep to knee height and then up and under the shuttle and finishing
with a strong follow-through.
Dead Bird
Hitting a shuttle out of play is called a 'dead bird' and one of the funny badminton
terms.
Deception
Deception is an important part of game tactics by hiding what shots you intend to
play, either through very quick motions or misdirection before contact.
Defense
Playing defensively generally means hitting shots upwards similar to the shots
played when serves are executed upward.
Defensive Clear
The defensive clear shot is played high and deep in an attempt to gain time or slow
the pace of the rally.
Diagonal
Essentially diagonal is a term used to describe badminton doubles rules for player
positions. Two players divide the court on a diagonal as opposed to right angles (as
in front-and-back or side-by-side).
Divorce Area
In badminton terminology, the divorce area refers to a narrow rectangle 8-11 feet
from the net. It is situated between the rear-court and fore-court players and
between the sidelines. 
Doubles Sideline
The doubles sideline marker denotes the court inbound width of 20 feet used for
doubles matches (two teams of two players).
Doubles Service Court
The service court for doubles games is an area measuring 44 x 20 feet.
Drive (serve)
Driving the shuttle fast and low, almost horizontal in flight over the net, is called a
drive. The drive serve is played as flat as possible (clearing the net) and hit hard to
fall at the back of the service court - a deceptive alternative to regular short and
long serves.
Drop Serve
The badminton drop serves (similar to toss serve) is played by dropping the shuttle
to fall before hitting it and is used in forehand serves.
Drop Shot
A drop shot refers to one hit with finesse and softly so it falls sharply in your
opponent's court and close to the net.
Fast Drop
A fast drop is one of the lesser used badminton terms. It is a variation of a normal
drop shot where a player strikes the shuttle harder to give the opponent less time to
react.
Fault
Faults in badminton are violations of the codified rules and regulations while
serving or receiving the shuttle and during normal play. 
Feather Shuttle (feathers or crown)
A feather shuttle is one with a skirt comprised of bird feathers (duck or geese
feathers) or synthetic materials. Sixteen individual feathers are attached to the skirt
of the shuttlecock tip to stabilize it and make it aerodynamic.
Feint
A feint is also called a balk. It is any deceptive move that fools or dummies an
opponent disconcertingly before or during the serve.
First Serve (first hand)
A rule change to rally scoring occurred in 2006 which altered doubles play team
members to serve in succession.
Flick
Surprising your opponent by using a flick describes a quick wrist-and-forearm
rotation technique. The flick deceptively changes an apparently soft shot into a
much faster and often a winning passing shot.
Flick Serve
A flick serve is an advanced service shot taken from the backhand position and
arched over the opponent toward the long-service line. This shot requires a
developed forearm and wrist to generate the power and quickness to catch the
receiver off guard.
Flight
The difficulty or skill level of an event in a tournament usually designated by the
letters A, B, C and D. Flight A would be the most advanced level.
Flight Path
The badminton expression of 'flight path' refers to the trajectory taken by a shuttle
after the stroke. The shuttle's flight path is seen by many as a distinguishing
trademark between cheap plastic shuttles and professional feathered shuttlecock.
Follow-through
Follow-through describes the path of the racket following its contact with the
shuttle. It is an important technique of producing controlled strokes and predictable
shots.
Foot Fault
A foot fault is a service fault made by a player in which he oversteps the boundary
of the service court.
Footwork
When you have mastered good footwork in badminton it means you will reach the
shuttlecock early in the fastest time and using the shortest distance. Footwork is a
principle reason why professionals have less injury and make badminton look
effortless and graceful.
Forecourt (frontcourt)
The forecourt area is the front third of the court. It is the region between the short
service line and the net.
Forehand Strokes
Playing a shot to the right side of the body is a forehand stroke for a right-handed
player and vice versa for a left-hander.
Forward Swing
The forward swing is a term referring to the racket movement towards the shuttle.
Frame
Frame refers to the racket frame to which the stringing is attached.
Free Point
Losing a point on a serve, with no actual effort made by the opposing, is termed
'giving away a free point'. Free points are similar to unforced errors in tennis rules
and should be kept to a minimum.
Front and Back
In badminton expressions, 'front and back' is a doubles game player position
whereby one partner is on the front of the other and close to the middle line, as a
rule.
Frying Pan Grip
A quirky badminton term which describes a racket grip rotated 90 degrees from the
traditional hand position. The head is parallel to the net in a frying pan grip with
the front of the racket facing the net.
Game Point
Either the word 'game' or 'point' should be announced when serving for a game-
winning point - out of courtesy. The game point refers to the situation where one
player can win the game if he wins the current rally.
Hairpin Net Shot
As the name may suggest a hairpin net shot resembles the shape of a hairpin. It is
made from below and very close to the net. The hairpin shot sends the shuttle
rising sharply near to the net and then drops abruptly downwards on the other side.
Half-court Shot
A half-court shot is most effective in the doubles game. The shot is hit low towards
the midcourt.
Hammer Grip
Hammer grip is another one of those quirky badminton expressions describing the
way some beginners grab the racket over tightly (like grabbing a hammer).
Help
The word 'help' is one of the badminton terms rarely heard in professional
tournaments. But, it is sometimes used in badminton doubles rules where one
partner shouts 'help' if he is in trouble and needs help from his partner to make the
next shot.
High Clear
The high clear is a variation of a normal clear shot that arches high toward the
opponent baseline. This shot is intended to allow a team or player to reset
defensively or to disrupt the opponent’s timing.
High-lift
The high-lift is also called the high clear. The phrase refers to a defensive shot hit
high and extremely deep into the challenger’s backcourt area.
Holding a Shot
This technique is often used to delay hitting the shot deliberately to observe the
opponent's preparation or reaction.
Hybrid Stringing
Hybrid stringing is one of the less common terminologies in badminton. It refers to
having a racket made with two different types of string used for the mains and
crosses.
Jump Smash
The badminton jump smash is accepted as the most powerful shot in badminton
and it is performed in mid-air. Players use the jump smash instead of the normal
smash because of its steeper angle and the higher level of power.
Kill
The kill is a fast downward shot that cannot easily be returned to your court and
usually ends a rally.
Left Service Court
The left service court box marks the boundary to the left side of each player when
facing the net.
Length of Play
A play is continuous until the game is won by a player or a team. The international
rules of professional badminton matches usually allow five minutes rest period
between game two and three.
Lift
A lift is a variation of a clear shot that is produced by an underhand stroke and
arched high to allow time for better defensive positioning.
Line Judge (linesman)
A line judge, in terminologies related to badminton, is a pre-approved, unbiased
individual who is responsible for determining whether or not shots land inside of
the court boundaries and should inform the umpire when a fault is committed.
Locked Wrist
Having a locked wrist is a badminton expression for players with an inflexible
wrist. This often results in the racket handle held parallel with the forearm or
sometimes pointing downward.
Long Serve
Playing a long serve is one which typically is a high lofty shot that lands close
to the back line.
Long Service Line
Serves take place from the long service line and it marks the back of the service
zone for doubles matches. The long service lines should measure 21 feet back from
the net for a singles match and two feet closer for doubles.
Love 
Love is a term used to denote zero scores in badminton terminology. Each
competitor begins at zero (love-all) and remains in love until they score points.
Lunge
Lunge refers to a vital part of footwork that has a player reach with the racket-side
leg as you strike the shuttle.
Main
The 'mains' are terms for the racket strings which run parallel to the shaft. As a
rule, most rackets will have a total of 22 mains.
Markings
White or yellow 40 mm wide court markings section the different zones of the
badminton playing area.
Midcourt (home)
The midcourt term designates the optimal home position of the middle third of the
court. It is halfway between the back boundary line and the center net.
Net
Players hit a feathery shuttlecock over a net. Nets are loosely stitched dividers
which are stretched across the middle of the court at a height of 5 ft. England
badminton nets stretch across the center of the court between two posts. The
official net height measures 2.5 feet deep and the top of a badminton net is five feet
high or 1.524 meters from the floor.
Net Drop
A net drop is a basic badminton net shot where a player simultaneously receives a
drop shot and then returns one back.
Net Fault
The net fault is one of the common terminologies in badminton. It occurs if any
player touches the net with his body, the racket, or any of your apparel during play.
 Net Return
A net return shot creeps over the net and drops abruptly to the ground on the other
side.
 Offense (attack)
Playing offensive shots are those generally hit downward and the team on the
offense is the one hitting downward.
 One-piece Racket
A one-piece badminton racket is constructed with a single and continuous piece of
material. Multiple piece rackets would have separate head, shaft, t-joint, and grip
joined together at a later stage.
 On-guard Stance
The badminton phrase refers to the alert position being taken by a player in
readiness of the bird being hit by the opponent.
 Open Face Racket
Open face racket is one of the terminologies used in badminton referring to the
way a racket faces upwards.
 Overhand Shot
The overhand shot is taken with a downward arm and wrist motion.
 Overhead Shots
Playing the racket into the shuttle above a player’s head is called an overhead shot.
Overhead Smash
The overhead smash is an aggressive powerful shot played steeply downwards
usually from high in the air.
Pace
The pace of a game simply refers to the speed of a shot or rally.
Panhandle Grip
Panhandle grip is a variation of the natural grip. The palm faces the fat part of the
handle as the thumb and fingers grasp the thinner sides. The panhandle grip is
normally used for drive shots and allows greater range with forehand drives.
Passing Shot
In badminton terms, a 'passing shot' passes or travels passed the opposing player or
team.
Patty-cakes
Patty-cakes is a term describing the way some beginners stand relatively immobile
trading half-paced drives until one misses.
Plastic Shuttle
A type of shuttle with a skirt made of plastic.
Placement
The word placement refers to the location where a shuttle is aimed at the court.
Poaching
Poaching in a ga
oaching
Poaching in a game is the action of taking shots which would normally be returned
by your partner in doubles badminton rules. It is often done either through over-
enthusiasm, greed, or lack of confidence in your partner's ability.
Pop-up
A pop-up shot is one played slowly with a high lift to the forecourt.
Position of Readiness
The position of readiness is usually towards the middle of the court and means that
each player is prepared to play the next shot quickly or respond with a return pass.
Post
The post is a vertical bar used to stretch the net by means of white tape.
Push Shot
The push shot is a gently played shot created by pushing the shuttlecock with a
little extra wrist motion than normal.
Rally
In terminologies of badminton, a rally is a series of passes and exchanged shots
which begin with a serve and the rally finishes when the point is won.
Rally-scoring
Rally-scoring refers to the manner of scoring in which a point is awarded for every
rally.
Receiver (receiving side)
The receiver is the player who receives the shuttlecock put into play by the server
and then returns the opening stroke made by the server, both in singles and
doubles.
Rotation
Rotation is the movement or interaction which allows doubles partners to attack or
defend effectively as a team.
Rough Side
In badminton equipment terms the rough side refers to the side containing the trim
loops of the racket and being opposite to the smooth side.
Round-the-head Shot
A round-the-head shot is a funny badminton phrase referring to an overhead shot
which is played with a forehand swing but on the backhand side.
Rush a Serve
Rushing a serve describes very quick movement forward when receiving a low
serve. The aim of which is to move to the net fast enough to attack the serve.
Server
The server starts the rally by hitting the shuttlecock over the net to the court area of
their opponent. The server and the receiver stand diagonally opposite each other as
the shuttlecock is served into play.
Service (right to serve)
The service is the initial stroke which starts play when the receiver is stationary
and begins a rally. The badminton serve is taken from a left-hand side of the court
for odd points (e.g. 1, 3, 5,) and the right-hand side for even points. The non-server
is allowed to stand anywhere on his side of the net during a doubles game. The
server must strike the base of the shuttle first contacting it below the server's waist
in a continuous motion.
 Service Court
The service court is the area into which you must deliver the service which in fact
is different for singles than in doubles games.
 Service Fault
A service fault is any violation or illegal tactic that occurs during service for either
team.
 Service Judge
A badminton service judge is a pre-approved, unbiased individual who is
responsible for calling service faults. Service judges are the officials who monitor
the execution of the serve, player position, and the arrival of the shuttlecock in the
appropriate zone.
 Setting
Setting in badminton means to extend a game by a set number of points beyond the
normal finish.
 Shaft
The shaft is the elongated part of the racket that ends at the beginning of the head.
 Short Service Line
The short service is the front boundary line of the singles and doubles service
zones and measures six feet or 1.98 meters from the net on both sides of the court.
It denotes the area beyond which all serves must land.
 Shot
'CLEAR, DRIVE, DROP, SMASH' are four shot terms related to badminton.
Learn these 4 shot techniques and discover why and when beginners should use
these top offensive and defensive strokes. As a rule, all shots played in badminton
are termed as offensive or defensive strokes and we explain the methodology
behind four of the most popular.
 Shoulder-high Shots
When the racket hits the shuttle above the player’s shoulder and usually to the side
it is called a shoulder-high shot.
 Shuffle (skip)
The shuffle is a primary part of your footwork technique which occurs when you
slide your feet to move around the court.
 Side-by-side
Side-by-side refers to the defensive doubles position where both players are at
midcourt and on either side of the center line.
 Singles Sideline
The singles sideline is a line which marks the in-bound court width playing area of
17 feet for singles games (two players).
 Singles Service Court
The service court for doubles games is an area measuring 44 x 17 feet.
 Skirt
The skirt is the part of the shuttle that is either plastic or feather and fans out like a
lady's skirt.
 Slice
A slice is one of the common terminologies used in badminton. It refers to the
curved flight of the shuttle created by striking it with an angled face of the racket
during contact.
 Smash (kill shot)
A smash is an overhead kill shot hit so hard that it forces the shuttle to drop sharply
downwards into the opponent's court. The smash or kill shot is a decisive power
move and seen as an aggressive tactic during play.
 Stab
The stab is a shot intended to drop the shuttle steeply and tight to the net on the
side of your opponent.
 Stance
A stance is the position of your body and feet while you are waiting for the
opponent to hit the shuttle.
 Starting the Match
Who starts the match is decided by a coin toss or a spin of a racket. The winner
chooses between serving and receiving first.
Strings
Strings are the thin, synthetic pieces of material that are weaved through the frame
and used to propel the shuttle.
Stringing
The stringing is a term referring to the surface of interlaced strings of synthetic or
natural fiber that is used to strike a shuttlecock.
Stroke
In simple badminton terms, a stroke is the movement of your racket with the
intention of hitting the shuttle.
Sweet spot
The sweet spot of a badminton racket is the center section of the stringing where
the response is uniform and hence offers maximum playability.
Synthetic (shuttle)
A synthetic shuttle is a small plastic cone that is sturdier than the feathered
shuttlecock and is usually used for training. As a rule, it weighs about 0.2 ounces
which is the same as the feathered shuttlecock.
Tape
The tape refers to a three-inch solid strip running along the top of the net.
According to the official badminton rules, the tape is usually white to provide a
highly visible reference.
Tension
Racket tension describes the force used to pull on the string while stringing a
racket.
Test Mark
These are two small marks on a court indicating the range into which a proper
speed shuttle will land during testing.
Throat (t-joint)
The section of the racquet that connects the head to the shaft is termed the throat -
or T-joint. Older, lower-end models typically have a visibly separate t-joint, while
newer, higher-end models incorporate it into the racket.
Tipping the Shuttle
Tipping means adjusting the speed of a shuttlecock by bending the tips of the
feathers.
T-junction
The T-junction refers to the intersection of the center line and the short service line
and is typically used as a reference point for short serves and as a base for net play.
Top Slice and Tumble
Similar to tennis, the top slice and the tumble aim to drive the shuttle looping
downward tightly over the net.
Tumble Drop Shot
A tumble drop shot is a variation of a normal drop shot that causes the shuttle to
flip, end over end.
Underhand
Underhand refers to any shot taken with an upward arm and wrist motion.
Up (go up)
Go Up is often a call made between doubles partners indicating that one partner
would like the other to move to the forecourt resulting in a front-and-back position.
Waist
Even though the shuttle must be below the waist at time of service, the height of
the elbow (when standing upright) is more visible than the waist and remarkably
close to the codified rules and regulations of badminton.
Walls
Wall is a term used to define the minimum distance from the baseline perimeter to
the nearest surrounding wall. Regular badminton match wall distance is five feet
from the baseline and four feet from the sideline. Competitive international
badminton matches extend this distance to the closest wall to 7.5 feet from the
baseline and 7.2 feet from the sideline.
White Tape
White tape refers to a strip of tape with a cord passing through it which is attached
to the posts to suspend the badminton net.
Wood Shot
When the shuttle hits the frame of the racket legally instead of the strings and it is
called a wood shot.
Yonex
Yonex is a badminton racket manufacturer which achieves precise control and
function by creating ultra-lightweight strong and stable racquets