Terminologies of Badminton

Air Shot
Playing an air shot refers to a stroke where the player attempts to make a return pass, but completely
misses the shuttle.
Alley (side alley)
The alley is an 18-inch section situated on both sides of the court. The side alley extension marks the
area between the singles and doubles sidelines.
Thus, side alley in badminton terms represents the sections between the boundary tramlines used only
in doubles play.
Back Alley (rear alley)
The back alley is a term used for the area situated on both ends of the court. You will see it between
the back boundary line and the long service line used in doubles games (see the court diagram below).
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 used for singles rules games.
Backcourt
Being active in the backcourt area means you are playing in a section around the boundary lines in the
back third of the court.
Backhand Stroke
Badminton backhand strokes are usually delicate shots played in front of the body and quite close to
the net. For a right-handed player, the stroke used in returning the bird from the left side of the body is
a backhand stroke in badminton.
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. This type of grip on the racket provides a player with an
option to strike the shuttle with a backhand stroke.
Bird (birdie)
Bird or birdie is a name commonly used for the shuttlecock as part of the badminton terms and
definitions used by the officials and players.
Centre Line
The center line separates the two service boxes (left and right service zones). It marks a perpendicular
central line from the net to the rear baseline and divides each court half into two sections.
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 is a term that defines strokes played from the back of a badminton court to the deep rear
area of the opponent's half.
Cork
The head of the shuttle is traditionally made of cork. When played, the shuttle turns to fly with a cork
first trajectory and then remains with a cork-first orientation.
Doubles
Doubles matches have two players on each team and on opposing sides (thus, a total of four players
on the court). Read more on how badminton doubles rules use the larger-sized (wider) court markings.
Double Hit
The double hit is a shot contacting the receiver's racket twice, either by one player or by both players. A
double hit by two players is always a fault.
The rules surrounding a double hit by a single player are more nuanced. If two strokes are used then
the double hit is a fault. If a single stroke is used, then historically a fault was called. But, the shot tends
to be a legal stroke in the modern game.
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.
Forehand Strokes
For a right-handed player, the stroke used in returning the bird from the right side of the body is called a
forehand stroke in badminton.
Jump Smash
The badminton jump smash is accepted as the most powerful shot in the game and performed in mid-
air. Players use the jump smash instead of the normal smash because of its steeper angle and 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.
Long Serve
Playing a long serve is one which typically is a high lofty shot that lands close to the back line.
Love (luv)
Love is a term used to denote zero scores in badminton terminology (similar to the rules of tennis
games). Each competitor begins at zero (love-all) and remains at love until they score points.
Men's Doubles
In badminton terminology, men's doubles is a match comprised of two teams with two male players on
each team.
Mixed Doubles
Mixed doubles games are matches comprised of two teams with one male and one female player on
each team.
Rally
In terminologies of badminton, a rally is a series of passes and exchanged shots which begin with a
serve. As a rule, rallies in badminton finish when the point is won.
Service Court
The service court is the area into which you must deliver the shuttle during the service. In fact, the zone
is different for singles than in doubles games.
Shaft
The shaft is the elongated part of the racket that ends at the beginning of the head.
Shuttlecock (shuttle)
Badminton terminology has the name 'shuttlecock' used to describe the 'bird or birdie'.
It refers to the projectile of a feathered (14 to 16 feathers) cork object sent back and forth over the net
in competitions.
Shuttlecocks are made of 16 real or synthetic feathers attached to a cork base. Different weights of
shuttlecocks determine their flight and speed through the air.
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.
Stroke
In simple badminton terms, a stroke is the movement of a racket with the intention of hitting the shuttle.
Throat (t-joint)
The section of the racquet that connects the head to the shaft is termed the throat (or T-joint). Some
older, lower-end models typically have a visibly separate t-joint, while newer higher-end models, will
incorporate it into the racket itself.
Toss a Coin
Players usually toss a coin to determine who will serve first or from which side of the net.
Yonex
Yonex is a badminton racket manufacturer which achieves precise control and function by creating
ultra-lightweight strong and stable racquets.