BRIEF HISTORY OF BADMINTON By around 1870s, Retired British army

officers brought the game back to England

Badminton is one of the racquet sports
from India and it became a very popular
requiring players to hit a shuttlecock across a
sport. In 1873 the Duke of Beaufort
net with a racket inside a badminton court.
introduced the sport at his country estate,
Generally, it comes in 2 forms:
“Badminton House” in Gloucestershire, since
 “Singles”, a 1 vs 1 game and then this sport was called Badminton.
 “Doubles”, a 2 vs 2 games. In 1875, a badminton club in Folkestone,
You can play badminton in both indoor or England was started by retired officers from
outdoor environments, however, most of the British India.
world-class competitions are held in an indoor In 1887, J. H. E. Hart of the Bath Badminton
area because they want to reduce the Club standardized the rules.
influence caused by external factors such as
wind and lights to the minimum level. On 13 September 1893, the Badminton
Association of England published the first set
Origin of Badminton of rules similar to the modern rules that were
Badminton could be traced back to more than published in a house called “Dunbar” at Six
2000 years ago to the ancient game called Waverley Grove, Portsmouth, England. By
battledore (bat or paddle) and shuttlecock 1899, they started the first badminton
(also called “bird” or “birdie”), similar games competition in the world, “All England Open
were played for centuries across Eurasia Badminton Championships”.
countries such as Greece, Egypt, China, By 1934, the International Badminton
India, and Japan. Federation (IBF, now known as the
From the 1600s, battledore and shuttlecock Badminton World Federation) was formed
was just a game involving 2 persons hitting a with England, Scotland, Wales, Canada,
shuttlecock towards each other as many Denmark, France, Ireland, New Zealand, and
times as possible before it hit the ground and the Netherlands as the founding members.
it used to be an upper-class game in Europe, By 1948, the International Badminton
including England. Federation launched the first tournament:
Nowadays, you can still find a similar game in Thomas Cup (World Men’s Team
Japan which is called Hanetsuki, it’s a very Championships). Since then, more world-
popular new year’s game involving a wooden class events have been launched such as:
paddle called hagoita and a shuttle called  Uber Club (World Team
hane. Championships for Women)
Development of Badminton  World Championships (BWF World
Championships)
According to “A Brief History of Badminton
 Sudirman Cup (Mixed Team
from 1870 to 1949” written by Betty Uber,
Badminton Championship takes place
modern badminton was created by British
every 2 years)
military officers by around 1850s in British
 World Junior Championships (BWF
India, at that time, a net was added to the
World Junior Championships)
game and because it was very popular in the
 World Grand Prix Finals (BWF World
garrison town of Poona, the game was known
Badminton Grand Prix Finals, only the
as Poona.
top 8 players in the year-end world
During that period, when the weather is windy rankings were invited)
and wet, instead of a shuttlecock, a woolen
By 1972, Badminton became a demo sport at
ball was preferred by the upper class and
the Munich Olympics and became an official
hence invented “Ball badminton”.
Olympic Sport at the 1992 Barcelona
Olympics. At that time, only singles and introduced this sport to his friends. By 1875,
doubles were listed. the first badminton club was started in
Folkestone, England.
By 1996, Mixed Doubles was included in the
Atlanta Olympic Games, ‘til now, Badminton J. H. E. Hart standardized the rules of
is still the only sport with mixed doubles badminton and by 1893, the first set of rules
events in the Olympics. similar to modern badminton was published
by the Badminton Association of England.
These countries have won the gold medals at
the Olympics since 1992 to 2020: Indonesia, Badminton’s roots are tied to similar games
Denmark, China, South Korea, Japan, and named “Battledore and Shuttlecock”, which
Spain. could be traced back to over 2000 years ago,
in ancient Greece and Egypt.
WHO INVENTED THE GAME BADMINTON?
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Badminton was invented in a British India
version called Poona, British army officers WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED TO
learned the game by around 1870 and they PLAY BADMINTON?
bought it back to England with them.
Court
Badminton was named Badminton because
the Duke of Beaufort introduced this sport at Badminton courts measure le feet long by 20
his country estate located in Gloucestershire feet wide with a center net line separation
which is called “Badminton House” in 1873. that creates a 22-feet-long by 20-feet-wide
area on each side. Badminton courts have
WHAT IS THE ORIGINAL NAME OF
boundary lines marking the 44-feet-long by
BADMINTON?
20-feet-wide outline; these lines are the long
The original name of badminton was called service lines for singles play and the sidelines
“Battledore and shuttlecock”, and you can for doubles play. Single side lines are marked
find similar games in ancient Greece and 1 1/2 feet from the doubles sideline, or outer
Egypt. It used to be a game that could have boundary line. Lines on the court marked 6
multiple players involved, and each of them 1/2 feet from the center line are the short
will hit a shuttlecock with feathers with service lines. A center line running from the
rackets. short service line to the back boundary line
separates the left and right sides of the court.
By 18 centuries, since a similar game had
become very popular in the Poona version in
British India, it was also named Poona before
it was called badminton.
WHY BADMINTON IS CALLED
BADMINTON?
Badminton was called badminton because it
was officially introduced to England in the
“Badminton House”, a country estate owned
by the Duke of Beaufort in Gloucestershire by Net
1873. Since then, Badminton was named
“Badminton” instead of “Poona” and A badminton net is 2 1/2-feet deep and is
“Battledore and Shuttlecock”. raised 5 feet high across the center of the
badminton court, over the net line. Often
WHERE DID MODERN BADMINTON made from vinyl mesh, most nets have a
START? leather or cotton top. At the beginning of the
Modern Badminton started in Gloucestershire badminton game and whenever the server’s
of England by 1873 since Duke of Beaufort score is an even number, servers serve the
shuttle over the net to the opposing player
from the right side of the court. Servers serve  A player must wait until his opponent is
the shuttle over the net from the left side of ready before serving. If the opponent
the court when their score is an odd number. attempts a return, then he is ruled having
Servers serve from the opposite side of their been ready.
court when they win a rally and a point.  The feet of both players must remain in a
Doubles badminton play observe the same stationary position until the serve is made.
serving rules as singles badminton play with Your feet can not be touching the line at
the exception of passing the serve. Serves this time.
pass consecutively to players opposite each  It is not a fault if you miss the shuttle while
other on the badminton court. serving.
Shuttles  The shuttle cannot be caught and slung
with the racket.
Shuttlecocks, or shuttles, are the item  A player cannot hold his racket near the
volleyed across the net during a badminton net to ward off a downward stroke by his
game. Original shuttlecocks were made from opponent or to interfere with his racket.
feathers, which led to the pseudonym "birds."
Shuttles for backyard badminton games are Faults
often made from plastic. The shuttles used in  The shuttle, at the instant of being hit is
modern competition badminton games are higher than the server’s waist or the head
made from 16 real feathers, with a preference of the racket is higher than the servers
for goose feathers from the bird’s left wing. racket hand.
Rackets  The shuttle does not land in the correct
service court.
Badminton rackets are made from lightweight  The server's feet are not in the service
materials that are known for durability such
court or if the feet of the receiver are not
as aluminum, steel and carbon fiber. The
in the court diagonally opposite the server.
overall length limit of a badminton racket is
 The server steps forward as he/she
26.77 inches. Standard badminton rackets
serves.
must not be wider than 9.06 inches. The
 Any player balking or feinting his
strings on the racket must range from .03
opponent before serve or during serve.
inches thick. The overall weight of the racket
 A serve or shot that lands outside the
cannot exceed 3.2 oz.
court boundaries, passes under or
through the net, touches any other
obstructions or a players body or clothing.
The boundary and service lines are
considered in play.
 The shuttle in play is struck before it
crosses the net to the striker's side of the
net. You may follow through over the net.
 A player touching the net or its supports
with his body or racket while the shuttle is
in play.
 Hitting the shuttle twice in succession by a
Badminton-Individual Sport
player or team.
Each organization is allowed 1 single and 1
Scoring System
doubles team. A student may compete in
both.  A match consists of the best of 3 games of
21 points.
Rules
 Every time there is a serve – there is a
point scored.
 The side winning a rally adds a point to its If players commit an error in the service court,
score. the error is corrected when the mistake is
 At 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point discovered. In a doubles match between A &
lead first, wins that game. B against C & D. A & B won the toss and
 At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point, decided to serve. A to serve to C. A shall be
wins that game. the initial server while C shall be the initial
 The side winning a game serves first in receiver.
the next game. LIST OF BADMINTON SKILLS
Interval and Change of Ends Badminton is one of the most followed and
 A 1-minute interval between each game is fast sports which demands utmost fitness. At
allowed. the same time, badminton is a beginner-
 In the third game, players change ends friendly sport that anyone can start without
when the leading score reaches 11 points. much hesitation. In fact, playing the sport has
many health advantages added to the fun. If
Singles and when you start playing the wonderful
sport, you need to work on some basics
 At the beginning of the game (0-0) and
badminton skills to make it to the top in the
when the server’s score is even, the
individually demanding sport. Besides, if you
server serves from the right service court.
decide to go pro, basics are something that
When the server’s score is odd, the server
will haunt you in the journey if not paid proper
serves from the left service court.
attention to them. Here are 7 basic badminton
 If the server wins a rally, the server scores
skills or the fundamental skills of Badminton
a point and then serves again from the
that you can learn without coaching.
alternate service court.
 If the receiver wins a rally, the receiver
scores a point and becomes the new
server. They serve from the appropriate
service court – left if their score is odd,
and right if it is even.
Doubles
 A side has only one ‘set’.
 The service passes consecutively to the
players as shown in the diagram.
 At the beginning of the game and when
the score is even, the server serves from
the right service court. When it is odd, the
server serves from the left court.
 If the serving side wins a rally, the serving
side scores a point and the same server Grip: Fundamental skills of badminton
serves again from the alternate service
The right grip in holding the racket is really
court.
important to achieve control on shots while
 If the receiving side wins a rally, the
avoiding the chances of a wrist injury. A
receiving side scores a point. The
proper grip will allow you to play both
receiving side becomes the new serving
backhand and forehand strokes effortlessly.
side.
 The players do not change their Holding a racket is similar to a friendly
respective service courts until they win a handshake. Just the thumb will be
point when their side is serving. comfortably placed against the wider surface
of the handle grip. The rest of the hand will
imitate a handshake. Remember to keep the non-racket arm. Shift the body weight slightly
handshake friendly, avoiding a tight grip. It will forward to be ready to pounce forward.
hinder the flexibility in motion and also might
Footwork: Badminton Skills
lead to wrist injuries in the long term.
Badminton is played on a badminton court
with limited space, and the athletes have to
take care of the same while playing. Footwork
plays a huge role in helping with an effective
Backhand and forehand Grip: Basic skills
and organized movement on the court. In
in badminton
fact, some coaches even raise footwork to
The only difference while playing the 2 kinds prime importance over other skills.
of strokes is in the use of fingers.
Serve: Badminton Skills
 Push the index finger forward while
Service is among the most basic skill that you
playing forehand strokes. need to master in Badminton. Also, you
 Push the thumb forward while playing should ensure to make a legal service
backhand strokes. otherwise it might lead to penalty points.
Stance: Badminton Skills Check out Badminton rules and dimensions
here.
The stance is how you stand while playing
badminton, both in between a rally and before There can be 2 types of service in badminton,
the serve. A stable and correct stance will depending on the landing aim of the shuttle.
bring a huge change in the results due to High Serve
easier movement. There are 3 types of
stances: High serve aims at the back-end corner of the
opponent’s court. Ideally, a good high serve
Attacking Stance results in the shuttle dropping steeply
It is used to get into position before playing downwards at the back end of the court. In
an overhead forehand stroke. To stand in the fact, a high serve is presented to opponents
attacking stance turn your body facing the having the ability to executing a strong
sidelines with the racket leg behind and both smash. You can always expect a lob or a
legs shoulder-width apart. Now raise both drop from your opponent as a reply to a
racket and non-racket arms to generate the properly executed high serve.
power to attack the shuttle on its downward Generally, it is recommended to serve the
trajectory. shuttle to the opponent’s backhand area. This
Defensive Stance to exploit the weaker backhand that exists in
the game of most of the players.
To defend the opponent’s smash, you need to
be prepared with a defensive stance. Face Low Serve
the body to the net and place your racket in Unlike high serve, the low serve aims to the
front at waist height, slightly pointing forward. front of the court. The objective is to let the
You can keep the non-racket arm comfortable shuttle fly just above the net landing in the
while ensuring a better balance. front corner of the court. In this case, your
Net Stance opponent has the opportunity to dash forward
and smash the shuttle to you if the execution
This stance is to be ready for the opponent’s is poor.
return after playing a net shot. To play this
shot, place your foot on the racket side Smash: Badminton Skills
forward while keeping a non-racket foot at the Smash is the most potent and powerful stroke
back. Place the racket in front of the body, in badminton which naturally turns out to be
slightly above waist height while raising the the most familiar term to all. The shot is
basically to hit the shuttle powerfully towards backcourt for you to exploit. There are slow
the opponent’s body or downward on the and fast drop shots, played judging the
court. A perfectly executed smash has no situation. This fundamental badminton skill if
defense. This badminton skill is the most developed properly can turn an intermediate
aggressive and technical one. Fundamentally player into an expert.
there are 3 types of smashes:

Forehand smash
The forehand is an overhead smash which is
Clear or Lob
similar to the action of throwing a ball. You
shouldn’t have a problem playing this stroke if
you can throw a ball well. This skill in
badminton acts as a game-changer for
beginners.
Backhand smash
This is one of the toughest strokes in The lob shot in Badminton can be imagined
badminton, and even experts face difficulty in as a shot with an inverted ‘U’ trajectory. It is
playing the stroke. Still, it is important to normally played from the forecourt with an
practice and get the technique to rise in the aim to lift or ‘lob’ the shuttle over the
skill level. To execute this stroke, getting the opponent. The idea is to land it as near to the
backhand grip is extremely important. Also, it baseline as it is, at an angle that is impossible
is equally important to return back to stance. to clear. This is similar to the drop in
Backhand smash skill in badminton requires challenging the opponent with sudden motion
years of practice and consistency. backward this time. It can also be executed
Jumping smash by both backhand and forehand. This
generally results in the creation of space in
A forehand smash with a timed jump added to the front and midcourt, opening plenty of
it counts under jumping smash. This skill in opportunities. It is one of the basic badminton
badminton is the most glamorous of all. skill one can learn with practice without
joining coaching.
Drop Shot
Badminton: Terms to Know
Backcourt
The back third of the badminton court.
Bird/Birdie
Another name for the shuttlecock.
Carry
Amongst all the basic skills in Badminton, the
drop shot is the most technical one. An illegal stroke occurring when the shuttle
Badminton Drop Shots are delicate comes to a stop on the racquet and is
badminton shots that can win you points that "carried," leading to a sling-like sequence.
aim at scoring points in deception. Played
with both backhand and forehand, these are Center position
used to move the opponent to the frontcourt.
This creates space in the midcourt and
Also known as the base position, the central A soft shot executed by "pushing" the shuttle
area of the court where ideally a singles with small wrist movement.
player wants to return after each shot.
Rally
Clear
An exchange of shots following the serve.
A shot hit deep in the back of the opponent's
Shuttlecock
court.
The object used in badminton, also called a
Cross-court
birdie or shuttle. It is made of a cork with
A shot hit diagonally over the net, from one sixteen goose feathers glued to its rounded
side to the other. base.
Double hit Smash
Hitting the shuttle twice (a fault). A hard, powerful overhead shot sending the
shuttlecock downward to the opponent's side
Drop shot
A soft shot played with touch, so the shuttle
falls close to the net on the opponent's side.
Drive
A powerful shot placed just over the top of the
net.
Fault
A violation or infraction of the rules
Flick
A quick movement of the wrist and forearm
that changes a soft shot into a harder one;
mostly used when serving or close to the net.
Forecourt
The front third of the court, between the net
and the short-service line.
Kill
A hard, downward shot that is not returnable
by the opponent.
Let
A call by the umpire to restart a point. This
occurs when the server serves before the
receiver is ready, the shuttle disintegrates
during play, an accidental distraction occurs,
etc.
Mid-court
The middle third of the court.
Push shot
 first to 21 points. A match is the best of three
games to 21.

9. 1 hit – Once the shuttle touches the

ground, the rally is over. In this respect,
badminton is not like tennis or squash, where
the ball can bounce. You must hit the shuttle
once only before it goes over the net (even in
doubles).

10. smash – A hard, powerful overhead shot

sending the shuttlecock downward to the
opponent's side

11. clear – A shot hit deep in the back of the

1. India - According to “A Brief History of opponent's court.
Badminton from 1870 to 1949” written by
Betty Uber, modern badminton was created 12. India
by British military officers by around 1850s in
British India, at that time, a net was added to
the game and because it was very popular in 13. 16 – The shuttles used in modern
the garrison town of Poona, the game was competition badminton games are made from
known as Poona. 16 real feathers, with a preference for goose
feathers from the bird’s left wing.

2. Summer Cup
14 hagoita – Nowadays, you can still find a
similar game in Japan which is called
3. 44ft long x 17ft wide – A singles Hanetsuki, it’s a very popular new year’s
badminton court is 17 feet wide and 44 feet game involving a wooden paddle called
long. hagoita and a shuttle called hane.
15. 1934 – By 1934, the International
4. let - A call by the umpire to restart a point. Badminton Federation (IBF, now known as
This occurs when the server serves before the Badminton World Federation) was formed
the receiver is ready, the shuttle disintegrates with England, Scotland, Wales, Canada,
during play, an accidental distraction occurs, Denmark, France, Ireland, New Zealand, and
etc. the Netherlands as the founding members.

5. Backhand Grip – basic skill in badminton

6. Forehand Grip – basic skill in badminton

7.

8. Rally point system – Rally point scoring

simply means every time a rally ends a point
is scored by one player/pair or the other. The
Badminton scoring system can be
summarised as simply as this: A game is the