Badminton - a fast-paced racket sport played either as singles (one player per side) or
doubles (two players per side).
- it involves hitting a shuttlecock back and forth over a net, with the aim of scoring
points by landing the shuttlecock in the opponent's half of the court.
Ancient Origin
Battledore and Shuttlecock: Ancient games involving shuttlecocks and paddles were
played in Greece, China, and India. These games were the precursors to modern
badminton
British India (19th Century)
Poona: In British India, officers played a game called "Poona," named after the Indian city
of Pune. Poona involved a net and was played with a shuttlecock and rackets.
Introduction to England: British Army officers brought the game back to England in the
1860s. The Duke of Beaufort hosted a game at his estate, Badminton House, in 1873,
which popularized the sport and gave it its modern name.
Formalization and Growth
First Rules: The Bath Badminton Club, established in 1877, formulated the first official
rules of badminton.
Founded in 1893, it standardized the rules and held Badminton Association of England
the first All England Championships in 1899.
International Expansion
IBF Formation: The International Badminton Federation (IBF), now known as the
Badminton World Federation (BWF), was established in 1934 with nine founding members:
Canada, Denmark, England, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, and
Wales.
Thomas Cup: The first major international tournament, the Thomas Cup (men's team
competition), was held in 1948-1949.
Olympic Inclusion Demonstration Sport: Badminton was a demonstration sport at the
1972 Munich Olympics.
Full Olympic Sport: It became an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona Games,
with singles and doubles events for both men and women. Mixed doubles were added in
1996.
Modern Era
Popularity: Badminton has grown tremendously, particularly in Asia and Europe.
Countries like China, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Denmark, and India have become
powerhouses in the sport.
Professional Tournaments: The BWF organizes several major tournaments, including the
BWF World Championships, the Thomas Cup, the Uber Cup (women's team competition),
and the Sudirman Cup (mixed team competition).
Badminton Equipment
Racket
Material: Typically made of carbon fiber, graphite, or aluminum for lightweight and
durability.
Weight: Usually between 80-100 grams.
String Tension: Varies based on player preference and level, generally between 18-27
pounds.
Shuttlecock
Feathered Shuttlecock: Made of 16 feathers from a goose or duck, attached to a cork
base. Preferred for professional play.
Synthetic Shuttlecock: Made of nylon or plastic, more durable, often used for
recreational play.
Net
Height: 1.55 meters (5 feet 1 inch) at the posts and 1.524 meters (5 feet) at the center.
Width: 6.1 meters (20 feet) wide to cover the court.
Badminton Court
Surface: Typically, wood or synthetic materials designed to provide good traction and
reduce injury.
Dimensions: 13.4 meters (44 feet) long and 5.18 meters (17 feet) wide for singles, 6.1
meters (20 feet) wide for doubles.
Lines: Marked for singles and doubles play, including service courts and baselines.
Clothing
Shirts and Shorts: Lightweight, breathable materials like polyester or nylon.
Shoes: Non-marking soles with good grip and cushioning to support quick movements and
reduce the risk of injury.
Socks: Cushioned, moisture-wicking socks to provide comfort and prevent blisters.
Basic Skills of Badminton
Forehand Grip with the racket head perpendicular to the floor, shakehands with the grip
so the “V” formed by the thumb and forefinger is on the top of the handle.
Backhand Grip using a forehand grip, rotate the hand slightly so the thumb is along and
parallel to the wide side of the handle.
Footwork - Move toward the shot with short steps and end with a long stride.
- Most shots are played with the body at right angles to the net.
- In the ready position the racket is held high, the knees are slightly bent, and the
body weight is on
Strokes
Clear – a shot used to drive your opponent away from the net or forecourt or to slow the
game. The bird should fly above the opponent’s reach and fall within one foot of the
baseline.
Smash – an attacking shot made at the limit of one’s upward reach and slightly in front of
the shoulder. At the moment of contact, the arm and wrist come down forcibly.
Drive – A flat shot kept as low as possible and is second only to the smash as an attacking
shot.
Drop Shot – any shot that drops immediately after crossing the net. The descent of the bird
is controlled with little follow-through.
Net Shot – any shot played as near to the net as possible, controlled by wrist and forearm.
The hairpin shot is an example of a net shot.
Service High and deep (singles) – take a position near and on the proper side of the center
line and about four feet behind the short service line. Drop the bird on the racket side and
swing the racket forward.
Low and short (doubles) – take a position closer to the front service line. The racket is
swung forward with little follow-through.
Drive (flick) – a quick snap of the wrist in the backhand grip with the bird held directly in
front of the body. The bird travels in a direct line at the receiver.
Rules and Regulations
