Badminton: History, Rules, and Gameplay

• Badminton is a racquet sport where players use racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net.
• It can be played in singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side) formats.
• Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with a racquet, landing it in the opponent's court.
• The sport demands agility, endurance, strength, and precision.
• The sport originated in British India around the mid-19th century, evolving from battledore and shuttlecock.
• It was initially known as "Poona"; British officers created specific rules.
• The first open badminton tournament occurred in 1899 at the Drill Hall of the English Army town of Bedford.
• The International Badminton Federation, now Badminton World Federation (BWF), was formed in 1934.
• The BWF governs badminton globally.
• It was a demonstration sport at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
• Badminton became an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Game Characteristics

• The game takes place on a rectangular court divided by a net.
• The aim is to score points by landing the shuttlecock within the opponent's court.
• Matches consist of the best of three games, each played to 21 points.
• The Rally Point System means a point is scored on every rally, regardless of who served.
• A two-point lead wins a game if the score reaches 20-all.
• The side scoring the 30th point wins the game at 29-all.
• The winner of a game serves first in the subsequent game.
• There is a maximum 90-second interval after the first game and up to 5 minutes after the second game.
• Continuous play is a key characteristic, but includes necessary intervals.

Facilities and Equipment

• The court is 13.4 meters (44 feet) long and 6.1 meters (20 feet) wide for doubles, or 5.18 meters (17 feet) wide for singles.
• The net's height is 1.524 meters (5 feet) at the edges and 1.55 meters (5 feet 1 inch) in the center.
• The shuttlecock is a high-drag projectile made of feathered or synthetic materials.
• Shuttlecocks need 16 feathers fixed in their base.
• The shuttlecock's weight should be between 4.74 and 5.50 grams.
• Racquets are lightweight, made from materials like carbon fiber or steel.
• Players use different grips for diverse shot angles, power, and control.
• Clothing should be lightweight, allowing unrestricted movement.
• Badminton shoes should offer good grip and cushioning.

Basic Skills

• Grip: The foundation for all strokes; common grips include forehand and backhand.
• Serve: Starts each rally; types include high and short serves.
• Footwork: Involves agility, speed, and coordination crucial for court coverage and balance.
• Clear: Defensive shot hit high and deep, allowing time for positional recovery.
• Drop Shot: Falls just over the net, compelling the opponent to move forward.
• Smash: An overhead shot hit downwards, aiming for an immediate end to the rally.
• Drive: A fast, flat, horizontal shot commonly used in doubles to keep the shuttlecock low.
• Net Play: Requires precise placement and touch close to the net.