History of Badminton

Study Notes

Badminton History

Developed from the ancient game of battledore and shuttlecock.
Originated in mid-18th century British India by British military officers.
Initially called "Poona" after the British garrison town where it gained popularity.
Became popular in England after retired officers took the game back, standardizing the rules.
The Badminton Association of England officially launched badminton in 1893 and established the All England Open Badminton Championships in 1899.
The International Badminton Federation (IBF), now known as the Badminton World Federation (BWF), was founded in 1934, with Canada, Denmark, England, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales as founding members.
India joined as an affiliate in 1936.
Initially dominated by Denmark in Europe, but Asian nations, especially Indonesia, South Korea, China, and Malaysia, have been the most dominant at the world level in recent decades.
China has been the leading force in both men's and women's competition in recent years.
Major international tournaments like the Thomas Cup (MEN) and Uber Cup (WOMEN) were established and badminton became an Olympic sport in the 1992 Barcelona Games.
From 9 founding members, the BWF now has over 150 member countries.

Badminton Terminologies

Attacking clear: An offensive stroke hit deep into the opponent's court.
Backcourt: The rear third of the court, near the back boundary lines.
Backhand: The stroke used to return balls from the left of a right-handed player and the right of a left-handed player.
Base position: The central point of the court where a singles player returns after each shot, also known as "center position."
Baseline: The back boundary line at each end of the court, parallel to the net.
Carry: An illegal stroke, also called a "sling" or "throw."
Centre line: A line perpendicular to the net separating the left and right service courts.
Clear: A shot hit deep into the opponent's court.
Doubles: A match involving two vs. two players.
Doubles sideline: The side boundary of a doubles court.
Drive: A fast and low shot with a horizontal flight over the net.
Drop shot: A soft shot intended to fall rapidly and close to the net in the opponent's court.
Fault: A violation of the playing rules.
Feint: A deceptive movement, also called a "balk."
Flick: A quick wrist-and-forearm rotation.
Forecourt: The front third of the court, between the net and the short service line.
Forehand: The stroke used to return a ball hit to the right of a right-handed player and to the left of a left-handed player.
Game: A part of a set completed when one player or pair scores 21 points (or 30 points in some cases).
Game point: The point that would win a game if won by the player or pair serving that point.
Hand-out: A loss of an opponent's serve due to committed fault.
Match: A tournament game consisting of two, three, or five games, depending on the tournament.
Match point: The point that would win the match if won by the player or pair serving the point.
Net: Barrier separating the court.
Net shot: A shot aimed at landing just over the net and into the opponent's court.
Net player/court: The player who plays on the side of the court close to the net or the court area near the net.
Opponent (s): The player(s) competing against you.
Rally: A sequence of strokes played without interruption.
Serve: The act of placing the shuttlecock in play by striking it with the racquet from behind the service line, sending it over the net.
Service court: The small rectangular area within which the server must strike the shuttlecock.
Shuttlecock: The projectile used in badminton, which is a feathered projectile that resembles a golf ball.
Smash: An aggressive and powerful stroke aimed downwards to land the shuttlecock in the opponent's court.
Singles: A match involving one player against another.
Singles sideline: The side boundary of a singles court.
Stroke: Each action taken by a player in striking the shuttlecock.
Technical fault: A violation of the playing rules that results in a point being given to the opponent.
Underarm clear: A clear shot hit with a movement similar to throwing a ball.