Badminton is a racquet sport played by either one player per side (singles) or two players per side (doubles). The goal is to hit the shuttlecock over the net and land it in the opponent’s court so they cannot return it.

Game Formats:

Singles – One player per side.
Doubles – Two players per side:

Men’s Doubles
Women’s Doubles
Mixed Doubles (one man and one woman per team)

Where is Badminton Played?

It can be played indoors or outdoors, but indoor courts are used for competitions to ensure fair play.

2. History and Development of Badminton

Early Origins (Before 19th Century)

Over 2000 years ago, early forms of badminton were played in India, China, and Greece.
16th Century Europe – A game called Battledore and Shuttlecock was played using paddles to keep the shuttlecock in the air.

19th Century – Modern Badminton Begins

Poona (India) – British army officers in India played a game similar to badminton.
1873 – The game was introduced in England and played at Badminton House, giving it the name "badminton."
1877 – The Bath Badminton Club wrote the first official rules.
1893 – The Badminton Association of England (BAE) was formed and standardized the rules.
1899 – The first All England Open Badminton Championships were held.

20th Century – Growth of International Badminton

1934 – The International Badminton Federation (IBF) (now BWF) was founded by England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, and France.
1948-1949 – The first Thomas Cup (Men’s World Team Championship) was held, founded by Sir George Thomas.
1956-1957 – The first Uber Cup (Women’s World Team Championship) was held, named after Betty Uber.

Badminton in the Olympics

1972 – Introduced as a demonstration sport at the Munich Olympics.
1992 – Became an official Olympic sport in Barcelona (Men’s and Women’s Singles & Doubles).
1996 – Mixed Doubles was added to the Olympics.
2008 – The modern rally scoring system (games to 21 points) became official.

3. Badminton Facilities and Equipment

Badminton Court

Singles Court: 13.4 m × 5.18 m (44 ft × 17 ft).
Doubles Court: 13.4 m × 6.1 m (44 ft × 20 ft).
Center Line: Divides the court into two service courts.
Short Service Line: 1.98 m (6.5 ft) from the net.
Long Service Line:

Singles: 13.4 m (44 ft) from the net.
Doubles: 0.76 m (2.5 ft) inside the back boundary line.

Net Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) at posts, 1.524 m (5 ft) at the center.
Surface: Made of wooden flooring or synthetic mats for grip and safety.

Badminton Equipment

1. Racket

A badminton racket is lightweight and designed for quick swings. It has the following parts:

Frame – The entire outer structure of the racket, usually made of carbon fiber, graphite, or aluminum for durability.
Head – The oval or isometric area containing the strings. Isometric heads have a larger sweet spot than oval heads.
String – Made of synthetic fibers, providing tension for hitting the shuttlecock.

Beginners: 18-22 lbs
Advanced Players: 24-30 lbs

Sweet Spot – The best area on the string bed for powerful, accurate shots.
Throat – The triangular section connecting the head to the shaft, providing stability.
Shaft – The long, thin part between the throat and handle.

Flexible shaft: More power but less control.
Stiff shaft: More control and precision.

Ferrule – The joint between the shaft and handle, adding strength.
Handle/Grip – The part held by the player, covered with synthetic or towel grip for comfort and control.

Grip Sizes: Vary to fit different hand sizes.

Butt Cap – The end of the handle, preventing the racket from slipping.

2. Shuttlecock

Feathered Shuttlecock: Made from 16 goose or duck feathers, used in professional matches.
Synthetic Shuttlecock: Made of nylon/plastic, used for recreational play.
Weight: 4.74 - 5.50 grams.

3. Net

Material: Made of nylon or polyethylene.
Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) at the posts, 1.524 m (5 ft) at the center.

4. Clothing and Footwear

Attire: T-shirts, shorts, or skirts for comfort and flexibility.
Shoes: Lightweight, non-marking shoes with good grip and shock absorption.

4. Rules of Badminton

Scoring System

Matches are played in a best of three games format.
Each game is played to 21 points using the rally scoring system (a point is scored on every serve).

Serving Rules

The serve must be hit underarm and below the server’s waist.
The server must stand inside the service court.

Faults in Badminton

A fault happens if the shuttlecock:

Lands outside the boundary lines.
Hits the net and does not go over.
Touches a player’s body or clothing.
Passes under the net.

Let (Re-serve)

A rally is stopped and replayed if there is a disruption (e.g., shuttlecock gets stuck on the net).

5. Badminton Game Etiquette

1. Sportsmanship

Show respect for opponents and referees.
Do not argue with the umpire’s decisions.

2. Honesty

Call line faults and let situations fairly.
Admit if the shuttlecock touches you or your racket.

3. No Distractions

Avoid shouting or making noise to distract opponents.

4. Shake Hands

At the end of the match, players shake hands with opponents and the umpire as a sign of respect.

6. Key Figures in Badminton History

Founders and Pioneers

Duke of Beaufort – Hosted the game at Badminton House, giving the sport its modern name.
Sir George Thomas – Founded the Thomas Cup (Men’s World Team Championship).
Betty Uber – Created the Uber Cup (Women’s World Team Championship).