BADMINTON TERMS

Badminton Terms

Court Terminology

• Alley:

  • Side-extension of the court (1.5 feet) for doubles play.

• Long Service Line:

  • Back boundary line in singles; 2.5 feet inside the back boundary line in doubles.

• Midcourt:

  • The middle third of the court, equidistant from the net and back boundary line.

• Back Alley:

  • Area between the back boundary line and long service line for doubles.

• Backcourt:

  • The back third of the court near the back boundary line.

• Baseline:

  • Back boundary line at each end of the court, parallel to the net.

Shots and Techniques

• Net Shot:

  • A shot from the forecourt that barely clears the net and drops sharply.

• Push Shot:

  • A gentle shot made with minimal wrist movement from the net or midcourt to opponent's midcourt.

• Smash:

  • A powerful overhand shot aimed downward when the shuttle is high in the air.

• Wood Shot:

  • A shot occurring when the base of the shuttle is struck by the frame of the racket.

• Clear:

  • A shot hit deep into the opponent's backcourt.

• Drive:

  • A fast, low shot traveling horizontally over the net.

• Drop:

  • A finesse shot that falls sharply and close to the net on the opponent’s side.

• Flick:

  • Quick wrist and forearm rotation transforming a soft shot into a faster one.

• Hairpin Net Shot:

  • A shot from below the net that rises, clears the net, and drops sharply on the other side.

• Halfcourt Shot:

  • Low shot aimed at midcourt, effective in doubles play.

• Kill:

  • A fast, downward shot that cannot be returned (a "putaway").

Game Play Terms

• Match:

  • A series of games; at U.S. Olympic Festival '93, it consists of three out of five games.

• Rally:

  • Occurs when players hit the shuttle back and forth until one side scores a point.

• Serve or Service:

  • Action of putting the shuttlecock into play; must hit into a specific area near the opponent.

• Service Court:

  • Designated area where the serve must be delivered; varies for singles and doubles.

• Short Service Line:

  • Legal serve must reach this line (6.5 feet from the net).

Equipment and Rules

• Racket:

  • Instrument used for hitting the shuttlecock; weighs about 3 ounces and is typically 27 inches long.

  • Made of materials like ceramic, graphite, or boron; costs between $60-$175 (unstrung).

• Shuttlecock:

  • Object hit by players; consists of a cork or rubber base with a feather crown in a conical shape.

• Fault:

  • Violation of the playing rules in serving, receiving, or during play.

• Carry:

  • An illegal tactic where the shuttle is caught and slung with the racket (also known as a sling or throw).

• Center Line:

  • Line that runs perpendicular to the net, dividing left and right service courts.

• Let:

  • A legitimate interruption in play allowing a rally to be replayed.