BADMINTON
PathFit 3 Individual Sports
Badminton
The objective of the game is to hit the shuttle over the net so that it lands in your opponent’s court
before it can be returned.
You can hit the shuttle fast, slow, high, flat, or low.
You can smash it with maximum power or use the most delicate touch shots.
History of Badminton
Badminton evolved from a similar game called battledore played in 5 th century in China.
The people in China played a game called ti jian zi which means kicking the shuttle.
Five centuries later, a game named battledore and shuttlecock was played in China, Japan, India,
and Greece. By 16th century, it became popular to English children.
In Europe this game is called jeu de volant.
In 1860s a game named poona was played in India.
The game badminton began in the 19 th century and was named by the Duke of Beauford after the
Badminton House in Gloucestershire.
In England, there was a game battledore and shuttlecock. Players use paddle to keep shuttlecock
in the air for as long as possible.
The Bath Badminton Club standardized the rules and regulations, making the game more inclined
towards the English ideas of how the game should be played.
In 1893, The Badminton Association of England published the first set of rules and officially
launched the game badminton.
In 1899, The All-England Open Badminton Championships began and were the world’s first
badminton competition.
In 1934, the International Badminton Federation which is now known as the Badminton World
Federation was established. England, France, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were the first members.
In 1936, India joined as an affiliate.
In the United States, the history of badminton started with the first badminton club, the
Badminton Club of New York in 1878.
Badminton became a popular pastime for many Hollywood stars including James Cagney, Bette
Davis, Ginger Rogers, and Douglas Fairbanks.
The different badminton groups in US got together to standardize the rules and regulations of the
game in 1936.
David Freeman, the US singles player won the All-England World Championships in 1949. While
in the doubles category, American players Clinton and Patsy Stevens.
Between 1949 and 1967, the US won 23 world championships.
Badminton has been largely dominated by Asian countries. Countries like South Korea, Malaysia,
China, and Indonesia have produces world class players.
China is currently the strongest badminton country, winning many major championships
consistently over the last few years.
Nature and Purpose of the Game
Badminton is a racket game played by two (singles) or four (doubles) players on a rectangular
court. The object is to serve the shuttle strategically and thereafter direct it with speed or accuracy to an
unprotected point on the opponent’s court so that the opponent is unable to return the shuttle across the
net or into the proper boundaries of the court area. Likewise, the opponent attempts to prevent the shuttle
from falling to the court on his side of the net and return it to an unprotected spot in his opponent’s court.
Equipment
1. Racket – rackets can easily break; For small children there are also available shorter handled rackets to
assist with hitting the shuttle. Lighter rackets are easier to use for all levels and tighter strings will help
the power.
2. Shuttles – plastic and feathers; Plastic shuttle is heavier, flies differently but last longer than feather.
But the feathered shuttle is used for most official tournaments.
3. Court and Net – court size is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for doubles, 17 feet wide by 44 feet long for
singles. Service court being 6 ½ feet from net. The net height is 5 feet high and 5 feet 1 inch at posts, the
net line marks the middle of the court where the net is placed, creating 6.1 meters by 20 feet area on each
side of the net.
Badminton Terminologies
1. Side out - loss of service
2. Fault - violation of rules
3. Bird - shuttlecock
4. Let - serve hitting the top of the net and landing in the proper court, a serve retake
5. Match - winning 2 out of 3 games
6. Rally - a sequence of one or more strokes starting with the service, until the shuttle ceases to be
in play
7. In side - team serving
8. Out side - team receiving
9. Odd and Even courts – In singles: At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server
serves from the right service court. When it is odd, the server serves from the left service
court. If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from
alternate service court. If the receiver wins a rally, the receiver scores a point and
becomes the new server.
10. Game Scoring – Played to 21. The side winning a rally adds a point to its score. At 20 all, the side
which gains a 2-point lead first, wins that game. At 29 all, the side scoring the 30 th point,
wins the game. The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
Badminton Techniques
A. Forehand Grip
B. Backhand Grip
C. High Serve (Single Serve)
D. Double Serve (Back Hand)
E. Return of Service
F. Positioning for Service
G. Overhead Shot
1. Clear
2. Drop Shot
3. Smash
H. Net Shots
I. Net Lift
J. Defense Block
K. Drives
L. Footwork
