1.
Introduction
-Overview: Badminton is a fast-paced, strategic racket sport played with a
shuttlecock. Known for its agility, precision, and speed, it is played on a
rectangular court divided by a net, either in singles (one-on-one) or
doubles (two-on-two) formats. The objective is to strike the shuttlecock so
it lands within the opponent’s court boundaries while preventing the
opponent from returning it.
2.History
-Early Origins: Badminton’s roots trace back to ancient games in Greece,
China, and India. "Poona," a similar game played in India, involved a
shuttlecock and rackets and is considered a direct predecessor.
-Introduction in England: In the 1870s, British Army officers introduced
"Poona" in England. The game gained popularity when it was played at the
Duke of Beaufort’s estate in Badminton, England, from which it took its
modern name.
-Formalization and Growth: The Badminton Association of England
established the first official rules in 1893. The sport quickly spread
throughout England and Europe.
-Establishment of International Body: In 1934, nine countries, including
Canada, Denmark, England, and France, formed the International
Badminton Federation (now the Badminton World Federation or BWF) to
oversee international play.
-Olympic Inclusion: In 1992, badminton was included as an official
Olympic sport, starting with singles and doubles events for men and
women. Mixed doubles was later added, showcasing badminton’s global
appeal.
3.Equipment and Court Measurements
-Racket: Badminton rackets are lightweight (typically 80-100 grams) and
are often made with carbon fiber or graphite for strength and durability.
Many modern rackets feature an *isometric head*, which provides a larger
"sweet spot" (optimal hitting area) to improve shot control and power.
-Shuttlecock: The shuttlecock, or "birdie," has 16 feathers arranged in a
cone shape, attached to a rounded cork base. The feathers create
significant air resistance, slowing its speed after impact and giving it a
steep descending flight path. This design is unique compared to balls in
other racket sports.
-Shoes: Badminton shoes are lightweight with flat soles for enhanced grip
on indoor courts. They have non-marking rubber soles to prevent scuffing
the court and often include shock-absorbing material for comfort.
-Court: Badminton courts are typically made of wood or synthetic
materials (like PVC) for grip and shock absorption. Wooden courts are
preferred for high-level competitions, while synthetic courts are common
in schools and clubs.
-Markings and Measurements: The court is 13.4 meters long, with a width
of 5.18 meters for singles and 6.1 meters for doubles. The net stands at
1.55 meters at the posts and 1.524 meters at the center. Court lines mark
the service zones, singles and doubles boundaries, and short and long
service lines for clarity.
4.Fundamental Skills
-Grip: Proper forehand and backhand grips are essential for shot control
and flexibility.
-Footwork: Good footwork is critical for quickly moving around the court
to execute shots effectively.
-Serve Types: Low serve, high serve, flick serve, and drive serve allow
players to vary their play.
-Strokes and Shots: Clear, drop, smash, and net kill shots allow players to
control rallies and score points.
-Anticipation and Positioning: Good positioning helps players counter
opponents’ shots and control rallies.
5.Terminologies
-Rally: An exchange of shots between players during play.
-Clear: A high shot aimed at pushing the opponent to the back of the
court.
-Drop Shot: A gentle shot that barely crosses the net, catching the
opponent off guard.
-Smash: A powerful downward shot to end the rally.
-Drive: A flat, fast shot hit across the net horizontally.
-Fault: Called when the shuttlecock lands outside boundaries or does not
clear the net.
-Let: Called when play stops due to unforeseen events, like the
shuttlecock getting stuck in the net.
-Love: Refers to a score of zero.
- Deuce: A tied score at 20-20, where a two-point lead is needed to win.
### 6. **Rules and Regulations**
- **Scoring System**: Matches are best of three games, each game to
21 points. If the score ties at 20-20, the game continues until one player
leads by two points. The game ends at 30 points if the score reaches 29-
29.
- **Serving Rules**: The server must hit the shuttlecock below their
waist with the racket pointing downward. The server alternates sides of
the court based on the score (right side for even scores, left for odd).
- **Faults and Violations**: Common faults include hitting the
shuttlecock out of bounds, failing to clear the net, or double hits. Faults
award a point to the opponent.
- **Intervals and Breaks**: Players are allowed a 60-second break when
a player scores 11 points, and a 2-minute interval between games. This
allows players to strategize and rest.
- **Code of Conduct**: Players must demonstrate sportsmanship,
respect the officials' calls, and avoid unsportsmanlike behavior.
### 7. **National and International Competitions**
- **Olympic Games**: Badminton has been an Olympic sport since 1992,
with singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.
- **World Championships**: An annual event by the BWF featuring top
players worldwide competing for the title.
- **All England Open**: One of the oldest and most prestigious
badminton tournaments, held annually in England.
- **Asian Games & Commonwealth Games**: Both include badminton
events, providing significant competition for Indian and Asian players.
- **National Competitions in India**: The Senior National Badminton
Championships showcase the country’s best talent, while district and
state-level tournaments provide opportunities for emerging players to
enter the national circuit.
### 8. **National Awards and Notable Awardees**
- **Arjuna Award**: Presented for outstanding performance in Indian
sports. **Awardees** in badminton include Prakash Padukone, P.V. Sindhu,
Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy,
and Chirag Shetty.
- **Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna)**: The
highest sporting honor in India, awarded for exceptional performance.
**Recipients** in badminton include P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal.
- **Padma Awards**: National honors such as the Padma Shri, Padma
Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, recognizing contributions across fields.
Awardees in badminton include Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, and P.V.
Sindhu.
- **Notable Indian Players**:
- **Prakash Padukone**: First Indian to win the All England Open
(1980), establishing India on the world badminton stage.
- **P.V. Sindhu**: Olympic silver and bronze medalist and the first
Indian to win the BWF World Championships.
- **Saina Nehwal**: Olympic bronze medalist and former World No. 1,
a pioneer for Indian women in badminton.
- **Kidambi Srikanth**: Known for his aggressive play, he became the
first Indian man to reach World No. 1.
- **Lakshya Sen**: A promising young talent, he won bronze at the
2021 World Championships and silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games,
marking him as a rising star.
- **Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty**: This men’s doubles
team has achieved significant milestones for India, including the 2022
Commonwealth Games gold and a spot in the BWF top 10. Their teamwork
and aggressive play have made them one of the world’s leading doubles
teams, strengthening India’s international standing in doubles.
