Badminton

Introduction

Badminton, the world’s fastest racquet sport is played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across the net. It is the second most popular sport in the world after football. It is governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the internationally recognized governing body of the sport. The game of badminton was probably originated more than 2000 years ago in Europe & Asia.

Its earlier variant was known as battledore (bat or paddle) and shuttlecock. The objective of the sports is to hit the shuttlecock (also known as shuttle or birdie) over and across the net on the opponent’s court so that the opponent can’t find time to return it back and score a point.

History

The origin of badminton is supposed to be coming from ancient China and Greece approximately 2000 years back, where players used to play similar games called battledore and shuttlecock. A very similar game, called 'Poona', was also played in India in the 18th century.

In the 1860s, it was later adopted by the British Army officers sheltered in India, who later took it to England, where it gained fame and success under the name 'Badminton'. The first world governing body of badminton was established as IBF (International Badminton Federation), which was later renamed to BWF (Badminton World Federation) on 24 September 2006.

Participants

One player on each side in “singles” matches and two players on each side in “doubles” matches. It is played by both men as well as women.

Events

Singles

Men’s Singles or Women’s Singles events

Double

Men’s Doubles or Women’s Doubles events

Mixed Doubles

Pair of one male and one female player each side

Variants 

Speed badminton 

Speed badminton, or Speedminton, is an informal variant of badminton which can be played without any specific court or net. The court usually comprises of two squares of 18 feet each located opposite to each other at a distance of 42 ft. Speedminton and badminton rackets are quite similar, except the fact that the material used in making their strings is different. Also, unlike badminton, Speedminton is played with a ball which is generally called a speeder.

The name speed badminton was later changed to Cross Milton on 1st January 2016, and the world governing body for Speedminton sports - the International Speed Badminton Organisation (ISBO) - was renamed to International Crossminton Organization (ICO) on August 25, 2011.

Doubles 

The doubles matchup consists between a team of two players each. However, it is usually played on a singles court, and the serving rules are slightly changed so that each player gets a chance to serve. The doubles matches can be played with a team of same-gender players (male-male, female-female) or a team of different gender players (male-female), which is also called mixed doubles. In order the differentiate doubles with the common one, the general game is termed as the Singles in which single players perform from each side.

Black lighting 

Black lighting, also called blackminton, is a variation of crossminton (and hence, badminton) which is played in the night or the dark. The shuttles/speeders used in the game of black lighting are usually made up of fluorescent equipment. Similarly, the blackminton court can also be painted or pegged up.

Equipment

Badminton Rackets

The earliest form of badminton rackets consisted of remarkably heavy wooden frames which hindered a player's speed. Players then moved towards lightweight rackets made up of aluminium frames, which later evolved to the modern day design consisting of carbon fibre composite materials.

Racket Strings

In the ancient days of the badminton sports, strings were made from natural animal gut. However, in the later and modern days of the game, players were opting out of the sleazy traditional equipment and choosing modern ones. Thus, natural strings were replaced by synthetic materials which allowed players to attain maximum speed and string tension. Synthetic strings also allow better durability and are less costly than natural ones.

Racket Grip

Due to the same reason stated above, players used to choose grips made up from synthetic materials over the ones made up from animal skin and leather. Synthetic grips made up from Polyurethane, and other kinds of similar materials help the players to achieve a good grip on the racket and also provide comfort. The grip is used to increase the thickness of racquet handle and to get a comfortable surface to hold which depends upon the choice of the player in which he/she is comfortable in playing.

Badminton Net

The badminton net is what equally divides the badminton court into two sides, creating the objective of attempting to make the shuttlecock hit the floor on the other side to win a point. 

Badminton Shuttlecock

The shuttlecocks are conical-shaped equipment used in badminton. They are also regarded as a bird or birdie. A shuttle can achieve a speed up to 200 mph after being hit by a racket. The shuttles are composed of real feathers, usually of goose or duck. 

Badminton Clothing

Comfortable cotton shirts and a pair of shorts or skirts are worn that keeps the player cool.

Badminton Shoes

Lightweight non-marking rubber-soled shoes are worn by the players that provide an excellent grip along with thick cotton socks to prevent blisters.

Badminton Wristband

Wristband or Sweatband is used to prevent sweat from dripping down onto the racquet handle.

Technology

Hawk Eye technology is a computer-based technology which helps in providing a virtual understanding of the path of an object such as the ball used in Cricket, Tennis, Badminton etc.. The Hawk Eye  was first used during a Test match, held between Pakistan and England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in 2001.

Playing Area

• The court is rectangular, i.e., 17 feet (5.18 metres in width) by 44 feet (13.4 metres in length) for singles matches and 20 feet (6.1 metres in width) by 44 feet for doubles matches. The overall court is divided into halves by a net (dividing the length of the court). It measures 5 feet high in the center and 5.08 feet high at the posts (edges). The two uprights of the net are always positioned on the doubles sidelines, even when singles is played.
• The singles sideline, i.e., the edge of the court in the singles game is 1.6 feet inside the doubles sideline. The center line divides the width of the court & marks the left and right service courts. The short service line is 6.6 feet from the net.
• The long service line for doubles is 12.75 feet behind the short service line (2.6 feet from the back boundary). The long service line for doubles is 2.4 feet ahead of the long service line for singles. The long service line is also called the back boundary line.
• The surface of a badminton court consists of a sprung, often plywood, the floor beneath a vinyl covering or strips of treated hardwood.

Techniques

Service

The shuttlecock must be played below the server’s waist. The arm must remain below shoulder height & both feet must be on the ground.

Drive

A quick shot that passes through the net in a horizontal trajectory. It can be forehand or backhand. Forehand drive is like hitting with the palm & backhand drive is like hitting with the knuckles.

Smash

It is the most spectacular & powerful attack shot that drives the shuttle down on the opponent’s court and is used to end a rally.

Clear

It is a high and deep shot, usually a forehand stroke that slows down the momentum of the play and gives the hitter a chance to get back into a good position.

Net Play

Shots played from around the net area that reduces the opponent’s reaction time and forces him to move a long distance.

Officials

Referee

The most senior official and overall in-charge of the tournament.

Umpire

The in-charge of the match and the court; usually sits on a high chair overlooking the net and reports to the referee.

Service Judge

To call service faults and to watch that the serve is legal.

Line Judges

Ten judges to indicate whether a shuttle is in or out of bounds.