Introduction to Badminton

Badminton is a racket sport played using rackets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Points are scored by landing the shuttlecock in the opponent's half of the court.

A standard badminton court measures 20 ft in width for doubles and 17 ft for singles. The full length is 44 ft, with a net standing at 5 ft high in the center.

Until 2018, the service had to be below the waist. Now, it must be below 1.15 meters. A fixed service line, unlike in tennis, doesn't exist, adding complexity to the serve.

Matches are best-of-three games, with each game played to 21 points. A two-point margin is required for victory, unless it reaches 29-all, where the next point wins.

The shuttlecock, or 'birdie', has 16 feathers fixed in a cork base. These feathers impact drag, creating unique flight patterns and requiring precise hitting technique.

In doubles, a pair must use tactical formations like the 'side by side' or 'front and back' to cover the court efficiently. Coordination and split-second decision-making are crucial.

Badminton is the fastest racket sport, with recorded speeds exceeding 200mph (322km/h) on a smash. The sport also demands players to have extremely quick reflexes and endurance.