Not only is Badminton the world’s fastest sport, but it is also one of the world’s most popular competitive sports; practiced by individuals from diverse backgrounds all over the world.
Photography by Gild Graphics.
What is Badminton?
For new players badminton can seem like a very confusing and complicated sports, here are some of the basics to get you started with understanding this spectacular sport!
Badminton is played with a unique projectile called a shuttlecock, also known as a shuttle, birdie, or bird. Birds can come in plastic and feathered varieties, with the plastic shuttles lasting longer, while the feathered birdies offer a better flight pattern.
The shuttlecock is the fastest struck projectile in sports, with the initial speed of the shuttle being as fast as 419 km/h (260 mph). As this is far too fast for the average human to react to the bird is designed to slow it’s flight as it travels, leading to a predictable arc through the air.
Designed to generate exceptional power while allowing the user to maintain fine control over the shuttle, the modern badminton racket is an impressive piece of engineering. The racket is held loosely, with a firm grip only being used at the moment of impact to maximize repulsion.
The strings and grip of the racket can be customized to match various playstyles. Many different weights, balances, and sizes of racket exist, to learn more read our racket buying guide here.
To an inexperienced player the badminton court can seem very confusing, with many lines delineating different areas being used at different times and for different types of play. The two sides of the court are split by a net with a slight sag, the ends measuring at 1.55 metres (5 ft 1 inch) and the center at 1.524 metres (5 ft) from the floor.
Players are permitted to traverse the entirety of their half the court during play, with limitations only being placed during service. In doubles the entire width and depth of the court is used (except during service) while in singles a slightly reduced width of the court is used.
Each point of Badminton begins with a serve, with a player hitting the shuttle diagonally from one side of the court, to the opposite region of the opponent’s court.
The player on the left side serves when the score is odd, and the player on the right performs the service when the score is even. If the serving team wins the point the same player serves again, but on the opposite side.
Both the serving and receiving players must have both feet touching the ground, with their feet placed within their half of the court without touching the lines. Neither player can move their feet until the bird has been struck. The server must hit the bird in one smooth motion with the entire shuttlecock below 1.15m.
After the serve both players are free to move about the court, and should do so to cover the entire court as best as possible. The goal of the rally is to hit the shuttle as to prevent it from striking the floor on an individual’s side of the court and instead cause it to contact the floor on the opponent’s side.
The point can also be won if an opposing player is struck by the bird, hits the shuttle into or under the net, hits the birdie out of the play area, or if the shuttlecock is contacted twice by one or both of the players.
The winning pair is the team that scores 21 points first, or if the difference in score is less than two upon reaching 21, the first pair to achieve a lead of two points.
Where to play
With a growing base of players it is easier than ever to find a great local game regardless of whether you are looking for challenging play or just a fun evening.
Bristol badminton is a great place to try out the sport or work on developing your skills, with players of all skill levels that are ready and willing to teach new players!
Consisting mostly of players that are still fairly new to the sport, this is a great place to come try out the sport for the first time or get back in the swing of things if you haven’t played in a while!
A variety of skill levels ranging from intermediate to advanced, most players have experience, but new-comers to the sport are always welcome!
