Badminton

File:Olympics 2012 Mixed Doubles Final.jpg

Olympics 2012 Mixed Doubles Final

File:Battledore - Youthful Sports.png

Battledore - Youthful Sports

File:Battledore-and-shuttlecock.jpg

Battledore-and-shuttlecock

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Gleyre ulysseetNausicaa

File:Badminton court 3d.svg

Badminton court 3d

Badminton is a racket sport played using rackets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are "singles" (with one player per side) and "doubles" (with two players per side). Badminton is often played as a casual outdoor activity in a yard or on a beach; formal games are played on a rectangular indoor court. Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with the racket and landing it within the opposing side's half of the court.

Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. Play ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor or if a fault has been called by the umpire, service judge, or (in their absence) the opposing side.

History

Badminton has its origins in ancient civilizations in Asia and Europe with a game known as battledore (racket) and shuttlecock. The modern game developed in the mid-19th century among the British as a variant of the earlier game of battledore and shuttlecock. "Badminton" was named after Badminton House in Gloucestershire, the ancestral estate of the Duke of Beaufort, where the sport was first played in England.

Rules and Regulations

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body for the sport of badminton recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The BWF's laws of badminton regulate all aspects of the game, including the size of the court and net, the number of games in a match, scoring system, service rules, and faults.

Court Dimensions

The badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. Courts are usually marked for both singles and doubles play, although the doubles court is wider. The full width of the court is 6.1 meters (20 ft), and the full length is 13.4 meters (44 ft). The net is 1.55 meters (5 ft 1 in) high at the edges and 1.524 meters (5 ft) high in the center. The net posts are placed over the doubles sidelines, even when singles is played.

Scoring System

Badminton matches are played as the best of three games. In each game, the first side to score 21 points wins the game, provided there is a two-point lead. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side gains a two-point lead (up to a maximum of 30 points), at which point that side wins the game. If the score reaches 29-29, the side scoring the 30th point wins the game.

Service

In badminton, the serve must be hit in an upwards direction, with an underarm hitting action. The serve must go over the net without touching it and fall into the diagonally opposite service court.

Equipment

The primary equipment in badminton are the racket and the shuttlecock. The rackets are lightweight, with frames typically made from carbon fiber composite (graphite reinforced plastic) for strength and durability. Shuttlecocks are traditionally made from goose or duck feathers embedded into a cork base. Synthetic shuttles are also used in modern play.

Major Competitions

The most prestigious badminton tournaments include the Olympic Games, the BWF World Championships, and the All England Open Badminton Championships. Badminton became an Olympic sport at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Playing Techniques

Badminton requires a high level of athleticism: strength, speed, agility, and precision are crucial to success. Players must also master various strokes, including the serve, clear, drop, smash, and net shots, and must be strategic in their use of these strokes to outplay their opponent.

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