2. It is a racquet sport played by either twoIt is a racquet sport played by either two
opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairsopposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs
(doubles)(doubles)
They take positions on opposite halves of aThey take positions on opposite halves of a
rectangular court that is divided by a net.rectangular court that is divided by a net.
To try to win a point, players ‘smash’ the shuttleTo try to win a point, players ‘smash’ the shuttle
by jumping up and hitting it really hard over theby jumping up and hitting it really hard over the
net.net.
They dive and run around the small court tryingThey dive and run around the small court trying
to stop the shuttle from hitting the floor andto stop the shuttle from hitting the floor and
trying to hit it back over the net.trying to hit it back over the net.
Each side may only strike the shuttlecock onceEach side may only strike the shuttlecock once
before it passes over the net.before it passes over the net.
3. Each of the players takes turn to serve theEach of the players takes turn to serve the
shuttle and the first player or team to get twenty-shuttle and the first player or team to get twenty-
one points is the winner provided they win byone points is the winner provided they win by
two points or more.two points or more.
Otherwise they play until a player or team scoresOtherwise they play until a player or team scores
two more points than their opponent or until onetwo more points than their opponent or until one
of them reaches 30 points.of them reaches 30 points.
The beginnings of badminton can be traced toThe beginnings of badminton can be traced to
mid-18th century British India, where it wasmid-18th century British India, where it was
created by British military officers stationedcreated by British military officers stationed
there.there.
4. The shuttlecock (or shuttle) is a featheredThe shuttlecock (or shuttle) is a feathered
(or plastic, mainly in uncompetitive games)(or plastic, mainly in uncompetitive games)
projectile whose unique aerodynamicprojectile whose unique aerodynamic
properties cause it to fly differently thanproperties cause it to fly differently than
the balls used in most racquet sportsthe balls used in most racquet sports
Shuttlecocks have a much higher topShuttlecocks have a much higher top
speed, when compared to other racquetspeed, when compared to other racquet
sports.sports.
Because shuttlecock flight is affected byBecause shuttlecock flight is affected by
wind, competitive badminton is playedwind, competitive badminton is played
indoors.indoors.
5. Badminton is also played outdoors as aBadminton is also played outdoors as a
casual recreational activity, often as acasual recreational activity, often as a
garden or beach game.garden or beach game.
