BADMINTON ....From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock (birdie) with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. A rally ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor, or if a fault has been called by either the umpire or service judge or, in their absence, the offending player, at any time during the rally.
The birdie is a feathered or plastic projectile whose unique aerodynamic properties cause it to fly differently than the balls used in most racquet sports; in particular, the "feathers" create much higher drag, causing the birdie to decelerate more rapidly than a ball. Birdies have a much higher top speed, when compared to other racquet sports. Because the birdie's flight is affected by wind, competitive badminton is played indoors. Badminton is also played outdoors as a casual recreational activity, often as a backyard or beach game.
Since 1992, badminton has been an Olympic sports with five events: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles, in which each pair consists of a man and a woman. At high levels of play, especially in singles, the sport demands excellent fitness: players require aerobic stamina, agility, explosive strength,
speed and precision. It is also a technical sport, requiring good motor coordination and the development of sophisticated racquet movements.
Badminton is the world’s fastest racket sport (a birdie can leave the racket at a speed nearing 200 mph).
1. By playing badminton you can burn .214 calories per minute per pound of your body weight. 2. A badminton player may cover more than one mile in a single match.
3. You only need one other person in order to play. Thus, it is easier to get a game going than in other sports that require large numbers of players.
4. Badminton is a lifelong sport. You can play it when you are 5 or 75!
5. It’s fun !!!
The birdie is a feathered or plastic projectile whose unique aerodynamic properties cause it to fly differently than the balls used in most racquet sports; in particular, the "feathers" create much higher drag, causing the birdie to decelerate more rapidly than a ball. Birdies have a much higher top speed, when compared to other racquet sports. Because the birdie's flight is affected by wind, competitive badminton is played indoors. Badminton is also played outdoors as a casual recreational activity, often as a backyard or beach game.
Since 1992, badminton has been an Olympic sports with five events: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles, in which each pair consists of a man and a woman. At high levels of play, especially in singles, the sport demands excellent fitness: players require aerobic stamina, agility, explosive strength,
speed and precision. It is also a technical sport, requiring good motor coordination and the development of sophisticated racquet movements.
Badminton is the world’s fastest racket sport (a birdie can leave the racket at a speed nearing 200 mph).
1. By playing badminton you can burn .214 calories per minute per pound of your body weight. 2. A badminton player may cover more than one mile in a single match.
3. You only need one other person in order to play. Thus, it is easier to get a game going than in other sports that require large numbers of players.
4. Badminton is a lifelong sport. You can play it when you are 5 or 75!
5. It’s fun !!!
BADMINTON HISTORY
A Party at Badminton
It was the Duke of Beaufort who officially introduced the game to England. In 1873, guests at a lawn party on his country estate, Badminton, played a game of "poona". The game was a hit and soon became popular among the British elite. People began calling the new party sport “the Badminton game.” The game was played both indoors and outdoors on a court with an hourglass shape. It has been suggested that this unusual shape developed so the game could be played in Victorian salons, large rooms with doors that opened inward on both sides. In 1901, the official badminton court became rectangular Badminton clubs were started throughout England. By 1893, badminton had grown to the point where 14 clubs joined to form the Badminton Association. (Later, when more countries started their own federations, the name was changed to the Badminton Association of England.) This group was instrumental in standardizing the rules of the sport and for starting the earliest and most prestigious badminton tournament, the All-England Badminton Championships.
It was the Duke of Beaufort who officially introduced the game to England. In 1873, guests at a lawn party on his country estate, Badminton, played a game of "poona". The game was a hit and soon became popular among the British elite. People began calling the new party sport “the Badminton game.” The game was played both indoors and outdoors on a court with an hourglass shape. It has been suggested that this unusual shape developed so the game could be played in Victorian salons, large rooms with doors that opened inward on both sides. In 1901, the official badminton court became rectangular Badminton clubs were started throughout England. By 1893, badminton had grown to the point where 14 clubs joined to form the Badminton Association. (Later, when more countries started their own federations, the name was changed to the Badminton Association of England.) This group was instrumental in standardizing the rules of the sport and for starting the earliest and most prestigious badminton tournament, the All-England Badminton Championships.
Court Diagram
RULES OF THE GAME
A sport similar to tennis, badminton is played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles). Players are positioned at the opposite ends of the court, aiming to hit a birdie over the net so that it lands inside the marked boundaries of the court, and their opponents from doing the same. Only the server can win points. Just like tennis, there are five main categories in badminton: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles (each pair is composed of one man and one woman). A game of badminton is played on a court measuring 6.1 m/20 ft by 13.4m/44 ft. There is a net (0.8 m/2.5 ft deep and a height of 1.52m/5 ft) stretched across the middle of the court where the shuttlecock must be sent over.
The absolute basics
The aim of badminton is to hit the birdie with your racket so that it passes over the net and lands inside your opponent’s half of the court. Whenever you do this, you have won a rally; win enough rallies, and you win the match. Your opponent has the same goal. He will try to reach the shuttle and send it back into your half of the court. You can also win rallies from your opponent’s mistakes: if he hits the shuttle into or under the net, or out of court, then you win the rally. If you think your opponent’s shot is going to land out, then you should let it fall to the floor. If you hit the birdie instead, then the rally continues. Once the birdie touches the ground, the rally is over. In this respect, badminton is not like tennis or squash, where the ball can bounce. You must hit the birdie once only before it goes over the net (even in doubles). In this respect, badminton is not like volleyball, where multiple players can touch the ball before sending it back over the net.
The absolute basics
The aim of badminton is to hit the birdie with your racket so that it passes over the net and lands inside your opponent’s half of the court. Whenever you do this, you have won a rally; win enough rallies, and you win the match. Your opponent has the same goal. He will try to reach the shuttle and send it back into your half of the court. You can also win rallies from your opponent’s mistakes: if he hits the shuttle into or under the net, or out of court, then you win the rally. If you think your opponent’s shot is going to land out, then you should let it fall to the floor. If you hit the birdie instead, then the rally continues. Once the birdie touches the ground, the rally is over. In this respect, badminton is not like tennis or squash, where the ball can bounce. You must hit the birdie once only before it goes over the net (even in doubles). In this respect, badminton is not like volleyball, where multiple players can touch the ball before sending it back over the net.