About Badminton

History

• The first sport that is known to be related to badminton was called "Hanetsuki" and was played in Japan in the 1500s. A similar game called "Poona" was played two centuries later in India, where British soldiers discovered it and brought it back to Europe. Badminton as we know it was born in England in the 1870s. The basic rules of the sport have gone virtually unchanged since then. Though it has been played both recreationally and in competition in the United States, the dominant players have traditionally come from Asian countries, with the Chinese considered the best.

Identification

• The sport of badminton features a rectangular court with a width of 20 feet and a length of 44 feet. The court is divided horizontally into two equal sections by a net that stands 61 inches off the floor. Each player uses a badminton racket, which is far lighter than tennis rackets and feature a thinner handle. The players hit a cone-shaped shuttlecock, which is also referred to as a birdie. The shuttlecocks have a cork base and a nylon skirt, which slows the pace of them when struck.

Features

• Badminton can be played either as singles or doubles. The winner of a game must score 21 points, which can be earned either by the serving team or the team recieving serve. The first team to win two games wins the match. In a rally, the server and her opponent stand on opposite sides of the net. The server strikes the shuttlecock over the net and the players take turns trying to return it inbounds. Each shot must be struck before it hits the ground. The first player who fails to do so loses the point.

Considerations

• The basic shots in badminton are the same as in tennis. Players can use the forehand or backhand, though the latter is generally more of a defensive shot because it is difficult to strike with a great deal of velocity. Overheads are also used, particularly close to the net, in an attempt to smash the shuttlecock into a spot not occupied by the opposing player. Overheads are best hit on the forehand side for greater force.

Geography

• The premier badminton players in the world are almost exclusively Asian. Since badminton was introduced as an Olympic sport in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992, a total of 76 medals have been awarded. Asian countries have won 69 of those medals. Of the 24 gold medals earned during that time period, the countries of China, Indonesia and South Korea have won 23 of them. The only other nation to earn a gold medal in badminton is Denmark. Though the game is played professionally in other parts of the world, it is given far more emphasis in Asia.

Theories/Speculation

• One reason for the relative differences in emphasis on badminton as a primary sport is that other sports have taken precedence in certain parts of the world. Soccer and basketball are considered far more important in Europe and South America. Sports such as badminton take a back seat to such sports as baseball, football, track and volleyball in the United States. China and other Asian nations have traditionally placed more emphasis on what Americans and Europeans generally consider to be fringe sports, such as badminton or table tennis.