Hobby or Sport

(Badminton)
Badminton is an ancient sport that originated in India in the 19th century and was later
adapted to more modern formats. The sport was originally played in India and China but has
now spread around the world. Badminton has become a popular sport in many countries,
including Britain and Indonesia. It was later adapted for use in the Olympics, where it has been
contested since 1936. In 2016, badminton became an Olympic sport again.

On a court with four posts and a net spread between them (with comparable
measurements), badminton is played. The equipment needed to play badminton includes
racquets, a shuttlecock, and a mesh net that separates two players or pairs. To score points,
you must hit shuttlecocks—small, hard-fleshed balls—over the net and into your opponent's
court. Hitting, serving, volleying, footwork, and net play are the five fundamental abilities
required to play. Balance, agility, speed, hand-eye coordination, and power are the skill-related
fitness requirements for playing badminton.

According to Badminton World Federation (2022), the following is a concise summary of

the game's regulations. The basic rules of badminton are that each player must stand behind
their home half's line and may not cross it until they have either served (hit) or received a ball
from an opponent. Additionally, they are not permitted to meddle with, block, or receive any
other form of service during the game from their opponent (except for obstruction). A point is
scored whenever the birdie (shuttlecock), including the lines, lands in the opponent's half of the
court. Thus, if a shot lands outside the lines of the court, if the birdie hits the net or travels
through it or beneath it, or if a player hits the birdie twice with their racket, a point may be
forfeited. Players are required to wait for the birdie to cross the net before playing a shot.
Although you can follow through over the net, doing so will result in a point being given up.

The first side reaches 21 points wins a game in badminton, where all singles and doubles
matches are best-of-three matches. Players serve diagonally into the service box of their
opponent, with the birdie being hit below waist height. When there are an even number of
points in singles, the server always serves from the right service court. Every time they have an
odd number of points, a player serves from the left. In doubles, if the team keeps scoring
points, the server will begin on the right side and continue serving while switching sides with
their teammate. A point is scored on every serve and awarded to whichever side wins the rally
and the winning side gets the next serve. If the score is 20-20, a side must win by two clear
points to win the game, and if it reaches 29-29, the first to get their 30th point wins (Olympic
Channel, 2020).

Aamir Khan once said, “Badminton is like ballet dancing. It requires a lot of control,
strength, mind play, and measured movement.” Badminton has become one of the most
popular and best recreational activities included in Olympic sports. Viktor Axelsen (men
category) and Akane Yamaguchi (women category) who are currently the best badminton
players have inspired a lot of aspiring players, including me, and brought honor to their
countries. Knowing the fundamental rules of badminton, having fun, and practicing regularly
are some of the stepping stones to becoming a skilled badminton player.
References:
Utathya, N. (2021). India in badminton history: A starring role in a meteoric rise.
Retrieved from https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/indian-badminton-history-rules-
players-sport-game
Olympic Channel. (2020). Badminton: How to play, rules, and all you need to know.
Retrieved from https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/badminton-guide-how-to-play-rules-
olympic-history
Jameson, S. (2022). The 5 Basic Badminton Skills (With Examples, Videos and Images).
Retrieved from https://aliveandkickingcampaign.org/the-5-basic-badminton-skills-with-
examples-videos-and-images/#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9C10%20fundamental%20skills%20of
%20badminton%E2%80%9D%20are%20the,important%20ability%20to%20develop%20in
%20badminton%20is%20service.
Badminton Skills (2022). Badminton World Rankings – Top 10 Players. Retrieved from
https://www.badmintonskills.net/badminton-world-rankings/