Badminton is one of the most popular racquet sports in the world, with millions of players competing in tournaments and playing recreationally in their homes and backyards. But what is the origin of this beloved racquet sport? The answer lies in the distant past.
What is Badminton?
Badminton is a racquet sport that is played by two or four players. It is played on a rectangular court with a net in the center. The players use lightweight racquets to hit a shuttlecock, which is a feathered projectile, back and forth over the net. The aim of the game is to hit the shuttlecock so that it lands in the opponent’s court, while the opponent tries to do the same. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game.
History of Badminton
The origin of badminton can be traced back to the game of battledore, which was popular in ancient Greece, China, and India. The game was similar to badminton but was played with a paddle and a shuttlecock made of feathers rather than a racquet.
The modern game of badminton was first created in the mid-1800s in England, at the Badminton House in Gloucestershire. It was created by the Duke of Beaufort, who wanted to create a new sport for his guests to play. The sport quickly gained popularity and was soon being played at the Olympics.
The Name of Badminton
The name badminton is derived from the name of the house where it was first created, the Badminton House in Gloucestershire. The name badminton was officially adopted in 1877, when the first set of rules for the game were created by the Bath Badminton Club.
The Rules of Badminton
Over the years, the rules of badminton have evolved and changed. The modern rules of the game were created by the International Badminton Federation in 1934. The main rules of the game are as follows:
• The court is rectangular, with a net in the middle.
• The shuttlecock must be hit over the net.
• A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent’s court.
• The first player to 21 points wins the game.
• Serves must alternate between players.
• The shuttlecock must be hit with the racquet and not with the hand.
• The shuttlecock must be hit before it hits the ground.
• The shuttlecock must be hit diagonally across the court.
Conclusion
Badminton is a popular racquet sport that was created in the mid-1800s in England. It has since become a popular competitive sport, with millions of players competing in tournaments around the world. The game is named after the house where it was first created, the Badminton House in Gloucestershire. The modern rules of the game were created in 1934 by the International Badminton Federation.