Michael Walden

The origins of the sport can be traced back thousands of years, although the exact origin is unknown. Games involving a racket and a shuttlecock were probably developed and played in Ancient Greece. The inception of badminton in England stems from the popular pastime of ‘Battledore and Shuttlecock’. This involved using a paddle to keep

The length of a badminton court is 44 ft. Luckily you only have to cover your side of the net, so 22 ft! The width of the court you must cover is 17 ft in singles and 20 ft per pair in doubles. The net which equally divides the length of the court should be

It is worth noting that the rules of Badminton have been changed in recent years in an attempt to make the game more exciting and entertaining to watch. The laws of badminton are highly complex and technical, but here is an overview of the key points: Badminton scoring system The scoring system for badminton has

A team’s positioning in doubles is usually determined by which shots the teams are choosing to make. However, there are certain times in a match when both teams should be in specific positions. Here we explain doubles positioning as well as some top tips to give you and your partner an advantage. Doubles positioning On

The new scoring system has led to some players re-thinking their singles strategies. This maybe because at the end of each rally a point is now scored, so having the serve is less important. Here we explain in more detail the rules and how to gain an advantage. If a player wins the coin toss they can

In this section we will cover different footwork techniques you should be using in game. These include ready position, side step (chasse), lunge, scissor kick, crossover step and three-step return to mid court. Ready position Being in the ready position allows players to move sharply in the direction that the shuttle is traveling. In the

Badminton grips and how to hold a badminton racket will depend on which shot you are playing and personal preference. The handshake grip and the backhand thumb grip are demonstrated here. The badminton handshake grip being the most common. Handshake grip Explanation: This is the most basic grip and used by the majority of players,

The net shot is played from the net and when played correctly should just tumble over the top of the net and drop as close to the net as possible on the opponents. Try and reach the shuttle before it drops too low to make the shot easier and give the opponent less time to react.

The block shot is generally used in defense against an opponents smash, but if a player is up at the net it may also be used against a drive shot and can become an attacking shot. If a player plays a block shot at the net with the racket face closed (pointing at the ground) then

The drive shot is hit hard on a horizontal or slightly downward path, usually played down the sidelines of the court. This is a safe shot in badminton and if played correctly it will force an opponent to hit an upward return, giving the other player a chance to attack. Forehand drive If the shuttle