Badminton Court Explained

The recommended surface for a badminton court is wood and bituminous material. Avoid concrete or carpet as playing on it will easily injure you. The court shall be a rectangle and laid out with lines 40mm wide. The lines shall be easily distinguishable and preferably be colored white or yellow. All lines form part of the area which they define.

badminton court

The court dimensions are of 13.4m in length and 6.1m in width. The post shall be 1.55m in height from the surface of the court and shall remain vertical when the net is strained.
The post shall be placed on the doubles side lines, irrespective of whether singles or doubles is being played.
The net shall be made of fine cord of dark color and even thickness with a mesh of not less than 15mm and not more than 20mm. The net shall be 760mm in depth and at least 6.1m wide.
The top of the net shall be edged with a 75mm white cloth tape doubled over a cord or cable running trough the tape. This tape must rest upon the cord or cable. The cord or cable shall be stretched firmly, flush with the top of the post.
The top of the net from the surface of the court shall be 1.524m at the center of the court and 1.55m over the side lines for doubles. There shall be no gaps between the ends of the net and the posts. If necessary, the full depth of the net should be tied at the ends.

Adjusting Your Grip

To become a skillful player, you need to be able to adapt to different situations. For instance, sometimes the shuttlecock will be behind you; but if you can adjust your badminton grip, you will still be able to play a good shot.

Grip length
Adjust how high up the handle you hold the badminton racket: long and short grips.

backhand grip

Late forehand overhead
Adjust your grip to play an overhead forehand stroke when the shuttlecock has passed behind you.

Late backhand overhead
Adjust your grip to play an overhead backhand stroke when the shuttlecock has passed behind you.

Smash
Adjust your grip to play a smash when the shuttlecock is somewhat in front of your body.


Advantages of long badminton grips
A long thumb grip
Long badminton grips let you make more powerful strokes, provided that you have time to make a long enough swing.
Long badminton grips also give you a longer reach, so that you can take the shuttlecock earlier or higher.

Advantages of short badminton grips
A short thumb grip
Short badminton grips generally improve your control of the stroke and assist quick responses.
If you only have time for a short swing, then a short grip will give you more power than a long grip.
(There are mechanical reasons for these differences between short and long grips.)

When to use long badminton grips
Smashing with a long grip
Use a long badminton grip for strokes in the rearcourt. In particular, you should make sure that you use a long grip for smashes and clears, because a long grip gives you more power.
Long grips can also be useful for many strokes outside the rearcourt, including strokes at the net, because they give you a longer reach. The small difference in reach might seem insignificant, but taking the shuttlecock early at the net is crucial: a fraction of a second’s delay can turn a winning net kill into a mere net shot.
Generally, professional singles players will use a long grip in all parts of the court. Short grips are sometimes used in singles, but much less commonly than in doubles.

Exceptions
In some situations, a long grip may cramp your badminton strokes, because the shuttlecock is too close to your body. In this case, use a short grip to give yourself room to play the stroke. This can often happen when you return a flick serve in doubles.

When to use short badminton grips
Net play with a short grip
Short badminton grips are useful in the forecourt and midcourt.
Short grips are mainly used in doubles, especially by the forward player when a pair is attacking.
Generally, short grips are not used in singles, even at the net.

Exceptions
Some elite singles players prefer a short grip for spinning net shots, sacrificing reach for control; many players will use a short grip for low or flick serves.
Even in doubles, a long grip is sometimes better at the net than a short grip. This is generally true whenever you need extra reach, such as when you are travelling forwards to kill a loose drop shot.

A warning
Many players use short grips too much. This is especially a problem with juniors who copy elite men’s doubles players.
Introduce short badminton grips into your game gradually, starting with the backhand low serve in doubles, and progressing to doubles net play. Then try using short grips for midcourt drives. Be careful: avoid using short grips for singles or in the rearcourt

Review of Prince Badminton Rackets

Prince Badminton Rackets
Prince badminton rackets are the craze of the world today along with other leading brands.
Prince Sports Inc. manufactures prince badminton rackets, the only racket company in the world that is American owned and American based.

prince badminton racket

The explanation of technologies used in prince badminton rackets is interesting. The advancements and innovations are named as:
          M+ racket technology
          TT racket technology
          Quadraform
          Elastomeric top cap


M+ racket technology
Usually, badminton racket heads have to be drilled all around to create holes for the strings pass through. But this drilling results in a decrease in the stiffness and strength of the racket, affecting its mechanics.
The revolutionary M+ technology rackets are manufactured without drilling holes. This is achieved by molding two separate halves of the head with intervening teeth. When placed together, they form the string channels.
This "power locking" enables the racket to possess more stiffness and torsional strength, increasing the stability and power of it during playing.

prince badminton racket

Moreover, this technology abolishes the need to have grommets, which are tiny plastic; rubber or metal rings inserted into the holes of the badminton head to prevent the strings from getting damaged by the jagged edges of the holes. Grommets are also disadvantageous in that the strings can cut through the grommet material and some of the grommets may get torn or come out after sometime, all of which affects the integrity of the racket head and string tension.

TT racket technology
In this triple threat tungsten technology, the racket is fortified with tungsten copper carbon in the 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock and at the bottom of the racket head. This adds to the power, precision and comfort level of the racket besides providing greater stability.

Quadraform
In this innovation, the upper area of the racket head is extended outwards, thereby allowing for longer string lengths, which contributes to greater power.
With all these innovations, the best part is that the weight of prince badminton rackets are kept less than 100gms, resulting in lightweight and extremely stable and powerful rackets for badminton players in all levels of the game.

Elastomeric top cap
This stabilizes the racket head whereby more control and accuracy is achieved.

How To Changing Grip

Changing Grip 
You must be able to change quickly and accurately between different badminton grips, especially in a fast-paced doubles rally.

Changing grip Quality:

changing grip

               •  360p
               •  480p
               •  720p
               •  1080p
These quality controls are a bit glitch! You may need to press the button twice before it changes quality.

You can practice changing grip at any time: all you need is a badminton racket. You can also practice changing grip by hitting the shuttlecock against a wall, alternating between forehand and backhand shots.
After you play a stroke, it’s often helpful to return to the basic grip: the basic grip helps you change quickly to other badminton grips.

Another option is the bevel grip. The bevel grip is slightly quicker for making grip changes, although not quite as versatile for hitting the shuttlecock. If you are forced to hit with the bevel grip before you have time to change, then that could be a disadvantage compared to the basic grip.

Remember, the bevel grip is very similar to the basic grip. Either of these grips is good for changing to other badminton grips.
If you hold the racket using the panhandle grip or the thumb grip, then it is much harder to change quickly to a different badminton grip.
For the most effective grip changes, hold the badminton racket lightly in your fingers. You can then change the angle of the racket by rolling the handle between your thumb and first finger.

Details of badminton grip changes
When you change between badminton grips, you need to start the rolling and then let go the racket handle momentarily. This allows you to reposition your fingers around the new angle of the badminton racket.
You can coordinate this with the movements of your arm and body, so that the badminton racket snaps into place without excessive manipulation by the fingers (which is slow). For example, when you play a backhand net kill, change to the thumb grip as you bring your badminton racket up and across.
This is also helpful when you need to change between short and long grips (see grip length). For example, you can release the racket handle as you bring your arm back for a smash, letting the badminton racket slip from a short grip to a long grip. The same grip change can be achieved by walking your fingers down the handle, but that method is slower.

When you change from the basic grip to the panhandle or thumb grips, you have a choice of which direction to turn the badminton racket. Normally, you should turn it anticlockwise for panhandle and clockwise for the thumb grip (clock directions as seen looking from the racket butt towards the head), because these directions are more coordinated with your wrist movement, and they also help you to use in between badminton grips (such as a partial panhandle).

Review of Yonex Badminton Racket

Yonex Badminton Rackets


Yonex are the most popular and successful racket manufacturer in badminton. They have an enviable reputation built over many years. Their rackets are considered to be the best in terms of quality and durability. To reflect this position they are also amongst the most expensive as well. You can expect to pay well over £100 for a top end Yonex racket.

yonex badminton racket

So what makes Yonex the premium brand that it is? Marketing, very clever marketing, and being the first on the scene with the latest technology. Yonex usually lead the way with new technology and others follow. Many also try to copy their designs. I suppose imitation is the best form of flattery.

Yonex also sponsor many tournaments all over the world, and also sponsor most of the top players. This certainly helps to sell more rackets, after all, if these rackets are good enough for the best players then they must be good enough for us players right? This is what a lot of people do think, and so they swear by Yonex, and think nothing of paying top prices for the privilege of it.

You don’t just become the premium brand by accident. Your goods must be quality products or you will soon be found out, so in this respect Yonex do deliver. Now there may be some of you out there that disagree, and i can see why you may think this because for every 10 players who think Yonex is the bees knees, there may be 5 who think they are average at best. I have had quite a few Yonex rackets break on me. I thought Yonex was rubbish and rightly so, and who can blame me. However, I have had numerous other Yonex models and had no problem with these. In fact i have had mixed feelings about most of the badminton manufacturers i have used in the past, sometimes you get a durable racket sometimes you don’t.

Other players think Yonex are the best because they suit their style of play, and recommend them to all of their friends. They may say things, like “wow, my smashes seem much faster with my new Yonex racket” or “i can control the shuttlecock much better with this racket”. The reality is that all of this means nothing to another player. The reason is that we are all different, with different styles and ability, so what fits for one person may not fit for another, so be very careful with this.

What is The Secret of Badminton?

To All Badminton Enthusiasts, Well now you can,by learning the closely guarded 'secret tactics' of some of greats badminton players in the world.
Are you sick and tired of being beaten by the same old players? wouldn't you love to be a better badminton player so you can finally get your revenge.
Wherever you hit your shots, they're already there. I'll tell you about an amazing '3 part' system which i guarantee will improve every area of your game, no matter what standard you play at now.

The techniques you'll discover, will show you;

• How to become a better player, so you serve perfectly, hit smashes like rockets, and play accurate backhand's with ease.
• How to outsmart your opponents so they're the ones chasing around after your shots all match long.
• Some little known advanced tactics that will make you a much harder player to play against.
• The most common mistakes that virtually all badminton players make.. and more importantly, how to avoid making them yourself.
• How to improve your badminton fitness, so you have the strength and stamina to keep going to the end of every game.

You can be the player everyone else wants to beat. Once you know how to play every shot perfectly, you'll be in control of the game.
Learning some simple but crucial techniques and tactics will ensure all your shots are played with accuracy and purpose.
Most players simply aren't aware of an underlying tactical game that all the best players use their advantage. And when you know how to do this yourself, the game becomes a much easier one to play. You'll always be in the right place at the right time, making every shot much easier to play.

If you aren't even aware that this happens, the players who do know will always outsmart you. Because it's a fact that this is where most of the games you play in are won or lost... in the winners mind.
Imagine how confident you'd feel the next time you play badminton, if you knew exactly how to take your opponents apart.
Every shot you play will unravel your opponent as you exploit their weaknesses and play to your own strengths. Well, with a deeper understanding of the game comes better result. Well, the truth is, learning advanced badminton techniques and strategies will help you to achieve this and add a whole new dimension to the way you play. If you simply turn up each week, pull out your racket, warm up quickly, play a few
games and then leave without ever considering what went on over the course of the game.
The advanced, badminton techniques you'll learn through this system will show you how to do this, meaning you'll never just hope to play well. Then learn how to put them right.

Many players play this way and because of this they never get any better. it's also another very common mistake to try and be too precise and aim to play your shots in to exactly the right spot...
The truth is, once you understand how to play the shots correctly and where the best places to hit the shuttlecock are, it doesn't really matter if every shot is so precise. The chances are your emotions are also controlling your game too. Once you use the tactics you'll learn, you'll notice a very strange thing happen to the way you play.
You'll become a much better player. Any experienced but much less fit opponents will see this and they'll know exactly how to play against you.
Whilst being fit is a very important part of most sports, it is also a huge benefit when playing badminton. You need to learn a very specific type of fitness to play badminton.

Fun Facts about Badminton

 Facts about Badminton

• 147 countries are members of the IBF
• Badminton is the world's fastest racket sport: a shuttle can leave the racket at a speed of almost 300 km/hour.
• A badminton player can over more than 2 km in just one match.
• A shuttlecock weights between 4.74 and 5.50 grams.
• The best shuttles are made from the feathers from the left wing of goose.
• 16 feathers are used to make a shuttle.
• The biggest shuttle in the world can be found on the lawns of the Kansas City museum 48 times larger than the real thing, 18 feet tall and weighing 25000 kilo.
• The Thomas Cup, the men's world team championships, has been won by only three countries since it began in 1948 - Malaysia, Indonesia and China. The only time the Uber Cup, the women's world championships, was won outside Asia wa by the USA in 1957, 1960 and 1963, other holders are China, Indonesia and Japan.
• It is an American, Judy Hashman, who holds the record number of All-England titles 17 in total.
• Famous personalities who play badminton include Paul Newman, Diego Maradona and Nick Faldo.
• Badminton's history dates back to ancient grece and the early Far-Eastern civilizations, versions of the games, sometimes using a foot instead of a racket, have been depicted on pottery around 3000 years ago in china.
• Once known as battledore and shuttlecock, the game as we know it today took its name from badminton house in gloucestershire, England home of the Duke of Beaufort.
• Badminton's first Olympics was in 1992.
• The two most successful badminton countries are China and Indonesia which between them have won 70% of all IBF events.
• Crowds of up to 15000 are common for major badminton tournaments in Malaysia and Indonesia.
• Badminton is the fastest racket sport with shuttle clocking speed in excess of 2000 mph.
• Badminton is the second most popular sport in the world, after soccer.

If you have any questions, please send me an email:
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Type Of Racket and Shoes For Badminton

RACKET :

Badminton rackets are lightweight, with top quality rackets weighting between 70 and 95 grams (2.4 to 3.3 ounces) not including grip or strings.
They are composed of many different materials ranging from carbon fiber composite (graphite reinforced plastic) to solid steel, which may be augmented by a variety of materials. There is a wide variety of racket designs, although the laws limit the racket size and shape. Different rackets have playing characteristics that appeal to different players.The traditional oval head shape is still available, but an isometric head
shape is increasingly common in new rackets.

badminton racket

The main parts are called the handle, the stringed area, the head, the shaft, the throat and the frame. The handle is the parts of the racket intended to be gripped by the player. The strings area is the part of the racket with which it is intended the player hits the shuttle. Badminton strings are thin, high performance strings in the range of about 0.62 to 0.73mm thickness. Thicker strings are more durable, but many players prefer the feel of thinner strings. The head bounds the stringed area. The shaft connects the handle to the head. The throat (if present) connects the shaft to the head. The frame is the name given to the head, throat, shaft and handle taken together. The frame shall not exceed 680mm in overall length and 230mm in overall width. The stringed area shall be flat and consist of the pattern of crossed strings either alternately interlaced or bonded where they cross. The stringing pattern shall be generally uniform and, in particular, not less dense in the center than in any other area. The choice of grip allows a player to increase the thickness of his racket handle and choose a comfortable surface to hold. A player may build up the handle with one or several grips before applying the final layer.

SHOES :

badminton shoes

Badminton shoes are lightweight with soles of rubber or similar high-grip, non-marking materials. Compared to running shoes, badminton shoes have little lateral support. Badminton, however, requires powerful lateral movements. A highly built-up lateral support will not be able to protect the foot in badminton; instead, it will encourage catastrophic collapse at the point where the shoe's support fails, and the player's ankles are not
ready for the sudden loading, which can cause sprains. This is not only a safety concern, as proper footwork is critical in order to move effectively around the court.

Type Of Shuttle For Badminton

Shuttle :

Shuttle

The shuttle may be made from natural and/ or synthetic materials. From whatever material the shuttle is made, the flight characteristics generally should be similar to those produced by a natural feathered shuttle with a cork base covered by a thin layer of leather. The shuttle shall have 16 feathers fixed in the base. The feathers shall be measured from the tip to the top of the base and each shuttle shall be of the same length. This length can be between 62mm and 70mm. The tips of the feathers shall lie on a circle with a diameter from 58mm to 68mm. The feathers shall be fastened firmly with thread or other suitable material.
The base shall be 25mm to 28mm in diameter and rounded on the bottom. The shuttle shall weight from 4.74 to 5.50 grams.
The skirt, or simulation of feathers in synthetic materials, replaces natural feathers. However, because of difference in the specific gravity and other properties of synthetic materials in comparison with feathers, a variation of up to 10 percent is acceptable.
Subject to there being no variation in the design, speed and flight of the shuttle, modifications in the above specifications may be made with the approval of the member association concerned. In places where atmospheric conditions due to either altitude or climate make the standard shuttle unsuitable. If special circumstances exist which make it otherwise necessary in the interest of the game.
To test a shuttle, use a full underhand stroke which makes contact with the shuttle over the back boundary line. The shuttle shall be hit at an upward angle and in a direction parallel to the side lines.
A shuttle of correct speed will land not less than 530mm and not more than 990mm short of the other back boundary line.

Service Court Error

A service court error has been made when a player has served out of turn, has served from the wrong service or standing on the wrong service court while being prepared to receive the service and it has been delivered.
If a service court error is discovered after the next service had been delivered, the error shall not be correct. If a service court error is discovered before the next service is delivered, the following rules apply.
If both sides committed an error, it shall be a 'let' (called by umpire, or by a player if there is no umpire to halt play). If one side committed the error
and won the rally, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and lost the rally, the error shall not be corrected.

If there is a 'let' because of a service court error, the rally is replayed with the error corrected. If a service court error is not to be corrected,
play in that game shall proceed without changing the player's new service courts.

Rules Of Badminton Consider The Following As Faults

Rules Of Badminton Consider The Following As Faults
If the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the court, passes through or under the net, fail to pass the net, touches the ceiling or side walls, touches the person or dress of a player or touches any other object or person
If the initial point of contact with the shuttle is not on the striker's side of the net. (The striker may, however, follow, the shuttle over the net with racket in the course of a stroke).
If a player touches the net or its support with racket, person or dress, invades an opponent's court over the net with racket or person except as permitted.
If a player invades an opponent's court under the net with racket or person such that an opponent is obstructed or distracted or obstruct an opponent, that is prevent an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net.
If a player deliberately distract an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures.
If the shuttle is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke.
If the shuttle is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes.
If the shuttle is hit by a player and the player's partner successively or touches a player's racket and continues towards the back of that player's court.
If a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent offenses under law of continuous play, misconduct, penalties.
If, on service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top, or, on service, after passing over the net is caught in the net.

A 'let' may be given for any unforeseen or accidental occurrence. The rules of badminton consider the following as 'lets' :

• If a shuttle is caught in the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is caught in the net, it shall be a 'let' except on service.
• If during service, the receiver and server are both faulted at the same time.
• If the server serves before the receiver is ready.
• If during play, the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle.
• If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision.

.
A 'let' may occur following a service court error. When a 'let' occurs, the play since the last service shall not count and and the player who served shall serve again, except where in situations where the law of service court errors is applicable.

A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net and remains attached there or suspended on top.
A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net or post and starts to fall towards the surface of the court on the striker's side of the net.
A shuttle is not in play when it hits the surface of the court or a 'fault' or 'let' has occurred.
Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except as allowed in intervals not exceeding 90 seconds between the first and second games, and not exceeding 5 minutes between the second and third games.

The referee is in overall charge of the tournament. The umpire, where appointed, is in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surrounds.
The umpire shall report to the referee. The service judge shall call service faults made by the server should they occur. A line judge shall indicate         
whether a shuttle landed 'in' or 'out' on the line or lines assigned. An official's decision is final on all points of fact for which that official is responsible.

An umpire shall :
Upload and enforce the rules of badminton and, especially, call a 'fault' or 'let' should either occur.
Give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of dispute, if made before the next service is delivered.
Ensure players and spectators are kept informed of the progress of the match.
Appoint or remove line judges or a service judge in consultation with the referee.
Where another court official is not appointed, arrange for that official's duties to be carried out.
Where an appointed official is unsighted, carry out the official's duties or play a 'let'.
Record and report to the referee all matters in relation to continuous play, misconduct and penalties.
Take to the referee all unsatisfied appeals on questions of law only, (such appeals must be made before the next service is delivered, or, if at the end of the game, before the side that appeals has left the court).

Rules Of Serving And Receiving Court

The rules of serving and receiving states are the part from the rules of badminton that a toss shall be conducted before a game starts. If you win, you can choose between serving first or to start play at either end of the court. Your opponent can then exercise the remaining choice.

SINGLES

You shall serve from, and receive in, the respective right service court when you or your opponent has scored an event number of points in that game.
You shall serve from, and receive in, the respective left service court when you or your opponent has scored an odd number of points in that game. The shuttlecock is hit alternately by you and your opponent until a 'fault' is made or the shuttle ceases to be in play.
When your opponent makes a fault or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the your opponent's court, you score a point and serve again from the alternate service court.
When you makes a 'fault' or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the your court, you loses the right to continue serving and no point scored, then you opponent becomes the server.



DOUBLES

At the start of the game, and each time a side gains the right to serve, the serve shall be delivered from the right service court, only your opponent standing diagonally opposite of you shall return the service.
Should the shuttle touch or be hit by your opponent's partner, it shall be a 'fault' and your side scores a point.
After the service is returned, either you or your partner may hit the shuttle from any position on your side of the net, then either player from the opposing side may do the same, and so on, until the shuttle ceases to be in play.
If you are serving or receiving first at the start of any game, you shall any serve or receive in the right service court when your side or your opponent's side scored an even number of points.
You shall serve from or receive in the left service court when your side or your opponent' side has scored an odd number of points.
The reserve pattern shall apply to your partner. In any game, the right to serve passes consecutively from the initial receiver, then to that initial's receiver's partner, then to the opponent who is due to serve from the right service court, then to that player's partner, and so on.
You shall not serve out of turn, receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as provided in service court errors and 'lets'.

What is Rules Of Badminton?

The Rules of Badminton are very simple, before the 2006 Thomas/ Uber cup, the official scoring format was 15 points format.
The I B F (international Badminton Federation) then tested a new scoring format which is the 21 points rally format that replacing the 15 points format.
Badminton is played with either 2 people (singles), or 4 people (doubles). It is played on a badminton court, and is played by hitting a shuttlecock over the net to your opponent, using a badminton racket.
The shuttlecock is hit back and forward between you and your opponent, this is called a rally.
The basic rules of badminton states that a badminton match shall consist of the best of 3 games.
In doubles and men singles the fist side to score 15 points wins the game. In women singles, the first side to score 11 points wins the game.
If the score becomes 14-all (10-all in women singles), the side which first scored 14 (10) shall exercise the choice to continue the game to 15 (11) points or to 'set' the game to 17 (13) points.
The rules of badminton states that you have to changes ends with your opponent after finishing the fist game. If a third game was to be played, you shall changes ends when the leading score reaches 6 in a game of 11 points or 8 in a game of 15 points.

Finding History Of Badminton

Badminton was invented at least two thousand years ago, a form of sport played in ancient Greece, China and India. The game was
called 'POONA', In India during 18th century, and British army officers stationed there took the Indian version back to England.
That new sport was definitively launched in 1873 at Badminton house, Gloucestershire, owned by the Duke of Beaufort. During that time,
the game was referred to as 'The Game of Badminton', and the game's official name became Badminton.
The first All England Open Badminton Championship for men was started in the 1899, its became the first badminton competition in the world.

BADMINTON ORGANIZATION
The International Badminton Federation (IBF), now known as Badminton World Federation (BWF), was established in 1934 with Canada,
Denmark, England, France, Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales as its founding members. It became the sport's sole
international governing body in 1981.

COMPETITIONS

The International Badminton Federation (IBF) decided in March 1939 that the time had arrived for the inauguration of International competition,
its president, Sir George A Thomas Baronet offered a trophy for the winning team, the first Thomas Cup matches until the 1948 - 1949 season.
The idea of women's international team badminton championship was broached in 1950, it was turned down because of financial problems.
Mrs. H Uber of England donated the trophy, which called the Uber Cup, the first tournament was held during the 1956 - 1957 season.
The competitions take place once every two years, more than 50 national teams compete in qualifying tournaments within continental
confederations for a place in the finals. The final tournament involves 12 teams, following an increase from eight teams in 2004.
Since then, the number of world events has increased to seven; Thomas Cup (men's team), Uber Cup (woman's team), World Championships,
Sudirman Cup (mixed team), World Juniors, World Grand Prix Finals and The world Cup.
The Sudirman Cup, a gender-mixed international team event held once every two years began in 1989. To win the tournament, a country must
perform well across all five disciplines (man's doubles and singles, woman's doubles and singles, and mixed doubles).
Badminton was first contested as an official Olympic sport at the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona, Spain.
Badminton is a game that somewhat resembles tennis and volley ball and involves the use of a net, lightweight rackets, and a shuttlecock,
a cork ball fitted with stabilizing feathers. It is played by two or four players on the badminton court, either indoors or outdoors on a marked out area 44ft (13.41m) long by 17ft (5.18m) wide for the two player game and 20ft (6.10m) wide for the four player game.
The players hit the shuttlecock back and forth over the net with the racket. Only the serving side can win a point. If the score is tied near
the end of a game, the game may be decided through a tie breaking procedure called setting, which involves different rules for men and women competition and depending on the point at which the score is tied.

RECORDS

The most powerful stroke in badminton is the smash, which is hit steeply downwards into the opponent's midcourt. The official badminton
smash record is 332 km/h (206 mph), set by Chinese badminton doubles player Fu Haifeng in the 2005 Sudirman Cup.
Tan Boon Heong of Malaysia recorded a faster smash, 421 km/h (262 mph), during Yonex's speed test of the Arcsaber Z-slash in 2009, but that
smash is not comparable to Fu's because it was hit while shuttles were being gently fed to Tan whereas Fu's smash was hit during an actual
match, and because Tan's was recorded by Yonex whereas Fu's was recorded by BWF officials.