Shuttlecock
A shuttlecock is the light, cone-shaped projectile that players hit back and forth in badminton instead of a ball.
Definition
A shuttlecock, often just called a shuttle or birdie, has a rounded base of cork or rubber with a skirt of feathers or moulded plastic flaring out behind it. This open cone shape creates a lot of air resistance, so the shuttle slows down quickly in flight and always turns to travel base-first, whichever way it is struck.
Because it decelerates so fast, a shuttlecock behaves very differently from a ball: powerful shots can be extremely quick off the racquet yet drop steeply, and gentle touches float and hang near the net. Feather shuttles are prized for their flight but wear out quickly, while plastic shuttles are more durable and popular for casual and beginner play.
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Equipment
- Badminton racketA lightweight strung racket used to hit the shuttlecock in badminton.
- ShuttlecockA lightweight, feathered or plastic projectile hit back and forth in badminton.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
- Cricket batA flat-fronted wooden bat used by batters to hit the ball in cricket.
Rules
- Badminton serve rulesThe rules for how a badminton serve must be delivered and where it must land.
- Two-bounce ruleA pickleball rule requiring both the serve and the return to bounce once before players may hit the ball out of the air.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
- GoaltendingA basketball violation for interfering with a shot while the ball is on its downward path to the basket or above the rim.
Scoring systems
Techniques
- Badminton ClearAn overhead stroke that sends the shuttlecock high and deep to the opponent's back court, resetting the rally or buying time.
- Badminton SmashA powerful, steeply downward overhead stroke that drives the shuttlecock sharply into the opponent's court to win the rally.
- Table Tennis Forehand DriveA controlled attacking stroke in table tennis, played on the forehand side with a compact swing and light topspin.
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
Facilities
- Badminton courtA rectangular indoor court, divided by a high net, on which badminton is played as singles or doubles.
- Sports hallA large indoor hall with multi-sport line markings, used for court sports like basketball, volleyball and badminton.
- Padel courtAn enclosed court, much smaller than a tennis court, walled with glass and mesh so the ball can be played off the walls.
- Volleyball courtA rectangular court split by a high net over which two teams rally the ball, played indoors or on sand.
Player roles
- Ball-winnerA ball-winner is the player tasked with regaining possession through pressing, tackling and interceptions — a team's tireless defensive workhorse.
- PlaymakerThe playmaker is a team's creative hub — the player who orchestrates attacks, controls the tempo and distributes the ball so teammates can score.
- AnchorThe anchor is a cross-sport holding role: a steadying, defensive-minded player who shields the back line, screens danger and gives teammates a reliable base.
- Utility playerA dependable, versatile player who can competently fill several different positions as the team needs, rather than specialising in just one.
- Target playerA target player is a focal attacker who receives, holds up and links play for others, often physically strong and good in the air or with the hands.