Badminton is a fast-paced, exciting sport enjoyed by millions around the world. Whether played casually outdoors or competitively on the court, it’s a game that offers a full-body workout, sharpens reflexes, and improves coordination. For beginners, understanding the basics of the game is essential to enjoy and progress in the sport.
What is badminton?
Badminton is a racquet sport played with a shuttlecock (known in North America as a birdie) that must be hit back and forth over a net. It can be played in singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). The objective is to score points by landing the shuttlecock in the opponent’s side of the court or by forcing an error.
What is the history of badminton?
Although the shuttlecock can be traced as far back as 2,000 years ago – in a Chinese game called Ti Jian Zi that involved keeping the object in the air without using your hands – the modern game as we know it comes from 19th century India.
Back then, British army officers were charmed by the game known as Poona, named after the town of Pune and involving racquets and a net. After returning home and telling all about this brilliant new sport, the Badminton Association of England was formed in 1893. Thirty years later, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) – now known as the Badminton World Federation (BWF) – was formed with founding members from England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
What do I need to play badminton?
Each player will need a racquet, usually made from aluminium or graphite. You’ll also need a shuttlecock (or birdie, for our American readers), which tend to come in two forms, feathered or synthetic. Beginners tend to start with synthetic shuttles as they’re more durable. You’ll also need a net to hit over, and a comfortable pair of trainers to play in.
But the great advantage with badminton is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started. Your local club or leisure centre will be happy to provide courts and equipment for a small hire fee, which means you’ll only need to buy your own gear once you’ve decided it’s the game for you.
How does scoring work?
A match is typically played best of three games, each to 21 points. A player must win by a margin of at least two points, but the game caps at the first to 30 points. Badminton uses a rally scoring system, which means players score a point on every rally, regardless of which side served.
You’ll score a point if your opponent:
- Fails to return the shuttlecock before it hits the ground
- Hits the shuttle out of bounds
- Hits the net with the shuttle
- Commits a service fault
- Touches the shuttle twice or hits it before it crosses the net
Where can I play badminton?
Although badminton purists may advise against playing anywhere but the precise confines of a badminton court, it’s perfectly possible to enjoy the sport in the outdoors – just do your best to avoid anywhere too windy. That’s the advice of Abu Siddique, head coach at South Shields’ Ocean Badminton Academy and the YONEX Grassroots coach of the year 2025.
“You can enjoy badminton anywhere. At the beach, in open spaces, even in the backyard,” says Abu. “Just pick up a racquet and have a few rallies. You don’t need a formal setting. When I go abroad, especially to Bangladesh, we often play outdoors because there are no indoor courts nearby.
“So we play outside, especially in the winter months. You can’t play during the day because it’s too hot. But as soon as night falls, we turn on the lights and start playing, often in sheltered areas where it’s not too windy. Badminton isn’t just about going to a club. It’s about picking up a racquet wherever you are, having fun, and staying active.”
Key Skills
It goes without saying that to do well at badminton, you should have good hand-eye coordination and great racquet control. The way you hold your racquet affects every shot, as does your shot selection between forehand and backhand grip for backhand shots and defensive play. As the fastest racquet sport on the planet, you’ll need good reflexes too, not to mention high stamina and fitness levels if you want to play to a high level.
And, as Badminton England coach and tutor Steve Bish adds, you need to be as good on your feet as you are with a racquet in your hand. “In our sport, movement skills are equally as important as racquet skills. So the ability to move around the court well, with good footwork patterns and good form, is just as important as being able to hit the shuttle. It’s why badminton coaching is very evenly split between movement and hitting skills.”
Why play badminton?
As anyone who has ever played badminton before – and woken up the next day with some aching muscles – badminton is a full-body workout. Running, jumping, lunging, and swinging the racquet all combines to improve cardiovascular health, build muscle strength, and enhance flexibility.
“The beauty of badminton compared to, say, tennis, is that it is a bit easier at entry level to have a rally and enjoy it,” says Steve. “Because you can get away with some technical things that aren’t quite right, and still be able to have a rally with someone and enjoy the sport.”
And whether playing singles or doubles, badminton is a great way to connect with friends, family, or meet new people. It’s also accessible for all ages and skill levels, with an especially thriving seniors scene. As Badminton England’s coach education manager Lee Bent says, “It’s a sport that is paid generally for life”.
How do I get involved?
If you’re interested in taking up badminton, get in contact with your local club and they’ll be able to provide you with information about their beginner programmes.
