It's a birdie, it's a shuttle, it's badminton! So you've probably been playing this all-time great summertime game on your summer holidays because it's great exercise and a lot of fun. So let's learn more about it and see if we can pick up any new information with All About Badminton...
Hit'em Up History
The original game that badminton comes from was a children's game played in China called Ti Jian Zi. This was back in the 500's AD so it wasn't really considered a grown up's sport. Back in these days, men were too macho to play pass with a couple of paddles. They were too busy shooting bow and arrows and swinging swords to the death!
Game For KidsCourtesy of wikipedia
Gentlemen's Game
It wasn't until the 19th century when men were now more interested in things like poetry, top hats and waltzing and badminton became their sport of choice. In 1873, the Duke of Beaufort held a lawn party with lots of people in the Royal Families from all the major European countries. They all played badminton and for the first time a set of rules were set up so every country played the same way.
Equipment and Rules
Badminton is much like tennis. Players play with a racquet on a court, but the big difference is that they use a "birdie" or "shuttlecock" (the more technical term). It was named this way because it was first built with the feathers of a "birdie" and the shuttle kinda looks like the tail of a peacock or a rooster. The birdie is served across court into a designated box and then the rally continues until someone scores a point. Games are played up to 15 (11 for women), and full matches are always played best out of 3 games.
Olympic Gold
Game for Gold
You can get your Olympic Gold Medal Dream come true by becoming a badminton player. In 1992 badminton became an Olympic event and every Olympic Games there are 4 Gold medals ready to go to badminton players: Men and Women's Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
Have Your Say....
Do you like playing badminton? Let us know in the comments below...
