Badminton is a racket and shuttlecock sport practiced all over the world. The sport is modest, but well known for demanding speed, agility and precision from its athletes.
If you’re just starting out in this sport, it’s time to understand a little about its main terms, which is why we’ve created the badminton glossary!
We’ve developed this material to give you a better understanding of the sport’s main terms. The badminton glossary is essential for players who are just starting out in the sport, as well as for fans and admirers of the activity.
Learn more about what the terms birdie, foul, match point, set, smash, tiebreak mean and much more.
Before you check it out, it’s worth knowing that badminton is a sport that has its origins in ancient Greece and India, spreading to England in the 19th century. The sport was even named after Badminton House, where it first became popular.
Years later, in 1893, badminton gained its first federation, which was enough for the sport to spread more and more around the world. Then new followers and fans began to emerge, making the sport what it is today.
It’s time to finally get to know the badminton glossary! So get your notes ready and check out what we’ve prepared for you!
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Badminton glossary: get to know the sport’s main terms
Badminton glossary: complete list
See what terms are covered in our badminton glossary! They include backhand, service area, drop shot, drive, fault, long serve, smash, set and many others.
- Service area
- Backhand
- Birdie
- Clear
- Deuce
- Drop shot
- Drive
- Fault
- Forehand
- Foul
- Match point
- Net shot
- Racket
- Serve
- Long service
- Set
- Singles
- Smash
- Tiebreak
- Volleyball
Badminton glossary: get to know the terms
Now it’s time to break down the terms in the badminton glossary and learn more about the sport.
Service area
In badminton, the service area is the part of the court where a player needs to stand when making a serve.
Backhand
The backhand is a term used in badminton to designate the blow made with the opposite side of the hand in which the athlete holds the racket, the one that is not the dominant one.
Birdie
Birdie, in badminton, is the famous shuttlecock, which is hit with the racket. The object can also be called a volley and is made of synthetic material or feathers.
Clear
The term clear in badminton means a high and very deep shot, capable of taking the shuttlecock to the back of the court where the opponent is. This makes it more difficult for them to hit back.
Deuce
Deuce, in badminton, happens when the two players, or the two doubles players, reach the same score. They then need to score two consecutive points to win the set.
Drop shot
In badminton, the drop shot is the term used for a short, softer stroke, made so that the shuttlecock lands close to the net, making it difficult for the opponent to hit back.
Drive
The term “drive” is used for a flat, high-speed blow made with great precision and force. With it, the shuttlecock moves quickly and makes it difficult for the opponent to reach it.
Fault
A fault, in badminton, is the term used for a violation of the rules of the game. When this happens, the player involved loses a point.
Forehand
The term forehand is used in badminton to designate the blow with the side of the hand that holds the racket.
Foul
Foul is a term used for a foul committed by one of the players. When it happens, he loses a point.
Match point
The match point is a term also known in other sports and is used when the next point can define the outcome of the match.
Net shot
The netshoes is a badminton shot known for being very soft and short, with the aim of passing little over the net.
Racket
The badminton racket is the object used to hit the shuttlecock.
The serve
The serve is the first throw of the shuttlecock, starting the game.
Long serve
The long serve in badminton is a type of serve in which the shuttlecock is thrown to the back of the opponent’s court, causing the opponent to back off considerably.
Set
In badminton, a period of the match is called a set.
Singles
Singles is the term used for the individual game of badminton, with one player on each side of the court. There is also doubles, with two players on each side of the court.
Smash
In badminton, the term smash is used to refer to the very powerful and very fast blow used to get the shuttlecock to the opponent’s side of the court quickly, making it difficult for the opponent to hit back.
Tiebreak
The tiebreak, in badminton, is used for the deciding moment of a set that is tied, and is very exciting to follow.
Volley
The term volley, in badminton, is used for a type of hit on the shuttlecock made when it is still in the air, without having touched the ground.
Badminton glossary: complete list
- Service area
- Backhand
- Birdie
- Clear
- Deuce
- Drop shot
- Drive
- Fault
- Forehand
- Foul
- Match point
- Net shot
- Racket
- Serve
- Long service
- Set
- Singles
- Smash
- Tiebreak
- Volley
This was our list of the glossary of badminton, a special guide that you need to know in order to better understand the sport. If you liked this article, then take the opportunity to check out our other content on this and many other sports.
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