Badminton is a sport which requires the players to use their rackets to hit shuttlecocks. The game has evolved over time. Some early forms were played in India, while others spread to Asia, Europe and China.
The game has five events: singles, doubles, mixed doubles, team events and individual knockouts. In order to win, the players must score 21 points.
Players of badminton are physically fit and possess good hand-eye coordination. They also need to be able to move quickly and cover short distances. It is important for them to master the basic footwork and grips, which help them move around the court.
Badminton has a variety of strokes, from powerful jumping smashes to delicate tumbling net returns. These strokes require fine-tuning and take time to learn. There are also many advanced strokes that are used to deceive opponents.
Aside from being a popular outdoor activity, badminton is also a major indoor sport. It is commonly played on rectangular indoor courts. One player on each side tries to hit the other’s shuttlecock.
A player who lands a shuttlecock in the opponent’s half of the court is awarded a point. Similarly, a successful serve results in a point for the receiver.
Badminton has a number of rules governing the size and design of the shuttlecock. Those rules also dictate the distance a player can strike a shuttlecock, as well as the type of racket used.
When a player strikes a shuttlecock, he or she must hit it in a direction that is parallel to the sidelines. The shuttlecock must be landed on the floor in the opposing side’s half of the court.