Badminton · Level 1: Beginner · Sub-level 1.2
Court, Shuttle and Racket
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown
A badminton court is a rectangle marked with lines and split by the net into two halves. The centre line divides each half into left and right service courts behind the short service line. Singles uses the inner side lines and doubles the outer ones; in British usage the side strips are called tramlines. A shuttle landing on a line is in, because lines belong to the court they mark. The net sags slightly, standing 1.55 m at the posts and 1.524 m at the centre, with a white tape along the top.
Shuttles are either feathered, with goose or duck feathers in a cork base under a thin leather cover, or synthetic, with a nylon or plastic skirt. Top-level play uses feathers; clubs practise with nylon because it is cheaper and lasts longer. The skirt's drag flips the shuttle so the base leads and makes its flight end short and steep. Feathered shuttles are graded by speed: warm air or altitude calls for a slower grade, cold, dense air for a faster one, and at events the Referee decides.
Most rackets are carbon-fibre composites weighing roughly 80-90 g, with a higher U number meaning a lighter frame. The facts below cover the court areas and lines, the net, shuttle types and flight, rackets, strings and grips, shoes and clothing, and how to look after kit.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1The court and its halvesTake a test
The net splits the court into the two players' halves.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The court is a rectangle marked with lines.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The centre line splits each half into left and right service courts.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Each half has a left and a right service court behind the short service line.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Coaches split the court into forecourt, midcourt and rearcourt.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The rearcourt is the back third, where clears and smashes are played from.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The midcourt lies between forecourt and rearcourt.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Forecourt, midcourt, rearcourt.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
From the net back to the rear.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The area between the net and the short service line is the forecourt.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 2Lines for singles and doublesTake a test
Singles uses the inner (singles) side lines; doubles the outer ones.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Doubles rallies use the court's full width.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
In British usage the side strips are the tramlines (also alleys).
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Lines belong to the court they mark, so a shuttle on the line is in.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.3 · recall
The doubles service box ends at the inner back line.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
In singles the long, narrow box runs to the back boundary line.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
With one player per side, the singles court is narrower.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Short service line, then the doubles service line, then the back boundary.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
A service court is half the singles width or so; doubles is widest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
In singles the outer strip is outside the court.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Test 3The net and postsTake a test
Posts stay on the doubles side lines for singles and doubles.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.5 · recall
The net sags slightly: 1.55 m at the posts, 1.524 m at the centre.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.10 · recall
The top of the net is edged with white tape.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.8 · recall
A white edge stands out against a dark background.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A net cord that falls over the net is in play.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 15 · applied
Touching the net in play loses the rally.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 13.4.1 · recall
Net shots are soft strokes that drop close to the net.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Posts, net, tension, then a height check.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A net cord is in play if it goes over.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 15 · recall
A soft shot played close to the net that drops just over is a net shot.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 4Feathered and synthetic shuttlesTake a test
Feathered shuttles use goose or duck feathers.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
The base is cork with a thin leather cover.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 2.1 · recall
Synthetic shuttles have a nylon or plastic skirt.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Nylon shuttles are cheaper and more durable for practice.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Top-level play uses feathered shuttles.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Feathers wear and break, so shuttles are replaced during matches.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Shuttles are commonly sold in tubes of 12.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Nylon is cheapest; goose feather is the premium choice.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Feathered shuttles wear out and are replaced.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Nylon shuttles last longer and cost less, so clubs use them for practice.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Test 5How a shuttle fliesTake a test
The skirt acts like a tail, so the base flies first.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
The feathered skirt causes strong drag, so the shuttle slows quickly.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Having lost most of its speed, the shuttle falls steeply.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Smashes start at very high speed and point downwards.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Moving air carries the light shuttle sideways or short.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
The skirt's drag flips the shuttle so the base leads.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Heavy drag makes the shuttle's flight short and steep at the end.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
The shuttle slows, turns and drops steeply.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Drives are flat; defensive clears go highest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Drag slows the shuttle all the way, so it is slowest near the end.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Test 6Choosing shuttle speedTake a test
Manufacturers grade feathered shuttles by speed.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Warm air lets a shuttle fly further, so a slower grade is used.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Thinner air means less drag, so shuttles fly further.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A full underhand hit from the back line shows where it lands.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 3 · recall
A shuttle that falls short is too slow for the conditions.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 3 · applied
Cold, dense air slows shuttles, so a faster grade is picked.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
At events the Referee decides the speed of shuttles used.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Heat and altitude make shuttles fly further, so slower grades are used.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A quick test before play shows if the speed suits the hall.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 3 · recall
Warm air makes the shuttle carry, so the slowest grade suits.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Test 7Rackets and their partsTake a test
The handle is where the player grips.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.1 · recall
The shaft connects handle and head.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.4 · recall
Modern rackets are mostly carbon-fibre composites.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Typical frames weigh roughly 80-90 g, much lighter than a tennis racket.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
The U scale shows weight; 4U is lighter than 3U.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
More weight in the head adds power; head-light rackets are quicker.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Head-light rackets swing faster for quick exchanges.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Handle, shaft, throat, head.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1 · recall
A higher U number means a lighter frame.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
The shuttle is hit with the strings inside the head.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.2 · applied
Test 8Strings and gripTake a test
Tension is the pull put on the strings when the racket is strung.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Tension is mostly given in pounds or kilograms.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Lower tensions are more forgiving for off-centre hits.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Tighter strings give precise control to accurate hitters.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Players wrap an overgrip or towel grip over the handle for feel and sweat.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A worn, sweaty grip can slip in the hand.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A relaxed handshake-style grip lets the wrist and fingers work.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Wraps are wound from the butt upwards and taped.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Tension tends to rise with the player's level.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
An overgrip improves feel and stops the hand slipping.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Test 9Shoes and clothingTake a test
Indoor court shoes have non-marking gum soles for grip.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Badminton has many sideways lunges and stops; running shoes are built for forward motion.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Light clothing that lets players move freely is usual.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Headbands and wristbands keep sweat away.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Competition regulations require players' names on their shirts.
Source: BWF General Competition Regulations 2026 · recall
Strings often break, so players keep spare rackets.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Players wipe soles and courts are mopped to stop slipping.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Rackets first, then shoes, spares and drink.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Court shoes are made for lunges; boots with studs are the worst choice.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Gum rubber grips the court mat and leaves no marks.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Test 10Looking after equipmentTake a test
Heat can damage strings and frames.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A broken string is replaced by restringing the racket.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Racket clashes are a common cause of broken frames.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Kept in tubes, they hold their shape; some players keep them slightly humid.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Very dry feathers become brittle.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Dust and sweat make the court slippery.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Damaged shuttles fly unevenly and are replaced.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Clean, check, cover, store.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Old strings out, frame mounted, strung and tied.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Broken strings cut power and control; a spare or restring is needed.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Questions people ask
- Is a shuttle on the line in or out in badminton?
- In. Lines belong to the court they mark, so a shuttle landing on the line counts as in.
- How high is a badminton net?
- It stands 1.55 m at the posts and sags to 1.524 m at the centre. The posts stay on the doubles side lines for both singles and doubles.
- What is the difference between feathered and nylon shuttles?
- Feathered shuttles use goose or duck feathers and are used at the top level, but they wear and are replaced during matches. Nylon shuttles cost less and last longer, so clubs use them for practice.
- Why does a shuttle fall so steeply?
- The feathered skirt causes strong drag, so the shuttle slows quickly and, having lost most of its speed, drops steeply at the end of its flight.
- How do you choose the right shuttle speed?
- A full underhand hit from the back line shows where it lands; one that falls short is too slow for the conditions. Warm air and altitude call for a slower grade, cold air for a faster one.
- What does 4U mean on a badminton racket?
- The U scale shows weight, and a higher number means a lighter frame, so 4U is lighter than 3U.
- What shoes should you wear for badminton?
- Indoor court shoes with non-marking gum soles. Badminton involves many sideways lunges and stops, which running shoes are not built for.
Sources
BWF Coaches' Manual Level 1 (2017), BWF regulations and history, Olympedia; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category (Badminton - Laws of Badminton).
- General badminton reference63
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 112
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 79
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 33
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 152
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.31
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.51
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.101
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.81
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 13.4.11
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 2.11
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.11
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.41
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.11
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.21
- BWF General Competition Regulations 20261