# Court, Shuttle and Racket · Badminton Level 1: Beginner

Badminton · Level 1: Beginner · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/badminton/level-1/court-shuttle-and-racket/)

The court and its lines from a player's side, the net, feathered and synthetic shuttles, how a shuttle flies, choosing its speed, the racket and its parts, strings and grip, shoes and clothing, and caring for kit.

## Test 1: The court and its halves

- The net splits the court into the two players' halves. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- The court is a rectangle marked with lines. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- The centre line splits each half into left and right service courts. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- Each half has a left and a right service court behind the short service line. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- Coaches split the court into forecourt, midcourt and rearcourt. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The rearcourt is the back third, where clears and smashes are played from. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The midcourt lies between forecourt and rearcourt. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Forecourt, midcourt, rearcourt. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- From the net back to the rear. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- The area between the net and the short service line is the forecourt. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 2: Lines for singles and doubles

- Singles uses the inner (singles) side lines; doubles the outer ones. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- Doubles rallies use the court's full width. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- In British usage the side strips are the tramlines (also alleys). (Source: General badminton reference)
- 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)
- The doubles service box ends at the inner back line. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- In singles the long, narrow box runs to the back boundary line. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- With one player per side, the singles court is narrower. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Short service line, then the doubles service line, then the back boundary. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- A service court is half the singles width or so; doubles is widest. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)
- In singles the outer strip is outside the court. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1)

## Test 3: The net and posts

- Posts stay on the doubles side lines for singles and doubles. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.5)
- 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)
- The top of the net is edged with white tape. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 1.8)
- A white edge stands out against a dark background. (Source: General badminton reference)
- A net cord that falls over the net is in play. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 15)
- Touching the net in play loses the rally. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 13.4.1)
- Net shots are soft strokes that drop close to the net. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Posts, net, tension, then a height check. (Source: General badminton reference)
- A net cord is in play if it goes over. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 15)
- A soft shot played close to the net that drops just over is a net shot. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 4: Feathered and synthetic shuttles

- Feathered shuttles use goose or duck feathers. (Source: General badminton reference)
- The base is cork with a thin leather cover. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 2.1)
- Synthetic shuttles have a nylon or plastic skirt. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Nylon shuttles are cheaper and more durable for practice. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Top-level play uses feathered shuttles. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Feathers wear and break, so shuttles are replaced during matches. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Shuttles are commonly sold in tubes of 12. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Nylon is cheapest; goose feather is the premium choice. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Feathered shuttles wear out and are replaced. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Nylon shuttles last longer and cost less, so clubs use them for practice. (Source: General badminton reference)

## Test 5: How a shuttle flies

- The skirt acts like a tail, so the base flies first. (Source: General badminton reference)
- The feathered skirt causes strong drag, so the shuttle slows quickly. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Having lost most of its speed, the shuttle falls steeply. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Smashes start at very high speed and point downwards. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Moving air carries the light shuttle sideways or short. (Source: General badminton reference)
- The skirt's drag flips the shuttle so the base leads. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Heavy drag makes the shuttle's flight short and steep at the end. (Source: General badminton reference)
- The shuttle slows, turns and drops steeply. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Drives are flat; defensive clears go highest. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Drag slows the shuttle all the way, so it is slowest near the end. (Source: General badminton reference)

## Test 6: Choosing shuttle speed

- Manufacturers grade feathered shuttles by speed. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Warm air lets a shuttle fly further, so a slower grade is used. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Thinner air means less drag, so shuttles fly further. (Source: General badminton reference)
- A full underhand hit from the back line shows where it lands. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 3)
- A shuttle that falls short is too slow for the conditions. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 3)
- Cold, dense air slows shuttles, so a faster grade is picked. (Source: General badminton reference)
- At events the Referee decides the speed of shuttles used. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Heat and altitude make shuttles fly further, so slower grades are used. (Source: General badminton reference)
- A quick test before play shows if the speed suits the hall. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 3)
- Warm air makes the shuttle carry, so the slowest grade suits. (Source: General badminton reference)

## Test 7: Rackets and their parts

- The handle is where the player grips. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.1)
- The shaft connects handle and head. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.4)
- Modern rackets are mostly carbon-fibre composites. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Typical frames weigh roughly 80-90 g, much lighter than a tennis racket. (Source: General badminton reference)
- The U scale shows weight; 4U is lighter than 3U. (Source: General badminton reference)
- More weight in the head adds power; head-light rackets are quicker. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Head-light rackets swing faster for quick exchanges. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Handle, shaft, throat, head. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1)
- A higher U number means a lighter frame. (Source: General badminton reference)
- The shuttle is hit with the strings inside the head. (Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 4.1.2)

## Test 8: Strings and grip

- Tension is the pull put on the strings when the racket is strung. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Tension is mostly given in pounds or kilograms. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Lower tensions are more forgiving for off-centre hits. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Tighter strings give precise control to accurate hitters. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Players wrap an overgrip or towel grip over the handle for feel and sweat. (Source: General badminton reference)
- A worn, sweaty grip can slip in the hand. (Source: General badminton reference)
- A relaxed handshake-style grip lets the wrist and fingers work. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Wraps are wound from the butt upwards and taped. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Tension tends to rise with the player's level. (Source: General badminton reference)
- An overgrip improves feel and stops the hand slipping. (Source: General badminton reference)

## Test 9: Shoes and clothing

- Indoor court shoes have non-marking gum soles for grip. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Badminton has many sideways lunges and stops; running shoes are built for forward motion. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Light clothing that lets players move freely is usual. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Headbands and wristbands keep sweat away. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Competition regulations require players' names on their shirts. (Source: BWF General Competition Regulations 2026)
- Strings often break, so players keep spare rackets. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Players wipe soles and courts are mopped to stop slipping. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Rackets first, then shoes, spares and drink. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Court shoes are made for lunges; boots with studs are the worst choice. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Gum rubber grips the court mat and leaves no marks. (Source: General badminton reference)

## Test 10: Looking after equipment

- Heat can damage strings and frames. (Source: General badminton reference)
- A broken string is replaced by restringing the racket. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Racket clashes are a common cause of broken frames. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Kept in tubes, they hold their shape; some players keep them slightly humid. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Very dry feathers become brittle. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Dust and sweat make the court slippery. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Damaged shuttles fly unevenly and are replaced. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Clean, check, cover, store. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Old strings out, frame mounted, strung and tied. (Source: General badminton reference)
- Broken strings cut power and control; a spare or restring is needed. (Source: General badminton reference)

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).

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