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Badminton · Interesting Facts

Chapter 10: Other Forms of the Game

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown

Badminton has many relatives, some older than the modern game and some born from it. Ball badminton, an Indian game played since the 1850s and rooted in Tamil Nadu, uses a yellow woollen ball of 27 to 30 grams on a court about the size of a tennis court, with teams of ten of whom five play at a time. Crossminton drops the net: players hit a heavier speeder, which copes with wind, between two squares of 5.5 by 5.5 metres. Pickleball began in 1965 as a backyard game near Seattle on a 20 by 44 foot court, the same size as badminton's.

Shuttlecock games exist across the world. Japan's hanetsuki is a New Year game with decorated paddles, where ink on the face marks the loser. Brazil's peteca is struck with the hand, and in Asia the shuttle is kicked: đá cầu in Vietnam, jegichagi in Korea and sipa in the Philippines.

The rules of the modern game took shape in India, where several rule books appeared in 1873 alone, and pioneers Hart and Vidal carried them to England, where their rules became the basis of the 1893 code. The facts below cover these games, the 1873 rule books, the two pioneers, Special Olympics badminton and ball badminton today.

10.101Crossminton

Badminton without a net: the speeder, two squares and a Berlin park.

Test 1CrossmintonTake a test

  1. He wanted a wind-resistant birdie for outdoor play.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  2. The new name took effect on 1 January 2016.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  3. It is heavier than a badminton shuttle, so it copes with wind.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  4. Each square is 5.5 by 5.5 metres.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  5. Fun play uses smaller squares 9 metres apart.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  6. The first world championships began the next day.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  7. Over 380 players came to Berlin.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  8. About 2000, 2003, 2011, 2016.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  9. 5.5 m, 9 m and 12.8 m.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · recall

  10. About 2.5 million people play it for fun, mostly in Europe.

    Source: International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 2023 · applied

10.102Ball Badminton

An Indian game with a woollen ball, played since the 1850s.

Test 1Ball badmintonTake a test

  1. Tanjore is today's Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  2. It weighs 27 to 30 grams.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  3. Teams of ten take turns in 'fives' tournaments.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  4. It is about the size of a tennis court.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  5. That is six feet.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  6. The same name was used for early shuttle badminton.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  7. Wind and sun can favour one end.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  8. 1856, early 1870s, 1954.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  9. About 5 grams, 27 to 30 grams, about 57 grams.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  10. It comes from Tamil Nadu.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · applied

10.103The Indian Rule Books

Calcutta, Nagpore and Simla rules, all in 1873.

Test 1The Indian rule booksTake a test

  1. They came from a pamphlet by Major Henry Twiston Forbes.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  2. Its preface asked for one set of rules for all India.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  3. The Simla Rules followed about a week later.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  4. Today's court is 44 by 20 feet.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  5. Murree was a hill station like Simla.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  6. He saw it as a threat to Sunday observance.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  7. Several rule books appeared in 1873 alone.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  8. 31 May, 11 October, about 18 October 1873.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  9. 30 feet, 44 feet and 24 metres.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  10. They were published a week after the Calcutta Rules.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · applied

10.104Pickleball's Badminton Roots

A backyard game in 1965 that borrowed a badminton court.

Test 1Pickleball's badminton rootsTake a test

  1. It began as a summer backyard game.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  2. His friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum joined in.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  3. They used a perforated plastic ball.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  4. That is close to a tennis net's height.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  5. Both are 20 by 44 feet.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  6. That is why badminton courts are easy to convert.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  7. It lies near Seattle.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  8. The game grew from improvised play.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  9. 44, 78 and about 94 feet.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · recall

  10. It was first played in 1965.

    Source: HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball' · applied

10.105Hanetsuki

Japan's New Year game with painted paddles and ink for the loser.

Test 1HanetsukiTake a test

  1. It is a game without a net.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  2. Many are richly decorated.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  3. It is called a hane.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  4. A face covered in ink loses the game.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  5. The game was a charm for the year ahead.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  6. It is in Asakusa.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  7. Decorated paddles are sold as lucky charms.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  8. The ink is the score.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  9. 17 December, 19 December, 1 January.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · recall

  10. Hagoita paddles are sold at Sensō-ji in December.

    Source: Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939' · applied

10.106Peteca

Brazil's hand shuttlecock, from indigenous play to Belo Horizonte courts.

Test 1PetecaTake a test

  1. It has indigenous roots.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  2. It is like volleyball with a shuttle.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  3. It has been played for centuries.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  4. It is the capital of Minas Gerais.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  5. Other teams were curious about the toy.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  6. Rules and courts came together there.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  7. The state federation dates from the 1970s.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  8. Before 1500, 1920, 1940s, 1970s.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  9. Feet, hands, then a racket.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · recall

  10. It comes from Brazil.

    Source: Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca' · applied

10.107Kicked Shuttlecocks of Asia

Đá cầu in Vietnam, jegichagi in Korea and sipa in the Philippines.

Test 1Kicked shuttlecocks of AsiaTake a test

  1. Many call it Vietnam's national game.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  2. They were the 22nd SEA Games.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  3. It is played in winter, especially at Korean New Year.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  4. Children in 3rd or 4th grade learn it.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  5. Arnis replaced it as national sport.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  6. Arnis is a martial art with sticks.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  7. Players keep it in the air with the feet.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  8. Vietnam, the Philippines, then Korea.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  9. The tassels slow the jegi down.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · recall

  10. It is a winter game in Korea.

    Source: National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009) · applied

10.108Special Olympics Badminton

Badminton for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Test 1Special Olympics badmintonTake a test

  1. They take place every four years.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  2. It is now an official World Games sport.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  3. Summer and winter Games alternate.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  4. It was a full medal sport there.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  5. They came from 69 countries.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  6. Unified mixed doubles is played too.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  7. Badminton is offered in all seven Special Olympics regions.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  8. 1995, 2019, 2023, 2024.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  9. 69, 70 and 191.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · recall

  10. Unified doubles mix athletes with and without intellectual disabilities.

    Source: Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020) · applied

10.109The Pioneers Hart and Vidal

Two men who carried rules from India to England.

Test 1The pioneers Hart and VidalTake a test

  1. It was in the Bombay Presidency.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  2. He then retired to England.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  3. He had helped frame the 1873 laws.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  4. Badminton was also played at Peshawar that year.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  5. Hart revised them again in 1890.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  6. Their rules became the basis of the 1893 code.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  7. He later sat on the 1907 rules committee.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  8. 1874, 1876, 1887, 1890.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  9. 1873, 1897, 1899.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · recall

  10. Hart had revised them in 1876 and 1890.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873) · applied

10.110Ball Badminton Today

Floodlit tournaments, teams of ten and a federation in Mysore.

Test 1Ball badminton todayTake a test

  1. It is based in Mysore, Karnataka.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  2. It is in the state of Karnataka.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  3. The federation was two years old then.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  4. Five play while the rest wait with the manager.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  5. Three-player substitutions are allowed.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  6. It is made of yellow wool.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  7. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry hold them too.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  8. 1856, 1954, 1956.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  9. Three, five and ten.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · recall

  10. Southern states hold many floodlit tournaments.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport' · applied

Questions people ask

What is crossminton?
Crossminton is badminton without a net, played with a speeder that is heavier than a shuttle so it copes with wind. Players stand in two squares of 5.5 by 5.5 metres, and about 2.5 million people play it for fun, mostly in Europe.
How is ball badminton different from badminton?
Ball badminton uses a woollen ball of 27 to 30 grams instead of a shuttle, on a court about the size of a tennis court. Teams have ten players, five of whom play at a time while the rest wait with the manager.
Where are the ball badminton heartlands today?
Its federation is based in Mysore, in Karnataka, and southern states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry hold many floodlit tournaments. The game comes from Tamil Nadu.
Is a pickleball court the same size as a badminton court?
Yes, both measure 20 by 44 feet, which is why badminton courts are easy to convert. Pickleball was first played in 1965 near Seattle, with friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum joining in.
What is hanetsuki?
A Japanese New Year game with no net, played with decorated hagoita paddles and a shuttle called a hane. The loser's face is marked with ink, so the ink is the score, and the game served as a charm for the year ahead.
Which countries kick a shuttlecock?
Vietnam plays đá cầu, Korea plays jegichagi in winter, especially at New Year, and the Philippines plays sipa, which arnis replaced as the national sport. Players keep the shuttle in the air with their feet.
Is badminton played at the Special Olympics?
Yes, it is an official World Games sport and is offered in all seven Special Olympics regions. Unified doubles pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities.
Who were Hart and Vidal?
Two pioneers who carried badminton rules from India to England. Hart revised the rules in 1876 and 1890, and their rules became the basis of the 1893 code.

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the BWF and its continental confederations, national federations, the All England Club history, the Olympic Channel and Olympedia, Guinness World Records, museums, makers' own histories and named reputable media.

  • Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); Ball Badminton Federation of India; Traditional Sports and Games, 'Ball Badminton: India's high-speed racquet sport'20
  • Badminton Museum, 'Early Ball Badminton and Shuttle Badminton in India' (badmintonmuseum.org); The Field (1873)20
  • International Crossminton Organisation, 'History' (crossminton.org) and ICO Tournament Regulations 2024; ICO Rules of Player Conduct 202310
  • HistoryLink.org, Essay 20195 on the invention of pickleball; USA Pickleball, 'What is pickleball' and 'Layout of the court'; Britannica, 'Pickleball'10
  • Japan National Tourism Organization and Sensō-ji listings for the Hagoita-ichi fair; Pitt Rivers Museum, hane shuttlecock (soapberry seed); Old Tokyo, 'Hanetsuki New Year cards 1910-1939'10
  • Federação Mineira de Peteca history; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais thesis on peteca (repositorio.ufmg.br); Brazilian Wave, 'Let's play peteca'10
  • National Library Board Singapore, Infopedia, 'Capteh'; Korean Ministry of Education physical-education curriculum notes on jegichagi; Republic Act No. 9850 (Philippines, 2009)10
  • Special Olympics, 'Badminton fact sheet' (specialolympics.org); BWF Development, 'Special Olympics World Games' (development.bwfbadminton.com); Special Olympics Ireland fact sheet (2020)10