Badminton · Level 1: Beginner · Sub-level 1.1
What Badminton Is
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown
Badminton is a net game and a volleying game played with a shuttlecock, usually just called the shuttle. A rally starts with a serve hit underarm and ends when the shuttle touches the floor or someone makes a fault. Points come from landing the shuttle in the opposing court, forcing the opponent to hit into the net or hitting it out, while keeping the shuttle up was the aim of the old pastime it grew from. Strokes make a rally, rallies make a game and games make a match.
There are five events: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles, written MS, WS, MD, WD and XD. Singles stays inside the inner side lines, while doubles rallies use the full width once the serve is played. Under rally-point scoring every rally won scores one point, and from 4 January 2027 a game is played to 15 points: from 14-all a side must go two points clear, and at 20-all the 21st point wins. A match is the best of three games.
Competition badminton is played indoors, because a shuttle of about five grams is pushed off course by moving air. Badminton became an Olympic medal sport in 1992, mixed doubles joined at Atlanta 1996, and para badminton made its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020. The facts below cover scoring, the events, where the game is played, the leading nations and the sport's reach from garden to championship arena.
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 aim of the gameTake a test
Points come from landing the shuttle in the opposing court; keeping it up was the aim of the old pastime.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Striking the opponent with the shuttle is one of the manual's four ways to score.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Forcing the opponent to hit into the net wins you the rally and the point.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Badminton is played with a shuttlecock, usually just called the shuttle.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Badminton is a volleying game: the rally ends when the shuttle touches the floor.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The manual describes badminton as a net game and a volleying game.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Rallies begin with a serve hit underarm.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
A rally starts with the serve and ends when the shuttle hits the floor or someone makes a fault.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Strokes make a rally, rallies make a game, games make a match.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A shuttle landing in the opponent's court wins the rally for the player who hit it.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Test 2Singles and doublesTake a test
Singles is one player against one.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Doubles is two players against two.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Doubles rallies use the full width; singles stays inside the inner side lines.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Doubles serves go into a shorter, wider box; singles into a long, narrow one.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
After the serve, doubles rallies use the whole court area.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Of the five events, the mixed one puts a man and a woman together.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
After the return of serve, either partner may hit, the sides alternating.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 11.2 · applied
A diagonal serve into the short, wide box, then the full court.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
In singles the two players hit in turn.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Two players on each side of the net make a doubles match.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Test 3The five eventsTake a test
Men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Mixed doubles is one man and one woman per side.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
There is no mixed singles; the five are MS, WS, MD, WD and XD.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
MS is men's singles.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
XD is the usual short form for mixed doubles.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Gold, silver and bronze in each of the five events: 15 medals.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
A mixed doubles pair is two players.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
The usual order of events on a draw: MS, WS, MD, WD, XD.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Two players in singles, four in doubles, eight on two doubles courts.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
With both sexes in each pair, the event is mixed doubles.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Test 4A rally and a pointTake a test
A rally runs from the service until the shuttle stops being in play.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Definitions · recall
Every rally won scores one point.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.3 · recall
Under rally-point scoring the winner of every rally scores, server or not.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.3 · recall
The side winning the rally serves next.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 10.3, 11.3 · applied
Hitting the shuttle out loses the rally.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
A shot the opponent cannot return is called a winner.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Players and commentators call such mistakes errors.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Serve, rally, the shuttle lands, the point.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Letting a long shuttle land out wins you the rally.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
A shot landing outside the court loses the rally for the player who hit it.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Test 5How a game and a match are wonTake a test
From 4 January 2027 a game is played to 15 points.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.2 · recall
A match is the best of three games.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.1 · recall
Two games win a best-of-three match.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.1 · recall
From 14-all the side that first goes two points clear wins, up to the cap.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.4 · recall
At 20-all the side scoring the 21st point wins the game.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.5 · recall
The side that wins a game serves first in the next one.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.6 · recall
Once one side has two games, there is nothing left to decide.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.1 · recall
The game reaches 14-all, then a side goes two clear.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.4 · recall
The winner needs two of the three games, here the first and the third.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.1 · recall
The winner of a game serves first in the next.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.6 · applied
Test 6Where badminton is playedTake a test
Competition badminton is played indoors, away from wind.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A shuttle weighs about five grams, so moving air changes its flight.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Major events lay synthetic court mats on the hall floor.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A dark background helps players pick up the shuttle against it.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Lights are placed so players looking up for the shuttle are not dazzled.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Sports halls often hold many badminton courts at once.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Garden badminton is recreation; competition is indoors.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
From the back garden to a championship arena.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
The court goes down first, then the net, then the checks.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Daylight can dazzle players and moving air can push the light shuttle off course.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Test 7Recreational and competitive badmintonTake a test
Beginners can rally early without much technique.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The manual notes shuttles struck at over 300 km/h at elite level.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
It is described as a safe, low-impact sport.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Badminton can be played by all ages and at all levels.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The top level needs extreme fitness and very fast reactions.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Stamina, agility, strength, power and speed are listed.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
It calls tactics and deception very important.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
From recreation to the very top.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Net shots are gentle; smashes are the fastest strokes.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Jumping smashes belong to fast, demanding play.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Test 8The countries that play itTake a test
Most world and Olympic titles have gone to Asian players.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Denmark is Europe's leading badminton nation.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Indonesia has won Olympic golds since 1992.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Pan America.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Badminton Europe is one of the five confederations.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Each confederation stands for one of the five Olympic rings.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The BWF is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The manual lists them in alphabetical order.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Clubs feed national associations, which enter players in ranked events.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The biggest badminton crowds are in Asian countries.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Test 9Badminton at the OlympicsTake a test
Badminton became a medal sport in 1992.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Mixed doubles joined at Atlanta 1996.
Source: Olympedia, Olympic badminton results · recall
Para badminton debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Players from each region compete at the Games.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Spain's Carolina Marin won the women's singles in 2016.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Gold, silver and bronze in each event.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The Badminton World Federation is the IOC-recognised governing body.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
1992, 1996, then Tokyo 2020.
Source: Olympedia, Olympic badminton results · recall
1992, 1996, 2000, 2004.
Source: Olympedia, Olympic badminton results · recall
There are five events, each with its medal ceremony.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Test 10Badminton for everyoneTake a test
It is described as equally accessible to boys and girls, men and women.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Court sizes are adapted to the para badminton class.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The Para-Badminton World Federation merged with the BWF in 2011.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The BWF uses the message 'one sport, one team'.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Para badminton has wheelchair and standing classes.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
It gives an excellent aerobic workout.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
It talks of skills that let people play badminton for life.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Badminton runs from school to veterans' events.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
2011, Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), then Paris 2024.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Badminton played from a wheelchair is part of para badminton.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Questions people ask
- How do you score a point in badminton?
- Every rally won scores one point, whoever served. A rally is won by landing the shuttle in the opponent's court, or when the opponent hits into the net or out.
- What are the five badminton events?
- Men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles, shortened to MS, WS, MD, WD and XD. There is no mixed singles.
- How many points are in a badminton game from 2027?
- From 4 January 2027 a game is played to 15 points. From 14-all a side needs a two-point lead, and at 20-all whoever scores the 21st point wins.
- How many games are in a badminton match?
- A match is the best of three games, so the first side to win two games takes it.
- Why is badminton played indoors?
- A shuttle weighs about five grams, so wind and moving air change its flight. Competition is therefore indoors, and garden badminton is recreation.
- When did badminton join the Olympics?
- Badminton became an Olympic medal sport in 1992, and mixed doubles was added at Atlanta 1996. Para badminton debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
- Which countries are strongest at badminton?
- Most world and Olympic titles have gone to Asian players, and Indonesia has won Olympic golds since 1992. Denmark is Europe's leading badminton nation.
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).
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 161
- General badminton reference19
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.14
- Olympedia, Olympic badminton results3
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.32
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.42
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.62
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 132
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 11.21
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Definitions1
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 10.3, 11.31
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.21
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 7.51