Where is it played?:
Badminton is played all around the world, with lots of players in Europe and Asia.
Who can excel at it?:
The best players are very fit aerobically, and strong in the legs and upper body.
How fast does the shuttlecock go?:
Good players can smash the shuttlecock at speeds near 200 miles per hour. The shuttlecock decelerates rapidly in the air, however, unlike a ball, so it isn't traveling that fast when struck by the opposing player.
How big is the court?:
A badminton court is 44 feet long and 17 feet wide (for singles), divided in the middle by a net.
Is it an Olympic sport?:
Yes, badminton is part of the summer Olympics program.
Who are some all-time great players?:
Some all-time great players in the US include Ben Lee, Linda French, Chris Kinard, Tyna Barinaga, Margaret Varner Bloss, and James Poole.
How long does it take to learn?:
Learning competitive badminton can take a lifetime. You can certainly learn the basics in a year of play.
How easy is it to start?:
You need court shoes, a court, racquet, partner, and a shuttlecock to start hitting and get a feel for badminton. If you buy a backyard badminton set, you can begin to play at badminton, but competitive badminton on a regulation court is quite different.
How much does it cost to begin?:
Since the courts can be erected on a typical gymnasium floor, access to courts is not usually expensive. Many clubs and leagues offer trial opportunities for free or nominal cost.
How many players and courts are there?:
There are between 10 and 20 million badminton players in the world, and courts can be set up wherever there is a good wood or composite floor available within a large indoor space.