A Profile of Badminton

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.