Copy of `Washington Post - Badminton Terms`

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Washington Post - Badminton Terms Category: Sport and Leisure > Glossary of Badminton Terms Date & country: 02/09/2008, USA Words: 27

Wood Shot
Shot that results when the base of the shuttle is hit by the frame of the racquet. Once illegal, this shot was ruled acceptable by the International Badminton Federation in 1963.

Smash
Hard-hit overhead shot that forces the shuttle sharply downward. Badminton`s primary attacking stroke.

Shuttlecock
Official name for the object that players hit. Also known as 'birdie.' Weight: .17-.l9 ounces. Made of: 16 goose feathers attached to a corktip covered with goat skin. Cost: $1.50-$2.00. Usually lasts for no more than two games. The heavier the shuttlecock, the faster it flies. Flies faster in higher temperatures and at higher altitudes.

Short Service Line
The line 6 l/2 feet from the net which a serve must reach to be legal.

Service Court
Area into which the serve must be delivered. Different for singles and doubles play.

Serve or Service
Stroke used to put shuttlecock into play at the start of each rally.

Rally
Exchange of shots while the shuttle is in play.

Racquet
Instrument used by playerto hit shuttlecock Weight:About3 ounces. Length: 27 inches. Made of: Ceramic, graphite, or boron frame; beef-gut string. Cost: $60-$175 (unstrung).

Push Shot
Gentle shot played by pushing the shuttle with little wrist motion, usually from net or midcourt to the opponent`s midcourt.

Net Shot
Shot hit from the forecourt that just clears the net and drops sharply.

Match
A series of games (at U.S. Olympic Festival-`93 it is three out of five), to determine a winner. Midcourt - The middle third of the court, halfway between the net and the back boundary line.

Halfcourt Shot
A shot hit low and to midcourt, used effectively in doubles against the up-and-back formation.

Kill
Fast, downward shot that cannot be returned; a 'putaway.' Let - A legitimate cessation of play to allow a rally to be replayed. Long Service Line - In singles, the back boundary line.1n doubles a line 2 l/2 feet inside the back boundary line. The serve may not go past this line.

Hairpin Net Shot
Shot made from below and very close to the net with the shuttle rising, just clearing the net, and then dropping sharply down the other side. The shuttle`s flight approximates the shape of a hairpin.

Flick
A quick wrist and forearm rotation that surprises an opponent by changing an apparently soft shot into a faster passing one; used primarily on the serve and at the net.

Forecourt
Front third of the court, between the net and the short service line.

Fault
A violation of the playing rules, either in serving, receiving, or during play (see common faults listed below).

Court
Area of play, as defined by the outer boundary lines.

Drive
A fast and low shot that makes a horizontal flight over the net.

Drop
A shot hit sohly and with finesse to fall rapidly and close to the net on the opponent`s side.

Clear
A shot hit deep to the opponent`s back boundar>Nine. The high clear is a defensive shot, while the flatter attacking clear is used offensively.

Center Position
Location in the center of the court to which a singles player tries to return after each shot.

Center Line
Line perpendicular to the net that separates the left and right service courts.

Carry
An illegal tactic, also called a sling or throw, in which the shuttle is caught and held on the racquet and then slung during the execution of a stroke.

Baseline
Back boundary line at each end of the court, parallel to the net.

Backcourt
Back third of the court, in the area of the back boundary lines.

Balk
Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during the service; often called a 'feint.'