Badminton: Terms to Know

Backcourt

The back third of the badminton court.

Bird/Birdie

Another name for the shuttlecock.

Carry

An illegal stroke occurring when the shuttle comes to a stop on the racquet and is "carried," leading to a sling-like sequence.

Center position

Also known as the base position, the central area of the court where ideally a singles player wants to return after each shot.

Clear

A shot hit deep in the back of the opponent's court.

Cross-court

A shot hit diagonally over the net, from one side to the other.

Double hit

Hitting the shuttle twice (a fault).

Drop shot

A soft shot played with touch, so the shuttle falls close to the net on the opponent's side.

Drive

A powerful shot placed just over the top of the net.

Fault

A violation or infraction of the rules.

Flick

A quick movement of the wrist and forearm that changes a soft shot into a harder one; mostly used when serving or close to the net.

Forecourt

The front third of the court, between the net and the short-service line.

Kill

A hard, downward shot that is not returnable by the opponent.

Let

A call by the umpire to restart a point. This occurs when the server serves before the receiver is ready, the shuttle disintegrates during play, an accidental distraction occurs, etc.

Mid-court

The middle third of the court.

Push shot

A soft shot executed by "pushing" the shuttle with small wrist movement.

Rally

An exchange of shots following the serve.

Shuttlecock

The object used in badminton, also called a birdie or shuttle. It is made of a cork with sixteen goose feathers glued to its rounded base.

Smash

A hard, powerful overhead shot sending the shuttlecock downward to the opponent's side.