- Shuttlecock: Also known as a birdie, the shuttlecock is a projectile used in badminton. It has an open conical shape formed by feathers (or a synthetic alternative) embedded into a rounded cork base.
- Racket: The equipment used by players to hit the shuttlecock. Badminton rackets are typically lightweight and have a stringed hitting surface.
- Court: The playing area, divided into singles and doubles courts. The court is further divided into halves by a net.
- Net: A barrier that separates the two sides of the court. It is suspended over the center of the court, and the height varies for singles and doubles play.
- Singles: A badminton game where one player competes against another player.
- Doubles: A badminton game where two players on one team compete against two players on the opposing team.
- Serve: The act of initiating play by hitting the shuttlecock over the net to the opponent’s side of the court.
- Rally: A sequence of shots played between opponents, starting from the serve until the point is won or lost.
- Fault: A violation of the rules, resulting in the loss of a point. Common faults include stepping on or over the boundary lines, hitting the shuttlecock out of bounds, and serving or receiving incorrectly.
- Smash: A powerful overhead shot aimed at sending the shuttlecock downwards into the opponent’s side of the court. It is often used to finish a point.
- Drop Shot: A soft shot that barely clears the net and lands just over it, intended to catch opponents off guard.
- Clear: A shot hit high and deep into the opponent’s court to create distance and time.
- Drive: A fast, flat shot that travels parallel to the ground, usually played to keep the opponent on the defensive.
- Deuce: When the score is tied at 20-all, requiring a two-point advantage to win the game.
- Match Point: The point that, if won by a player or team, results in winning the entire match.