Brief History

A form of badminton, with players kicking a small feathered shuttlecock, was first played in 5th century B.C. in China.  Played for centuries by children in Asia, this was a cooperative game in which the players worked together to keep the "bird" in the air for as long as possible.  The modern game originated in India as a grownup's version of this very old children's game known as battledore and shuttlecock, the battledore being a paddle and the shuttlecock a small feathered cork, now usually called a "bird." A net was added and the game had become a competitive sport called "poona" by the 1860s, when British Army officers were playing it in India. Some of them brought equipment back to England and introduced the new sport there during the early 1870s.   When the game arrived in England players were using rackets, and the shuttlecock was put into play after each point by servants (where the term "to serve" or "service" came from).  The game derives its name from its introduction in England in 1873 at a country estate called Badminton.  It was played at a lawn party held by Duke of Beaufort at his country place, Badminton, in 1873, and it became known as "the Badminton game" among various guests who introduced it to other friends.  Badminton was introduced in America in the 1870s, grew in popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, and became an Olympic medal sport in 1992.

Method of Play

Badminton is played by either two or four players.  The object is to score points by hitting a shuttlecock over the net and into the opponent's court so that the opponent cannot return it over the net and in bounds.

The rules used during this unit are an adaptation of the U.S.B.A.'s (United States Badminton Association) rules.

Wellington's Rules for Physical Education Class

The Court