Shuttlecocks make badminton unique, but paradoxically they also contribute to its popular image as a backyard recreation rather than an energetic sport; after all, don’t real sports use balls?
In fact, badminton is incredibly physical: internationally, it is significantly more demanding than tennis, requiring a higher level of fitness and quick, explosive movements. Rallies tend to be long (an international match can average 13-14 shots per rallies), because it is difficult to score an outright winner against a skilled opponent, so players win by maneuvering each other around the pitch in an attempt to force a shot weak return and thus gain an opportunity to play a final shot. It takes a lot of toughness to withstand such tight rallies.
The wide variety of shots and tactics in badminton are made possible by the unique aerodynamic properties of the shuttlecock. Feather flyers, in particular, will fly in a straight line for some distance without losing much height, and then all of a sudden begin to descend almost vertically. This is why serious badminton players use feather shuttlecocks; although fragile and expensive, they add a significant degree of tactical flexibility to the game.
Examples of badminton shots made possible by the shuttlecock
With feather shuttles it is possible, if you judge your shot right, to make a hard and fast clearance over your opponent’s head but still land them safely on court. This degree of control leads to furious rallies that use every inch of the pitch.
Very skilled players can use a special shot that can only be successfully executed with feather shuttles: the spinning net shot. Produced by cutting the shuttle (similar to side-spin a tennis ball), this shot causes the shuttle to literally spin and land on the net. It’s very hard to hit one cleanly while it’s spinning, so opponents will usually wait for the shuttle to straighten up, forcing them to get up and thus providing an opportunity to smash.
The badminton stroke
When the shuttle is hit hard, it barely decelerates before hitting the ground, so the opponent only has a fraction of a second to respond. This makes badminton an incredibly fast sport, requiring excellent reflexes: the fastest recorded stroke, achieved by China’s Fu Haifeng, was a thunderous 332 km/h (206 mph).
The fact that the shuttlecocks gently float before landing also provides the opportunity to hit the most impressive badminton shot of all: the smash jump! The drama of skilled players sustaining a series of high-speed jump shots against tough defenses is unique to badminton doubles, and it’s a truly impressive sight. And of course this wouldn’t be the case without ruffles!