A badminton-like game was known in ancient Greece and Egypt - a game called battledore and shuttlecock - in which two players hit a feathered shuttlecock back and forth with tiny rackets.
The game was played in India during the 18th Century, at which time it was called "Poona" . In the 1860s it was adopted by British Army officers stationed in India.
The officers took the game back to England, where it became a success at a party given by the Duke of Beaufort in 1873 at his estate called "Badminton" in Gloucestershire.
A variation of Badminton which has been devloped only recently, Speed Badminton or Speedminton is played without a net, and is gaining popularity, especially in Germany.
Speed Badminton (Speedminton)
Speed Badminton, also known as Speedminton, is a variation of badminton played without a net. The game was was invented by the German Bill Brandes, who wanted to create an outdoor version of badminton, and originally calling it shuttleball (it was renamed speed badminton or speedminton in 2001).
The traditional game of badminton is not suited to outdoor play as the shuttlecock is too light and gets blown around in the wind. In addition to the absence of a net, other differences of speedminton is a heavier shuttlecock and a faster tempo game.
The game is yet to take off around the world, though it has a good following in Germany.
The playing field consists of two squares measuring 5.5 m (18 ft) on each side, with the squares 12.8 m (42 ft) apart. The playing rackets are similar to those used in squash, and the shuttlecock is heavier than a conventional shuttlecock. The game can also be played at night with fluorescent equipment.
The aim of the game is to hit the shuttlecock into the opposition's square. If it lands outside the square, a point is awarded. The first player to 15 points (with a 2 point buffer) wins. Doubles games are played with two adjacent courts.
The game was played in India during the 18th Century, at which time it was called "Poona" . In the 1860s it was adopted by British Army officers stationed in India.
The officers took the game back to England, where it became a success at a party given by the Duke of Beaufort in 1873 at his estate called "Badminton" in Gloucestershire.
A variation of Badminton which has been devloped only recently, Speed Badminton or Speedminton is played without a net, and is gaining popularity, especially in Germany.
Speed Badminton (Speedminton)
Speed Badminton, also known as Speedminton, is a variation of badminton played without a net. The game was was invented by the German Bill Brandes, who wanted to create an outdoor version of badminton, and originally calling it shuttleball (it was renamed speed badminton or speedminton in 2001).
The traditional game of badminton is not suited to outdoor play as the shuttlecock is too light and gets blown around in the wind. In addition to the absence of a net, other differences of speedminton is a heavier shuttlecock and a faster tempo game.
The game is yet to take off around the world, though it has a good following in Germany.
The playing field consists of two squares measuring 5.5 m (18 ft) on each side, with the squares 12.8 m (42 ft) apart. The playing rackets are similar to those used in squash, and the shuttlecock is heavier than a conventional shuttlecock. The game can also be played at night with fluorescent equipment.
The aim of the game is to hit the shuttlecock into the opposition's square. If it lands outside the square, a point is awarded. The first player to 15 points (with a 2 point buffer) wins. Doubles games are played with two adjacent courts.