Outdoor Games: Badminton

Badminton is a popular racquet sport originating from Britain in the mid-18th century. It is a great alternative to tennis; so if you are looking to shake up your routine, consider badminton. Played one-on-one or in teams of two, badminton is enjoyed the all over the world as both indoor and outdoor game.

Badminton nets can be purchased for both the serious and recreational player. They can usually be set up in the park, at the beach, or even your own backyard. If you are beginning to play, you can purchase complete Badminton sets with racquets, a net, shuttlecocks, and even court markers. These sets make it easy to start playing with friends and family immediately.

Instead of playing with a ball, badminton uses a shuttlecock. They look like half a ball with a cone of feathers or plastic mesh for a tail. The racquets are similar to the ones found in tennis, but feature a longer neck and a smaller, more circular net area. Badminton nets are low to the ground, similar to tennis nets.

Like tennis or table tennis, you must understand different strokes in order to master the game. Badminton games are usually played until 11, 15, or 21 points, with a match being the best of three games.