Badminton is
a racquet sport played by either two opposing players
(singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite
halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by
striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes
over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. Each side may
only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. A rally ends
once the shuttlecock has struck the floor, or if a fault has been called by
either the umpire or service judge or, in their absence, the offending player,
at any time during the rally. The shuttlecock (or shuttle) is a feathered (or plastic, mainly in
uncompetitive games) projectile whose unique aerodynamic properties cause it to
fly differently than the balls used in most racquet sports; in particular, the
feathers create much higher drag,
causing the shuttlecock to decelerate more rapidly than a ball. Shuttlecocks
have a much higher top speed, when compared to other racquet sports. Because
shuttlecock flight is affected by wind, competitive badminton is played
indoors. Badminton is also played outdoors as a casual recreational activity,
often as a garden or beach game.
Source
from: WIKIPEDIA