Backcourt
The back third of the badminton court.
Bird/Birdie
Another name for the shuttlecock.
Carry
An illegal stroke occurring when the shuttle comes to a stop on the racquet and is "carried," leading to a sling-like sequence.
Center position
Also known as the base position, the central area of the court where ideally a singles player wants to return after each shot.
Clear
A shot hit deep in the back of the opponent's court.
Cross-court
A shot hit diagonally over the net, from one side to the other.
Double hit
Hitting the shuttle twice (a fault).
Drop shot
A soft shot played with touch, so the shuttle falls close to the net on the opponent's side.
Drive
A powerful shot placed just over the top of the net.
Fault
A violation or infraction of the rules.
Flick
A quick movement of the wrist and forearm that changes a soft shot into a harder one; mostly used when serving or close to the net.
Forecourt
The front third of the court, between the net and the short-service line.
Kill
A hard, downward shot that is not returnable by the opponent.
Let
A call by the umpire to restart a point. This occurs when the server serves before the receiver is ready, the shuttle disintegrates during play, an accidental distraction occurs, etc.
Mid-court
The middle third of the court.
Push shot
A soft shot executed by "pushing" the shuttle with small wrist movement.
Rally
An exchange of shots following the serve.
Shuttlecock
The object used in badminton, also called a birdie or shuttle. It is made of a cork with sixteen goose feathers glued to its rounded base.
Smash
A hard, powerful overhead shot sending the shuttlecock downward to the opponent's side.
