Badminton is a fast-paced sport where players use lightweight rackets to hit a feathered projectile called a shuttlecock (or birdie) back and forth across a high net. Unlike tennis, where the ball bounces, badminton is played entirely in the air: the shuttlecock can't touch the ground on your side, or your opponent scores a point.

The shuttlecock's unique design makes badminton special. Real shuttlecocks have 16 goose feathers arranged in a cone shape, which creates drag and makes the birdie slow down quickly after being hit. This means players need to be incredibly quick and agile, constantly moving to reach shots. Professional players can smash the shuttlecock at speeds over 200 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest racket sports in the world.

You can play badminton as singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two-on-two). While many people play casually in backyards or at picnics, competitive badminton is an Olympic sport that requires serious athletic skill.