Badminton Terms and Definitions

Front

Rally

Back

A sequence of shots hit back and forth across the net.

Front

Serve

Back

The shot that starts the point.

Front

Forehand

Back

A stroke played on the dominant side of the body (same side as your racket hand).

Front

Backhand

Back

A stroke played on the non-dominant side of the body (opposite your racket hand).

Front

Clear

Back

A high, deep shot hit to the back of the opponent’s court.

Front

Smash

Back

A powerful shot hit downward into the opponent’s court to try to end the rally.

Front

Drop Shot

Back

A soft shot that just goes over the net and lands close to it.