What is a badminton ball called?

A badminton "ball" is officially called a shuttlecock; common informal names are birdie, bird, or shuttle. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) regulates its dimensions: 16 feathers fixed in a cork base, total weight 4.74 to 5.50 grams, feather length 62 to 70 mm from the tip to the cork.

What is the difference between feathered and nylon shuttlecocks?

Feathered shuttlecocks fly faster off the racket but slow down more sharply, and they spin in a stable way that pros prefer. Nylon shuttlecocks decelerate more gradually, fly a flatter trajectory, last 5 to 10 times longer, and cost a fraction as much, which is why they dominate school PE and casual play.

How does a shuttlecock fly?

The cork tip is heavy; the feathered skirt is light and creates enormous drag. After being hit the shuttlecock immediately reorients with the cork pointing forward (a self-stabilizing aerodynamic behavior), then decelerates rapidly. World-record smashes leave the racket at over 490 km/h but slow to walking pace by the time they cross the court.

Is a shuttlecock also called a birdie?

Yes. Shuttlecock is the formal name; birdie (or bird) is the common North American nickname and shuttle is the British informal short form. All three refer to the same object.

What Are The Different Types Of Shuttlecocks In Badminton And Their Aerodynamics?

Q: What are the different types of shuttlecocks?

There are three main types: (1) feathered shuttlecocks, made from 16 goose or duck feathers on a cork base, used in BWF-sanctioned competition; (2) synthetic (nylon/plastic) shuttlecocks, where the feather skirt is replaced by a one-piece molded plastic skirt, cheaper and far more durable; and (3) hybrid shuttlecocks, which combine a cork or composite base with a plastic-and-feather skirt.

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Different Types Of Shuttlecocks
Aerodynamics Of Shuttlecocks

Badminton uses three shuttlecock types. A feathered shuttlecock (also called a birdie or shuttle) has 16 overlapping goose or duck feathers on a cork base and is used in tournament play. A synthetic shuttlecock uses a plastic skirt and is more durable. A hybrid mixes the two. They all have a high open skirt that produces enormous drag, which is why a shuttlecock decelerates rapidly after a hit.

Who remembers playing badminton on Sunday mornings or after school? A light breeze could never stop the game, remember? And the type of shuttlecock we used didn’t matter either; any playable shuttlecock was enough to keep the game going. Until the scorching sun burnt our foreheads, of course.

In badminton lingo, a shuttlecock (also called a bird, birdie or shuttle) is a small cork with feathers or plastic attached to it. In the game, it is struck with badminton rackets and volleyed across the net by the players.

Various studies have concluded that the gaps in the skirt of a shuttlecock lead to an increase in drag. It was also concluded that a synthetic shuttlecock bends more than a feathered shuttlecock when moving at high speeds. Because of this effect, there is less aerodynamic drag.

After knowing more about the intricacies of this enjoyable sport, it will be much easier for all of us to understand and play badminton even better!

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