Badminton is one of the fastest and most fun racket sports in the world, and one of the easiest to pick up: all you need is a lightweight racket, a shuttlecock and a net. It combines reflexes, agility and aerobic fitness, and suits almost any age and any level. In this guide you'll find everything you need to get started: what badminton is, what gear you need, the basic rules, beginner tips, and how to find a court and partners to play with.
So what exactly is badminton?
Badminton is played as singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2) on a rectangular court (about 13.4 by 6.1 m) divided by a high net (about 1.55 m) in the middle. You play with a very light racket and a feathered ball called a shuttle, which slows down in the air thanks to its shape. It's one of the fastest racket sports in the world, built on reflexes and quick reactions.
Why you should play badminton
- Fast and aerobic: a movement-packed game that raises your heart rate and builds fitness.
- Easy to start: you can rally and have fun right from the beginner level.
- Suits any age: from kids to adults, social or competitive.
- Flexible on location: play in a proper hall, or in a backyard or park for a casual game.
The gear you need to get started
Badminton racket
A badminton racket is very light (about 80 to 100 grams). For beginners we recommend a durable, easy-to-control racket that makes timing the shuttle easier.
Feather or plastic shuttlecocks (shuttles)
The shuttle comes in a feather version (fast and precise) and a plastic version (more durable and cheaper), which suits beginners and casual play.
Indoor court shoes with grip
Indoor court shoes with non-marking soles and good grip, which support the side-to-side movements and quick stops the game demands.
The basic rules of badminton (in brief)
- Scoring: a game goes to 21 points in rally scoring (every rally is a point), with a 2-point margin. A match is usually decided in the best of 3 games.
- Serving: served diagonally, and below waist height.
- The ball in the air: the shuttle doesn't bounce, and is always struck in the air.
- The net: you may not touch the net with your racket or body during play.
That's the basics, and all the finer points are best learned while you play.
5 tips for beginners
- Footwork and return to center: after every shot, return to the middle of the court to cover all directions.
- Relaxed racket grip: hold the racket loosely and only tighten at the moment of contact.
- Use your wrist: most of the power in badminton comes from the wrist motion, not the whole arm.
- Rally before smashing: build consistency and control in the rally before you try to hit a smash.
- Play against your own level: a balanced game = faster improvement, less frustration and real fun.
How to find a badminton court and partners to play in Israel
Badminton in Israel is played mainly at sports halls and community centers, and sometimes in a backyard or park for a casual game. The real challenge usually isn't the court, but finding partners at your level, at a time that works for you.
That's exactly why we built PlayRocket: an app that matches you with partners by skill level and location, shows open games you can join, and helps you coordinate everything in one place — no more five WhatsApp groups and endless back-and-forth. And it's not just for badminton: tennis, padel, pickleball, beach tennis, squash, table tennis and volleyball too.
Want to start playing badminton?
Join the PlayRocket waitlist and be among the first to find partners and courts in your area.
Join the waitlist →Frequently asked questions about badminton
Is badminton hard to learn?
No; it's easy to get started and rally from the very beginning, while advanced mastery takes time and practice.
What's the difference between badminton and tennis?
In badminton you play with a feather shuttle that doesn't bounce and is struck in the air, a much lighter racket and a smaller court; the game is fast and reflex-based.
What gear do you need to get started?
A lightweight badminton racket, feather or plastic shuttlecocks (shuttles), and indoor court shoes with good grip.
Where do you play badminton in Israel?
Mainly at sports halls and community centers; you can also play casually in a backyard or a park.
How do you find partners to play badminton?
Through a dedicated app like PlayRocket that finds players and games by skill level and location.