h side (the two-handed
or single game). The game consists entirely of volleying and is extremely
fast, a single at Badminton being admitted to require more staying power
than a single at lawn tennis. There is much scope for judgment and skill,
_e.g._ in "dropping" (hitting the shuttle gently just over the net) and in
"smashing" (hitting the shuttle with a hard downward stroke). The
measurements of the court are shown on the accompanying plan.

[Illustration]

_Diagram of Court._--In the two-handed game, the width of the court is
reduced to 17 ft. and the long service lines are dispensed with, the
back boundary lines being used as the long service lines, and the lines
dividing the half courts being produced to meet the back boundary
lines. The net posts are placed either on the side boundary lines or at
any distance not exceeding 2 ft. outside the said lines; thus in the
four-handed game, the distance between the posts is from 20 to 24 ft.,
and in the two-handed fame, from 17 to 21 ft. _N.B._--With the
exception of the net line, the dotted lines on the court apply only to
the court for the two-handed game.

The Badminton hall should be not less than 18 ft. high. Along the net line
is stretched a net 30 in. deep, from 17 to 24 ft. long according to the
position of the posts, and edged on the top with white tape 3 in. wide. The
top of the net should be 5 ft. from [v.03 p.0190] the ground at the centre
and 5 ft. 1 in. at the posts. The shuttlecock (or shuttle) has 16 feathers
from 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 in. long, and weighs from 73 to 85 grains. The racket
(which is of no specified size, shape or weight) is strung with strong fine
gut and weighs as a rule about 6 oz.

The game is for 15 or, rarely, for 21 aces, except in ladies' singles, when
it is for 11 aces; and a rubber is the best of three games. Games of 21
aces are played only and always in matches decided by a single game, and
generally in handicap contests. The right to choose ends or to serve first
in the first game of the rubber is decided by tossing. If the side which
wins the toss chooses first service, the other side chooses ends, and vice
versa; but the side which wins the toss may call upon the other side to
make first choice. The sides change ends at the beginning of the second
game, and again at the beginning of the third game, if a third game is
necessary. In the third game the sides change ends when the side which is
le