Badminton is a fast-paced sport played between two players (singles) or two teams of two (doubles) using rackets and a shuttlecock. The game begins with a serve, where a player hits the shuttlecock over the net into the opponent’s court. Players score points by making the shuttlecock land inside the opponent’s boundaries or by forcing the opponent to make a mistake, such as hitting it out of bounds or into the net. During play, players use different shots like clears, drops, smashes, and drives to control the game and outmaneuver their opponent. Good footwork, quick reflexes, and accurate timing are important skills for success. A match is usually played to 21 points, and the player or team that wins two sets first wins the game.