Alley: Extension of the court by 1 1/2 feet on

both sides for doubles play.

Backcourt: Back third of the court, in the area

of the back boundary lines.

Carry: An illegal tactic, also called a sling

or throw, in which the shuttle is caught and

held on the racquet and then slung during the

execution of a stroke.

Center or Base Position: Location in the center

of the court to which a singles player tries to

return after each shot.

Clear: A shot hit deep to the opponent's back

boundary line. The "high clear" is a defensive

shot, while the flatter "attacking clear" is

used offensively.

Drive: A fast and low shot that makes a

horizontal flight over the net.

Drop: A shot hit softly and with finesse to

fall rapidly and close to the net on the

opponent's side.

Fault: A violation of the playing rules; either

in serving, receiving, or during play.

Flick: A quick wrist and forearm rotation that

surprises an opponent by changing an apparently

soft shot into a faster passing one; used

primarily on the serve and at the net.

Forecourt: Front third of the court, between

the net and the short service line.

Hairpin Net Shot: Shot made from below and very

close to the net with the shuttle rising, just

clearing the net, and then dropping sharply

down the other side. The shuttle's flight

approximates the shape of a hairpin.

Kill: Fast, downward shot that cannot be

returned; a "putaway."

Let: A legitimate cessation of play to allow a

rally to be replayed.

Midcourt: The middle third of the court,

halfway between the net and the back boundary

line.

Push Shot: Gentle shot played by pushing the

shuttle with little wrist motion, usually from

net or midcourt to the opponent's midcourt.

Rally: Exchange of shots while shuttle is in

play.

Smash: Hard-hit overhand shot that forces the

shuttle sharply downward. Badminton's primary

attacking stroke.

Wood Shot: Shot that results when the base of

the shuttle is hit by the frame of the racquet.

Once illegal, the shot was legalized in 1963.