Shuttlecocks… Birdies… Cocks… Shuttles… Balls… Birds… – those are six different ways we’ve heard the flying part of the game of badminton referenced by our customers. Why so many ways to refer to the same thing? Spending some time searching the topic on the internet doesn’t yield a definitive answer, but a lot of theories. The most common definition of shuttlecock goes like this:
“A shuttlecock (also called a bird or birdie) is a high-drag projectile used in the sport of badminton. It has an open conical shape formed by feathers (or a synthetic alternative) embedded into a rounded cork (or rubber) base. The shuttlecock’s shape makes it extremely aerodynamically stable. Regardless of initial orientation, it will turn to fly cork first, and remain in the cork-first orientation.” (Wikipedia)
Going a little further, there is also this guess at how the name(s) came to be:
“The name shuttlecock is frequently shortened to shuttle. The “shuttle” part of the name was probably derived from its back-and-forth motion during the game, resembling the shuttle of a loom; the “cock” part of the name was probably derived from the resemblance of the feathers to those on a cockerel or rooster.” (Wikipedia)
But I think one of our favorites might be this:
“…So the shuttlecock is a missile that looks like a chicken. Which is, perhaps, why we call it a ‘birdie.’ “
So, if you’re in the market for some new chicken missiles, then we have you covered here at RiteTrak Sports, because we have three varieties of shuttlecocks that we manufacture and sell exclusively on Amazon.
We have our RiteFlite Feather, RiteFlite Nylon and NiteFlite Light-Up varieties, and also a gift pack assortment of one tube of all three styles so you can try some of each, or as a great gift idea for your badminton-loving family or friends.
Finally, you’ll also want to check out our exclusive badminton T-shirt which will allow you to “Fly Like A Birdie” and demonstrate your love for the game of badminton wherever you go. Shirts are available in standard, premium and long-sleeve editions and in multiple colors.
As always, be sure to check out our flagship badminton product — the FiberFlash 7 Badminton Racket Set, which includes a sample of 3 of our RiteFlite Nylon shuttles.
Here’s to a great summer of 2018, and we’ll see you on the badminton court!