What is Shuttlecock?
[[Image:Volant badminton.jpg|thumb|A shuttlecock made with feathers]] A '''shuttlecock''' is used in the [[sport]] [[badminton]]. The shuttlecock center is hit with a badminton racquet over the net, in this fast sport. A shuttlecock is also called a '''shuttle'''. Other names for shuttlecock are '''bird''', or '''birdie''', because it can be made with [[feather]]s. ==Materials== Shuttlecocks can be made of many types of [[material]]s, including [[plastic]] and [[feather]]s. It creates a [[cone]] shape, and is held together by a round center, usually made of [[cork (material)|cork]] or [[rubber]]. The cone shape the feathers, or other materials create is called a '''shuttlecock skirt'''. In [[North America]] and [[Europe]], feather shuttlecocks [[price|cost]] more. In Asia, where the [[price]]s of feathers are lower, shuttles made of [[plastic]] are [[wikt:rare|rarely]] used; [[feather]] shuttles are used. It is harder to hit a feather shuttlecock [[speed|fast]], because there is more [[Drag (physics)|drag]]. They are also less [[durable]] than plastic shuttles. Experienced badminton players usually play with feather shuttlecocks, and in competition, badminton is almost always played with feather shuttles. They feel that [[feather]] shuttles give them more control, and better play is needed to hit feather shuttles. In school [[gym]]s and [[wikt:amateur|amateur]]/[[beginner]] [[club]]s in Europe and North America, plastic shuttlecocks are more often [[use]]d than feather ones. This is to [[save]] feathers, since plastic shuttlecocks do not [[:wikt:broken|break]] easily. Feathers on the feather shuttles bend or break if the player does not [[hit]] the [[cork (material)|cork]] or rubber center. [[Category:Sports equipment]]