A shuttlecock is a high-drawer drag shooter widely used in the game of badminton. It's mainly used to hit the shuttlecock with a feather disk, which travels a long way, while at exactly the same time providing excellent backspin for top spin. The shape of the shuttlecock is very aerodynamic.

Split shuttlecocks will be the heaviest of all the shuttlecocks. They are used mainly for training purposes and in big competitions. The split shuttlecocks are made from a single piece of wood, while the full shuttlecocks are made up of two or more pieces of wood. Most of the split shuttlecocks have open pockets in which the feathers for lifting could be inserted.

Half shuttlecocks are lightweight and easy to handle. They are best for novice gamers, as they lack the bounce of full size shuttlecocks and are easier to retrieve. The reverse shuttlecocks, as the name implies, are formed in such a manner that the “cork” attached at the front is in a reverse position to the “foot”. This permits the shuttlecock to be retrieved easily after it is hit.

The cue ball of a shuttlecock in badminton is usually concave, because of the absence of spin, allowing the cue ball to roll along a curving line, known as a curve. It's advisable to get a good amount of practice using a half shuttlecock, before trying it out on a full-sized ball.

Badminton shuttlecocks are used generally in games like badminton, but they can also be used in table tennis, fencing, and snooker, etc. Apart from being used for shuttlecocks in badminton, they may also be used for catching or throwing in a volleyball game. Some companies have made and designed specialized badminton scooters that have become very popular with users.

There are two basic types of shuttlecocks: those which possess a single drum, and those that have two drums. Those with one-drum shuttlecocks are usually more secure than those with two-drum ones. They also tend to create fewer noise sounds.