History and popularity of badminton
Badminton has its roots in India where it was originally known as 'poona'. The game was popular with British army officers stationed in India in the 19th century. The game consisted of bouncing shuttlecock with special gloves and in 1873 it was proposed to replace gloves with rackets. The game was soon transferred to England, where it gained popularity among the aristocracy. Just 20 years later, the first badminton club was established in Gloucestershire and in 1934 the Badminton World Federation (BWF) was founded.
This racket sport is currently growing in popularity. In Asia, it is considered the national sport in countries such as China, Indonesia and Malaysia and it is gaining a growing number of followers in Europe and North America.
Rules of badminton
Badminton is a game for two or four players. Single play is between two players and doubles play is between two teams of two players each.
The game starts with a cross court service by one of the players or one of the teams. The service must be made from the service area and the shuttlecock must fly over the net into the opponent's playing area. The player or team who scored the last point has the service. During the exchange, players must get the dart across the net before it falls to the ground, this can only be done with one bounce.
The net divides the court into two equal halves and is hanging 155cm high at the edges and 152cm in the middle. The dimensions of the badminton court are 13.40 metres by 6.10 metres.
When it comes to scoring, it is played to two sets won to 21 points. At a score of 1:1 in sets, a third set is played to 21 points. At a score of 20:20 it is played to a two point advantage, but if it is 29:29, the person or pair who scores 30th point wins the set.
What do you need to play badminton?
For badminton, you first of all need a racket and a shuttlecock. Without these two items it is impossible to start the game. It is also worth getting good indoor shoes to stabilise the ankle. Sports and comfortable clothing will also be necessary. In addition, we can equip ourselves with wristbands or headbands and a towel.
Which badminton racket to choose?
There are badminton rackets for beginners, intermediate and professional players. When choosing your own racket, pay attention to parameters such as head shape, stiffness, weight, grip size, balance and material. The maximum length of a badminton racket is 68cm and the width is 23cm.
Players who are new to the sport should choose flexible or medium flexible rackets with a lower weight. This will help with a faster swing and better manoeuvrability. It is definitely worth choosing a racket made of graphite or graphite composite, as they are more comfortable and durable, unlike aluminium rackets.
Advanced players choose rackets that suit their style of play, but they are always made of the best graphite material. The player who prefers an aggressive game will choose a stiff racket with a balance on the head - such features provide a stronger stroke. The defensive player will opt for a flexible frame with handle balance for better manoeuvrability.
Badminton shuttlecocks
There are two types of badminton shuttlecocks - feather and synthetic (nylon). Feather shuttlecocks, which are used in tournaments, are characterised by a very predictable and stable flight path. Nylon shuttlecocks have weaker performance, but are cheaper and have greater durability. Both types of shuttlecocks come in different speeds. At lower temperatures, we should choose faster shuttlecocks and when it is warmer slower ones.
Badminton shoes - which ones to choose?
In this sport, we face fast starts, braking, turns and jumps so badminton footwear should have sufficient cushioning as a priority. In addition, foot and ankle support must provide proper stability to prevent injuries and strains. A badminton shoe should also be lightweight so that the player can move quickly. We have plenty of badminton shoe models to meet the expectations of even the most demanding player.
Badminton accessories
Looking for badminton accessories? You have come to the right place. We offer a wide range of badminton accessories including badminton strings, bags, overgrips and replacement grips, headbands and towels.
