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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Introduction to badminton

The sport of badminton is one that has roots heavily planted in history, as an early form of the game existed with the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. During fifth century China, a variation of the sport involved the kicking of a shuttle, until the 1600s saw the racket replace the foot. The sport as it is now played is believed to have come from a game called battledore and shuttlecock, where two players batted a feathered shuttlecock back and forth with the help of a minuscule set of rackets.

Badminton equipment

The tools of badminton are simple: a shuttlecock often referred to as the ‘bird’ or the ‘shuttle,’ and a racket that is strung either with gut or synthetic fibre. The racket is usually about 26 inches long and only weighs about 5 or 5 ½ ounces. And, toddlers can handle the same weight racket as the parents -- if their hands reach around the handle. The cost of equipment?

Cost of Badminton equipment

A pack of shuttles and rackets can be purchased for less than $10 each or you can have yours custom made for quite a bit more. The ‘bird’ is super-light, weighing only 4 to 5 grams. The fourteen to sixteen feathers are fixed onto a kid-leather skin,which is then put into a cork head that is about one inch in diameter. The feathers are what slows the bird down toward the end of its flight across the net.

Perfecting your badminton game

One of the best ways to improve an overall badminton game is to engage in half-court singles, using only half of the space of a standard singles court. Participants should follow normal play with scoring to 15.

A keener sense of anticipation and concentration enhances defensive awareness. The art of deception also comes into play in badminton, as body momentum and timing can be the difference between a victorious and unsuccessful rally.

Learning how to place the feet and body into the correct position where the best follow-through can be accomplished is vital.

There are of course the many benefits that come from developing such mental and physical strategies as, for example, a positive attitude and overall body condition.

CONCLUSION

In men's double badminton, the onus is on attack and pace. The frequency with which you can keep the shuttle going down and the understanding you have with your partner will determine your success. In singles and mixed badminton you largely have to play for your openings by careful placements and a variation of pace before you could finish off a rally because there is so much ground to cover on your own and in mixed you have a partner at the net in a very vulnerable position in front of you. These considerations do not apply in men's badminton doubles. Assuming you have a partner of equal strength and ability and between you the whole court filled. You can afford to force openings with sheer pace alone.