4.0 Badminton Equipment

4.1 Badminton racket

The frame of the Racket can be made of steel, aluminium, carbon fibre, ceramic, boron or a combination of some of these. It shall not exceed 680mm in overall length and 230 mm in overall width.

So how to choose a Badminton Racket that suits you most?

With so many selections out there, indeed it can be very confusing. Let me share with you my experience in choosing one. First, for me, I am a student so I will buy an economical racket with the price between RM100 to RM150. Second, there are several types of rackets such as heavier racket, not heavy (light) racket and so on. Heavier racket can generate more power (attack) when you did smash but it is hard to control (poor defend) because when you swing the racket, the movement will become slow. However, not heavy racket is easy to control for defending and attack but it can’t generate more power unless you have stronger wrist. Consequences, my suggestion buy a not heavy racket for beginner players.

Here is some additional information, a majority of racket manufacturers uses 1U, 2U, 3U, 4U to indicate the weight of the racket, 1U being the heaviest and 4U the lightest. The weight of high quality rackets ranges from 83 grams to 100 grams. Furthermore, most racket manufacturers provide four grip sizes. In Japan, they range from G2, G3, and G4 to G5 where G2 is the biggest size and G5 is the smallest size. In some countries, the opposite applies. Some brands go from small, medium and big sizes.

4.2 Shuttlecock

A Shuttlecock shall have 16 feathers fixed in a cork base covered in kid leather. Interestingly, the best Badminton Shuttlecocks are made from feathers from the left wing of a goose. The feathers shall be measured from the tip to the top of the base and each shuttle shall be of the same length. This length can be between 62mm and 70mm. The shuttle shall weigh between 4.74 to 5.50 grams.

Shuttles are usually graded according to speed. If you have reached a certain level and can hit from baseline to baseline, use standard speed shuttlecocks. If your strength is not there yet, you can use shuttlecocks of a slightly faster speed. You will enjoy the game more if you can send the shuttles to the baseline. The speed at which the shuttle travels is also affected by the weather, altitude and temperature. When it's hot, the shuttle will fly faster. When it's cold, the shuttle will move slower. If you are playing in an air-conditioned hall, use a slightly faster shuttle. If you're playing at high altitude, use a slower speed shuttle. To test the speed of a shuttle, use a full underhand stroke which makes contact with the shuttle over the back boundary line. You shall hit the shuttle at an upward angle and in a direction parallel to the side lines. A shuttle of correct speed will land not less than 530 mm and not more than 990mm short of the Badminton Court back boundary line. 4.3 Badminton String Choosing the right Badminton String to go with your racket is important. It may win you games when playing against opponent of similar standard. But how you know which string is the right one? First, you have to know that there are two types of Badminton Strings, strings made of natural guts material or synthetic material. Natural guts strings provide more feel, control and power. It gives out less vibration and is nice to play with. However, they are less durable and more expensive. Unless you have a higher budget, you may want to use the synthetic ones. Badminton Strings have different gauge numbers to indicate the thickness or diameter of the strings. Thicker strings will have a lower gauge number. A 20 gauge string is thicker than a 22 gauge one. Thicker strings are more durable and gives more control but not as powerful. Thinner strings will give you more zip and power but they don't last long. So, a higher string tension will give you more control and more power if you may control well. For beginner, my suggestion is 22pounds or 23 pounds because it may easy to control compared with if you tight up 26pounds and above. However, you may feel it and test it from friend’s badminton racket before you buy. 4.4 Badminton Shoe A good pair of Badminton Shoes must provide good grip, cushioning and some flexibility at the forefoot. Never wear jogging shoes to play badminton. These shoes have thicker soles and lack the stability needed for badminton. You might end up twisting your ankles. If you want to get a good grip from your badminton shoes, only wear it on badminton courts. Do not wear it for jogging or any other activities. Once the grip is gone, the shoes will not be effective on court anymore. Reserve it solely for Badminton purposes. When selecting the size, leave a space about a thumb's width from the tip of your big toe to the tip of the shoes. This will allow some room for your feet to move inside your shoes after wearing sports socks. If your heels and knees start to hurt every time you land heavily on the floor after jumping, it means that the cushioning of your shoes has worn off. Although your shoes may still look new, it may be time to change them. If you want them to last longer, you may have to change the insole. To protect your heels, it would be wise to invest in a good pair of heel cups. While they may be expensive, they are certainly worth it as they can save you from a lot of pain. Heel cups can also help to prolong the life span of your Badminton Shoes. If you decide to invest in them, get a good pair that comes with a life-time guarantee. 4.5 Badminton Accessory In this Badminton Accessory category, I have grouped five items under it. They are Grip, Badminton Clothes, Socks, Wrist Band and Head Band. 4.5.1 Grip You can choose to use either a towel grip or a synthetic one. Both serve the same purpose, which is to absorb sweat and provide you a drier feel. So it's really up to personal preference as to which to use. I personally prefer to use the synthetic ones. I don't feel comfortable with the towel ones. I would recommend that you change your grips more often if you really want to enjoy playing Badminton as well as for hygiene purposes. 4.5.2 Badminton Clothes Always wear shirts and shorts that are comfortable and will not hinder your movements. I usually wear a cotton round-neck or a collar t-shirts with a pair of light shorts. Badminton is a game with much cardiovascular activity. So there will always be a lot of sweat. Usually a normal cotton t-shirt will do well to absorb your sweat, but you can always go for a more fancy shirt that does it better. A track suit is useful too, so that you can warm up before play and cool down gradually afterwards. 4.5.3 Socks Wear a pair of thick cotton socks as they help to absorb sweat. It will prevent your feet from slipping inside your shoes. Nylon socks can stretch and provide good fit but are not suitable for badminton as they can't absorb much sweat. 4.5.4 Wrist Band If you are those that perspire a lot, consider getting a wrist band. It will prevent your sweat from flowing to your racket handle. 4.5.5 Head Band Wear a Head Band if you are wearing spectacles. It will prevent your lenses from getting wet. Head Bands will also stop the sweat from getting into your eyes.