Looking for a badminton guide as a beginner? Badminton is a fast growing sport and kids all over the world are starting to play. In India, the craze and popularity have increased quite a bit. It is a fast and fun sport played by many.
If you are thinking of starting a sport for leisure or even professionally, then badminton should be your first option.
Since you are new to the sport, this article will cover every detail you need to know to pick up badminton.
#1. Techniques
-Grip:
Learning to hold the racquet correctly in the forehand and backhand grip is very important to learn in the very beginning. This is because once you form a habit to play with a certain grip, it is very difficult to change it. Hence if it is correct from the beginning playing and executing strokes becomes very easy.
-Basic footwork:
Moving around the court correctly makes a huge difference. If your footwork and stepping are incorrect, then your approach to the shuttle will be incorrect which will lead you to not be able to send the shuttle across the net correctly. Moving correctly will also ensure that your body is facing in the right direction.
-Stance:
Your stance on the court is extremely important. If you are not standing correctly on the court, it can change everything. Learning to bend with a crouch to lower your centre of gravity is very important as in the game of badminton, sudden movements are made all the time.
-Service:
Whether you are playing singles or doubles, the game starts with a serve. This makes the service a very important part of the game. If you can perfect the service, then it will be very beneficial. There are two types of services, backhand and forehand.
Backhand is used more in doubles but now a lot of singles players are adapting to it.
#2. Basic Shots
-Toss/Clear:
A
-Drop shots:
These are very effective shots as they are played in a downward manner which forces the opponent to come forward and bend. It can be played quick and fast and once the basic drop shot is mastered, then bringing variety in it becomes easy. It is not easy to play the drop perfectly, but with time and practice, it is very much possible.
-Net play:
Playing at the net means dominating the front of the court. It is a very effective stroke that forces your opponent to come all the way to the front and this way it puts pressure on him. One can easily finish the rally with a net kill which is basically playing a very quick downward stroke into the opponent’s side.
-Smash:
A smash is a very effective stroke. It does require a lot of practice and correct timing. It is difficult to get this stroke right when you just start playing. But with the correct technique, it is possible to learn this stroke.
#3. Basic Rules
Service:
-Service should also be done diagonally across the court and never straight.
-The service should be below hit below the waist of the server, as above the waist would be called as a fault.
-At the time of service, the feet of the server should be planted firmly on the ground and the server’s for shouldn’t drag
Points:
-A game is generally of 21 points in a match. Generally, in a tournament the game consists of the set of 3.
-If the score is 20 all, then its called a deuce and the players must try and take 2 points back to back to win.
Faults:
-If the server moves/steps forward while serving it is considered a fault
-Serving above the waist is one of the biggest faults made till today even by professional players
-If while playing the racquet touches the net at any given point, it is a fault
-If the service lands on the wrong side of the opponent’s court, it is a fault.
-Provided the shuttle touches the ground, even briefly and then hit by the player on the other side of the court, it is considered a fault
#4. Court Dimensions:
This image gives a detailed version of the dimensions of a badminton court which is used all across the world. Any other dimensions other than this do not agree with the rules of badminton.
#5. Equipment required:
-Racquet:
For beginners, there are plenty of choices of racquets. There are many brands like Yonex, Ashaway, Li-Ning and more who make many racquets for beginners.
-Shoes:
Non-marking gum sole shoes are mandatory. Running shoes are not allowed and they are not advised either. The gum sole shoes give a perfect grip on the court.
-Shuttlecock:
Mostly feather shuttlecocks are used. But there are plastic shuttles that are available and are good for beginners as feather shuttles tend to break easily, whereas a plastic shuttle will last longer, which makes it better and more cost effective for the beginner.
-Attire:
Jersey/ dry fit t-shirts and shorts/skirts are the best options to wear while playing. Jeans and shirt are not comfortable and against the rules of badminton.
#6. Drills for beginners:
On Court:
-Multishuttle drill:
Many strokes can be played in different rallies in this drill. In multi, many shuttles are thrown to the player and the player is required to play a particular stroke time and again till all the shuttles are over. This helps in getting consistency.
The player is constantly hitting the same stroke again and again in order to perfect the stroke be it a toss, drop or net play. Variations can be brought about in the rallies once the player shows improvement.
-4 corners footwork:
This is a drill meant for beginners to get their footwork right on the court. It includes covering 4 corners of the court in the correct manner and how to move to each corner.
-Stroke practice drills:
Each stroke should be practiced repeatedly. This ensures consistency and better quality on the court. Getting someone to stand on one side and tell them to help you play your strokes by giving you correct feeding will go a long way.
Off Court:
-Wall rally drill:
Taking a used shuttle and constantly playing against the wall is the best way to increase strength and consistency in hitting the shuttle. This helps a beginner send the shuttle back to the opponent’s court when he is playing on the actual court. It even helps perfect the swing of a player.
-Shuttle throwing drill:
This is a drill where the player lines up a number of shuttles in a line and turn by tun picks each shuttle and throws in a forward direction. This helps in getting the beginner’s arm to move correctly which translates in better quality strokes on the court. Here’s how:
-Agility drills:
Agility drills helps a beginner in moving quickly and getting a player to react quickly too. It helps a player be on his/her toes.
#7. Useful Tips:
-Be regular:
Being regular and practising frequently will help you play better in the long run. Missing practice and being regular is important.
-Keep practicing on the wall:
It helps a lot to keep at it as you’ll see drastic improvements in your shots. The best part is that you don’t need a court to do it.
-Always warm-up and stretch:
Warming up is very essential before as it helps to prevent injuries and also gets the body ready for play. Stretching after is equally important as it ensures that the muscles cool down and are flexible and not stiff.
-Stay cool:
As a beginner, it may be frustrating that your strokes are not quite where you want it to be, but stay cool as with time and efforts you will achieve what you want. Getting frustrated may do you more damage.
-Never give up:
When things are not going your way, never give up. Your approach should be to better yourself and pick yourself up. Quitting is never the answer.
Conclusion:
Badminton is not the easiest sport to learn, but once you get the hang of it, the sky is the limit. Everyone starts off as a beginner but where they want to take it is all on them. Basics are important.
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