How To Choose a Badminton Equipment

Material

Rackets are made of graphite, titanium and carbon, which are characterized by high rigidity and low weight. Aluminum rackets are also popular, but they deform more easily.

What material to avoid?
Today, wooden rackets are hardly used anymore. Very rarely do you come across steel rackets - usually only in supermarkets. These rackets deform and are heavier, so they put greater strain on your wrist. They are also harder to control.

Weight

This can greatly affect performance, so it is desirable to avoid heavier models. The normal weight of rackets without strings is 80-120 grams. If you play only occasionally, a heavier racket over 100 grams will suffice. However, if you plan to play often, we recommend lighter rackets. This will prevent excessive strain on your wrist.

The lighter the racket, the better the control:

• Light (< 89 g)
• Moderate (90–93 g)
• Heavy (> 94 g)

Balance

The balance of a racket expresses the distribution of its weight. It is measured from the end of the handle to the head of the racket. The racket can be balanced in different ways:

• To the head – intensifies the blow and accelerates the swing, used in attack models (> 315 mm).
• Center – a compromise between swing speed and stroke control (305–314 mm).
• In the hand – increases sensitivity and control of the blow (< 304 mm).

The balance can be partially adjusted with a suitably selected grip.

Flexibility

There are two basic principles of racket flexibility:
- The more flexible the racket, the better it is controlled - the better you can defend.
- The stiffer the racket, the faster the game, but the racket is harder to control - it attacks better.

For each racket, there are seven classes of flexibility:

• Extra Flexible (very flexible shaft)
• Flexible (flexible shaft)
• Medium Flex / Dynamic (more flexible shaft)
• Medium / Dynamic (medium flexible shaft)
• Medium Stiff / Dynamic Stiff (medium stiff shaft)
• Stiff (rigid shaft)
• Extra Stiff (very rigid shaft)

Which racket is best for a beginner?

If you are just starting out with badminton, we recommend a flexible to medium-flexible racket with a balance in the hand or in the middle. Avoid rackets balanced in the head (above 315 mm). These are designed for advanced players with an offensive style. If you are choosing a racket for a child or a young player, choose light rackets weighing up to 90 g.

What material should the racket I buy be made from?

Try to choose graphite, titanium and carbon rackets, which are characterized by high rigidity and low weight. Aluminum rackets are also popular, but they deform easily. Avoid wooden and steel rackets, which are difficult to handle and, due to their higher weight, they strain the wrist more.

Is a more expensive racket always better?

It cannot be said unequivocally that a more expensive racket will be a better choice for every player. The individual models differ from each other mainly in stiffness, balance and weight. Each player has a different style, and a racket that suits an attacking player may not suit a more technical player. In general, however, it can be said that more expensive rackets are made of higher quality materials and a stiffer structure and less deformability can be expected.

How do I know my playing style?

Simply put, game styles can be divided into offensive and technical. The offensive style of play is characterized by sharp blows, most often struck in the back of the court. Rackets suitable for this style are usually balanced in the head and are stiffer for faster shots. Conversely the technical style of play can be recognized by the tendency to accurately place the shuttlecock in places that the opponent does not have covered. Rackets for technical styles are balanced in the hand and have higher flexibility for better maneuverability.

• Head-balanced rackets – increase the speed of your swing, suitable for offensive playing style (> 315 mm).
• Hand-balanced rockets – provide great control over the blow and are accurate. You can use them for technical playing style (< 304 mm).
• Center-weighted rockets – a compromise between swing speed and control (305–314 mm).

Material

The shuttlecock consists of a cork or plastic head, a so-called ‘skirt’, and a speed tape. The material of the shuttlecock impacts on various other properties (like speed and weight). The most common are:

• Plastic shuttlecocks, suitable for beginners and those who play just for fun. They tend to be cheaper and are more resistant to impact outside the cork head than the feather version. However, they have worse flight stability.
• Feather shuttlecocks are mainly used by advanced players. They are made of 16 goose quills. They are characterized by better flight stability. Their speed can be adjusted by evenly folding the ends of the quills. They are usually more expensive.
• Carbon shuttlecocks take the best of both types and takes them to a higher level. They have comparable flight characteristics to feather shuttlecocks used by advanced players. Their advantage is higher durability thanks to carbon fibers woven into the skirt.

Speed

When you play the ball from the back line to the opposing side, the ball will fly about 30cm longer/ faster.

Some manufacturers distinguish speed by colored stripes on the cork head (green - slow, blue - medium, red - fast).

The speed of the shuttlecock is also affected by temperature, humidity and altitude. For advanced players, it is optimal to aim for a speed of 77 at 20–30°C and 78 at 15–25°C depending on conditions.

• 75 – slow
• 76 – medium slow
• 77 – medium
• 78 – medium fast
• 79 – fast

Which shuttlecocks are more suitable for beginners?

For beginners, but also recreational play for more experienced players, we recommend plastic shuttlecocks. Compared to feather shuttlecocks, they are more durable and cheaper. Although they have worse flight characteristics, the difference is insignificant for a beginner.

What influences the shuttlecock's behavior during play the most?

In addition to the technique and force of the impact, the material from which it is made has the greatest influence on the flight characteristics of the shuttlecock. Feather shuttlecocks are faster. Advanced and professional badminton players use them. Their disadvantage is the greater susceptibility to damage compared to plastic shuttlecocks.

The speed of the shuttlecock is also affected by temperature, humidity and air density. The speed of the shuttlecock is indicated by the speed tape (green = slow, blue = medium, red = fast), or by a number (75-79).

Carbon shuttlecocks combine the best of both worlds. The shuttlecock has the flight characteristics of the feather type, but the strength of the plastic onel. The pioneer of this technology is the Victor Carbonsonic CS 2 shuttlecock.