Important and Useful Equipment for Badminton
Badminton Equipment : Badminton is an activity requiring swift reflexes, agility, and precision. Proper equipment is very important for good performance. As such, professional and amateur players alike need proper gear not only to elevate their game but also to reduce the risks of injuries. MJ Badminton Academy makes sure that players are armed with only the best equipment in order to unleash their full potential. This list and explanation will tell you everything you need to know about the equipment required for badminton and also inform you why a particular item is there and how it will impact your game. Let’s know more about, what are the badminton equipment ? WHAT ARE THE BADMINTON EQUIPMENTS IS Badminton Rackets: The racket is of course the main equipment with which to play. Good rackets provide you with improvements in your game, and bad ones limit your possibilities. Key Factors in Choosing a Racket: Weight: The rackets generally weigh between 80-100 grams. A lighter racket means agility and quicker reflexes, while a heavier racket provides more power for shots but can be very difficult to control. Balance Point: Rackets can be head-heavy, head-light or even-balanced. With a head-heavy racket you get more power for smashing and clears. It suits aggressive players. In a head-light racket, control is more significant, and it suits defensive players or those playing mostly up at the net. Even-balanced rackets have a blend of both power and control so they are versatile for all-around players. Shaft Flexibility: This is the degree of flexibility in the racket shaft, which accounts for how easily power can be generated. More rigid rackets provide better control for faster swing speeds. More flexible rackets present ease in delivering powers for slower swing speeds. Grip Size: The size of the grip should feel comfortable in your hand. It has to be one with which you could get a good, tight grip, without straining at the wrist or fingers. Our Academy trains the players to choose rackets according to playing styles, skills, and physique. The most popular brands are YONEX, Victor, and Li-Ning. They have varieties of high-quality rackets for professionals and beginners. Badminton Shuttlecocks: The badminton shuttlecock or the birdie is the second most important equipment used in badminton. The shuttlecock affects the game’s speed, trajectory, and control. Types of Badminton Shuttlecocks: Feathered Shuttlecocks: Feathered badminton shuttlecocks are most commonly made of goose or duck feathers and are used in most professional tournaments due to its consistency in flight pattern and higher control, but are fragile and require frequent replacement. Synthetic (Nylon) Shuttlecocks: The shuttlecock made from nylon or other synthetic material is strong, more used in training or recreational play. It is less sharp in terms of precision compared with the feathered. Yet they are more durable and cheaper. For tournament games and advanced competitions, we use only feathered shuttlecocks. For practice sessions, we shall make use of synthetic badminton shuttlecocks. We will train our players to fully master the essentials on how a shuttlecock moves- slow or fast- so that we can make the right choice of shuttlecock speed based on conditions within the court and atmosphere. Badminton Shoes: Badminton is a precise game that involves quick movements, and right footwear will make a difference here. Badminton shoes are specially designed to keep the balance during long rallies to the players, considering speed, grip, and comfort. Key Features of Badminton Shoes: Non-Marking Soles: The soles of most of the indoor badminton court Require shoes that do not leave marks on the floors. In that way, soles with marks can badly damage the floors. Such non-marking soles ensure immense traction, thereby reducing chances of slipping. Cushioning: This sport calls for a lot of jumping, lunging and sudden stops, so appropriate cushioning in the heel and midsole of the shoe helps cushion the shocks and minimize the chances of injury to the athlete. Lightweight and Breathable: A light shoe will enhance agility and quick moves. Breathability provides comfort during long matches. Ankle Support: Badminton involves rapid lateral movement; thus, a shoe with good ankle support will protect the athlete from sprain and injury. For shoes, we encourage players within MJ Badminton Academy to invest their money on quality shoes from well known brands such as Yonex and Victor, which normally offer badminton specific shoes, as does Asics. Badminton Apparel: Proper attires are crucial for the comfort and performance of badminton. The badminton apparel (clothes) used by the badminton players must be lightweight, flexible, and moisture wicking to move around without any restriction as well as stay cool while playing. Key Features of Badminton Apparel (Clothes): Breathable Fabric: It is quite an intensive sport, and a breath of air must penetrate through while playing. In addition, too much sweating also requires sweat-wicking properties. Polyester mixes and micro fiber are quite popular in clothing as it has moisture-wicking characteristics. Flexibility: It should offer a flexibility in its structure to enable flexible movements and activities such as smashing, lunging, and jumping without restricting the movements. Durability: The garments should be made of quality material that is resistant to frequent washing and wearing, especially for serious players. The MJ Badminton Academy recommends players wear badminton apparel (clothing) suitable for the weather in which they play. Some of the good brands offering comfort and performance badminton apparel (clothing) include Yonex, Victor, and Li-Ning. Grips: Usually, grips are the part people forget about but it is the most important part when it comes to control in rackets; if your grips are worn out, this could be a reason for discomfort, loss of control, even blistering. Over grips should be regularly replaced to ensure a solid hold of the racket. Types of Grips: Replacement Grips: The thicker version of the original grip from the factory. It replaces the original grip and provides much better comfort, though this may increase the size of the racket handle. Over grips: These grips are thinner in comparison to the replacement grips. These overgrips are