Badminton Tips for Beginners and Advanced Players
Photo by Marques Jackson Photography.
By Marnie Kunz
Learn the basics of badminton and improve your skills with these badminton tips for players of all levels. From choosing the right equipment to figuring out when your badminton racquet needs restringing, we’ve got you covered. NYC Racquet Sports’ resident badminton player and master stringer weighs in with tips for playing badminton and keeping your equipment in top shape.
History of Badminton
Badminton’s roots stretch back centuries, with ancient civilizations in Eurasia enjoying games similar to what we know today. The modern version, however, is believed to have originated in 19th-century India and was later refined in England. The name “badminton” comes from Badminton House, the estate where the sport became popular among British social circles. Since then, badminton’s fast-paced rallies and demanding agility have seen its popularity soar worldwide. In 1992, it became a full medal sport in the Olympics, with shuttlecocks reaching incredible speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
Badminton’s surge in popularity is evident in New York City, where new badminton clubs are popping up throughout the tri-state area, and existing ones are seeing a rise in membership. Badminton tournaments offer opportunities for players of all skill levels to compete and connect. Some popular badminton clubs in NYC include the New York Badminton Center, WB Brooklyn Badminton Club, and Big Apple Badminton, to name just a few. The Badminton Club of the City of New York was founded in 1878 and is the oldest badminton club in the world.
Why Play Badminton? Longtime Player Weighs In
“I think one of my favorite things about badminton is that it’s not as intense right off the bat,” says Rafi Cartagena, a master stringer and sales associate at NYC Racquet Sports. “It’s more community-focused, and you’ll see that in a lot of sports outside of badminton as well, like the racquet sports that are really coming up nowadays- pickleball, Padel, stuff like that.”
Rafi started playing badminton in college 14 years ago after searching for an indoor sport to play.
“There’s more of a community-centric vibe and not so much an immediate competitive vibe in badminton,” Rafi says.
Another benefit of badminton is that it’s an indoor or outdoor sport, so you can play at any time, regardless of the weather. Whether it’s snowing, raining, or glaringly hot outside, badminton players can enjoy their sport at any time of year.
“Being an indoor sport primarily makes it so much easier to play in areas of the country where it’s kind of hard to play outdoor sports year-round,” Rafi says.
Badminton Basics: Getting Started with Badminton Gear
If you’re a beginner, here are the essentials you need to get started playing badminton:
Badminton Racquet. Your racquet is the most important piece of equipment for badminton. At NYC Racquet Sports, we can help you find the perfect racquet with our large selection of badminton gear. Our try-before-you-buy Demo Program is an excellent way to do a test run and find the best racquet to suit your preferences.
Shuttlecocks. Nylon shuttlecocks are more durable and better for beginners, while feathered shuttlecocks are used for competitive play.
Badminton Shoes. Racquet sports shoes that have non-marking soles provide good court grip and ankle support to prevent injuries. Regular athletic or running shoes won’t provide the same level of stability. They can injure you and also mark the court.
Badminton Net and Posts. If you do not intend to play at a public court or gym and have access to a backyard or outdoor space, you can purchase a net and posts to set up your badminton court.
Badminton Tips for Beginners
When you play your first badminton match, Rafi advises having fun and trying not to be intimidated. Enjoy the game's social aspect and try not to take it too seriously. Badminton is a social sport, which gives it a community feeling.
“Don’t be too intimidated right off the bat,” Rafi says. “Don’t be pressured to go further than you want to immediately. And really, try your best to have fun with it. Go out and meet people. The more fun you have, the more you’ll want to play, the better you’ll get over time.”
Here are some more badminton tips for beginners:
Learn the basic strokes. Master the forehand and backhand drives, clear (lob), drop shot, and serve.
Focus on control. Aim to keep the shuttlecock in play rather than hitting winners.
Play with others. Find a badminton partner or group to play with regularly. Playing with others is a great way to learn and improve your badminton skills.
Badminton Tips for Intermediate and Advanced Players
If you’ve been playing badminton for a long time, these badminton tips for advanced players can help you improve your skills.
Develop deception. Learn how to disguise your shots to keep your opponent guessing.
Practice net play. Net play is essential for winning points. Practice net flicks, drops, and smashes.
Improve your stamina. Badminton is a demanding sport. Do cross-training exercises to improve your endurance by running, cycling, or walking. Increasing your stamina will help you play at your best for an entire badminton match.
Refine your technique. Focus on perfecting your strokes for maximum power and accuracy.
Develop strategies. Learn different strategies for singles and doubles play.
Look to professional players for inspiration. Watch professional badminton matches to learn new techniques and strategies.
Add strength and conditioning to your training. Do strength and conditioning training to improve your power, speed, and agility. Speed workouts, agility drills, and strength training can help you become a better badminton player.
When to Restring Your Badminton Racquet
Once you’re playing badminton regularly, you’ll need to get your racquet restrung periodically. One sign to watch for is when your shots lose power or consistency. Although there is no set badminton restring timeframe, Rafi says that if you play frequently, you need to restring often.
The ideal time to restring your badminton racket depends on different variables, but here’s a general guide:
Frequency of Play:
Regular Players (2-3 times/week): Restring every 3 to 4 months.
Competitive Players (several times/week): Restring every 1 to 2 months.
String Condition:
Broken Strings. This is an obvious sign you need to restring your badminton racquet.
String Tension Loss. Strings lose tension over time, leading to a dull feeling and decreased power and control. If you notice a significant drop in your playing performance, it’s time for a restring.
Visible Wear. Look for fraying, nicks, or other damage to the strings.
Other factors affecting your string performance include the weather, string type, and your playing style. If you play in humid conditions, strings can deteriorate faster, and you might need to restring more often. Thinner strings lose tension faster than thicker ones, so consider this when choosing your string. Aggressive players who hit hard smashes may need to restring more frequently.
Ready to dominate the court? NYC Racquet Sports is your one-stop shop for badminton enthusiasts of all levels! Our expert stringers can breathe new life into your racquet, optimizing tension for peak performance. Need Gear to Match Your Game? We offer a wide selection of premium badminton equipment to help you play at your best. Head to NYC Racquet Sports flagship store today to take your game to the next level.
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Marnie Kunz is a writer, fitness trainer, and founder of Runstreet based in Brooklyn, NY.
