There are many sports games you can play for fun or competition, with a partner or as a team. Badminton is one such game. It is played on an indoor or outdoor court, which means you can benefit from wearing a good quality pair of shoes—like a comfortable pair of Babolat tennis shoes.
Footwear aside, there are some things you can do to ensure you play your best. So, whether you are a beginning badminton player or already have some experience and looking to improve your game, the following tips are for you:
- Make sure to warm up: Warming up your body and mind before playing any sport is encouraged, and badminton is no exception. By not doing a proper warm-up, you put yourself at risk for pulled muscles, as well as having poor agility and stamina on the court.
- Test your badminton gear: The grip on your badminton racket must fit you well—large hands need large grips, and smaller hands need smaller grips. Also important is a relaxed grip for comfort and a flexible wrist to rotate between forehand and backhand moves. Next, check the shuttlecock flight. Unlike a perfect shuttlecock soaring smoothly through the air, poor quality shuttlecocks wobble when in flight. Take wobbly shuttlecocks out of play and practice.
- Move your body into position: After playing a shot, it’s advised that you set a central base position to return to. Here, you are repositioned in a spot on your area of the court where you can reach all opposing shots. And since badminton is a physical game that has you moving constantly, you must prepare your body to move in any direction at any given time during a game. Be careful not to pull your body awkwardly into a position that may result in injury.
- Read your opponent: Both beginning and seasoned badminton players can benefit from incorporating strategies into their game play. Remember, not only is badminton physical, it’s psychological, too. Try homing in on your opponent’s patterns—where they are going to move on the court, how they flex their wrist to reach a shot—so you can use their weakness to your advantage.
- Do exercises that benefit your game: Badminton really works your legs, knees, arms and wrists. This is all the more reason to focus on exercises that benefit your game. So, put on your Babolat tennis shoes and head out for a jog or fast-paced walk to increase knee strength, and consider yoga, as it’s an activity that focuses on improving flexibility.
- Plan to cool down afterwards: If you stop moving immediately after a game, your body could cramp up and you could feel extra fatigued. After playing badminton, finish up with a cool-down period—a light walk around the court and gentle stretching. This is a great time to reflect on your performance.
Now, take these tips onto the court to apply them to your badminton game—both beginning and experienced players can benefit! And if you want the best badminton rackets and Babolat tennis shoes, look no further than Lawler Sports. Contact us to learn more about our sports equipment inventory!
