FACILITIES AD EQUIPMENT USED IN BADMINTON
Different versions of badminton have been played for centuries, but it was the game of "Poona"
in India that was the basis for the game of badminton we play today. In the 1860's a group of
stationed British army officers learned the game and took it back with them from India. The
game grew in popularity until 1895 when the Badminton Association of England was formed,
along with the rules of game play that are used around the world even today. In order to play
this form of badminton, certain equipment and facilities are needed.
1. Racket
-The badminton racket is one of the most important tools a player has in the game.
-Badminton rackets are much lighter than most other sports rackets because they are
made from materials such as carbon fiber or lighter metals such as aluminum.
-Parts of the racket include the head, throat, shaft and handle with a maximum length of
27.77 inches and a width of 9 inches. It Strings that are stretched across the opening of
the racket in a checkerboard pattern, which acts as the hitting surface. Badminton
rackets can vary widely in cost depending on whether they are purchased as part of a
basic backyard set or as more expensive professional models.
Materials OF THE RACKET
Traditionally, badminton frames have been made out of wood. Although still available,
wood rackets have largely been abandoned due to the availability of lighter, more
durable synthetic materials such as carbon fiber, lightweight metal alloys and ceramics.
These are used in most modern badminton rackets today.
Frame
The body of the racket itself is called the frame. It consists of the head, the stringed
area, the throat, the shaft and the handle. According to BWF laws, the length of the
frame should be no longer than 680 millimeters or wider than 230 millimeters. The
weight of a fully strung frame should be within 80 and 100 grams. Frames can come in
different shapes, with larger or smaller sweet spots, and can be more or less flexible,
depending on the materials used and their construction.
Head
The head of the racket is the ring of material that holds the strings in place. It can be
oval or more rounded, and has holes in its perimeter though which the strings are laced.
Stringed Area
The stringed area is made up of nylon or carbon fiber string that is interwoven to form
the face of the racket. Its dimensions, according to BWF rules, must not exceed 280
millimeters in length or 220 millimeters in width.
Throat
The throat connects the head to the shaft. It may be a separate triangular piece at the
base of the head, or may actually be integrated into the head itself.
Shaft
The shaft is the long rod between the throat and handle. Often made of a composite
material such as graphite, the shaft can be stiffer or more flexible based on the needs of
the player.
Handle
The handle connects to the shaft and is used to hold the racket. The handle is covered
with a material called the grip. There are two types of grips: towel grips are good for
absorbing moisture, but may need to be changed frequently; synthetic grips are less
absorbent but more durable.
2. Shuttlecock
-The badminton shuttlecock, also referred to as a shuttle or birdie, acts similarly to a ball
in other racket sports.
-However, the design of the birdie creates more drag as it is propelled through the air
due to its feathered shape.
-The shuttlecock is made up of a cone shape with a hard cork at its tip.
- Shuttlecocks can be made from a variety of materials -- more expensive models are
actually made from feathers, and less expensive models are made from plastic feathers.
The shuttle has 16 feathers attached to the base and the length of the feathers range
between 2.44 and 2.75 inches.
3. Net
-A mesh net divides the badminton court into two sides.
- A badminton net is placed lower than a volleyball net at five feet and one inch high on
the sides and five feet high in the center.
- The length may vary depending on whether doubles or singles are playing, with
singles reaching 17 feet and doubles reaching 22 feet.
-The net is 30 inches wide with a 3-inch white tape doubled over the top.
Facilities
4. Badminton Court
-The badminton court should be 44 feet long by 22 feet wide if playing doubles, and 44
feet long by 17 feet wide for singles.
- If the facility is indoors, there needs to be enough height for the shuttlecock to be able
to float across the net without hitting the ceiling. This height will vary depending on the
strength of the players.
British troops stationed in India in the 18th century brought an Indian child's game called Poona
back to England. There it was first played and popularized at Badminton, the Duke of Beaufort's
country estate. The sport of badminton is played on a shuttle court. Somewhat of a cross
between volleyball and tennis, it uses a net, lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock -- originally a
cork ball with feathers attached. Badminton can be played by two or four players, inside or
outside. Today, the Badminton World Federation sanctions the Badminton Super Series, which
brings pro players from around the world together in competition.
Shuttle Court Surface
Badminton may be played on turf or on hardwood surfaces specifically constructed for
sports, such as a basketball court. Concrete surfaces and carpeted floors are
associated with a higher incidence of injury in badminton.
Shuttle Court Layout
The shuttle court is a rectangular playing area. It is marked out by 1 and 1/2-inch wide
lines of chalk or some other marking colored white or yellow.
Shuttle Court Length
The shuttle court is 44 feet long. It is bisected by a net 2 feet, 6 inches wide, the top of
which is suspended 5 feet from the surface of the court at the centerline.
Shuttle Court Width
The shuttle court playing area is 20 feet wide for doubles play. For singles play, the
sidelines are 17 feet wide.
Service Area
The service court is 15 feet, 6 inches in length, beginning at the singles service line and
extending forward to another line 6 feet, 6 inches from the net.
Reference:
https://www.sportsrec.com/6612657/badminton-equipment-facilities
https://www.sportsrec.com/causes-spots-hardwood-basketball-court-5063336.html
https://www.sportsrec.com/4267770/parts-of-a-badminton-racket
