Badminton is a great game. It can be played by the young and particularly fit as a singles game, with one person on each side of the net. Or, as we get older, it is great fun to play doubles badminton, either mixed (a man and lady on each side of the net ) or men’s (two men) or ladies’ (two ladies).
Generally, it’s played indoors in the UK and mainly in the winter. The object that is knocked across the net is called a shuttlecock which consists of a hard base of cork or plastic flighted with feathers, either real or artificial.
The shuttlecock is critical to the dynamics of the sport of badminton because it enables delicate drop shots, complex tumble shots, hard smashes and high clears. It is a very unusual game and its uniqueness is derived largely from the nature of the shuttlecock.
Badminton can be a very fast game, played by experts, but it is also a great game to be played slowly by beginners. Courts can be hired by the hour at a leisure centre with a friend to provide competition or there are many friendly badminton clubs who are usually eager to find new members.
Some clubs have members with a high degree of expertise and will often expect potential new members to demonstrate their playing ability in a friendly trial game (sometimes called ‘playing in’). Other clubs will have a policy of accepting anybody who is interested in playing, whatever their standard.
Some clubs may be so large that they have different levels of play within the club and are able to cater for all levels of play as a result.
Playing badminton in a club is great because it means you’ll always have the opportunity of different people to play against. Many badminton clubs put forward teams to play in their local badminton leagues against other clubs which offers yet more experience for a new and improving badminton player.
So, if you have never tried playing badminton, why not give it to go. Try several clubs until you find one that matches your age group and playing skills. You may find that it becomes the love of your life and a wonderful new way of meeting people.
Oh and one more thing … It’s a great a way of keeping fit!
Bye for now
Rob
