Badminton Icon

Badminton

Badminton is a racket sport that involves hitting a shuttlecock over a net on indoor courts. Points are scored when the opponent is unable to return the shuttlecock before it hits the floor.

Get Involved

An Overview of Badminton

  • Badminton is the world's fastest racquet sport, there's a raised net and you can play singles or doubles.
  • The aim is to hit a shuttlecock, a cone shaped object usually made of feathers with a cork or rubber base, over the net with your racquet.
  • If the shuttlecock lands inside your opponent's half, or if they fail to return it back over the net in the rally, you win the point.
  • The first to 21 points will win a game, and a match is a best out of three games.

Courts can be found in schools, universities, leisure centres, badminton and mixed sports clubs.

Benefits

  • It's can be a great aerobic exercise but the intensity is up to you, it can be energetic or a light workout.
  • Find a tough opponent for a full-body workout that tests your agility and stamina.
  • The tactics make it a good all round work out for your brain as well
  • Your flexibility, balance and reaction speed is enhanced by all the twisting, turning, jumping and stretching
  • Hand to eye co-ordination is tested, as are your reflexes

Costs

Cost to hire a court can vary across the country but generally it will set you back somewhere between £6 – £12 per hour and in some cases badminton court hire comes as part of a wider membership offer with Leisure Centre's membership benefits. Alternatively, you can just turn up and play at any of the No Strings sessions for just £3-£5 per session, with sessions lasting from one to three hours.

Involvement

You can play in a sports hall, or a school, leisure centre or social club even. You can also play outdoors - no court or net required - so long as the weather isn't too rough! If you're enjoying badminton and looking to make a bigger commitment, join a club. Most cater for social and competitive players at junior and senior level.

Adaptations and Equipment

For a beginner, badminton is a relatively low cost sport to start playing. If you want to buy your own equipment then you need to consider the racket and shuttles.

Racket: These are made of various lightweight materials. They come in many different makes and prices but If you are just starting the game you do not need to buy the most expensive racket. Buy a racket that suits you.

Shuttle: These are plastic or feathered. If you are just starting, plastic shuttles are ideal and cheaper. They come in three speeds - fast, medium and slow. Buy medium speed to start with until you know more about the game.

Facts

  • Simon Archer and Jo Goode won Britain's first Olympic medal in Sydney 2000 - a bronze in the mixed doubles.

National Governing Bodies

Badminton England

Contact Email
enquiries@badmintonengland.co.uk
Contact Telephone
01908 268400
SASP Sport Welfare Officers Forum

SASP Sport Welfare Officers Forum

A online meeting for Sports Club Welfare & Safeguarding Officers based in Somerset.

You're invited to attend our club welfare forum for anyone involved in sport and physical activity in Somerset, but in particular those in your clubs who hold the role of 'club welfare officer' or 'safeguarding lead'.

If you're the Safeguarding or Welfare Officer at your Sports Club, please join Tracey Sweetland, Somerset Sport Welfare Officer at SASP to learn about local support and opportunities to assist you in your volunteer role.

Badminton Development Fund

Badminton Development Fund

The Badminton Development Fund has been set up by Badminton England to provide financial investment to support our badminton community, to grow the game.

Our Newsletters

Keep in touch for the latest updates in sport and news.

Contact Us

Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, Marlow Road, Nr. Marlow, SL7 IRR