Badminton is an indoor sport played using a racket and a shuttlecock.
The racket is your most crucial equipment.
It plays a significant role in hitting the shuttlecock back and forth.
A racket generally has five parts- stringed area, head, throat, shaft, and handle.
The upper part of the racket is called the frame, which measures 680 mm in length and 230 mm in width.
These rackets are made of aluminium, carbon, tungsten, and graphite.
And the strings of the racket are made up of synthetic materials.
A player must always choose an ideal racket according to their gameplay level.
And the type of racket you choose should match your playing ability.
How to choose a perfect badminton racket?
Before buying any gear or equipment, we first look at its features, which help us choose the best.
Likewise, the same rule applies when choosing an ideal racket for yourself or your loved ones.
And are four things to consider when it comes to choosing the most suitable racket for yourself:
1. Weight of the racket
Usually, the weight of a racket is denoted by “U”; the smaller the number, the heavier the racket’s weight.
An ideal racket generally weighs approx 80g to 100g.
There are generally four different types of racket weighting categories, which I have mentioned below:
- 4U: 80-84 g
- 3U: 85-89 g
- 2U: 90-94 g
- 1U: 95-100 g
(a) Ideal racket weight based on your game level
If you are a beginner, always opt for a lightweight racket.
A lightweight racket always weighs between 85 grams to 89 grams (3U), as these lightweight rackets are very easy to swing and control.
Rather than this, these rackets also allow you to play some powerful strokes with amazing speed and recovery.
Also, you can perform some quick serves and switch to different strokes easily.
Lightweight rackets are also easier on the wrist and shoulders, which reduces the chances of facing injuries.
But in case you are an intermediate player, you can opt for a 2U racket, which weighs approximately 90-94 grams.
And if you are a professional badminton player, you can surely opt for a heavy racket weighing between 95 to 100 grams (1U).
2. Balance point
Apart from the weight, rackets can also be categorized through their balance point (where the racket’s weight is largely located).
And if you want to check the balancing point of the racket, then you need to place your finger slightly below the head of the racket and see which side the racket tilts.
There are generally three categories of balance:
(a) Head- heavy balance
Head-heavy rackets have more mass towards the head of the racket.
These head-heavy rackets generally increase the power of strokes and are best for rallies as they produce lengthy clears.
So head-heavy rackets are best for those players who love to play some powerful badminton shots from the back of the court and those whose game revolves around long exchanges.
(b) Head- light balance
As compared to head-heavy rackets, head-light rackets hold less weight on its head.
Such rackets are easy to control and swing.
Also, these rackets are popular among doubles players who must react quickly against opponents’ smashes.
Rather than this, these rackets also offer you more speed at the net and help you to kill a game at the front court.
(c) Even- balance
Even-balanced rackets are generally designed to provide the middle ground between a head-heavy and head-light balance racket.
You can opt for this racket when confused with your gaming style and need to know which racket to choose.
If you are a beginner, then an even balanced racket is the best option to start over.
And once you have established your playing style, you can switch to the head-heavy or head-Light versions of rackets to improve your overall game.
3. String tension
String tension is just another way to categorise a racket accordingly.
And if you want to examine the tension of a racket, then slightly press your palm against the racket strings and see how far it sinks.
Remember: 1mm underwater depth of the strings is the ideal tension for most players.
And in case you want to indulge extra force in your strokes, you will require a higher tension to indulge in your racket strings.
For beginners, 22 – 23 lbs is a good starting tension.
Also, the string tension varies from region to region due to how temperature affects string tensions.
Higher racket tensions are usually required for people living in the tropics as strings tend to expand in hotter places.
4. Hand grip
Two significant factors affect the grip of a racket, according to its type and size:
(a) Types of racket grips
There are two types of badminton racket grips; Towel and Synthetic.
Towel grips are softer than synthetic ones and are one of the best options for players facing severe sweating problems.
It also makes these towel grips accumulate germs and bacteria.
But remember that you need to change the towel grip consistently compared to the synthetic grips.
On the other hand, synthetic grips are slick and less messy.
Also, synthetic grips are less comfortable because of their poor sweat absorption ability.
(b) Size of the racket grips
Usually, racket grips come in four sizes.
More oversized grips are preferred mainly by those players who want a tighter feel to generate more power.
And those players who love to employ deception in their games generally prefer smaller grips as it allows for better manoeuvrability.
Final Words
I hope now you know about the four racket features you need to keep in mind while choosing a suitable racket for yourself.
A perfect racket allows you to play adequately on the court and helps you improve your game level and other badminton skills.
Choose one accordingly and wisely.
And in case you face any problems or have any questions in your mind regarding this post, then feel free to ask us or pin it up in the comment section below.
It is crucial but not the most important equipment. A good shoe is more important than the “perfect racket”. Let that sink in.
Yes, you are right, but a badminton racket is also as important as badminton shoes because, without a good racket, one cannot play ideally.