Over the past decade, the popularity of badminton has increased exponentially across the World. While some athletes decide to make a professional career in the sport, many athletes give up the sport after a certain age due to many reasons.
Like there is a silver lining to every problem, people who leave the sport also can be associated with the sport in many other ways. For example, I was a university-level player and now I run my badminton website to maintain my passion for the sport. Likewise, I have listed down several career or business options you can work on in the field of badminton.
These can be taken up by both badminton and non-badminton players. Passion and knowledge for the sport are all that is required.
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Badminton Training School
Badminton is the most played sport in the world. It is easily accessible and can be played by people of all ages and gender. Bringing up a badminton training center will be like a blessing in disguise to all people living in that locality. Moreover, badminton is an indoor sport and can be played irrespective of any weather. This is why it is considered one of the safest sport for children. This is one of the most profitable badminton businesses in India.
You can open a badminton academy of your brand or can take a franchise of a well-reputed academy in your country. However, you need professional and skilled instructors for your academy to do well in the long run.
Coaching
Coaching is an upcoming career option in badminton. With an increase in participation in badminton, the demand for good badminton coaches is increasing all around the world. However, get yourself properly trained with a good coaching certification course to increase your credibility. It is not always necessary to be a badminton player to pursue badminton coaching.
There are many coaching certifications available today. Choose one according to your preference. Keep learning even when you start your coaching career.
Badminton Blog
If you are a passionate badminton follower and love to write about it as well, then you can think of starting your badminton blog. It is very easy to start a blog nowadays. A right and clear approach as to what you want to cover in your blog can serve as an add-on for you. The revenue earned through blogs is generally through advertisements and affiliate programs.
Event Management
As I told you earlier, badminton is the most participated sport in the world. You can arrange a series of badminton-centric events in your locality with will engage your audience and also be helpful for community development. You can research several events like the Premier Badminton League and find out what you can offer. An inter-school badminton event is also something that can interest you.
Umpire
Umpires are the most important technical officials in badminton. They maintain the integrity and decorum of the sport. Another career option in badminton is that you can choose to become a badminton umpire. You can start by umpiring at local levels after taking up a certification course from your respective federation. Eventually, with experience, you can start umpiring at the national level and International level.
Badminton Retail/Wholesale Business
You can open a complete badminton-oriented retail store that will include all famous badminton brands like Yonex, Li Ning, and more. Everything required in badminton can be served here. However. a location is very important while setting up a sports store. You can try to locate is a densely populated area which is also close by to a good badminton training center.
Create your brand locally and then you can start your online store as well for wider reach.
Badminton Technology
Various technologies are used in different sports either for improving performance or to increase the appeal of the sport from a broadcast point of view. Video analysis and the Hawkeye technology are the two most used technologies in badminton. While the former is performance-oriented, the latter is viewership-oriented. Likewise, you can think about technologies that can be used in the sport and design a business that revolves around it.
Shuttlecock Manufacturing
A shuttlecock is one of the most essential pieces of equipment in badminton. There are very few brands that are well recognized in terms of shuttles. So you can target this area as shuttles are required in high demand in the sport. The manufacturing process is simple and you can easily start this badminton business with low investment.
Badminton Infrastructure
This is one of the upcoming badminton business in the world. With an increase in demand for the sport, people all around the world want to have an exquisite badminton facility in their area. A facility with 4-6 courts has worked well as a business model too. Therefore, you can provide infrastructure options to people who want to build a badminton facility. There are different types of badminton courts and you can provide all of them depending upon your customer’s needs.
Sports Science Centre
Sports Science is an upcoming force in all sports. A sports science center involves training, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and performance analysis of an athlete. It plays an important role in developing an athlete’s performance. Therefore, it requires a series of machinery, equipment, and skilled professionals. Moreover, with a wider reach, it can prove to be a profitable business option as well.
Final Thoughts
Well, these are the ideas I had in mind if you want to make a career in badminton. You can reach out to me if want me to write a detailed article on any of the above career options through my mail id.
Top 5 performances of Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal is a leading light when it comes to Indian badminton. The star shuttler holds her name to many prestigious titles and is the first and only Indian female badminton player to conquer the World no. 1 rank. Known for her courage, strength, and power, she changed the perception of how women’s badminton was seen in India.
She is a former World no. 1 and has 24 International titles to her name including 11 superseries. She has participated in three Olympic editions (2008 Beijing, 2012 London & 2016 Rio) and is still to qualify for her fourth, the Tokyo Olympics. In her terrific career so far, she has represented India at the biggest stages and continues to be an important asset to Indian badminton. Let us take a look at Saina Nehwal’s top 5 performances to date.
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World Junior Championship (2008)
After losing the 2006 finals to Wang Yihan, the top seed at the tournament, Saina became the first Indian to clinch the World Junior Badminton Championship title. She thoroughly dominated the ninth seed, Sayaka Sato of Japan to win the title in straight sets, 21-9, 21-18 in a match lasting for only 25 minutes.
It was in the same year that she became the first Indian to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics at the Beijing Games.
Indonesia Open (2009): China vs Saina
In the era of uncontrollable Chinese domination in women’s badminton, Saina came into highlight to break this domination. By winning the Indonesia Open, she became the only fifth non-Chinese player and the first Indian to win a Superseries title at that time.
Interestingly, she was the only non-Chinese player in the final four. In the semi-finals, she overcame the tough battle of Lu Lan to move into the finals. The finals against World. no3, Wang Lin will be remembered as one of the best performances of Saina to date.
After losing the first game, Saina changed her strategy in her next two games to eventually win the match 12-21, 21-18, and 21-9.
Commonwealth Games: 2010 & 2018
Saina has proved her mettle time and again at the Commonwealth Games, winning gold in both the 2010 & 2018 editions. In the 2010 edition, she faced Malaysia’s Mew Choo Wong in the finals. The title was just about to slip from her hands after losing the first game 19-21 and trailing 20-21 in the second game. However, Saina held her nerves to win the second game 23-21, and clinched the title after winning the third game 21-13.
In the 2018 edition, the finals were something that all Indian fans must have dreamed of. It was Saina versus PV Sindhu, an all-Indian clash set up in Gold Coast, Australia. This came at a time after Sindhu won silver at the Rio Olympics and was starting to become the new star of Indian badminton.
Also read: Badminton rivalry: Saina Nehwal versus PV Sindhu
However, Saina took charge against the in-form Sindhu to win her second Commonwealth title in straight sets 21-18, 23-21.
London Olympics (2012)
India never won an Olympic medal in badminton until the London 2012 Olympics. Saina scripted history by becoming the first Indian badminton player (male/female) to win an Olympic medal. This was surely a significant milestone for Indian Badminton.
Fourth-seeded at the tournament, Saina spearheaded the semi-finals before losing to China’s Wang Yihan, the eventual silver medalist. Later, Saina secured a bronze medal after China’s top seed, Wang Xin retired from the match post-injury.
China Open (Gold): 2014
China has been a dominant force in World Badminton. Historically, Saina clinched the women’s singles title of the $7,00,000 China Open and became the first Indian player to win the title. The Olympic bronze medallist had to bank on her experience to face the challenge of Akane Yamaguchi. In a tight two-game encounter, Saina prevailed over 17-year-old Yamaguchi 21-12 22-20 in the finals which lasted for 42 minutes.
She was in incredible form for this tournament after clinching the India Open and Australia Open titles before the China Open. This feat was followed by Srikanth Kidambi winning the men’s singles title by defeating Chinese legend, Lin Dan.
Types of Shuttlecocks in Badminton
A badminton shuttlecock, commonly called a bird/birdie is one of the most important equipment in badminton. It is a projectile used by players to hit back and forth with the help of a racket over the net. Moreover, it is conical in shape with feathers embedded into a cork base. A cork provides weight to the shuttle so that it be played back and forth for longer rallies. In this article, I will explain the types of badminton shuttlecocks and which shuttlecock you should use depending on various factors.
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Types of Badminton Shuttlecocks
There are three types of shuttlecocks in badminton
- Feather
- Nylon
- AirShuttle
Feather Shuttlecock
As the name suggests, these shuttles are made from a feather that can either be of goose or duck.
Duck: These are made from the feathers of a duck and to maintain the consistency of the shuttle, all feathers are taken from the left-wing of the duck.
Goose: Just like duck feathers, goose feathers are taken from its left-wing to maintain quality. These are more durable than duck feathers.
They are used by intermediate and advance/professional level players. Moreover, they are not used by beginner-level players as the feather shuttles are brittle and break easily.
Click on the image to buy the best feather shuttles
Nylon Shuttlecock
Nylon shuttlecocks are made from nylon(plastic) and are widely used by beginner and recreational level players. They are highly durable and are widely used by players indoor and outdoor. However, always hold these shuttles from the cork as the nylon part is not as rigid so it can get damaged.
AirShuttle
The Badminton World Federation conceptualized a whole new shuttle especially for AirBadminton which is called the AirShuttle. These are designed for outdoor badminton. They are very different from the usual shuttles and it is designed in such a way so that air can fly through the shuttle for consistent flight even in windy situations.
How to make a feather shuttle last longer?
- To make your shuttles last longer, you can place them in a humidifier/moist sponge for about 3-4 hours. This will increase the longevity of the feathers.
- Another thing you can do is dip the tip of the feathers in water for some time and then play with it. Remember not to put the moist sponge or water at the cork end as this can damage the shuttle.
- Keep the shuttles in a humid environment. If this is not possible make sure you close the shuttle tubes immediately after use and store them in an environment where the temperature is kept relatively low so that moisture does not leave it due to higher temperatures.
- Buy a Humidome. This should be kept and the end of the shuttlebox and it humidifies the shuttles.
Difference between Feather and Plastic Badminton Shuttlecocks
A plastic shuttlecock is made with an even plastic skirt material which is a continuous piece of material. This design leads to lesser acceleration when hit due to higher deformation of the skirt. Later, the shuttle experiences slower deceleration because of the smaller drag effect.
Unlike a plastic shuttle, the feather shuttler is made up of 16 feathers and as the feathers do not deform immediately, the shuttle will experience faster acceleration and deceleration resulting in a steeper drop of the shuttle.
Take a look at the key differences between a feather and a plastic shuttle.
| Feather Shuttles | Plastic Shuttles | |
| Composition: It is made up of Duck/Goose Feathers | They are made of Nylon/Plastic | |
| Flight: They take high initial speed once the shuttle is hit. As more drag is imparted on a feather shuttle, it experiences a faster deceleration resulting in a sharper drop. | Lesser acceleration and deceleration as compared to feather shuttles. | |
| Clears: With the help of a feather shuttle, players can hit higher clears at the back of the opponent’s court with a lower risk of it crossing the backline, given a steeper drop at the end of its flight. It rises up in the air and falls straight to the ground. | A plastic shuttle has more risk of going beyond the backline as it has slower deceleration causing a flatter drop at the end of its flight. | |
| Lift: A lift travels higher and falls steeper to the ground when hit with a feather shuttle. | It takes more power to hit a lift with a nylon shuttle due to its flatter shuttle trajectory. | |
| Jump Smash: It’s easier to hit a jump smash with a feather shuttle as it travels on a steeper trajectory. | It’s difficult to hit a jump smash with a nylon shuttle as it travels flatter. | |
| Drops: Given the faster deceleration of the shuttlecock, players can deliver drops closer to the net with the help of a feather shuttle. | A plastic shuttle will travel at a flatter angle resulting in a drop a little far from the net. | |
| Durability: Less Durable | More Durable | |
| Control: A feather shuttle offers better control as there is less deformation of the shuttle at each shot. | With deformation more in a plastic shuttle, the time required for its skirt to return to its natural state is longer, resulting in lesser control. | |
| Cost: Expensive | Cheaper |
What badminton shuttlecock is used in the Olympics?
Yonex Aerosensa is the official shuttle used in major international tournaments including the Olympics.
However, in other tournaments, the tournament sponsor like Victor, Li-Yining, or Yonex provides the shuttles. Recently, the BWF agreed upon using plastic shuttles for International tournaments to increase sustainability. However, the choice of usage is in the hands of the tournament organizers.
What Shuttlecock should I Choose?
You should choose a shuttlecock depending upon the following factors-
- Your playing level: Beginners and recreational players can use plastic shuttles. Intermediate to advance level players should use feather shuttles.
- Price and durability: If you are looking for durable and cheaper options, then nylon shuttles are a better choice for you.
Famous Badminton Couples in the World
Badminton is not only a sport but it also plays the role of cupid of love for many shuttlers. Many badminton players have found their partners for life playing badminton together. From Lin Dan to Saina Nehwal, take a look at badminton couples all around the world.
Also read: Most Successful Shuttlers at Summer Olympics
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#1 Saina Nehwal & Parupalli Kashyap
India’s prominent badminton players, Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap found their cupid of love in the form of badminton. The childhood lovers were able to keep their relation quite secretive after having met at a training camp in 1997. The couple eventually tied the knot on Dec 16, 2018.
#2 Chris Adcock and Gabrielle Adcock
This famous English mixed doubles pair are partners on and off the court. They got married in 2013 which was followed by winning the prestigious Hong Kong Open title. Notably, the Adcocks went on to become the first husband-wife combination to win a mixed doubles gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
#3 Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl
The Rio Olympics silver medallist declared their relationship 8 years after bring together in 2017. Moreover, they revealed their relationship status in their book titled, ‘The Unique Relationship’. The couple welcomed their first child daughter named Molly in 2019.
#4 Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang
Lin Dan and Xie Xingfand are the most successful badminton couples on this list. While Lin Dan is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Xie Xingfang is an Olympic silver medalist. The legends married in 2012 and later gave birth to their son, Xiao Yu in 2016. Currently, both these players have retired from professional badminton.
#5 Lee Chong Wei and Wong Mew Choo
Two-time Olympic silver medalist, Lee Chong Wei, and Commonwealth gold medalist, Wong Mew Choo are the most famous Malaysian couples. They got married in November 2012 in a stunning wedding ceremony. Eventually, they gave birth to their first son, Kingston on 12 April 2013 and their second child, Terrance on 9 July 2015.
#6 Viktor Axelsen and Natalia Koch Rohde
Former World no. 1, Victor Axelsen recently announced that he and his girlfriend are expecting a baby. His girlfriend, Natalia Koch Rohde is a former Danish badminton player.
#7 Chen Long and Wang Shixian
After Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang, Chen Long and Wang Shixian is another legendary badminton couple from China. They married in 2017 after Chen Long’s historic Olympic gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Chen made the proposal exciting by asking her to marry in a room full of friends at a restaurant and she said yes. They are blessed with a baby boy named Xiaoyu.
#8 Sikki Reddy and Sumeth Reddy
Indian badminton duo, Sikki Reddy and Sumeth Reddy tied the knot in February 2019 in Hyderabad. They got engaged in 2017 after Sikki Reddy won the Syed Modi trophy. They are currently active players representing India at the highest level.
#9 Pullela Gopichand and PVV Lakshmi
India’s National Coach and former All England Champion, Pullela Gopichand married PVV Lakshmi on 5th June 2002. They have two children, a son(Vishnu) and a daughter(Gayathri). Following her father’s footsteps, Gayathri is also a badminton player and has also played in the Premier Badminton League.
#10 Alan Budikusuma and Susy Susanti
Indonesian badminton legends, Alan Budikusuma and Susy Susanti are currently the administrators at the All Indonesia Badminton Association. They have three children, namely, Laurencia Averina, born 1999, Albertus Edward, born 2000, Sebastianus Fredrick, born 2003. Currently, Susi and Alan own a badminton club in Jakarta Udara. In 2004 they established the ASTEC (Alan and Susy Technology), a sports equipment corporation.
Other Badminton Couples
- Hong Wei and Zhao Yunlei
- Zhang Nan and Tian Qing
- Qiao Bin and Li Xuerui
- Nguyen Tien Minh and Vu Thi Trang
- Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith
- Kim Sa Rang and Eom Hye Won
- Rho Ye Wook and Kim Ha Na
- Kim Joong Soo and Chung Myung Hee
- Arya Maulana Aldiartama and Hanna Ramadhini
- Andrei Adistia and Maria Febe Kusumastuti
- Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Pradnya Gadre
- Sung Han Kook and Kim Yun Ja
Evolution and History of the Badminton Scoring System
The BWF will vote in May on a proposal to change the badminton scoring system after proposals from Badminton Indonesia and Badminton Maldives. Presently, matches are played in a best of three games format with each game played for 21 points. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game. The change proposes a drift to best of five games with each game being played for 11 points (11*5). This is done to increase the excitement of the sport and make it more television-friendly.
Did you know that this proposed format for 11 points was used in badminton a while ago? Take a look at the history and evolution of the badminton scoring system since its inception.
Also read: Badminton Service Rules: An Exquisite Guide
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History of the Badminton Scoring System
- 15*3 & 11*3
- 7*5
- 21*3
Original System – 15*3 & 11*3
In the original scoring system which dates back to 1873, a match was decided in a best of three games of 15 points each. However, this was only for men’s singles and all doubles fixtures. In the case of women singles, each game was played for 11 points.
An important element in this format was that only the person serving could win a point. If the receiver would win the point, only the service would change without any point being added to any player. This was called a service-over. This means that there can be endless service overs without anyone scoring any points.
Conversely, in doubles where there are two players on each side. Therefore, if the server loses the rally, the service will be transferred to the partner giving the team a second chance to serve. However, if the second server also loses the rally, then the service is transferred to the opponents. If the server’s team wins the rally, they gain a point.
Additionally, if the score reached 13-all in a 15 point match, then the player reaching 13 points first has the option of :
- Setting- In this, the score moves back to 0-0, and the first player to reach 5 points takes the game OR
- Directly going for the win by playing for 15 points.
If the score reaches 14-all, then the player reaching 14 points first has the option of-
- Setting- if they choose to set, the score becomes 0-0 and the first player to reach 3 points wins the game.
- Play straight through 15
In a game of 11 points, the setting would occur at 9 and 19 points with setting to 3 and 2 points respectively. Moreover, in a game of 21 points, the setting would take place at 19 and 20 points with a setting to 5 and 3 points respectively.
2002 Scoring system- 7*5
Concerning the unpredictability and time-consuming issues with the previous system, the BWF decided to experiment with a new scoring system in 2002. In this new scoring system, the games were shortened to 7 points in a best of five games format. The first player to reach 7 points would win the game. However, if the score was 6-6, then the player to reach 6 first would decide to set it till 8 or 7 points.
However, the matches continued to get time-consuming. Finally, the system was crashed out after the Commonwealth Games in 2002.
Rally Point System- 21*3
Soon in 2005, the BWF decided to try out the 21 point system which is the current scoring system used to date. Importantly, the removal of service overs saved a considerable amount of time. It was officially adopted in 2006 and is been used till now.
The important element of this system was the rally point scoring in which the winner of the rally wins a point irrespective of whoever serves. A match is best of three games lengthened to 21 points. Whoever reaches 21 points first wins the game. In case of a tie of 20-20, the first player to lead by 2 points wins the game (24-22,26-24..) However, scoring is limited to 30 points and at 29-all the player who reaches 30 points first wins the game. This is known as the golden point.
Further, in this system, there is a 60-sec break after 11 points and 2 min break after a game.
Proposed System: 11*5
The new proposed system is an 11*5 scoring system in which the best of 5 games would be played of 11 points each. This will be an interesting system and the BWF will vote on this system post the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Essential Badminton Equipment you need to play Badminton
Badminton or in general, any sport cannot be played without its essential pieces of equipment. To play badminton, you will need a Racket, a good pair of badminton-friendly shoes, shuttlecocks, Sports Wear, a net, socks, and an optional wristband/headband depending on your need.
If you are an aspiring badminton player, you need to have all this equipment to play the sport. Therefore, take a look at a detailed overview of all the essential equipment you need to play badminton.
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#1 Badminton Racket
Without any doubt, the most essential equipment for playing badminton is a badminton racket. A racket helps you hit different shots with the help of a shuttlecock without which it is impossible to play badminton. Rackets differ in size, weight, and cost. Moreover, your level of play is also a major factor to decide which racket to choose.
There are different rackets of various brands made for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level players.
Also read: 10 Badminton Rackets under INR 1000 bucks
#2 Shoes
To play badminton, it is necessary to have non-marking shoes to keep the court clean and mark-free. However, if you play outdoors, and use non-marking shoes then it would get spoiled because of the outdoor rough surface. Therefore, you can use sports shoes of your choice while playing outdoor.
Moreover, playing badminton requires too much movement of the feet, so it’s required to wear proper shoes for added protection and also to prevent injuries. In my opinion, it is always better to go for shoes specifically designed for badminton. These can be slightly expensive, but will surely be worth the price you pay for. You can also check out our badminton shoes guide to select the right pair of shoes for yourself.
Also read: Top 5 Yonex Badminton Shoes 2020
#3 Shuttlecocks
There are two types of shuttlecocks used in badminton-synthetic and feather. However, feather shuttles are compulsorily used in professional badminton matches. Therefore, if you are just starting to play badminton, I would recommend you to start with plastic shuttles as they are cheaper and comparatively more durable.
#4 Sports Wear
This is not very important equipment as compared to a shuttlecock/racket but it enhances your play when you wear comfortable clothing. As badminton is a highly intensive sport, the amount of sweating is a lot so wearing light clothing can absorb the heat quickly which adds to your comfort.
Mostly, a comfortable pair of t-shirt and shorts/skirts are used while playing badminton. Wearing comfortable clothes will allow you to move faster and better on the court as you will play without thinking about your outfit.
#5 Kit Bag
A badminton kitbag is not recommended for a beginner. However, if you are a regular badminton player, kit bags help you to keep all your badminton equipment systematically. They come in different materials, sizes and patterns. Choose one that matches your requirement. For instance, if you are a professional player, you will need a bigger kit bag with 2-3 straps that will allow you to keep all that you need in your practice and during matches.
#6 Net
A badminton net divided the badminton court into two halves and it is necessary equipment required to play badminton. Well, if you play indoors, the net is usually present on the court. However, you will need a portable net while playing AirBadminton or badminton outdoors.
#7 Socks
The importance of badminton-specific socks is that they are thicker which provides added comfort and cushioning to your ankle reducing the chances of injury. Moreover, good quality socks absorb sweat easily and keep your feet dry for maximum time. Therefore, don’t compromise your practice with cheaper and low-quality socks as a precaution is better than cure.
#8 Wristband/Headband
A wristband and headband are not obligatory equipment that you will need to play badminton. However, if you sweat a lot, a wristband prevents the sweat from reaching your racket. Likewise, if your hair keeps coming your way while playing, a headband would help in such a case which will prevent the sweat from reaching your eyes and face.
