Badminton Training Tips

Badminton is a high-paced, intense racket sport played all over the world. While many American students play badminton for fun as kids and in school, serious badminton competition isn't as prevalent in America as in other countries. As a result, many Americans may have difficulty learning the basics of badminton. Like any sport, badminton training requires a combination of strength building and techniques practice. The more you do it, the better results you will see.

  1. Conditioning and Endurance Training

    • Successful badminton players must have speed and fast acceleration to move around the badminton court. Since badminton matches last for 45 minutes or more, players must also have good endurance. Leg exercises that build the calf and thigh muscles will help badminton players increase their sprinting speeds. For endurance, players should go on short distance runs a few times a week.

      Since badminton requires players to stop and turn quickly, players must perform agility exercises that control balance and direction. The Sports Fitness Advisor suggests an agility exercise that use cones arranged in the shape of a three-digit number. Players weave their bodies around the cones to develop fast and accurate footwork. Any drill that requires you to run and change directions quickly will help build the skill set you need to maintain controlled swiftness throughout the match.

    Serve Training

    • Unlike tennis, badminton serves usually do not result in aces due to the size of the court and movement of the shuttlecock. Nonetheless, a poor serve will cost you matches by giving your opponent free points. Furthermore, according to the Badminton Bible, in doubles badminton a good serve sets up the rally that you will need to win the first attack.

      To maintain proper serving form, watch the best professionals' techniques and practice them at home against a wall. Start with the shuttlecock below the waste and throw it in the air. The racket must also begin below the waste and never rise above the wrist. To master the four types (flick, drive, high and low) focus on one serve at a time. With each serve, aim for specific spots along a wall. Pretend the wall is the net and stand in a position that replicates the actual serving experience. If you have training partners, take turns serving back and forth and focus on specific spots for precision.

    Return Training

    • While doubles badminton relies more on power "smash" shots than singles badminton, an accurate return game is essential in both singles and doubles badminton. A successful singles strategy requires precise placement that will keep your opponent running all around the court until your opponent tires, wears down and falls out of position. Before you focus on honing specific shots, spend some time in the weight room and build up your muscles. Focus on power training techniques such as heavy lifting and explosive lifting to give yourself the ability to tap into your strength faster during matches.

      Once you have an adequate weight lifting routine, perfect your arsenal of shots. Practicing form will help but in order to get a full handle on your shots you need to approximate game speed. To master various shots, find a training partner and simulate various game situations. Spend time in the central base position and the net position. Have your partner send shots all over the court and try to track them down and regain your control over shot placement. Test your shot selection ability by having your partner start the rally at various places around the court. Respond with an appropriate shot to get your partner out of position.

      Whenever possible, play with people who are better than you. Great opponents will expose your own weaknesses and also give you examples of methods to follow.