By Justin Ma, 7x US Junior National Badminton Champion.
Last updated March 16, 2022
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4 min read
As you might know, there are countless badminton training tips to choose from on the web. But when you’re just getting started, it can be hard to figure out which ones will make the most difference in your skills. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the best badminton training tips for you in this post.Â
Below, find twelve of the most powerful (and worthwhile) ways to level up your badminton game.
When your badminton serve isn’t great, you risk giving your opponent the upper hand off the bat. But when you master your serves, you can set the pace of the rally and put yourself at an advantage.
So, as your first badminton training tip, be sure to set aside some time a few days per week to work on the various types of badminton serves.Â
Solo badminton drills can help you improve your accuracy, coordination, and reaction speed — anytime and anywhere. If you want to start practicing by yourself, wall rally drills are an excellent place to start.
Drills like these help you get familiar with your racket’s sweet spot. They can also help you learn the best angles to tilt your racket at to hit the shuttle in any given direction.
One of the most useful badminton training tips is to practice your shuttle placement.Â
So, why is shuttle placement important? Well, it can help you wear your opponent out by forcing them to scramble around the court. In other words, it can make their game as challenging (and tiring) as possible.
You can master your shot placement by practicing a multishuttle drill like this one —but instead of only aiming to get your shot over the net, you can aim for specific corners of the court.Â
Being able to transition your forehand and backhand grip means better accuracy and faster returns. And the good news is that grip transitions are relatively easy to practice.
Simply hold your racket and flip-flop between your forehand and backhand grip. This basic exercise can increase your reaction speed and build muscle memory. And once you have a solid foundation, you can practice interchanging all four grip placements.
One of the most powerful badminton training tips is to develop a warm-up routine before every game.
When you warm up, your muscles, tendons, and ligaments get a boost of oxygen-rich blood flow. In turn, this healthy blood flow helps them loosen up, energize, and prepare for action.
There’s no better way to increase speed, stamina, and power than having a regular workout routine. Your fitness plan can boost your general cardio and strength while targeting specific areas of weakness.Â
For example, if you have trouble hitting powerful jump smashes, you can try exercises that strengthen your core and abs. You can also train your legs and glutes for more explosive power and higher jumps.
We can’t talk enough about the importance of balance control on the badminton court. That’s because so many shots require steady balance for skillful execution.
Luckily, there’s a multitude of exercises that you can add to your badminton training routine to improve your balance.
Skillful footwork can be a superpower in any badminton rally. If you want to improve your footwork, spend time mastering the basic techniques and doing shadow drills.
Good footwork means you’ll always take the most efficient route to reach your opponent’s shots. And once you have the techniques down, you can supercharge your footwork even more with agility training.
Whether you’re an amateur, expert, or anywhere in between, one of the best badminton training tips is to watch the professionals. Be sure to observe their footwork, body placement, racket placement, court position, and other details.
Professional players tend to play every move optimally and precisely — and this means watching them can help you learn what works (and what doesn’t) for any particular shot.
To get better at anything in life, you’ll have to do it consistently — and badminton is no different.Â
So, try to dedicate at least three days per week to practicing badminton. You’d be surprised at the difference that a consistent training schedule can make in your skills.
Your equipment can make a big impact on your performance on the court. That being said, keep an eye on the condition of your racket, shuttles, and shoes.
If a string or grommet on your racket breaks, it’s best to fix it immediately. And if the head warps or cracks, it might be time for a new racket entirely.Â
Shuttles can get beat up and damaged during intense matches. For this reason, you might find it helpful to always carry at least one extra shuttle with you.Â
If your shoes lose their integrity on the soles or sides, your feet can slide around too much on the court. This can make your footwork sloppy and even cause you to miss shots.
If you’re ready to invest in your game, be on the lookout for high-quality badminton shoes. And if you aren’t ready to splurge on badminton-specific shoes just yet, no worries. A good quality pair of any non-marking athletic shoes can work in the meantime.
When your mind is distracted, it can impact your reaction speed and even lead you to miss shots. So, remember to have a good time and stay present — whether you’re in a high-intensity match, practicing alone, or doing drills with a partner.
If you practice these tips consistently, you should see marked improvements in your performance within a month.Â
Your ability to move around the court with speed and accuracy will improve, and so will your shots themselves. With time, your badminton skills will become sharp enough to give even your toughest opponents a run for their money!
