Introduction
The victories that I had inthe game couldn’t be possible l if I hadn’t had the best knowledge of the equipment I picked.
The adrenaline rush, the untampered mindset that made me practice consistently, the curious eyes judging my skills unknowingly, the infallible self putting me forward in the game, the challenging arena and the competition in the air narrowed down to a drop of sweat that trickled down through my forehead as I was contesting my skills in the match as I stood with arched back position with my fist grappling the handle of the racket tightly.
All the technicalities that I learned, the sharpness of my practices, the emotions playing in my conscious kept aside and a strong prevailing judgment that I would win was all that kept the fire burning on.
The 3rd set of the match was on. The scoreboard said 20:19. I held the shuttleco*ck in my hand and was about to serve, my doubles partner wavered a confident look at me showcasing a sign of a comfortable win. We put in our focus and could see the scores falling in our favor. The win was inevitable. 21:19, we’d won the match.
All the happiness in the world couldn’t equate the feeling that I had then, this little winning scenario etched in my head was the best memory I could recall
They say your perception of anything is shaped by the memories that you have associated with it, no matter good or bad. A phenomenon where each win and defeat are what makes the memory more profound. It is the same I feel with my sport, Badminton.
Just like a prodigy musician channelizing all the praises towards him, I was standing there portraying my skills as effortless as the water flow and marking the journey of an efficient sportsperson. I’ve been attached to the sport since the age of 9, embarking a crusade of more than 12 years.
The victories that I contribute to the game couldn’t be meaningful if I hadn’t had the best knowledge of the instruments I picked.
The most interesting part about anything that you love is the unquenchable curiosity that is associated with it. Your improvisation is guided by how well you know the game starting from the basic rules of the game to picking up the most effective equipment for it.
Ever wondered how every badminton racket is different? Let me tell you.
What Are Badminton Rackets Made of?
Here is the list of 3 major lists of materials used to make a Badminton Racket:
Badminton Rackets are made up of 3 Major Things.
- The physical weight of the racket
- The material of the racket
- String tension of the racket
A total of three things define the rackets. I would give you insight into what differentiate the best rackets from the rest. I believe the main differentiating factor is the material. All the properties of the racket such as the string tension, flexibility, the physical weight and the swing speed of the racket revolve around the same.
5 Different types of Badminton rackets.
As of today, badminton is rapidly growing. If you want to start playing this amazing sport, it is important that you have the perfect badminton racket required to start with. With a reliable racket, you will be able to practice your technique and improve your game quickly. There are different types of badminton rackets from which you can choose your perfect fit.
- Lightweight rackets:
these rackets are best for beginners as they are a lot easier to handle and will minimize the strain felt by your muscles while playing. They weight somewhere between 85kgs to 90kgs. As these are lightweight, they are made up of 100% graphite, 4U ultralight, and 3D blade frame. They will help you come back to your position easily have a swift stroke. This causes fewer chances of injuries.
- Heavyweight Rackets:
These kinds of rackets are mostly preferred by seasonal players as they have higher balance points. As the racket has higher balance points, this means that the head of the racket is heavier. A heavyweight racket is more difficult to play with when compared to a lightweight racket as the player needs to put a lot more power to play with it. If you like playing a powerful game, this racket is for you.
- Towel grip racket:
the grip of the racket is always important while choosing a badminton racket. Most people do opt for the racket with this grip as it absorbs the sweat from their palms while playing. But the absorption of sweat means the accumulation of bacteria. This is the reason why you need to keep it clean and replace it from time-to-time.
- Synthetic grip for rackets:
these grips do not need frequent replacements like the towel ones as they do not absorb sweat and do not get dirty easily. They are a lot smoother when compared. But as they do not absorb sweat, they tend to get a little uncomfortable after a while.
- High tension racket:
The string tension of a racket depends on how hard you hit the shuttleco*ck. You can test the tension by pressing your palm against the strings to see how strong or how deep it is. Players who tend to hit harder shots require rackets with a higher tension. For a beginner, you can choose a regular tension string. After practice, you can change it to a higher tension.
Make sure that while selecting a racket, you take your time and consider all the options available. Buy the racket you feel the most comfortable with and with which you can practice your techniques effectively and get better at the game.
What Are the Materials Used to Make a Badminton Racket?
- METAL BADMINTON RACKETS
- GRAPHITE BADMINTON RACKETS
1) Metal badminton rackets
- The usage of metal rackets was dominant in the 80’s and the 90’s era. They were an upgrade from the wooden rackets that were used before.
- These metal rackets are made from either alloy of steel, titanium or Aluminium. These elements make the rackets strong and durable.
- The advantage of these rackets is that they are not going to break that easily when hit against the ground or against another racket. The downside of these rackets is that they are poor in elasticity which means when they bend, they bend.
- The ductility is high. They also have a poor elasticity which means that you cannot string these rackets at a high string tension. But hey, that doesn’t mean you completely outcast these rackets. After all, there were great players in the 80’s and the 90’s who shaped the modern style of play.
- The fact that metal is more durable than a lot of materials can be used as a benefit. Metal rackets are perfect for beginners.
- Also, metal rackets are comparatively cheap. The cost differs from brand to brand.
2) Graphite badminton rackets
- It is a pure form of carbon with its atom arranged in big sheets of hexagonal rings. A polymer chain of carbon atoms that are connected to one another, this very polymer undergoes a process to become carbon fiber which is super strong and has the property of elasticity.
- Graphite rackets have changed the style of play over the generation. The graphite element is super stable and does not react with any other element in the racket.
- Now the carbon composites allow the distribution of weight in the racket.
- The stability of the element allows the manufacturers to adjust the flex patterns of the rackets. This means that the relative stiffness of the racket at various points.
- Talking about stringing a carbon composite racket, since they are good in strength it allows the user to sting the racket at higher tension with less risk of causing a damage to the frame.
- The switch to graphite rackets from wooden rackets happened about 30 years ago.
3)Carbon Fiber Badminton Racket
Carbon fiber badminton rackets are quite popular amongst professional players and mature ones because of their superior strength that allows the sting of higher tension. They are light in weight and offer excellent control. These types of badminton rackets are designed using high-grade material of carbon fiber. This is why these badminton rackets are robust with a superior design and durable grip.
4) Aluminum Badminton Racket
Aluminium rackets are the best badminton rackets and the most preferred by amateur, professional, and newbie players. This is because these badminton rackets are light in weight, durable, and provide a strong shot response for the players opposite to you on the court. These types of badminton rackets are capable of providing an easy swing at an extraordinary precision which in turn provides convenience and flexibility to the players.
So go on, pick the appropriate racket and enter the court. And this time when you do, create a memory for yourself.
Let’s compare and see to find out which one is suitable for you.
Graphite badminton racket VS carbon fiber badminton racket:
Graphite is the pure form of carbon. They are arranged in hexagonal rings. A polymer chain of these carbon atoms is connected and then converted to become carbon fiber. The graphite badminton racket is very stable and does not react to any other element present in the racket. It also allows the distribution of carbon composites in the racket. As graphite is stable, it allows manufacturers to adjust the flex patterns of the rackets. Carbon fiber rackets provide good strength which allows the user to sting the badminton racket at a higher tension with less risk of causing damage to the frame of the racket.
Graphite badminton racket VS aluminum badminton racket:
The aluminum racket provides a greater elasticity when compared to the traditional ones which in turn provides a great grip. Aluminum has a lightweight feature which makes the metal suitable for a badminton racket. It also has the ability to exert more power on the shuttleco*ck. This is one of the reasons why most of the players opt for it. This is made from a single piece of metal.
Conclusion
When choosing a badminton racket, take your time and thoroughly explore all of your alternatives before making a purchase. You want to make sure you get the best badminton racket for your needs. You'll be able to efficiently practice your technique and improve your game only when you're comfortable with your equipment.
Happy shopping!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is graphite badminton racket better than Aluminium?
When compared to standard rackets, the aluminum racket has more flexibility, which gives a better grip. Aluminum is lightweight, making it ideal for badminton rackets. It also has the ability to exert more power on the shuttleco*ck. This is one of the reasons why the majority of gamers choose it. A single piece of metal was used to create this.
Is graphite good for badminton racket?
Because of its solidity and non-reactive nature, graphite badminton rackets are popular among both professional and recreational players. The exceptional control and consistent performance of these graphite badminton rackets are well-known.
Which type of badminton racket is best?
Aluminum is the most preferred material when choosing a badminton racket.
Which badminton racket is best for smashing?
Heavier rackets with tighter threading are ideal for smash shots.
