Editing Badminton (section)

==Equipment==

[[File:Heads of badminton raquets.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Badminton [[racquet]]s]]

Badminton rules restrict the design and size of racquets and shuttlecocks.

===Racquets===

Badminton [[Racket (sports equipment)|racquets]] are lightweight, with top quality racquets weighing between {{convert|70|and|95|g|oz|abbr=off}} not including grip or strings.<ref name=oqgysc>{{cite web|url=http://www.badmintoncentral.com/badminton-central/content/view/91/26/|title=Badminton Central Guide to choosing Badminton Equipment|author=Kwun|date=28 February 2005|publisher=BadmintonCentral.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311234023/http://www.badmintoncentral.com/badminton-central/content/view/91/26/|archive-date=11 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.karakal.com/index.php/8/product/72/sl-70/|title=SL-70|publisher=Karakal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016051147/http://www.karakal.com/index.php/8/product/72/sl-70/|archive-date=16 October 2007}}</ref> They are composed of many different materials ranging from [[carbon fiber composite|carbon fibre composite]] ([[graphite reinforced plastic]]) to solid steel, which may be augmented by a variety of materials. [[Carbon fibre]] has an excellent strength to weight ratio, is stiff, and gives excellent [[kinetic energy]] transfer. Before the adoption of carbon fibre composite, racquets were made of light metals such as aluminium. Earlier still, racquets were made of wood. Cheap racquets are still often made of metals such as steel, but wooden racquets are no longer manufactured for the ordinary market, because of their excessive mass and cost. Nowadays, [[nanomaterials]] such as [[carbon nanotubes]] and [[fullerene]]s are added to racquets giving them greater durability.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nanotechnology in sports equipment: The game changer |url=https://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=30661.php |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=www.nanowerk.com}}</ref>

There is a wide variety of racquet designs, although the laws limit the racquet size and shape. Different racquets have playing characteristics that appeal to different players. The traditional oval head shape is still available, but an [[wikt:isometric|isometric]] head shape is increasingly common in new racquets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-04 |title=Badminton Racket Head Shapes: Oval vs. Isometric - Strings and Paddles |url=https://stringsandpaddles.com/badminton-racket-head-shapes-oval-vs-isometric/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=stringsandpaddles.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Strings===

Badminton strings for racquets are thin, high-performing strings with thicknesses ranging from about 0.62 to 0.73&nbsp;mm. Thicker strings are more durable, but many players prefer the feel of thinner strings. String tension is normally in the range of 80 to 160&nbsp;[[newton (unit)|N]] (18 to 36 [[pound-force|lbf]]). Recreational players generally string at lower tensions than professionals, typically between 80 and 110 N (18 and 25&nbsp;lbf). Professionals string between about 110 and 160 N (25 and 36&nbsp;lbf). Some string manufacturers measure the thickness of their strings under tension so they are actually thicker than specified when slack. Ashaway Micropower is actually 0.7mm but Yonex BG-66 is about 0.72mm.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

It is often argued that high string tensions improve control, whereas low string tensions increase power.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prospeed.com.my/String.htm |title=String tension relating to power and control|publisher=Prospeed |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071028080241/http://www.prospeed.com.my/String.htm |archive-date = 28 October 2007}}</ref> The arguments for this generally rely on crude mechanical reasoning, such as claiming that a lower tension string bed is more bouncy and therefore provides more power. This is, in fact, incorrect, for a higher string tension can cause the shuttle to slide off the racquet and hence make it harder to hit a shot accurately. An alternative view suggests that the optimum tension for power depends on the player:<ref name="oqgysc"/> the faster and more accurately a player can swing their racquet, the higher the tension for maximum power. Neither view has been subjected to a rigorous mechanical analysis, nor is there clear evidence in favour of one or the other.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} The most effective way for a player to find a good string tension is to experiment.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

===Grip===
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
[[File:Badminton Undergrip Flat.jpg|thumb|Badminton undergrip flat]]
The choice of grip allows a player to increase the thickness of their racquet handle and choose a comfortable surface to hold. A player may build up the handle with one or several grips before applying the final layer.

Players may choose between a variety of grip materials. The most common choices are [[polyurethane|PU]] synthetic grips or towelling grips. Grip choice is a matter of personal preference. Players often find that sweat becomes a problem; in this case, a drying agent may be applied to the grip or hands, sweatbands may be used, the player may choose another grip material or change their grip more frequently.

There are two main types of grip: ''replacement'' grips and ''overgrips''. Replacement grips are thicker and are often used to increase the size of the handle. Overgrips are thinner (less than 1&nbsp;mm), and are often used as the final layer. Many players, however, prefer to use replacement grips as the final layer. Towelling grips are always replacement grips. Replacement grips have an adhesive backing, whereas overgrips have only a small patch of adhesive at the start of the tape and must be applied under tension; overgrips are more convenient for players who change grips frequently, because they may be removed more rapidly without damaging the underlying material.

===Shuttlecock===
{{Multiple image
|direction = vertical
|image1 = ShuttlecockPhoto.jpg
|caption1 = A shuttlecock with a plastic skirt
|image2 = Shuttlecocks Yonex Aerosensa 20.jpg
|caption2 = [[Shuttlecock]]s with feathers
}}
{{Main|Shuttlecock}}

A shuttlecock (often abbreviated to ''shuttle''; also called a ''birdie'') is a high-drag [[projectile]], with an open [[Cone (geometry)|conical shape]]: the cone is formed from sixteen overlapping [[feathers]] embedded into a rounded cork base. The [[Cork (material)|cork]] is covered with thin [[leather]] or synthetic material. [[Nylon (material)|Synthetic]] shuttles are often used by recreational players to reduce their costs as feathered shuttles break easily. These nylon shuttles may be constructed with either natural cork or synthetic foam base and a plastic skirt.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Badminton rules also provide for testing a shuttlecock for the correct speed:<ref>{{Cite web |title=IBF Laws |url=https://www.worldbadminton.com/newsite/ibflaws.htm#4 |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=www.worldbadminton.com}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|'''4.4.1''': To test a shuttlecock, hit a full underhand stroke that makes contact with the shuttlecock over the back boundary line. The shuttlecock shall be hit at an upward angle and in a direction parallel to the sidelines.

'''4.4.2''': A shuttlecock of the correct speed will land not less than 530&nbsp;mm and not more than 990&nbsp;mm short of the other back boundary line.}}

===Shoes===
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
[[File:スポーツショップ『ハセガワ』店内 (5536402584).jpg|thumb|Badminton shoes]]
Badminton [[Athletic shoe|shoes]] are lightweight with soles of [[rubber]] or similar high-grip, non-marking materials, similar to [[tennis shoes]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=BadmintonBites |date=2022-04-02 |title=What Are Badminton Shoes Made Of? |url=https://badmintonbites.com/what-are-badminton-shoes-made-of/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=BadmintonBites |language=en-us}}</ref>

Compared to running shoes, badminton shoes have little [[support (structure)|lateral support]]. High levels of lateral support are useful for activities where lateral motion is undesirable and unexpected. Badminton, however, requires powerful lateral movements. A highly built-up lateral support will not be able to protect the foot in badminton; instead, it will encourage catastrophic collapse at the point where the shoe's support fails, and the player's ankles are not ready for the sudden loading, which can cause sprains. For this reason, players should choose badminton shoes rather than general trainers or running shoes, because proper badminton shoes will have a very thin sole,<ref name=":0" /> lower a person's centre of gravity, and therefore result in fewer injuries.

===Outfits===
The [[Badminton World Federation]] and [[Octagon (sports agency)|Octagon]] developed a rule that female badminton players must wear dresses or skirts "to ensure attractive presentation", but although it was included in the official rulebook in 2011, it was dropped before it was supposed to go into effect in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/badminton-skirts-rule_n_869099|title=In Badminton, Pants Are Back|date=31 May 2011|website=HuffPost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/badminton-shelves-rule-requiring-women-wear-skirts-flna812049|title=Badminton shelves rule requiring women wear skirts|date=4 June 2012|website=NBC News}}</ref>