Badminton, the player's equipment

Shuttlecock, net, court: the game's landmarks

The badminton gets its name from Badminton House, home of the Dukes of Beaufort, where the game was introduced in 1873. An Olympic sport since the Barcelona Games in 1992, it is played on a court thirteen metres forty long, with a net stretched to one metre fifty-five at the posts. The competitive shuttlecock has sixteen feathers attached to a cork base and weighs between four grams seventy-four and five grams fifty: this is the case for the Yonex Aerosensa, made of goose feathers, a standard in club tournaments. Its slowed trajectory requires anticipation for every hit.

The world of badminton

Badminton comes in:

• Rackets.
• Shoes.
• Shuttlecocks.
• Textiles.
• Bags.
• Strings and Grips.
• Nets.
• Club equipment.

Find all sports on the other sports page.

Nanoflare, Astrox, Isometric: three racket philosophies

At Yonex, a Japanese company founded in 1946, each range corresponds to a style of play. The Nanoflare rackets are lightweight at the top for arm speed in defence and at the net; the Astrox, heavier at the top, add inertia to the smash; the Isometric, with a square head, expands the effective hitting zone, which reassures beginners, and their TR versions, weightier, are meant to strengthen the wrist. At Babolat, a Lyon-based brand established in 1875, the Satelite focuses on maneuverability and the X-Feel on versatility, to support club players in their progression.

Indoor shoes: cushioning, grip, and width

A badminton shoe must withstand lunges, jumps, and direction changes on wood or synthetic floors. The Power Cushion technology from Yonex absorbs the impact of jumped smashes: Viktor Axelsen's signature model targets competitors, the Eclipsion X favours stability, the Aerus X is lightweight, and the Strider Flow comes in wide sizing for stronger feet. The Babolat Shadow, available in Tour, Spirit, and Team, prioritizes lateral support, with women's versions for the Spirit and Team like for the Yonex Cascade Accel.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and the 24-hour dispatch items are prepared and sent out in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school.

Frequently asked questions

How to hold a badminton racket properly?

For the forehand grip, hold the handle as if you were shaking hands with someone, with your thumb and index finger forming a V on the edge. Keep your fingers relaxed between hits to quickly switch to the backhand grip, where the thumb rests flat.

How to serve in badminton?

The shuttlecock must be hit below the regulatory height of one metre fifteen, diagonally towards the opponent's service box. In doubles, a short serve that grazes the net is preferred; in singles, a long, high serve pushes the opponent to the back of the court.

Feather shuttlecock or nylon shuttlecock: which to choose?

The nylon shuttlecock, which is more durable, suits casual play and beginners who use it less quickly. The feather shuttlecock offers a more precise trajectory and is used in competitions, but it is more fragile and should be stored in a slightly humid place.

How to execute a smash in badminton?

Position yourself behind the shuttlecock, elbow high and racket drawn back behind your head. Hit at the highest point in front of you, accelerating by rotating your forearm rather than using just arm strength, and aim downwards.

How is a badminton match scored?

A match is played in two winning sets of twenty-one points, with each rally scoring a point. At twenty-all, a two-point lead is needed to conclude, up to a maximum of thirty points, at which the first to reach it wins the set.