Introducing your kid to badminton is a proper and fun way of producing a future quality player. I find it more interesting being the parent and the coach simultaneously, for the knowledge is passed from the parent to his kid.
Do you know how to teach your kid to play Badminton? Because badminton is a popular game, it is important to introduce your kids to it by ensuring they get the basic training.
First and foremost, ensure they understand the game concept, which includes the nature of the court and the height at which the hitting point of the bird is. This can be facilitated by proper timing, which is compulsory for the player to get used to. Last but not least, your kid must have a proper technique which will be strengthened by frequent practice with the shuttle.
Therefore, ensure your kid knows the game and the rules that come with it, not forgetting to familiarize him with all the equipment needed for the game to be played.
Many questions have been raised about the right age of a kid to begin the badminton game. Most kids grow up used to holding rackets in their hands when they are still young, while others begin in their later stages. These do not make one kid more advantaged or disadvantaged than the other.
Various factors determine the time that the kid plays badminton. It is not limited to his age, attitude, ability, and interest. I prefer to hit the shuttle to my kid during our fun time and allow him to get the idea of the activity he is supposed to perform. This will slowly help him build interest by hitting the shuttlecocks and responding as he judges it.
Game knowledge
1. Game Description
Make sure that kids understand the nature of the court that is rectangular in nature though divided into two halves by use of the net. Two opposing players make it a single game while four players make it a double game. The players occupy the opposite sides of the court as they use their rackets while hitting the shuttlecock to fly over the net to hit the opponent’s floor. At the end of the game, players’ changes end. All games played run to 21 or 15 points except for some ladies’ singles.
2. How to begin the game
The player tosses the coin to know who should start first. The winner of the toss will have a privilege to:
- Serve the shuttlecock first
- Not serve the shuttlecock first
- Choose which end to start
The side serving the shuttlecock is called the Serving Side, while the other side is the Receiving Side.
3. How to score
The only side that can add the points to the score is the side that serves. Therefore, every side tries as much as possible to win the service. These points are earned if the player serving the shuttlecock hits the opponent’s ground on the other half of the competitor’s court. It can also be a win if the opponent does not return the shuttlecock to play.
This can only be added if won by the side that serves. In the case of the receiving side wins, the score remains constant while the side receiving wins the service. They hence become a serving side. It is quite different in a double play in that the side receiving will win two rallies in a row before they can gain the service possession.
Single-game: The players are expected to stand in their service court depending on their related scores. If the server’s score reflects an even number, he will stand on the right serving court, while when it’s an odd number, he will be on the left service court.
Double game: this is more complicated but with a similar principle during the service change because the winner does the same. When the game begins, only one person serves until he loses the service to the opponent. That’s now when both are allowed to serve in turns as long as their side is the one serving the shuttlecock.
Equipment Used To Play Badminton
Racket: selecting the kid’s racket is a bit hard. The badminton racket is known to be light and has an equal weight between its head and handle. The grip may be made of plastic, leather, or toweling. Some of these rackets are cheap, while others are expensive.
A parent should select a comfortable racket for his kid with an easy-grip to control the head. A good string that is synthetic is excellent for most players hence ideal for the kid as a beginner.
Shuttlecocks: it is also known as ‘shuttle,’ a ‘bird’ or a ‘feather.’ It is constructed delicately with a fraction of a weight of an ounce varying between 73-85 grains. The weight directly affects the flight. Shuttlecocks are of two types.
- Feather shuttlecock is constructed of 14 or 16 geese of feathers inserted into a cork base covered using kid leather. A feather that is damaged interferes with shuttle flight and the fun of the game.
- Plastic shuttlecocks – are cheaper and can withstand any rough treatment for a longer time. These are suitable for the kid because it maintains even flight in the air. There are the lower, medium, and faster speeds that are affected by temperature.
Dress: Badminton laws state that white clothing is the most appropriate on the court. It is automatically an attraction to see players in white as it also shows the game value. Badminton is a swift, energetic sport that requires a larger range of physical movement, pl. Playersuld put on clothes for freedom and comfort of the movement. Examples are:
- Clothing: White shirt and white shorts. Girls can opt to put on either white shorts or a white skirt.
- Additional Clothing: you can put on a warm pullover or slip over before and after the game. This is a sound policy to embrace. It warms the body before the game begins and prevents you from getting cold after the game. Kids are nowadays posing tracksuits due to their multipurpose nature. When your kid develops interest, you should advise him to wear appropriate badminton clothing.
- Footwear: buying a kid’s correct footwear is very important. During the game, the shoes receive the most wear. When quickly changing directions as required during the game, proper shoes enabling the player to grip the floor are required. Quality shoes are hence required, and thicker socks to prevent your feet from blisters.
Where Are The Badminton Equipment Purchased?
Various sports shops have complete sports equipment depending on what range you may need. Before heading to such shops, you should have a rough idea of what badminton equipment you are looking for. Ensure that you examine and test to confirm whether your choice is appropriate for the kid. Common sense is needed when choosing the kid’s equipment.
Why Should Your Kid Start Playing Badminton?
I grew up where badminton was the most popular and accessible sport. This may be because it does not need a lot of equipment for a complete setup. You can also share the equipment with families and friends, which on the brighter side, helps those people who do not own their own equipment. There are various reasons why it is important to introduce your kid to badminton:
- The kid has to have the game experiences as he exercises. Every kid deserves a healthy life, and by introducing badminton, the interesting sport will make the participants run around the court, enhancing good health.
- Badminton enhances kids to work as a team in that the participants have to play in pairs. Teamwork helps the kids to be able to communicate with each other as they enjoy their game.
- The kids participate in the physical and mental activities injected by the useful exercise they have during training and gaming.
- Due to the indoor nature of the game, badminton has no season and can be played all through the year despite the weather change.
- Badminton equipment for kids is very simple and affordable. There is only one racket needed and a shuttlecock that is affordable.
- This sport builds mathematics skills by additional points earned during the game where the kid has to count to keep at par.
- Badminton helps the kid to coordinate. The kid develops good motor and perfect coordination skills when he runs. There is a lot of balancing and coordination of what to do and what not to do.
- Because badminton is not a very rough spot, it is played intelligently and gently by its players. This makes the kids safe from injuries.
- The kids get lessons that they can either win or lose a game. They also learn that failing a single game does not hinder you from winning the next game. They, therefore, prepare for the harsh world, which has ups and downs.
- Honesty is learned when playing badminton. It enhances fair play in both sport and the whole life.