How to keep your Badminton Racket safe

He that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools! - Confucius

If you are a badminton player, your most important tool is your racket. You spend several dollars on the badminton racket. And, its not just about money. You have to spend your time and dedicate many hours in finding the racket of your choice. So, when you find a badminton racket that offers you the best performance, you must take care of it. Keeping the racket clean and stringing it regularly are just a few things that will help but there are several other things that you should be doing to keep your racket in top shape.

Badminton Racket - The Maintenance Guide

Bag it up! 

The way you store your racket can have a great impact on its durability. If you leave the racket in a casual backpack with your badminton gear and clothes, it won’t do much good. Leaving the racket in a damp place will create a negative impact. Always store the racket in a well-cushioned bag. Shop for a quality badminton racket bag that offers proper cushioning and support to your precious rackets. If you live in a place with extreme temperature changes or travelling to one, it is best to buy a thermal-lined bag to protect the racket and strings from damage. 

Strings Attached

 

Badminton rackets can work well if the strings are in top condition. If the string tension is not according to your standards or the strings are broken, you cannot expect excellent performance. So, it is essential to keep an eye on the condition of racket strings. How often do you restring your racket? The string will get loose over a period of time. The rule of thumb says that you must restring the racket as many times per year as you use the racket per week. But, do not stick to the rule. Consider your playing style, playing conditions, intensity, etc. before you make a decision. 

Take Care of Grommets

 

Grommets are essential to prevent the string from the sharp edges of the holes. If the grommets are missing on your racket, the string will come in direct contact with racket frame and it might break easily. It can also happen that if the racket is strung at high tension, the string may damage the racket frame. Grommets can get damaged when you use the racket to pick up the shuttlecock. So, inspect the racket frame and ask a professional stringer to take care of grommets. 

The Matters of Grip

 

Whether you are a professional badminton player or a recreational one, take care of the grip. Do not ignore the fit of the grip. If it doesn’t match your standards, change it immediately. There are different badminton grips available in the market to suit needs of players. Choose one that fits your requirements and change it every couple of weeks.

If you are playing in humid conditions or you sweat a lot, change the grip regularly. A humid grip is a breeding ground for bacteria. The sweat can damage the wooden handle of the racket and reduce its life span. So, it is essential to keep the grip clean and dry. 

A Few other Things

 

1) Keep your racket in a dry, cool environment to avoid damage to the frame and strings. 

2) Do not use the racket to scrape the feather birdie off the floor. It can lead to cracks in the racket frame as well as damage the grommets and string. 

3) You can make use of racket frame protection tape available in the market. It can help you to increase the head weight of the racket. 

Your job doesn’t end by buying the most expensive badminton racket. You must ensure that the racket is in top shape. Protect it from damage, keep it moist-free and do not forget to ensure regular maintenance. If you take necessary steps for protecting your badminton racket, you will be able to use it for a very long time. 

Regular maintenance of your badminton equipment is easy with a reputed online badminton supplies store. Find someone who not only helps you to buy durable, branded badminton rackets for sale but also sells string reel, grip powder, brave sword 12 racquet, badminton racket grip, and badminton bags at wholesale prices. Order now and enjoy free shipping in USA.

How to hold a Badminton Racket?

Are you new to badminton? When you are starting to learn the game of badminton, you must focus on the technique. You may be a natural at hitting powerful shots but with the right gripping technique, you will be able to take your game to the next level. 

Let’s start with Basics! 

1) You must know that every racket handle is octagonal in shape. The 8 sides of the handle are called bevels and they allow you to grip the racket properly. 

2) You must never hold the racket tightly. It will prevent you from changing your grip. You should tighten your hold only when you are about to hit the shuttlecock. 

3) Never hold the handle of the racket in your palm. Use your fingers for it. 

4) Hold the racket in such a way that end of your palm is at the base of the handle. It will allow you to play your shots with more power. 

Learning the Badminton Gripping Technique

 

Before you begin learning about the specific grips, you must know how to hold a racket in the correct position. Holding a badminton racket is simply like a handshake. Hold the racket as if you are shaking your friend’s hand. Now, let’s talk about the details: Where should you place your thumb? What about the other fingers? 

1. Forehand Grip

 

Your badminton racket handle will have two wide parts that are in line with face of the racket. Lightly press your index finger over one of the wider surfaces and hold the racket with rest of the fingers. You can adjust the thumb anywhere near the wider surfaces to create a V-shape between the thumb and the index finger. Remember that you can adjust the fingers according to your comfort but the index finger should be in the controlling position to push the racket. 

2. Backhand Grip

When it comes to the backhand grip, the thumb becomes important. While playing a backhand shot, you have to place the thumb on one of the wider surfaces of the handle and push the index finger slightly towards the middle finger. Simply speaking, the backhand grip resembles a ‘thumbs up’ action. 

Practice makes the Man Perfect

 

It is quite possible that you may get confused between the different gripping techniques. But, as you practice, you will be able to switch between the grips easily. Also, it is not necessary to use the two common gripping techniques only. Experiment with different styles and find your ideal way of gripping the handle and ensure powerful, quick shots every time. 

Are you a beginner who is just starting to play the game of badminton? Buy all your badminton products under one roof. Visit a trusted online badminton supplies store and buy high-quality Victor rackets, Yonex rackets, shoes, bags and more. Buy now; enjoy low prices.

How to ascertain the Ideal String Tension of your Badminton Racket?

When you are playing badminton, small things play a significant role in helping you win the game. One of the important things that you should consider before the match is the string tension of your racket. An ideal string tension will allow you to play your shots accurately. Also, it will tell you about the level of power and control required for the game. So, is the current string tension of your racket proper for you? What should be the ideal number for a beginner? How do advanced player think of it? And, how to calculate string tension? Let’s begin to answer all the questions.

The Tighter the Strings, the Better it is for you: It is True? 

If you are new to the game, many players will advise you to increase the string tension. They will tell you that a higher string tension allows them to play the game with more power. But, do not make a blind decision. Understand what works for you. Choosing a string tension is not as simple as it looks. 

Usually, beginners and intermediate players choose a lower string tension (16-24 lbs.) because it offers greater flexibility and a bigger sweet spot. If you have chosen low string tension, the shuttlecock will bounce off the racket easily without much power. The only problem is that it doesn’t offer you much control over the shot. Now, if you are new to badminton, you must opt for lower string tension so that you do not have to exert high amount of power. 

As an advanced player, you have already developed the strength to hit powerful shots. So, you do not need a big sweet spot. Instead, you need improved control and speed over the shots. And, you can achieve it with high string tension (more than 24 lbs.). 

Is the Current String Tension Right for you? 

When you buy a new badminton racket, the approximate string tension will be mentioned by the manufacturer. But, as you play, the string will stretch and lose the tension. So, don’t make the mistake of playing without stringing the rackets on a regular basis. 

If you feel that the current string tension is not what it used to be or you simply want to check the number, there are multiple apps such as Stringster and RacketMeter available in the market. Download any of the apps and create a profile with information related to the make and model of the racket. Also, do not forget to type in details regarding the last time you strung the racket. Once you have fed all the details in your phone, simply tap the badminton racket to create vibrations. The app will pick up the vibrations and inform you about the approximate string tension. 

Checking the string tension on a regular basis will help you to maintain the tension according to your requirements. It means no unpleasant surprises on the court. 

Are you looking to buy a quality badminton racket? Buy Thruster K 9900 power racket by choosing the string tension of your choice. And, if you want to string an old racket, shop for durable badminton string reel online. Choose the trusted badminton rackets store in USA. Order now; enjoy big discounts.

Get over steaming Feather Shuttlecocks; you have One More Option!

Be it a league match or a club tournament, shuttlecocks are staple for every badminton game. Badminton players often spend a large amount of money on quality duck-feather and goose-feather shuttlecocks. But, the most common issue with natural shuttlecocks is that they become dry & brittle.

If the feathers start breaking, it will affect the flight of the shuttlecock. It will lack the required speed and not help you in hitting powerful, accurate shots. It means you will have to spend money on new ones. So, it becomes essential that you take care of feather shuttlecocks. 

Can steaming Shuttlecocks help you? 

If the shuttlecock is losing feathers every time you hit it, you will be left with nothing but the cork at the end of the match. To avoid such a situation, you need to know about ways of increasing the life of feather birdies. 

One easy way of achieving the goal is by steaming the shuttlecocks. If you live in an area that witnesses terrible winter, it can lead to quick drying of shuttlecocks. But, by steaming them, you will be able to introduce moisture and take care of the drying issue. 

How to steam Shuttlecocks?

1. Shuttlecocks steamers are designed specifically to take care of drying shuttlecocks. There are easily available in badminton equipment stores online. You can pick one and use it to increase the durability of shuttlecocks. 

2. Use a kettle or a flask of boiled water to steam the shuttlecocks. Place the shuttlecock tube on the kettle/flask and let the steam enter the tube for 30 seconds. Keep the lids closed for at least 12 hours to improve the quality of shuttlecocks. 

3. A few players prefer to keep the shuttlecock tube in the bathroom so that the steam from a hot shower can do the work of steaming the feather birdies. 

Shuttlecock Humidifier: The Better Option? 

Steaming is not the only way to increase the life of the shuttlecocks. The main reason behind using steam is to hydrate the birdies. And, you can do it with the help of a shuttlecock humidifier. It is simple to use and can fit shuttlecocks tubes easily. Professional badminton players prefer shuttlecock humidifiers because of the following reasons: 

>>It is an easy way to steam the shuttlecocks without any possibility of thermal burns.

>>It is portable enough to hydrate the feather birdies while travelling. 

>>Small in size, the humidifier will not take much space in your badminton kit bag. 

When your prime focus is to increase the longevity of badminton shuttlecocks, it doesn’t matter what option you choose to achieve the goal. And, when a portable humidifier is easily available online, why choose other tedious options. Invest in a quality shuttlecock humidifier; save money on buying new shuttlecocks before every game.

Essential Badminton Accessories to Ace the Game

Are you new to the game of badminton? Are you confused about what things you need for playing the game? Well, badminton rackets, shoes and shuttlecocks comprise the essential elements of the game. But, there are several other things that demand their presence in your badminton kit. Let’s learn about different badminton accessories that you will require soon. 

What Badminton Accessories should be in your Bag?

You may be advised by other players, coaches and the internet to carry an extra set of clothing and towel to the game. Carrying water and snacks is also something which is necessary. But, there are a few other things that you should not ignore. 

1. Racket Accessories

For a racket to give consistent, accurate results, you need to keep it in top shape. And, for that, you need several different things. Buy badminton grips to ensure proper handling of the racket. You can keep a few overgrips with you. Also, you can shop for badminton grip powder to prevent the racket from slipping away. Consider keeping a badminton string reel with you to take care of unstrung rackets.

2. Footwear Accessories

You may think that the list of footwear accessories end with badminton shoes. You may have spent a fortune on shoes. But, it is not the end. You need to take other measures to reduce chances of injuries and blisters. Do not forget to keep an additional pair of socks in your bag. Also, it is best to have insoles with you to make sure that your feet are comfortable and blister-free. They are ideal if you do not feel comfortable in your shoes.

3. Belts, Bands and Wraps

You do not need elbow wraps, knee wraps, patellar tendon belts on a regular basis. But, if you are injured, then the braces & bands can help you in avoiding a chronic injury that can put you out of the game. Remember that the support belts can even help you in alleviating muscle tension making it easier for you to play long rallies in difficult environment. 

Badminton Accessories: Be Ready for everything! 

There will be a few things such as a shuttlecock humidifier which you may use regularly. On the other hand, you will not need the elbow wrap on a daily basis. You may not require the badminton accessories all at once. But, it is best to have them with you in times of emergency. So, before you set out for you next important match, make sure that your badminton kit bag is ready.