Getting Started in Badminton in Singapore: A Beginner's Guide

SportPlus Tutorial
Jun 10
3 min read

Badminton is a dynamic and accessible sport enjoyed by people of all ages. This beginner's guide will help you take your first steps in badminton with confidence

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG — PHOTO: **SPORTPLUS.SG**

Taking Your First Steps in Badminton

1. Essential Gear for Beginners

Investing in the right equipment enhances your playing experience. Luckily, for badminton, you don’t need much to get going. Choose a lightweight racket and make sure its strings are taut as this affects performance. Once you’ve played enough to develop a certain playing style, there are several rackets and grips suited to different styles. Until then though, brands like Yonex and Li-Ning are popular for beginner-friendly options.

Next up, shuttlecocks. These are available at Decathlon stores and there are two types, plastic and feathered shuttlecocks. The plastic option is recommended for beginners as feathered ones often fray easily if not hit properly.

Footwear is also important, ensuring you don’t slip on the court. Wearing non-marking shoes would be best.

2. Understanding the Court and Rules

Before starting any new sport, familiarising yourself with the playing field and the game’s basic rules is important. Here’s what you need to know for badminton:

Court Dimensions: The standard court measures 13.4 meters long and 6.1 meters wide.
Scoring System: Matches are typically played to 21 points, with players needing to win by at least 2 points. Therefore, if the score reaches 21-20, players battle it out until someone triumphs by two points—no matter how long it takes.
Serving Rules: Whether its with a your backhand or forehand, the serve must be delivered underhand and below the waist.
PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG

Stepping onto the Court

Mastering fundamental techniques is crucial for building a strong foundation in badminton. In badminton, a player’s grip of the racket, footwork and movement around the court, and shot selections are key to winning a game. Here’s a brief and simple guide to each aspect.

Grip

Forehand Grip: Hold the racket as if shaking hands with it. This grip is used for forehand shots and provides control and power.
Backhand Grip: Rotate your hand slightly to hold the racket with your thumb pressing against the back bevel. This grip is essential for backhand shots.
Bevel Grip: This grip is used for executing quick wrist movements and is beneficial for deceptive shots.
Panhandle Grip: Often used for overhead shots, it allows for a strong and direct hit.

Footwork

Basic Stance: Maintain a balanced position with knees slightly bent, ready to move in any direction.
Lunges: Use lunges to reach the shuttlecock quickly and return to your base position.
Side Steps: Incorporate side steps to cover the width of the court effectively.
Backpedaling: Practice moving backward swiftly to handle high shots.

Strokes

Forehand Clear: A high shot to the back of the opponent's court, useful for resetting the rally.
Backhand Clear: Similar to the forehand clear but executed from the backhand side.
Drop Shot: A soft shot that lands just over the net, aiming to catch your opponent off guard.
Smash: A powerful, downward shot intended to finish the rally.
Drive: A fast, flat shot that travels horizontally across the net.

Where to Play Badminton in Singapore

Now that you’re set to get going, all you need is somewhere to practice! There are several outdoor courts still available around the heartlands, though they often come without nets. While they’re sufficient for basic practice, having a proper court would still be best.

With badminton being one of the most popular and accessible sports in Singapore, there are countless courts across the country. But with its popularity, comes the need for quick fingers. AcitveSG courts are often very quickly booked once sessions are made available, so be quick!

ActiveSG Badminton Courts: Accessible across various locations, these courts can be booked through the ActiveSG portal.
Community Centres: Many community centres offer badminton courts for public use. Check availability and book via the onePA badminton platform.
TruSmash Badminton Hall: Located at 10 Science Centre Road, TruSmash provides high-quality courts with rental options for non-marking shoes.