What is AirBadminton and How to Play AirBadminton

What is AirBadminton and How to Play AirBadminton

Source: Online

What is Air Badminton?

Ever wanted to play badminton but felt limited by court availability or weather? Look no further than airbadminton! This exciting new twist on the classic sport takes the fun outdoors, transforming parks, beaches, and even the public spaces near your HDB/residential area into your personal badminton arena, making it accessible to everyone. In this article, we'll delve into airbadminton, exploring its unique features, equipment and how players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy it. So, grab your racket, step outside, and get ready to experience the thrill of airbadminton!

Quick Links:

1. What is AirBadminton
2. What is the aim of an AirBadminton game?
3. What is an AirShuttle? How is the AirShuttle different in an AirBadminton game?
4. How to play AirBadminton?
5. How to set up the AirBadminton court?
6. What is the dead zone and why is it unique to AirBadminton?
7. What is the recommended scoring system for AirBadminton?

What is AirBadminton?

AirBadminton is an innovative way to play badminton outdoors, without the constraints of playing on an indoor court. AirBadminton is reimagined for the outdoors due to a more wind-resistant shuttlecock called the AirShuttle. This exciting new initiative by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) removes the limitations of only playing on indoor courts and lets you experience the thrill of badminton on various terrains. However, there are several differences between the two games that affect players' strategies, gameplay and technique.

While the core objective of scoring points remains the same (landing the shuttlecock in your opponent's court, forcing them to make a mistake), AirBadminton introduces several key changes to adapt the game to the outdoor environment. These modifications have a significant impact on how players approach the sport, demanding adjustments in strategy, gameplay, and technique.

Here's a closer look at some of the key differences that set AirBadminton apart from regular badminton:

• The Element of Wind: Unlike the controlled environment of an indoor badminton court, AirBadminton throws in the exciting challenge of wind. Players now need to factor in wind speed and direction when strategizing their shots. Mastering techniques for higher trajectories and adjusting stroke power become crucial for maintaining control and accuracy.
• Surface Variations: Gone are the days of uniform, predictable badminton court surfaces. AirBadminton embraces the outdoors, allowing you to play on a variety of surfaces like grass, sand, or hard courts. Each surface presents unique challenges and opportunities. Grass courts, for example, might demand quicker footwork to adjust to a slightly softer playing field, while sand offers a different level of resistance that can be used strategically.
• Equipment Adaptations: While you can use your existing badminton rackets for AirBadminton, the heavier AirShuttle (specially designed for outdoor play) might necessitate slight adjustments. Thicker strings are recommended to handle the increased tension during rallies and using a slightly lower string tension (around 8-9 kilograms) can help prevent your badminton strings from breaking while maintaining a comfortable hitting experience.

What is the aim of an AirBadminton game?

The aim of the game in AirBadminton, just like traditional badminton, is to outscore your opponent. Here's how you can score points in AirBadminton:

• Landing the AirShuttle in Your Opponent's Court: This remains the primary way to score. A well-placed clear or smash that lands untouched within your opponent's designated area earns you a point.
• Forcing a Fault: If your opponent makes a mistake, you score! This can happen in several ways:
  • Out of Bounds: If your opponent hits the AirShuttle outside the designated court area (including the sidelines and baseline), it's a point for you. Be mindful of the wind outdoors, which can affect the trajectory of the shuttlecock.
  • Into the Net: Similar to indoor badminton, hitting the AirShuttle into the net after it crosses over to your opponent's side scores you a point.
  • Body Contact: While not a common tactic, any instance where the AirShuttle comes into contact with your opponent's body is considered a fault and awards you a point. However, intentional hits targeting the opponent's body are not allowed.

What is an AirShuttle? How is the AirShuttle different in an AirBadminton game?

Source: Online

The AirShuttle is the centrepiece of AirBadminton. The AirShuttle is a shuttlecock designed specifically for playing badminton outdoors. It has an increased weight compared to a regular shuttlecock, making it more resistant to wind, and therefore, suitable for playing badminton in parks, beaches, or other outdoor locations.

Developed through a collaborative project between the BWF and the Institute for Sports Research at Nanyang Technological University, the AirShuttle prioritizes three crucial aspects to ensure a seamless transition from indoor badminton to various outdoor terrains:

• Compatibility with Rackets: A core consideration was maintaining compatibility with existing badminton rackets. This allows players to take their favourite rackets outdoors without needing additional equipment, making AirBadminton readily accessible.
• Optimised Flight Performance: The AirShuttle's design achieves a balance between stability and manoeuvrability. The increased weight (8.2 grams compared to the usual 5 grams of an indoor shuttlecock) makes it less susceptible to wind as the new design allows air to flow through. This results in a truer flight path while airborne, allowing for enjoyable rallies even on breezy days. Additionally, the aerodynamic design allows for a controlled flight path, offering a predictable trajectory for accurate gameplay.
• Durability for Outdoor Play: Unlike its delicate indoor counterpart, the AirShuttle is built to withstand the rigours of outdoor courts. Constructed from robust nylon material, it's significantly sturdier, withstanding knocks and scrapes that would damage a traditional shuttlecock. The bright neon red colour further enhances the AirShuttle's suitability for outdoor environments. This vibrant hue improves visual tracking against the backdrop of nature, especially under sunlight, ensuring players can focus on their shots without worrying about losing sight of the shuttlecock.

To maximise performance with the heavier AirShuttle, it's recommended to consider slight adjustments to your badminton setup. Using rackets strung with thicker strings can handle the increased tension experienced during AirBadminton rallies. Additionally, opting for lower string tension (around 8-9 kilograms) reduces the risk of string breakage while maintaining a comfortable hitting experience. By making these adjustments and utilizing the AirShuttle, players can experience the thrill of badminton outdoors on various surfaces.

How to play AirBadminton?

The rules are similar to that of regular badminton, but in addition to the traditional Singles and Doubles format, AirBadminton now allows for Triples play! In this new format, players are not allowed to hit two consecutive returns. This fast-paced format injects a new level of dynamism into the game and encourages everyone to get involved to prevent dominance by a single player. Everyone gets their time to shine!

How to set up the AirBadminton court?

Source: Online

For the playing area, the dimensions are as follows:

• Doubles & Triples: The recommended court size is a rectangle measuring 16 meters long and 6 meters wide.
• Singles: The court dimensions shrink slightly to 16 meters long and 5 meters wide.

• Dead Zone: A key difference in AirBadminton courts is the incorporation of a 2-meter dead zone. This zone replaces the traditional net area and stretches 1 meter on either side of the net. Players are not allowed to step into the dead zone while hitting the AirShuttle. However, they can land or step inside the zone after they have hit the shuttlecock.

Surrounding area:

• Free Zone: The playing area should be surrounded by a minimum 1-meter free zone on all sides. This buffer zone ensures there's enough space for players to move freely around the court without obstruction.

Net Height:

• Grass & Hard Courts: The net height remains the same as traditional badminton courts, at 1.55 meters.

Sand Courts: For sand courts, the net post height is adjusted slightly to 1.5 meters. This minor adjustment ensures the top of the net reaches the recommended height of 1.45 meters at the centre of the court.

What is the dead zone and why is it unique to AirBadminton?

The increased weight of the AirShuttle makes it difficult to execute and control net shots. Thus, the net area has been substituted by a 2m dead zone (1m from each side of the net). Players must not step into the dead zone to hit the AirShuttle; after the hit, the player can step or land inside the dead zone.

The dead zone of AirBadminton introduces new strategic possibilities:

• Focus on Powerful Shots: The dead zone encourages players to utilise the front-court area for aggressive clears and smashes, driving opponents towards the back of the court and limiting their ability to return powerful shots.
• Tactical Deception: The dead zone opens doors for tactical play. Players can feint a net shot, drawing their opponent forward before executing a powerful clear or smash from just outside the restricted zone.
• Developing a Diverse Skillset: With net play minimised, the dead zone steers players towards developing a more well-rounded skillset that emphasizes powerful clears, drives, and backhand techniques for effective gameplay.

What is the recommended scoring system for AirBadminton?

For AirBadminton recreational activities, the BWF recommended scoring system is the best of five games to eleven points. However, other systems may be used to suit local considerations.

Conclusion

Airbadminton is a fun and accessible twist on badminton, playable by anyone anywhere. It's perfect for all ages and skill levels, even children. You just need an AirShuttle, a portable net, and your regular rackets.

Forget vying for court bookings! The ability to play practically anywhere allows you to take the game anywhere from parks, gardens, beaches, or anywhere you like!

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Whether you would like your child to experience badminton or embark on a pathway to excel in it, the SBA Badminton Academy @ ActiveSG is the right place for you! Helmed by professional coaches, they will be on hand to guide your child every step of the way to instil values and character development. From fundamental movement skills to core badminton skills, the programmes are designed to be fun, yet challenging.