How to Keep Badminton Rackets in Good Shape for Longer
No matter how expensive your racket is, you’ll need to learn how to maintain it so that it lasts longer – this saves can save you money in equipment. It is important for beginners to learn the basics of racket care so that they can improve their game and enjoy the sport even more.
6 Common Badminton Problems and How to Fix Them
Badminton is highly addictive and you’ll constantly want to play every chance you get. The rackets and shuttlecock (although cheaper than their tennis counterparts) can put a huge chunk in your athletic budget if you needlessly ruin them because of improper use.
Here are common badminton racket issues that you can prevent or address quickly so that you can enjoy your equipment for a relatively longer period:
1. High String Tension
This refers to tight strings that are incorrectly strung on rackets. String tension ranges should be:
- for beginners, 16 – 19 lbs (racket weight)
- for intermediates 18 – 23 lbs (racket weight)
- for more advanced players 23 – 28 lbs (racket weight)
Professionals string their rackets at the rate of 26 to 32 lbs.
Tightly strung rackets can cause a badminton frame to crack or break. The wrong string tension is the no. 1 reason for shoulder soreness and other injuries. Tight strings require you to exert more effort for each shot.
2. Poor Handling
Letting go of rackets unexpectedly in mid-air cracks more badminton rackets than you can imagine. Experts advise applying protection tape on frames to prevent racket damage. The tape also protects rackets from nicks and scratches.
3. When Strings Snap
Try to immediately fix any strings that snap, even if its just one thread. Cut the affected thread promptly so that string tension remains stable.
4. Frame Corrosion and Chipped Paint
Corrosion is an unavoidable event that can happen to the best of badminton rackets, especially steel rackets. Give your racket’s frame a fresh coat of paint whenever you notice it chipping to
keep rust away. It’s always important to store rackets properly so that they avoid extreme moisture, which is another factor that contributes to corrosion.
5. Missing or Damaged Grommets
Grommets are a critical part of your rackets because they keep strings from slicing through the frame. These tiny plastic tubes are designed to hold strings and maintain the correct tension. Replace missing grommets as soon as you notice any missing.
6. Loose Strings
In badminton where string tension is everything, loose strings make it impossible for you to play at all. You’ll need to restring your rackets every few months to keep your racket in top condition.
Trained Badminton Rackets
Yonex Badminton Rackets
Trained Kids Badminton Racket
Proper Badminton Racket Maintenance
Enjoying badminton as a hobby or a serious sport will mean that you’ll also need to care about your equipment so that you’ll get more games out of them. Store your rackets in thermal bags and invest in quality frames and strings, along with protection tape to protect your rackets.