Badminton How to Play: 7 Essential Steps for Beginners to Master the Game
As someone who's spent countless hours on the badminton court, I've come to appreciate how this beautiful game combines explosive athleticism with delicate finesse. Watching professional matches like the recent Nxled game where Chiara Permentilla delivered that impressive near double-double performance with 20 attacks and nine digs, I'm reminded why proper fundamentals matter so much. Even with standout individual performances like rookie Lucille Almonte's 13-point breakout game, teams can still struggle - Nxled dropped their seventh straight match this conference despite these efforts. This perfectly illustrates why mastering basic techniques is crucial before worrying about advanced strategies.
When I first started playing badminton, I made the common mistake of thinking power was everything. I'd smash the shuttlecock with all my strength, only to watch it sail out of bounds more often than not. The truth is, badminton requires controlled power and precise placement. Let me walk you through what I've found to be the seven essential steps that transformed my game. First, grip technique - this might sound basic, but holding the racket correctly changes everything. I spent weeks practicing what's called the 'handshake grip' until it became second nature. The forehand grip should feel natural, like you're shaking hands with your racket, while the backhand grip requires a slight thumb push for better control. Second, footwork - this is where many beginners struggle, but proper movement around the court makes you faster and conserves energy. I always tell new players that badminton is 70% footwork and 30% racket work.
The third step involves mastering the basic strokes, and here's where I differ from some coaches - I believe beginners should focus on the clear shot first rather than the smash. The clear shot forms the foundation for everything else. Fourth comes serving, which many players neglect in practice. I've seen matches where players lost crucial points simply because they hadn't perfected their serves. Fifth is understanding court positioning - knowing where to stand during different phases of play separates recreational players from competitive ones. Sixth involves developing your tactical awareness, something that players like Permentilla demonstrate beautifully with her 20 attacks in that recent match. She didn't just hit the shuttlecock randomly - each attack was calculated. Finally, the seventh step is consistent practice and match experience. There's no substitute for actually playing games, even if you're making mistakes initially.
What I love about badminton is how quickly you can see improvement if you focus on these fundamentals. I remember when I first managed to consistently execute drop shots that barely cleared the net - that feeling was more satisfying than any powerful smash I'd ever hit. The game becomes much more enjoyable when you have control over where the shuttlecock goes rather than just hoping it lands in bounds. Looking at professional matches through a more educated eye now, I can appreciate how players like Almonte can score 13 points in a breakout game by combining solid basics with moments of creative brilliance.
The reality is that badminton, like any sport, requires patience and proper technique development. You can't skip the fundamentals and expect to play at a high level consistently. Even professional teams struggle when their basic execution falters, as we saw with Nxled's losing streak despite individual standout performances. What I've learned through years of playing and coaching is that returning to these seven essential steps whenever your game feels off is the quickest way to get back on track. The beauty of badminton lies in this constant balance between power and precision, between individual skill and team strategy, between following fundamentals and expressing creative flair on the court.