Badminton is the fastest racket sport on the planet, with shuttlecock speeds surpassing 200 miles per hour in some instances. The game is characterized by quick bursts of intense movement, gym rattling smashes and a chess-like strategy in the placement of the shuttlecock on the opponent's court. But without a net, it's an entirely different sport. In medieval times the game was called "Battledore and Shuttlecock" and was, in fact, played without a net. The net was introduced in the 1800s to make the game more competitive.
Today a regulation badminton court is 44 feet long by 22 feet wide (44 feet by 17 feet for singles) with a net in the center. The net should be five feet long in the center and five feet one inch on the sides, with a depth of two feet six inches. Adhering to the regulations is important because parts of badminton include quick shots played inches from the net.
What to Look for
Nets come in a variety of materials such as polyethylene, nylon,and vinyl. The cords that make up the net should be 15 to 20 millimeters thick and dark in color with a 75 millimeter white band of leather or tape bordering the top. A strong chord or cable holds up the net between two posts. Yonex and Victor are the only two brands that carry tournament grade nets approved by the International Badminton Federation, but other brands like Black Knight also carry tournament-quality nets. Prices for the high end nets are about $50 to $65. Since many stores don't carry such high quality nets, the best places to purchase them are through your local badminton club or over the internet. The most important factors in choosing a high quality net are its sturdiness and strength.
Outdoor and recreational badminton guidelines are not as rigid and much cheaper, ranging from $10 to $30. Yonex, Victor, Wilson, Carlton and Macgregor work great for less competitive options. Badminton nets suitable for outdoor play can be found at a local sporting good store.
Common Pitfalls
Make sure the net is very sturdy. Nets that are not strong will start to droop in the middle, which will impact how the game is played because the net will not be of regulation height throughout its entirety. Strength within the mesh making up the net is also crucial to prevent rips and holes.
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