Today we bring you a few facts about Badminton equipment. Badminton is one of the most popular sports in the world. It’s played competitively or as a fun outdoor game. Without that essential equipment, a sport is deemed worthless. We can’t imagine a game of badminton without a net, racket, shuttlecock, and other such essentials that can’t be ignored. Badminton, however, unlike other sports, needs lesser equipment or accessories. Here, we’ll find 10 interesting facts about Badminton equipment and gear required for a badminton game.

1. The strings of badminton racquets are made from the stomach linings of cats

While most of the players have started using synthetic strings over the years, some players still use guts made from the dried stomach lining of animals like cats or cows. Monofilament strings are made of a single, solid extrusion of material. Originally this was nylon but, these days, the material used is one of the fastest developing sectors in the string industry. Among the less-known facts about Badminton equipment.

2. Where does the word shuttlecock come from?

The word shuttlecock dates back to the 16th century, which was when badminton became popular in England. The “shuttle” part comes from a 14th-century device to weave clothes and tapestry called a “loom.” The back-and-forth motion of the shuttlecock when the game is played resembles the movement of a loom. The “cock” refers to the feathers that give the shuttlecock its cone-like shape and resembles a rooster’s feathers. Among the most striking facts about Badminton equipment.

3. Feathers aren’t used anymore

Even though the shuttlecock’s feathers still resemble the feathers of a rooster, real feathers aren’t used anymore in the modern-day game as synthetic ones have replaced them. The main reason is that real feathers are brittle, resulting in damage during this high-intensity game. By using a synthetic version, the game can be played with just one shuttlecock.

However, plastic shuttlecocks are only recommended for beginners who are just starting. This is because feathered shuttlecocks are expensive and fray easily, mainly if the wrong technique is used. Hence, plastic shuttlecocks are suitable for beginners to use for training. Among the most amazing facts about Badminton equipment.

4. Japanese badminton uses wooden piece as the racket

The Japanese version of badminton is called “hanetsuki” and very much resembles the medieval game of battledore and shuttlecock. It’s also played with a wooden panel called a “hagoita,” It can be played by two people who try to bat the brightly colored shuttlecock towards each other as many times as possible. The traditional game was mostly played by girls during New Year and had a remarkable system to count points. Among the profound facts about Badminton equipment.

5. Hanetsuki equipment is still being sold in Japan

Here another interesting fact is that even though hanetsuki isn’t that popular anymore in Japan (the modern-day game of badminton is though), the equipment to play the game is still being sold just about everywhere. The rackets and shuttle are very brightly colored (like many things in Japan), and as you’ll notice, the shuttles aren’t quite the same as the badminton shuttles we are used to. They only have one feather.

Read Also: Tips to Buy the Best Badminton Racquets

6. A shuttle is made from the left-wing of a goose

The average shuttlecock weighs between 4.74 to 5.5 grams, the best of which are made from the feathers of the left-wing of a goose. Sixteen feathers are used in the manufacture of a shuttle. During a top-level match, ten shuttles are used, with each being hit roughly 400 times Among the best facts about Badminton equipment.

7. A Chinese variation of the game doesn’t require racket

Like tennis, which was initially played with the hands in a game called “jeu de paume,” badminton also has a variant that doesn’t require a racket. In China, a game called Jianzi is played with a shuttlecock but without a racket. People kick the shuttlecock towards each other with their feet instead. Among the most astounding facts about Badminton equipment.

8. The earliest form of the modern game was also played with a woolen ball

Even though it is believed that the modern game of badminton was “invented” in British India in the early 1860s, it was made popular in England. In India, the game wasn’t just played with a shuttlecock, but also with a woolen ball. This was preferred in windy weather or when it was raining. Among the historical facts about Badminton equipment.

9. The shuttle reaches extreme speeds

The speed at which the shuttle goes back and forth is breakneck. We’re all in awe with tennis players being able to hit serves of over 200 kilometers per hour (120 mph), but that’s nothing compared to the speed the shuttle reaches during badminton games. The fastest recorded badminton hit during a competition happened in Bangalore, India, when badminton player Mads Pieler Kolding (Denmark) smashed the shuttle at a speed of 426 kilometers per hour (264.70 mph) over the net.

Read Also: 10 Unknown Facts About Cricket Balls

10. Ancient Badminton rackets

The earliest badminton rackets had wooden frames. Players sought to have lighter-weight rackets to increase their speed on the court, and they switched to aluminum frames, and then later used carbon fiber composite materials for even lighter rackets. Among the ancient facts about Badminton equipment.

These were some amazing facts about badminton equipment. If you know some interesting facts, don’t forget to pen down under comments.

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10 Interesting Facts About Badminton Equipment