Badminton is an easy sport to learn, and it’s very popular in Nigeria. These are the top Badminton tips that will help beginners in Nigeria.

Always heat-up properly

Badminton’s first tip is to properly warm up. This is important for all sports. Warming up properly is essential for any sport. This will prevent injuries and prepare you for fast-paced Badminton. You may also want to do some dynamic stretching before you start playing.

Basic footwork

Badminton is fast-paced and requires speed and agility to be successful. To be able to move around the court quickly, you need to have quick and efficient footwork.
Badminton uses fewer movements than people are used too. Badminton doesn’t require any running or jogging. Badminton requires a lot of chasing, jumping and lunging. It is important to have a basic understanding of these movements.

Feel at ease with your grip

Before you can make any shots, the fundamental thing that you need to master is your grip. It doesn’t matter if you grip the racquet forehand, backhand, or panhandle. You need to feel comfortable holding it in each position.
It is possible to practice it every day at home. You can just pick up your racquet, and start practicing switching from forehand into backhand. Also, practice some basic shots. You will find your grip and natural switching easier the more you practice it.

Learn the rules

Although it may seem obvious, you won’t be able to play a good game of Badminton if your rules aren’t clear. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to know every word of the rulebook, but it does require a basic understanding of scoring, serving and what’s allowed and prohibited.

Check out some high-quality YouTube content

In this digital age, we are fortunate to have so many great videos on almost any topic you might want. YouTube even has a number of educational Badminton channels. This has only gotten more amazing over the years, especially in 2019-20.
Badminton content can be found on all aspects of the sport. There are videos that will teach you the backhand serve and the backhand slice-drop shot.

Keep your racquet high

This tip is not easy to implement. People naturally want to let their arms drop to the sides when they aren’t active. This is a temptation that you should resist, especially if your are playing at the net in doubles.
Keep your racquet high, but not above your head. I mean to have your racquet pointed upwards and outwards so it is easier to get ready. It is slow to have your racquet raised from your side every time.

Do not try to be perfect

Many beginners make the error of thinking that every aspect of learning something is perfect. Do not focus on perfection, but instead on progress.
When learning a new shot, you should focus on the parts that are important but not spend too much time on how to bring them together. There is a chance that you won’t be able to master all aspects of the technique. That’s okay. You can make small improvements that add up to large improvements over time.
Perfection is impossible. Even the best players have never achieved perfection. Accept the fact that mistakes will happen and that some things may be more difficult than others. You can make small improvements and that will make a difference.

Have a positive outlook

It’s not easy to do, but it is often easier than you think. You don’t have to think, “Oh gosh, I’m going get stomped now!” Instead, see it as an opportunity for you to learn. You have nothing to lose in this situation and you can play freely.
Some people find positive thinking difficult. It can be difficult to hold your ground and stand firm. Positive mindset is key.

Take a break from

Many people believe that Badminton is all about strength and muscle. Top players are known for their aggression and seem to exert a lot of force. Beginning players tend to be too anxious and pushy.
You need to relax your muscles to allow you to move freely. If you grip the racquet tightly and tighten up before hitting, you won’t be able to generate much racquet speed. This is not about lifting weight, but rather generating power through motion. Relax when you hit the ball and let the racquet do the rest.

Return to the center

Badminton is all in control. You want to control the rally and the shuttle. You don’t want the responsibility of running around the court trying to retrieve the shuttle. Instead, you want the player who is always at the court choosing which position to play next.
You always want to return to the center of your court after every shot. The court’s center can shift depending on what is happening, but that’s another story. You can reach each corner from the same distance as the center of the court. This makes it easier for you to get to the next shot

There is a reason for everything

It’s best to concentrate on the basics when you first start out. You will learn to identify which shot you should take and why. When you play, this becomes part of a larger game plan.
Each shot should have a clear outcome. You can force your opponent to move to a specific spot or win the point. Although you may not always achieve what you want, it is better to have a basic strategy than no strategy.

Get fit and build your stamina

Badminton can be a very physically demanding game. You’ll sweat in no time, even if you are a beginner. You’ll see a faster improvement in your fitness and be able to play more rallies.
You can increase your stamina as a beginner in many ways.

• • Light jogging/running 2-3x per week
• • Daily skipping for 30 minutes
• • Play more Badminton

Relax and stretch after you’ve played

It is just as important to warm up properly before you play as it is to cool down and stretch out after. It’s important for beginners to cool down slowly and then stretch their muscles.
Cooling down slowly will slow down your body temperature so that your muscles don’t become stiff and cold too quickly. After cooling down, stretch your muscles while they are still warm. This will improve flexibility and reduce lactic acid buildup that can cause muscle stiffness and cramping.

How to get better results even quicker

It is best to learn badminton at training camps under the guidance of a professional coach. We’ve compiled a list of the top Nigerian training providers for you. You can find the best badminton courses in your area.