Andrew Pace
Badminton is a racquet sport that requires a unique skill set, including dinking and slowing down gameplay. It is played with a shuttlecock, which, due to its shape, cannot bounce, so the game is played in the air. If you're a fan of badminton and are looking for similar sports to try, there are several options. One of the most popular is pickleball, which is played with a solid-faced paddle and a whiffle ball instead of a shuttlecock. It is played on a court similar in size to a badminton court, and players hit the ball with paddles in an upward motion. Another similar sport is squash, which is played with a racquet, ball, and four playable walls. It is usually played indoors, and players stand beside each other, hitting the ball against the wall. Beach tennis is another option, which is played without the ball touching the ground, making it faster-paced than traditional tennis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Similarity to badminton | Footwork and volleying style are similar to badminton |
| Equipment | Racket/paddle, ball |
| Court | Indoor court |
| Number of players | Two or four players |
| Rules | Basic coaching points are opposite to badminton, e.g. hit the ball on your side, plant your feet, and avoid using your wrist |
| Comparable sports | Racketlon, squash, racketball, tennis, beach tennis, table tennis, pickleball, padel, tamburello |
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What You'll Learn
- Pickleball: a mix of tennis, ping pong and badminton
- Speedminton: a faster version of badminton with smaller rackets and no net
- Tennis: an Olympic sport played with a net, similar to badminton
- Squash: a racquet sport played in an enclosed court with four walls
- Table tennis: an indoor game similar to badminton that requires hand-eye coordination
Pickleball: a mix of tennis, ping pong and badminton
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, ping pong and badminton, offering a unique sporting experience. It is a racket sport that can be played both indoors and outdoors, and is known for its accessibility, strategy, and social nature.
The sport is played on a court that is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a net in the middle. This is similar to a badminton doubles court, which has the same dimensions. The net in pickleball is 36 inches high on the ends and 34 inches high in the middle, while a badminton net stands at 5 feet in the centre and 5 feet, 1 inch at the ends. The pickleball court features a non-volley zone, often called "the kitchen", which is an area within 7 feet on both sides of the net. This is a key strategic element of the game, as players cannot volley within this zone.
The paddles used in pickleball are larger than those in ping pong, typically made of wood or composite materials like graphite or carbon fibre. The ball used in pickleball is similar to a wiffle ball but heavier, and has holes as it is usually made of composite plastic. The larger paddle and ball in pickleball allow for more powerful shots and longer rallies compared to ping pong, making the game more challenging and exciting.
Pickleball games are typically played to 11 points, with teams needing to win by at least two points. This is similar to badminton, where games are usually played to 21 points, also requiring a two-point advantage for victory. In both pickleball and badminton, matches are often played in a best two-out-of-three format. The underhand serve is standard in pickleball, with serves made in an upward motion and impacting the ball below the waist. Badminton serves are also made in an underhand motion, with the shuttlecock or "birdie" held in an open palm and struck upwards below waist level.
Pickleball has been praised for its social aspect, with players of varying skill levels able to enjoy the game together. It is a low-impact sport, making it accessible to a wide range of people, including seniors or those recovering from injuries. The strategy and quick reflexes required in pickleball, along with its blend of slow and intense moments, create a unique and engaging sporting experience.
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Speedminton: a faster version of badminton with smaller rackets and no net
Speedminton is a faster-paced version of badminton that can be played with smaller rackets and without a net. It is a fun and intense workout that can be played with two players or in teams.
The game is set up similarly to badminton, with a court divided into two halves by a central line, and the aim is also similar: players hit a shuttlecock back and forth, aiming to land it inside their opponent's half. However, unlike badminton, speedminton does not use a net to separate the two halves of the court. This means that the shuttlecock must be hit at a faster pace to reach the opponent's side and avoid landing in the central area.
The equipment for speedminton is also slightly different from badminton. While traditional badminton rackets tend to be large and lightweight, speedminton rackets are smaller and more compact. This is to allow players to move and swing the racket quickly, enabling faster play. The shuttlecock itself may also be slightly different, with some speedminton sets offering a slightly heavier shuttlecock to withstand the faster pace of the game.
Speedminton can be played with the same scoring system as badminton, where a player must reach 21 points to win a game, and win by two clear points. Alternatively, to emphasise the faster pace of the game, speedminton can be played with a shorter point system, such as a player needing to only reach 11 or 15 points to win a game.
The faster pace and more intense physical activity of speedminton make it an excellent workout, and the absence of a net means it can be played in a variety of spaces, making it a versatile and exciting game.
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Tennis: an Olympic sport played with a net, similar to badminton
Tennis is a sport played at the Olympics that uses a net and has similarities to badminton. Both sports are racket sports, where players use a handled frame with an open hoop that supports a network of tightly stretched strings to hit a ball or other object. Tennis and badminton can be played as singles or doubles, and players score points if they hit an unreturnable shot or their opponent makes a mistake, such as hitting the ball out of the court or into the net.
There are also several differences between tennis and badminton. Tennis is played on a court that is around one-and-a-half times larger than a badminton court and can be played either indoors or outdoors, whereas badminton courts are designed to be indoors. Tennis courts can also vary in terms of their surfaces, with options including hard, grass, and clay courts, while badminton courts usually feature wooden floors with synthetic mats or porous asphalt.
The equipment used in tennis and badminton also differs. Badminton rackets are lighter than tennis rackets and have a smaller, more circular head shape. Tennis rackets are slightly oval, and badminton rackets do not have a throat and feature a longer shaft for increased flexibility. In tennis, players hit a ball with their rackets, while in badminton, a shuttlecock is used instead. The shuttlecock is a conical object made of feathers or synthetic plastic with a corked end.
The rules of tennis and badminton also vary. In tennis, the ball can bounce once on a player's side of the court before they must return it. In contrast, the shuttlecock used in badminton cannot touch the floor. Tennis matches are also typically longer and more drawn out than badminton matches, with players engaging in longer rallies. Badminton is considered a more explosive sport, with players covering more distance and exhibiting greater intensity and peak power.
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Squash: a racquet sport played in an enclosed court with four walls
If you're looking for a sport similar to badminton, squash is a great option. Like badminton, squash is a racquet sport. It is played in an enclosed court with four walls, rather than on a court with a net in the middle. The players stand beside each other and hit the ball against the wall.
Squash was invented in the UK in the 19th century and continues to be popular in Britain, with a growing following worldwide. It has even been shortlisted for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. Squash can be played with two or four players.
The basic coaching points in squash are quite different from badminton. In squash, you hit the ball on your side, rather than in front of you, and you plant your feet instead of tiptoeing. You also don't generate power by flicking your wrist. However, the footwork in squash is similar to badminton, and the volleys and drops will feel more natural if you're already a badminton player.
Squash is a great solo workout, and you can get very high-quality practice in without needing a partner. It's also a far better workout than racketball, which is another similar option.
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Table tennis: an indoor game similar to badminton that requires hand-eye coordination
Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is an indoor racket sport similar to badminton that requires hand-eye coordination. It is played by enthusiasts worldwide and is particularly popular in China, where Chinese players have dominated the competitive scene for around two decades.
Table tennis and badminton share similarities as racket sports, where players use a racket or paddle to hit a ball or other object. In badminton, players hit a shuttlecock instead of a ball, but both sports require hand-eye coordination and involve similar physical movements.
Table tennis can be played casually or competitively, and its rules and equipment are straightforward. Players use paddles or bats, which have a solid face or may be perforated with holes, to hit a small ball back and forth over a net. The game can be played in singles or doubles formats, and the first player or team to reach a certain number of points wins a game. Multiple games are typically played in a match.
Table tennis may be a good alternative for those who want to play an indoor sport similar to badminton. It offers the ability to play casually with friends or family, or at a more competitive level through clubs, leagues, or tournaments.
Additionally, table tennis can be played in various locations due to its minimal equipment requirements. All that is needed is a table, net, paddles, and balls, making it accessible to people of all ages and skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
One sport that is similar to badminton is pickleball, which is played with a paddle and ball instead of a racquet and shuttlecock. It is played on a court similar in size to a badminton court and players hit the ball diagonally over a net.
Tennis, squash, ping pong (table tennis), padel and speedminton are all racket sports that you might enjoy if you like badminton.
In badminton, the shuttlecock cannot bounce consistently so the game is played out of the air. In pickleball, the ball can bounce and is hit both in the air and on the ground.
