Badminton Coaching

Most children do not start playing badminton until they reach senior school at the age of 11. If you would like your child to be able to start playing badminton at an earlier age then it is likely that you will need to find a club in your local area. There are plenty of clubs throughout the U.K. and you should find at least one in every town and city.

One of the advantages of enrolling your child at your local club is that they should receive coaching and instruction from qualified badminton coaches. Clubs tend to take children from the age of 8, but there are some progressive clubs who are introducing children to badminton from the age of three. So if you want your child to get ahead in the game at an early stage then get in early.

Equipment requirements are minimal for someone who is just starting out. All they need is a racket and suitable sports clothing. Badminton rackets are different from those used for other sports such as tennis or squash. The fact that the rackets are lighter than tennis rackets can make it easier for a younger child who is taking their first steps in the sport. Many clubs will provide rackets for anyone who is still deciding to take up the sport on a regular basis.

Badminton is administered in the U.K. by Badminton England. They run a number of training initiatives for coaches and it is advisable to ensure that anyone who will be coaching your child has qualified through one of their programs.

Clubs affiliated to Badminton England should also have a Welfare Officer or Child Protection Officer Their role is to look after children and ensure they are safe. If you or your child has any concerns about a club then this is the person you should talk to initially.

Either through schools or local clubs there is a competition network available for juniors. This can be limited to within the club or school or can involve competing against other clubs and schools. There are also county and national championships for more advanced players.

As well as being a fun and very sociable game there are some great fitness and health benefits too. Once the basics of badminton have been mastered it is a fast paced game and supplies anyone with a good workout. It is also a game that can be played between parents and children. You will find that local leisure centres have badminton courts available for private hire.

To prepare a very young child to start a sport like badminton it is sensible to start with some basic hand to eye coordination exercises. These can include simple games of catch. Catching a ball that has bounced a certain number of times is another way to improve coordination skills. As well as badminton this type of skill underpins just about any sport where you need to hit or kick a moving target such as a ball or shuttlecock.

To find a club in your local areas follow this link: Badminton England Club Finder

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