Help your shoe grip the badminton court!
Playing it in the backyard or on the beach? It’s not hard to expect falls while playing badminton. Fortunately, the grounds in those situations are soft, and therefore, in the worst situations, a sprained ankle is all one might get.
Be it for leisure or professional play, safety and performance can become a concern for many while playing badminton. Avid players may be found more commonly to be playing badminton indoors on wooden or rubber courts. Compared to the previous situations, falls here are just a tad bit more painful.
Slipping is usually caused by dust that accumulates on the court and many players don’t know what to do in these situations. Look no further! For here are 4 quick and easy ways to improve traction while playing badminton.
1. Spill some water
Now, what is the best way to go about this? Well, you could take some water and spill a little on the floor, then put your shoes in it to dampen the bottom of them just before going out on the court. This can get a little messy, and also can get you strange looks from your fellow players. Although messy, I must say this is quite an effective method.
2. Damp Cloth
Another idea is to keep a damp cloth on the sidelines with you. In between sets you can simply step on the cloth to wet the bottom of your shoe to counteract the dust. It works, yes. But then again, carrying around damp cloths might not be the most convenient thing to do. While this is by far the most effective method that I know, it can be quite a hassle.
3. Court grip gel
Another way I have seen badminton players ensure that their shoe grip stays in tip top condition, is by using shoe grip gels. There are many products on the market, such as the above examples. I don’t personally recommend them as they leave a sticky residue on the courtside (or wherever you leave them). But I have seen how they can be effective, just putting it up here for consideration, that’s all.
4. Spray bottle
Alas! There has to be a better way. Just the other day, a good friend of mine said to me “I have a novel idea.” “Why not just carry a spray water bottle with you?”
Wow! This is one of my favourite ideas. You can just add a small spray bottle to your gear. This will fit nicely in your badminton bag and can sit well, out of the way on the sidelines. When you are ready to go back out on the court and things are a little dusty, you just take your trusty spray bottle and lightly mist the bottoms of your shoes.
Problem solved!
That’s how you get the shoe grip that you need to ace your game. Other ways you can get around the court safely and quickly involve having a proper set of footwork. Slippery shoes can only increase your chances of getting injured by so much. If you’re struggling to get to the front and back safely and quickly, check out our guide here!
Feel free to check our nifty equipment tricks that will help you find and utilise the bestequipment to their fullest potential and bring your game to the next level.
Now, get out there and Smash that Shuttlecock!