You've got the racquet and are hooked on playing real badminton, not just the backyard game, so how do you find a worthy opponent?
Here are some great ideas. If you try them all, you will be enjoying play in no time.
Here are some great ideas. If you try them all, you will be enjoying play in no time.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: One hour or less
Here's How:
- Look at USA Badminton's "where to play" guide online. This is a great guide to many places where badminton players gather, by region, by state, and by club.
- If that doesn't work for your area, you might also try the Where to Play sections of Badminton Central , and WorldBadminton.com.
- Once you've found a place where people are playing badminton, speak with the local professional, if there is one, and see whether he/she can arrange for you to meet other players at your level of experience and skill.
- Look for any court-side bulletin boards, or boards near the gym entrance or locker rooms. These bulletin boards often have a listing of players looking for matches. If so, add your name to the list!
- Be sure to visit the facility at different times. Some players are morning people, who enjoy an early workout. Others may only be able to find time to play at lunchtime, or right after their day's work. Remember that weekends often bring out players who may not be able to play as frequently during the week.
- Find out whether there is an established time for a 'round-robin'. These are times when players expect to be matched up against many different players, but only for one game at a time. Round-robins are ideal for quickly meeting a lot of potential badminton partners. These are more likely to be scheduled for a weekend time, when more players could be available.
- If face-to-face opportunities aren't working at your club or gym, try other facilities nearby. You may have to hunt a bit to find a vibrant badminton community that has many players at your skill level or better. That is the ideal setting you want, so be persistent.