How to choose the right badminton ball

When we talk about sophistication, we usually think of something complicated and sophisticated. Take the mobile phone, for example – it is one of the very delicate creations that man has made. Or like famous paintings, there will be certain delicate lines inside, which only knowledgeable people can recognize. However, the subtlety does not need to be complicated, but it shows up in many things and events around us.

I. Characteristics of how to choose a standard badminton ball to play

II. Why is badminton such a delicate creature?

Take a look at the way the ball flies over the net: it can start at extremely high speed (depending on the force of the hit), but will brake mid-speed and fall gracefully. Moreover, notice, the badminton ball when flying only rotates clockwise. This is also why many people call this the "sport of romance".

In order to have such elegance and sophistication, the badminton ball needs to follow certain rules. First, on a sphere there should be exactly 16 feathers (usually goose feathers, but sometimes duck feathers are used). And more importantly, those hairs should be on the left wing.

According to Paisan Rangsikitpho – who has 12 years as president of the World Badminton Federation – the feathers on the left and right wings of geese or ducks are not the same. The spheres are designed with specialized feathers, which are extremely suitable for aerodynamics: the left wing feathers are used to catch the wind from the left, similarly the right feathers.

The feather structure on the two different wings affects the spin of the shuttle. Therefore, if the ball has to be made from feathers on the left wing, to ensure that the ball will spin clockwise when in flight (when viewed from the angle of the shuttle).

So why not use the right wing feathers, or use both sides?

Because if you use the feathers of both wings, the ball will not be able to spin when flying, but will become swaying and wobbling with an unpredictable trajectory.