Restringing your badminton racket is not a costly activity, and it will vastly improve your game. Did you know that after as few as three or four games, the strings will lose their tension, and this can affect how well you play?
In this article, we will be exploring why restringing your racket is essential as well as discovering everything you will need to know to ensure your racket is always up to scratch.
How Long Should Badminton Strings Last?
The length of time that your badminton strings last will vary greatly depending on how frequently you play. The more often you’re on the badminton court, the more often you will need to replace the strings.
As a general rule, however, badminton strings should last for around three months - this means that you will need to replace them about four times each year. Although, if you play less often, this will be reduced. Below you will see advice relating to your level:
- Beginners won’t need to replace their strings as often, for a variety of reasons. Primarily, the condition of your racket will not have as much bearing on your skill as more advanced players, so it is preferable to learn your skills before restringing. When you do replace your strings, it can be worthwhile experimenting with different strings and varying tensions to find what complements your gameplay best.
- Intermediate players will benefit from more frequent string replacements as their condition will affect how well you play. It is widely accepted that a two-hour badminton session is typical for an intermediate player, but if you are playing more frequently than this, you may need to restring a little more often.
- Advanced players who are enjoying a game most days of the week will need to have their rackets restrung far more often - most pro players will change their strings at least once a month. In the event of an important tournament, it is not uncommon to see players changing their strings after each game.
With all of this in mind, you should never ignore strings that require repair before the expected time. If you want to stay at the top of your game, it is crucial to perform maintenance as and when it is needed.
Is It Worth Restringing A Racket?
In short, restringing your racket is always worth it. Doing so will bring many benefits, primarily because, over time, your racket strings will loosen, and this can affect your game. With looser strings, you will not achieve as much power when hitting the shuttlecock.
Furthermore, your speed will be drastically affected, and this can also pose a significant problem with your performance.
Additionally, having tight strings will mean that you have greater control over each hit. However, it is vital that you keep in mind that the strings should not be too tight. If they are, you are putting yourself at risk of developing an injury such as https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tennis” draggable=”false” href=”https://racketfun.com/badminton/badminton-info/pickleball-vs-tennis/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” data-wpil-keyword-link=”linked”>tennis-elbow/”>tennis elbow. This could put you out of action while you recover.
How Do You Know When Your Racket Needs To Be Restrung?
If you have been playing badminton for some time, you will likely become familiar with the improved gameplay and more comfortable feel of a freshly restrung racket.
Once this feeling fades significantly enough for you to notice a decrease in your overall performance, it is likely a good time to think about installing some new strings.
However, if you are new to the game, you might want to look out for the following signs that your badminton racket needs restringing.
- If any of the strings are broken, frayed or snapped, you should have them replaced as soon as possible.
- Freshly installed strings will be tight with enough surface tension to effectively hit and control the shuttlecock. Once the strings start to become loose, you will notice a difference, and this could mean it is time to invest in a new set.
- If you feel as though the racket is no longer serving you as well as it once did, this could be an indication that new strings are needed.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Racket Restrung?
One of the great things about restringing a badminton racket is that it can be done in a minimal amount of time. On average, the process will take around 45 minutes, if done by a professional.
There are many services that will restring your badminton racket while you wait – if you are popping out at the weekend, it is as simple as dropping your racket in and popping to a nearby cafe for a quick lunch before returning to collect it.
Many people may be concerned that this is a process that will take a long time, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Of course, taking your racket to be restrung will involve travel, and if you are looking to save a lot of time, it is possible to buy a restringing machine and complete the work yourself.
Conclusion
Your badminton racket is an essential tool in your game and taking good care of it will mean vast improvements in your skill and results in each game. A newly strung racket will give you the ability to better control each hit, deliver on speed and power and make you an overall better player.
However, without regular replacements, your badminton racket strings will become loose and may even break. It is recommended that you should restring your badminton racket once every three months. Although, this time frame can differ greatly depending on your level.
