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Is racket clash a foul in badminton/shuttlecock?

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It is not a foul if your racket collides with your partner’s racket. In badminton doubles, racket collisions are a common occurrence.

There will be some confusion as to who will take the shuttle, especially if the shuttle lands in the middle of the players.

This also occurs with international players. It is not a foul if the shuttle does not touch your racket or any part of your body.

Badminton Rackets

Are racquet clashes allowed in badminton doubles?

Racket clashes are permitted as long as the shuttle only makes contact with one of the rackets. If the shuttle is touched twice on the same side of the court before moving to the opponent’s side, it is a fault.

Blocking an opponent’s racket movement with your own is also a mistake. You can defend yourself near the net by blocking the shuttle, but only if you don’t cross the net and don’t restrict your opponent’s racket.

The racket clash is not a foul in badminton but it can affect the life of badminton so let us discuss how you can take care of your badminton.

Badminton Doubles

Badminton Racket Maintenance – Do’s 

1. What should you do if your racket’s strings break?

  • Strings are prone to deterioration. Strings breaking while playing is a common occurrence. Keep your racket safely covered when not in use to extend the life of the strings.
  • If one of the strings breaks, cut all of them open because the tension in the strings is distributed unevenly, putting extra pressure on certain points on the frame and changing the shape of your racket’s head.

2. Setting up your racket

  • If your racket’s strings are broken or missing, you should have it re-strung by a professional stringer. To avoid strings being cut by the edges of the eyelets on the racket frame, always use good quality multifilament strings and replace the grommets if they are broken or missing.
  • String tension should be within the recommended range, and if your racket is older, ask your stringer to recommend string tension.

3. Changing out the old grip

  • Rackets have a base grip that is adhered to the wooden handle and wears out over time depending on use. The base grip should be replaced every 2-3 months to maintain a good grip between your hand and racket.
  • An Over grip can be used to protect the base grip or to provide a thicker grip depending on the size of your hand.

Did You Know? You can use a towel grip if your palm sweats a lot.

Badminton Rackets

4. Proper storage and transportation

  • Graphite rackets are extremely strong and can withstand high tensions, but if not properly stored in a foam cover, the racket is susceptible to external damage and the frame’s durability suffers. Always keep your rackets in a foam cover to protect the frame of your racket.

How to avoid racket clash in badminton?

There is no effective way to prevent it. All you have to do is be aware of your doubles partner’s movement and coordination. The rest is up to chance. 

Many times, under pressure or when both of you have an equal chance of hitting the shuttle, a collision may occur. Even if you don’t perform a proper dive, pressure may be diverted to the racquet, causing it to break.

As a result, you must understand the fundamentals of the game in order to avoid not only racquet collisions, but also any injury or harm. After all, it’s a battle, so there will be sacrifices, with racquets being the most prominent.

The best way to minimise it is to shout my call or anything which brings attention to your doubles partner to avoid such clashes.