If you have been watching badminton or just starting out in the sport, you must have seen players hit a conical object with the racket. That’s the shuttlecock or shuttle, which is at the centre of all the fast-paced badminton action.
It’s a delicate piece of equipment but quite important in badminton, as it flies from one half to the other. But do you know how it is made and its different types?
If not, then let’s get to know everything about the badminton shuttle in this piece.
So how are shuttlecocks made?
Many top-tier badminton tournaments use high-quality shuttles made up of feather and cork. The feathers and corks need to be within set guidelines.
The feathers are sourced from goose or duck and need to be between 62 and 70 mm in length. These feathers are embedded into a cork head, which has a diameter between 25 and 28 mm, covered with leather.
One thing to keep in mind about the feathers is that all 16 need to be from either the right or left wing of the goose or duck. You can’t mix up the feathers from both wings.
Each shuttle has 16 feathers inserted in a conical shape and stitched by threads. A complete shuttle weighs between 4.75 and 5.50 grams.
Once the shuttles are ready, they go under some tests to check their flight and distance accuracy. After shuttles pass the quality check, they are ready for use in tournaments.
But feather shuttlecocks are not the only type of shuttle you will see or play with. There are a couple of more types.
What are the different types of badminton shuttlecocks?
There are three types of shuttles or birdies, including the feather one.
Feather Shuttle
As mentioned earlier, it is made up of goose or duck feathers. The elite professionals of the sport prefer the feather shuttles due to their superior characteristics.
But these feathers are kind of fragile and can break or endure damage during games. So you will have to replace them more often.
Plastic/Nylon Shuttle
The second type of shuttle is more durable than the feather ones, thanks to it being made up of plastic or nylon material. Instead of the real feathers, the shuttle is made up of a plastic or nylon skirt.
Since plastic is used, they last longer, with no need to replace them after a few games. Plus, they don’t cost you much, unlike the feather shuttles.
Hybrid Shuttle
This is a relatively new type of shuttle. A hybrid birdie is a mix of feathers and synthetic materials like plastic or nylon.
The good thing about these shuttles is that they can endure more wear and tear than the traditional feather ones. Moreover, they are more affordable than the feather birdie.
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