Shuttlecock
The in badminton and the shuttlecock used ball is generally considered Shuttlecock or shuttle Cock , German as badminton referred. There are two different types of shuttlecocks, natural shuttlecocks and plastic shuttlecocks (also known as nylon balls). In English-speaking countries, Shuttlecock is also used to describe the game of spring football .
Natural shuttlecocks
The applicable rule defines a shuttlecock as follows:
- 2.2. Badminton:
- 2.2.1. The shuttlecock must have 16 feathers attached to the base .
- 2.2.2. The feathers must have a uniform length between 62 mm and 70 mm, measured from the tip to the top of the base.
- 2.2.3. The tips of the feathers must form a circle with a diameter of 58 to 68 mm.
- 2.2.4. The springs must be firmly attached with thread or some other suitable material.
- 2.2.5. The base must have a diameter of 25 to 28 mm and be rounded at the bottom.
- 2.2.6. The shuttlecock must weigh between 4.74 g and 5.50 g.
A natural shuttlecock costs around one to two euros, depending on the quality. Expensive varieties have a natural cork that comes primarily from Portugal. Natural shuttlecocks are partly made by hand. Only goose and duck feathers are used. Goose feathers are of higher quality, but break more easily in the quill . The keel of duck feathers is more stable, but the feather beams are less durable and the ball frays. According to the manufacturers, only cover feathers are used for natural shuttlecocks, which are a by-product of poultry slaughter.
Plastic shuttlecocks
A nylon or plastic ball is described in the applicable regulations as follows:
- 2.3 plastic ball:
- 2.3.1 The basket or the replica of feathers made of synthetic material replaces the natural feathers.
- 2.3.2 The basis is described in rule 2.2.5.
- 2.3.3 Dimensions and weights must be as in rules 2.2.2, 2.2.3 and 2.2.6.
- However, due to the different specific weight and behavior of synthetic material compared to natural feathers, a deviation of up to 10% is acceptable.
Nylon balls are designed for three different speeds , which are identified by a colored ring on the cork base of the ball: 'red' indicates the highest flight speed , 'blue' the medium, green the lowest speed and yellow as intermediate. In German competition, up to the second lowest class (see: Badminton divisions ), nylon balls are sometimes used. Shuttlecocks are used in the classes above.
Trajectory
A distinctive feature of badminton compared to other ball games is the trajectory , which is characterized by air resistance . On the one hand, this extends the flight time, on the other hand, the trajectory deviates significantly from the symmetry of a trajectory parabola - see the sketch opposite for an initial speed of 65 m / s.
While a golf ball flies about 200 m on such a violent tee shot and on an almost symmetrical parabola, a shuttlecock falls almost vertically to the ground at the end of its trajectory - after just 10 to 15 m. In addition, the maximum flight distance is not reached at 45 °, but at a take-off angle of 20 °. At lower initial speeds, this angle increases and approaches the 45 ° parabola.
Ball properties
Due to the different storage, humidity , ambient temperature, feather thickness and cork weight, shuttlecocks usually do not have a uniform flight behavior. Natural shuttlecocks are therefore tested by the manufacturers using ball machines . The balls are assigned to the speeds and qualities according to flight length and flight stability. The most common speed in Central Europe is 77 grains.
The colder the hall, the higher the speed should be:
- Hall temperature: 26-30 ° C - speed: 76 grain
- Hall temperature: 20-25 ° C - speed: 77 grain
- Hall temperature: 14-19 ° C - speed: 78 grain
- (1 grain = 64.798910 mg)
To determine the flight characteristics, the ball is punched through before each game; the ball is hit with a "full underhand blow " from the rear service line of the field into the opposite half of the field and the flight distance is determined. The rule says: " A ball at the correct speed will land on the ground no less than 530 mm and no more than 990 mm from the opposite rear boundary line ". If the ball hits the ground beyond these limits, it is adjusted in speed by buckling the springs at their upper end after agreement with the opponent. As a rule, balls are too fast, then the springs at the top are bent outwards to make them slower. There are different rules for buckling:
- bend every spring,
- DO NOT bend every fourth spring,
- every other spring kink, as well
- bend every fourth spring.
A kinked ball breaks faster than an unchanged ball. Therefore, it is better to buy balls with the correct speed. In play, a ball can reach speeds of around 290 km / h. In doubles , the ball can sometimes be hit 40 to 50 times in 20 seconds. The world record for the smash is 493 km / h.
Web links
swell
- ↑ 493 km / h: Heong crashes world record focus.de