Yonex Armortec Badminton 70MG Racket

 Thinking of purchasing a Yonex Armortec badminton 70MG racket?  Read this article first.  In this article I will review the Armortec badminton racket.  I will discuss the strings, the balance, the grip, the flexibility, and other important attributes of the racket.  In the end, I will discuss whom I feel the racket who best appeal to and discuss whether it is worth its price range.

Similar to other Yonex rackets, the Armortec Badminton 70MG is a beautiful and striking red, silver, and yellow.  Additionally, it has the distinct logo on the racket.  Below are some specific attributes of the Armortec Badminton 70MG Racket

• Level: Intermediate / Advance
• Type: Offensive
• Flex: Medium Stiff
• Head: Square/Isometric
• Weight for handle size is 3U (85-89g) G3.
• B.Pt: 8 (Head Heavy Balance)
• ===============
• Head: Carbon Graphite, gForce Ti
• Shaft: High Modulus (HM) Carbon Graphite
• Cover: Yonex Full Cover
• String: Yonex BG-65 (Custom Strung) / Upgrade Available
• Cost around $135

When using this racket you will notice that the strings are nice and tight and that the Armortec Badminton racket has an excellent balance; the head is not too heavy.  The main difference of the 70MG compared to other Armortec rackets, such as the 50, is the flexibility of the shaft.  The Armortec Badminton 70MG will help players who need more power.  Other rackets similar to this flexibility include the Armortec 30,  and the Nanospeed 300.

After reading some online forums, it seems like the Armortec Badminton 70MG is great for power, however, it is not as fast as the Nanospeed series which has a lighter head.  Therefore, the Nanospeed series is probably better for defense while the 70MG is better for offensive shots. 

The Armortec Badminton 70MG is great for intermediate/advanced social and league players.  This racket is great for those who need a little help on their power shots.  Ensure to test the racket before committing to purchase.  This way you can KNOW that you'll be happy with it, rather than just make an educated guess.

Singles Badminton Strategies

Many badminton players believe that only exceptional skills are required to win in badminton.  They fail to realize that not only skills are necessary, but also strategy.  A decent player with exceptional strategy can beat an exceptionally skilled player any day.  In this article I will give some basic strategies used in Singles Badminton.  Remember to have a game plan when playing badminton and then you can outwit your opponent.  Many players try to score a winning shot...EVERYTIME...rather than play a game winning strategy.

Singles Badminton Strategies


The strategy you utilize will depend upon the person you are playing.  If you have an opponent who is  great at smashing even from the baseline, then a long high serve to the opponent's back court may not be the best method to serve.  If you are playing a weaker skilled player, than a long, high serve can open up your opponents forecourt.  Mix things up always.  A disguised low serve after a long line of high serves can throw your opponent off and can even win you a point if disguised enough.

Guidelines for Singles Badminton

• Try to make your opponent move about the court by hitting the shuttlecock away from your opponent.  
• Observe!  Always observe.  Observe your opponent.  See his/her pattern of play.  See his weakness.  This is essential.
• Be flexible.  If your favorite, most powerful shot is not working, do something else.  Again, find your opponents weakness.
• If you are pressed, hit a defensive high shot that will give you time to regain your footing. 

The most important part of badminton is your position.  Always get back to your base position.  This is in the mid court area.  After every shot return to this position.

Badminton Muscles - Left and Right Side

In badminton, as in other racket sports, one side of the body is often used more than the other side.  If you are a left-handed player, then your left side is often more developed, and likewise, if you're right-handed, then your right side is often more developed.

This can especially be seen with pros.  Even amateur players recognize their badminton muscles though.  Generally, the form arm, the bicep and tricep, as well as the shoulders and back of one arm are more developed and larger than the other side.  This can be awkward if you are to go swimming.  However, your pecs (mostly), abdomen, and the remainder of your torso is essentially the same on both sides.

Additionally, your legs shouldn't have much change in development or size.

It is not too difficult to counteract this onesideness.  You can either go to the gym and workout your other side consistently or start playing badminton with your opposite hand.  Both methods will soon even out your body so that you look normal.  The End.

Badminton Origin - Where it all began.

Origin of Badminton

Badminton is an old and historic game that was played as early as 500 B.C in ancient China.  In the early days, the game had no rackets, and instead the players would use their feet to hit the ball similar to the shuttlecock.  They also did not use a net...really it did not resemble modern day badminton, but it is the beginning.   By 0 A.D, they introduced a simple racket that resembled a modern day bat, and they would hit the shuttlecock back and forth as many times as possible.

Fast forward to the 16th century, and badminton had become known in Europe and was played by children.  In the 17th century, the game gained popularity, and was played among the upper class society.  In the 19th century, English officers stationed in India learned about a game called Poon.  The game is similar to badminton.  The officers learned the basic rules and brought the game back to England.  In England, they established a Badminton estate, where badminton was played with rackets, the shuttlecock, and a net.

Shortly after, the Bath Badminton Club was originated and they laid down the current rules of badminton.  This is also where the name "badminton" came about.  After this initial club was formed, many clubs formed around England and the first national badminton association was formed.

Soon after, with many clubs participating in badminton, tournaments evolved and badminton become more competitive in nature.  The first ever badminton tournament occurred at the end of the century in 1899.  The first champion, Kitty Godfree, soon became a badminton star, and won three championships in the start of the 20th century.

The increasing popularity in England led to an increasing popularity of badminton around the world and in 1934, the International Badminton Federation was formed.  The initial countries within the federation were, England, Wales, Scotland, Holland, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and France.

In the 20th century, badminton grew around the world and was eventually brought to the Olympics where people would compete on the international level.

That is the Origin of Badminton

Badminton Terminology

An essential part of playing Badminton is understanding the Badminton terminology that is associated with the game.  Below is a list of badminton terminology that you might encounter while playing the game.

Badminton Terminology

• Alley - extension of the court by 1-1/2 feet on both sides for doubles play.
• Back Alley- Area between the back boundary line and the long service line for doubles.

• Backcourt- Back third of the court, in the area of the back boundary lines.
• Balk (Feint)- Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during the service.
• Baseline- Back boundary line at each end of the court, parallel to the net.
• Carry- An illegal tactic, also called a sling or a throw, in which the shuttle is caught and held on the racquet and then slung during the execution of a stroke.
• Center or Base Position- Location in the center of the court to which a singles player tries to return after each shot.
• Center Line- Line perpendicular to the net that separates the left and right service courts.
• Clear- A shot hit deep to the opponents back boundary line. The high clear is a defensive shot, while the flatter attacking clear is used offensively.
• Court- Area of play, as defined by the outer boundary lines.
• Drive- A fast and low shot that makes a horizontal flight over the net.
• Drop- A shot hit softly and with finesse to fall rapidly and close to the net on the opponent's side.
• Fault- A violation of the playing rules, either in serving, receiving, or during play.
• Feint (Balk)- Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during the service.
• Flick- A quick wrist and forearm rotation that surprises an opponent by changing an apparently soft shot into a faster passing one; used primarily on the serve and at the net.
• Forecourt- Front third of the court, between the net and the short service line.
• Hairpin Net Shot- Shot made from below and very close to the net with the shuttle rising, just clearing the net, and then dropping sharply down the other side. The shuttle's flight approximates the shape of a hairpin.
• Halfcourt Shot- A shot hit low and to midcourt, used effectively in doubles against the up-and-back formation.
• Kill- fast downward shot that cannot be returned; a "putaway".
• Let- A legitimate cessation of play to allow a rally to be replayed.
• Long Service Line- In singles, the back boundary line. In doubles a line 2-1/2 feet inside the back boundary line. The serve may not go past this line.
• Match- A series of games to determine a winner.
• Midcourt- The middle third of the court, halfway between the net and the back boundary line.
• Net Shot- Shot hit from the forecourt that just clears the net and then falls rapidly.
• Push Shot- Gentle shot played by pushing the shuttle with little wrist motion, usually from the net or midcourt to the opponent's midcourt.
• Racquet (Racket)- Instrument used by the player to hit the shuttlecock. Weight about 90 grams (3 oz). Length 680 mm (27 in). Made from metal alloys (steel/aluminum) or from ceramic, graphite or boron composites. Generally strung with synthetic strings or natural gut.
• Rally- Exchange of shots while the shuttle is in play.
• Serve (Service)- Stroke used to put the shuttlecock into play at the start of a rally.
• Service Court- Area into which the serve must be delivered. Different for singles and doubles play.
• Short Service Line- The line 6-1/2 feet from the net which a serve must reach to be legal.
• Shuttlecock (Shuttle)- Official name for the object that the players must hit. Composed of 16 goose feathers attached to a cork base covered with leather. Synthetic shuttles are also used by some.
• Smash- Hard-hit overhead shot that forces the shuttle sharply downward. Badminton's primary attacking stroke.
• Wood Shot- Shot that results when the base of the shuttle is hit by the frame of the racket. Once illegal, this shot was ruled acceptable by the International Badminton Federation in 1963.

Once you know the basic terminology used in badminton, you will be able to better communicate with either your opponent or your ally while you play the game.