Badminton and Volleyball may have similarities, but their differences from the basic equipment to the scoring system still outweigh their likeness.
Ever wonder which of the two is better? Read on to find out.
BASIC EQUIPMENT
BADMINTON
1. Badminton Racket
A badminton racket can be made from various types of materials. The combination of the racket weight, string tensions, and balance points highly depends on the selection of materials. It’s important to choose one that suits your playing style best.
Some popular badminton brands are Yonex, Li-Ning, and Wilson.
2. Shuttlecock
The two types of shuttlecocks are feathered and plastic shuttlecocks.
The plastic types are more durable than the feathered types that are commonly used. However, the former is only recommended for beginner players as the latter is more expensive and frays easily if used with the wrong technique. Plastic shuttlecocks are commonly used by beginners during training and by young children who play for recreation. Meanwhile, feathered shuttlecocks are used at all competitive badminton tournaments.
3. Badminton Shoes
Badminton shoes are made to give you better grip and traction. Choose shoes that are lightweight with good cushioning that can absorb impact when you land or jump.
Regular badminton players sometimes use heel cups to prolong the lifespan of their footwear.
4. Badminton Attire
Competitive badminton players wear polyester jerseys and equip themselves with ankle guards, wrist bands, and hand grips. For casual and non-competitive players, a cotton dry-fit shirt and a comfortable pair of shorts will do.
VOLLEYBALL
1. Volleyball
Not all volleyballs are the same. As the ball is the most important piece of volleyball equipment, it should alleviate the pain caused by hitting it between teammates or over the net. For indoor games, a leather ball is recommended and a cloth ball, although the leather ball can’t be used outdoors as it can be wet and damaged. For outside play, a synthetic leather ball will work best.
2. Knee Pads
Wear volleyball knee pads to prevent an injury. Choose pads that are age and experience-appropriate. Knee pads should fit comfortably around your leg area.
3. Ankle Braces
One of the most common volleyball injuries is a sprained ankle. It’s good to invest in a pair of ankle braces to prevent the problem. A good pair of lace-up ankle braces provide stability without compromising the performance.
4. Volleyball Shoes
The appropriate volleyball shoes are essential for playing. The footwear must have a gum rubber sole that will provide maximum traction. A smart choice would be one with a low heel and made of leather, which provides top support and prevents sprains.
5. Volleyball Attire
Indoor Volleyball
For the regular indoor volleyball, women players wear fit T-shirt jerseys that display their last name and number on the back as well as tight, short spandex bike shorts. On the other hand, men wear sleeveless jersey tops and athletic, basketball-style shorts which hits above the knee.
Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball players often wear bathing suits such as one-piece swimsuits or two-piece and tank tops.
GENERAL RULES
To play badminton, you’ll be needing a racket and a shuttlecock, while in volleyball, you only need parts of your body and the ball. In badminton, there are usually 1 to 2 players for each side. For volleyball, a regular indoor match requires 6 players for each side, but beach volleyball requires a minimum of 2 players per side.
Badminton rules only allow players to hit the shuttlecock once for it to go over the net. On the contrary, Volleyball rules allow the players up to 3 touches. In terms of serving, badminton players must do it cross-court while volleyball players can go over different parts of the court on the other side.
Nets
Badminton and Volleyball are not the same.
Their differences are in the following:
- Length
- Size of the holes
- Height set up
- Length
- Badminton nets are usually 20ft or 6m long, while Volleyball nets are estimated to be 32 ft or 9.75m long.
Size of the Holes
Badminton nets have smaller holes to prevent the shuttlecock from passing through. The holes are not too small, so the players can see the shuttlecock and their opponent. Meanwhile, Volleyball nets have bigger holes in them as the ball used is quite big. This also means that it’s easier for the players to sight the other side of the court.
Height Set up
Badminton nets usually have a regulated set height while
Volleyball nets can be set up at different heights depending on who’s playing.
Get this Portable Badminton Net Set and Volleyball Net and Ball Set for a fun time with your family.
Courts
The courts for both badminton and volleyball vary in size. There are different court sizes for singles badminton and doubles badminton, as well as indoor volleyball and beach volleyball.
Singles Badminton
- Court measurement: 44ft long and 17ft wide
- Service court: 6ft 6 in from the net
Doubles Badminton
- Court measurement: 44ft long and 20ft wide
- Service court: 2ft 6 in from the rear line
Indoor Volleyball
- Court measurement: 59ft long and 29ft 6in wide
- Attack line: 10ft back from the net on each side
Beach Volleyball
- Court measurement: 52ft 6in long and 26ft 3in wide
Scoring System
Badminton matches are usually played with the best-of-three sets, while volleyball matches have best-of-five sets. Points are won in every rally for both sports. Players can play up to 21 points per set for badminton, and volleyball players can play up to 25; both require a two-point difference. However, Badminton matches have an exception for when both players have 29 points, and the 30th one is decisive and no longer requires a two-point difference.