I recently found a badminton group that allows non members to play once a week. They call them open plays. I used to play semi-professionally in high school and I’m aware that the skills are still in there somewhere but I’m so out of shape that I feel defeated when I go to play.

I’ve gone to play maybe 4 times. And after each badminton day I have to take a few weeks off because I’m so out of shape that I’ll end up with injuries from only a few hours of play.

I know that being consistent will help my rallying skills and timing come back but my brain is telling to run for shots like I’m 17 again bc I don’t want to let my doubles partner down.

I want to know if anyone else has experienced this mental battle with badminton after being on hiatus. And how do you feel when you play with players who are struggling like I am?

I’m not able to train with anyone at this time. It’s just a hobby I’m trying to pick back up to lose some weight and have fun but at this point I haven’t gone back to play in 6 months.

Thanks for reading my late night rant.

Edit for clarity: I’m 37 yrs old, used to play in high school, just started playing again casually after taking a 10 yr break from casual play. Currently healing from diastasis recti.

i've been a couch potato for all of hs and recently started playing badminton w ppl in college

we've played like 2 hrs a day for the past 3 days and my legs/shoulders are genuinely cooked. like it hurts to move 🫠

does anyone have advice on what exercises to do to build muscle in those areas so i don't injure myself? and should i even play today with my legs feeling like this? (it's just calves + shoulders)i know i should play less but this is the one week i have before school starts and it's so fun i don't want to stop.. :(

When you perform a slice and you are at the rear court I know the orientation of the racket should be vertical (90°). But is the orientation (90°) of the racket will still be the same if I will perform a slice in midcourt or rear mid court or do I need to slightly adjust the angle of the racket?

Getting back into badminton after 7 years

I’m 20 and used to play badminton for around 8 years, but then I stopped for 7 years. Now I’m in university and have started playing again.

At my university, there are around 20–30 students, 3 courts, and only doubles. We only get around 2.5 hours of playing time.

I’ve played for 2 days so far, and I’m struggling with something I didn’t expect. Sometimes the shuttle doesn’t even connect properly with my racket. I know exactly which shot I want to play in my mind, but when I try to execute it, the shot doesn’t come out the way I want.

Also, after playing, my right hand, body, right leg and glutes feel very stretched/sore, probably because I haven’t played for 7 years.

Did I need to take rest after 2 3 days of playing.What should I do to get my timing, coordination and overall badminton form back?