Children's Equipment

[Putnam]

I checked the Forum's archives and couldn't find the following question answered, so here goes:

I'm the father of an athletic six-year-old girl and I want to get her involved in the sport of badminton.

Are there any high-quality child-sized rackets and birdies that I should be aware of? (Note: I'm not looking for children's "toys" but something that's well made.) Or do most people start their kids with adult-sized equipment.

Is there a book, paper or Website re. children and badminton that I should know about?

Any tips, hints or directions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Putnam

[QWJr]

there are some rackets by talbot torro, shorter than the normal rackets, but unfortunetely quit heavy ( 95 and 100 g made out of alloy steel) with a special headshape

[calvinlgoh]

I know Hi-Qua carries child sizes for rackets but not sure about birdies...

Hiquasports.com - i think


calvin

[cooler]

putnam, these are my opinions.

There aren't any decent child sizes badminton rackets out there. Those steel ones with shorter shaft still put more strain on a child arm and wrist than a full size adult full graphite version. If cost isnt a concern, get a head light full graphite racket with less than 3U, like a yonex 4U mp66 or a 6U karakal SL-70. Just tell your daughter not to hit the wall and floor with it. :p At her age, focus on foot work and balance and hands eyes coordination more so than racket technique. The racket skills should come with time. She just need to get use to running around with a racket in her hand. If cost is a concern, maybe get a clone or fake brand rackets, they are 99% of the time made light for newbies.

With a decent adult racket, u might even use it yourself :D

[bluejeff]

putnam, these are my opinions.

There aren't any decent child sizes badminton rackets out there. Those steel ones with shorter shaft still put more strain on a child arm and wrist than a full size adult full graphite version. If cost isnt a concern, get a head light full graphite racket with less than 3U, like a yonex 4U mp66 or a 6U karakal SL-70. Just tell your daughter not to hit the wall and floor with it. :p At her age, focus on foot work and balance and hands eyes coordination more so than racket technique. The racket skills should come with time. She just need to get use to running around with a racket in her hand. If cost is a concern, maybe get a clone or fake brand rackets, they are 99% of the time made light for newbies.

With a decent adult racket, u might even use it yourself :DI don't think there is a 4U MP66 though :)
I would recommend something like a Ti-SP-SA or a 4U MP88

[cooler]

I don't think there is a 4U MP66 though :)
I would recommend something like a Ti-SP-SA or a 4U MP88

04-04-2004, 04:58 AM #4
SheldonZhang


Location: Cambridge, England
Posts: 317

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which versions of the racquets were you comparing it to? becuase the MP88 and 77 come in two different weights each. also what is the weight of the 66? 3U?

SheldonZhang

04-04-2004, 10:31 PM #5
eggroll


Location: calgary
Posts: 131

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Both 3U, G4

*******************************************
TiSP SA from used market only
4U MP88 is light but still a head weighted racket
AT and MP frame is stronger than TiSP :rolleyes:
a new mp66 prolly still cheaper than an used TiSP

[cooler]

durability wise, a low end 3U is ok too:

like yonex 3U mp22,24,27 (don't know if they come in 4U)
get the smallest grip, G5
mp88 is quite pricey for a 6 year old beginner

there are other brands too but i dont know their models and specs

[cooler]

I don't think there is a 4U MP66 though :)
I would recommend something like a Ti-SP-SA or a 4U MP88

yah, ur rite, mp66 comes in 3U and 2U :o

[kwun]

not sure about 6 yrs old. all the 8 yr old kids i have seen all play with regular length racket. that make some sense as changing the length of the racket is going to change the game completely and when they grow old enough, you will have to have them re-adjust again.

however, if you really want to and cannot find one, and if you are some what handy, consider buying a decent low-end racket, remove the shaft from the handle, saw off a couple of inches off the end of the shaft and then re-insert it into the handle again.

probably some work, but may be worth it.

[cappy75]

There's a shorter Yonex racquet aimed at the children's market... Isometric-20 Jr. According to specs in the 2003 catalogue, it's medium flex, 2U with aluminium frame and steel shaft. Length is 21inches.

[Dill]

Carlton in the UK do a small childrens racket but I would advise getting what are known as plusballs, they are small, medium and large sized tissue balls that you blow up and are used to teach better hand eye co-ordination and are slower in the air than shuttles (because they weigh very little) so are ideal for beginners to use so they can practice their technique on a slower moving larger object then move down the sizes until they are used to the speed and trajectory of the faster moving shuttle.

They are a great tool for teaching children and because they are virtually garenteed to hit them they do not get frustrated in trying to hit a fast moving shuttle.

Kwun's idea about shortening a low end racket is probably the best since all the kiddies rackets I have seen seem to be heavier than most cars.

[Midget_Boy]

Wha ho! MP-66, MP-77, MP-88 all for a 6 year old beginner? Those are all very costly, the cheapest being a MP-77(if you can find one, they are discontinued) at about 80-105 US dollars. MP-66 at about 110+++ US dollars and MP-88 at somewhere around $200(give or take a bit). If my daddy gave me a fancy racquet like that when I was six, I would have smashed a beautiful piece of craftsmanship into graphite bits.
I would advise getting her a cheaper steel/aluminum racquet, since, well they are cheaper, and they are a lot stronger. They may be heavy, but if she practises with heavier racquets at first, then when she becomes more skilled, her attacks will be much stronger, since switching from a good heavy racquet to a great lighter racquet will give her an even greater power boost. Not to mention that steel/aluminum racquets can take a lot of hits before snapping, allowing her to improve her technique and gain the fundamentals of badminton.

[cooler]

Wha ho! MP-66, MP-77, MP-88 all for a 6 year old beginner? Those are all very costly, the cheapest being a MP-77(if you can find one, they are discontinued) at about 80-105 US dollars. MP-66 at about 110+++ US dollars and MP-88 at somewhere around $200(give or take a bit). If my daddy gave me a fancy racquet like that when I was six, I would have smashed a beautiful piece of craftsmanship into graphite bits.
I would advise getting her a cheaper steel/aluminum racquet, since, well they are cheaper, and they are a lot stronger. They may be heavy, but if she practises with heavier racquets at first, then when she becomes more skilled, her attacks will be much stronger, since switching from a good heavy racquet to a great lighter racquet will give her an even greater power boost. Not to mention that steel/aluminum racquets can take a lot of hits before snapping, allowing her to improve her technique and gain the fundamentals of badminton.

Are you saying all newbies should use steel/aluminium racquet?
And so once we all get better and stronger, we should use lighter racket?
That's like saying biker should starts on harleys and graduate to light weight dirt bike :rolleyes:

[bluejeff]

Are you saying all newbies should use steel/aluminium racquet?
And so once we all get better and stronger, we should use lighter racket?
That's like saying biker should starts on harleys and graduate to light weight dirt bike :rolleyes:
*****Laughing Loud******* :D:D:D

I think one should invest some money into a good racket if you are really interested in playing badminton. Investment will worth its price when time goes by.

[bluejeff]

yah, ur rite, mp66 comes in 3U and 2U :o
I thought MP66 only has 3U:rolleyes:

[cooler]

I thought MP66 only has 3U:rolleyes:

i was only going by US yonex site


http://www.yonex.com/badminton_muscle.cfm

[cooler]

right on.
If my parents bot me a boron-2 when i started out, i can sell it now give back my parent the purchase $$ plus some $$ for me to keep too. If given a steel racket, well, i would hated badminton and give up like i did after high school. Then years later i was given a cab 20 original. The world changed after that :D

[bluejeff]

i was only going by US yonex site


http://www.yonex.com/badminton_muscle.cfm
oh, I see :)

[bluejeff]

right on.
If my parents bot me a boron-2 when i started out, i can sell it now give back my parent the purchase $$ plus some $$ for me to keep too. If given a steel racket, well, i would hated badminton and give up like i did after high school. Then years later i was given a cab 20 original. The world changed after that :D
I was the one who received a heavy wooden racket..... :(
(But I saved on $ and bought a graphite racket later on in my elementary school:))

Yeah, just buy kids a nice racket so that he will love badminton more ;)

[cappy75]

Nothing is certain in life... won't it be a waste of money if parents invested nice racquets for their children only to find later that their interest in the sport waned or the racquets weren't durable enough to see through the kids' initial developmental stages.


I was the one who received a heavy wooden racket..... :(
(But I saved on $ and bought a graphite racket later on in my elementary school:))

Yeah, just buy kids a nice racket so that he will love badminton more ;)

[cooler]

Nothing is certain in life... won't it be a waste of money if parents invested nice racquets for their children only to find later that their interest in the sport waned or the racquets weren't durable enough to see through the kids' initial developmental stages.

cappy, when u grow up, u will learn that ALL KIDS COST MONEY :eek:
A badminton racket or 2 isn't a big expense in a bigger scheme of thing.
If badminton prevents kid doing drugs and mix with the wrong crowd, that racket investment was quite cheap IMO. If you invest your kid in hockey, prepare for big dental and medical bill :p s, plus a big van to carry all those equips around for your kids. :p

[LazyBuddy]

If cost isnt a concern, get a head light full graphite racket with less than 3U, like a yonex 4U mp66 or a 6U karakal SL-70. Just tell your daughter not to hit the wall and floor with it. :p

Even though cost might not be a big concern, I still don't think a high end racket should be the choice:

1. $$$ - if u can save, why spend.

2. High end racket usually are stiff - 6 yrs old might not be able to handle

3. 4U rackets are very fragile - accidentally mis hit (remember, she's short), or unproper storage will just damage it.

I recommend lower end light racket, i.e. Yonex Cab8200 light. It's light and extra flex, and much cheaper compare to MP66/88, etc.

[cappy75]

Cooler, you're assuming that racquets will last for awhile. I am assuming otherwise. If you're gonna go with cost... why not a cheaper sports like soccer or even baseball? I think general investment of any sports can prevent kids from doing drugs or mix with the wrong crowd, not necessarily just badminton alone. I am not contesting the cost of raising a kid. Rather, I am wondering if huge initial investment is warranted for kids just starting out in baddy. Go for gold by all means if the kid has natural affinity for the sport or displayed intense passion for it, but otherwise money could be better spent elsewhere.


cappy, when u grow up, u will learn that ALL KIDS COST MONEY :eek:
A badminton racket or 2 isn't a big expense in a bigger scheme of thing.
If badminton prevents kid doing drugs and mix with the wrong crowd, that racket investment was quite cheap IMO. If you invest your kid in hockey, prepare for big dental and medical bill :p s, plus a big van to carry all those equips around for your kids. :p

[cooler]

Cooler, you're assuming that racquets will last for awhile. I am assuming otherwise. If you're gonna go with cost... why not a cheaper sports like soccer or even baseball? I think general investment of any sports can prevent kids from doing drugs or mix with the wrong crowd, not necessarily just badminton alone. I am not contesting the cost of raising a kid. Rather, I am wondering if huge initial investment is warranted for kids just starting out in baddy. Go for gold by all means if the kid has natural affinity for the sport or displayed intense passion for it, but otherwise money could be better spent elsewhere.


true but
I'm the father of an athletic six-year-old girl and I want to get her involved in the sport of badminton.

cost shouldn't be the end all criteria in choosing a sport.

[cooler]

Cooler, you're assuming that racquets will last for awhile. I am assuming otherwise. If you're gonna go with cost... why not a cheaper sports like soccer or even baseball? I think general investment of any sports can prevent kids from doing drugs or mix with the wrong crowd, not necessarily just badminton alone. I am not contesting the cost of raising a kid. Rather, I am wondering if huge initial investment is warranted for kids just starting out in baddy. Go for gold by all means if the kid has natural affinity for the sport or displayed intense passion for it, but otherwise money could be better spent elsewhere.

cappy, ur asssuming a 6 yr old girl has a swing like gao ling :rolleyes:
as long as she is told to swing at a shuttle only, things should work out :)

[kwun]

goodness guys.

the gentleman Putnam here is doing a great thing, introducing his daughter to the great sport of badminton. please don't spoil it for him by grilling on such unneccessary details.

:mad:

[cappy75]

cooler, one doesn't need to swing like Gao Ling to destroy a racquet:rolleyes:. If she plays singles only, the racquet might last a little longer:D.


cappy, ur asssuming a 6 yr old girl has a swing like gao ling :rolleyes:
as long as she is told to swing at a shuttle only, things should work out :)

[cooler]

Cooler, you're assuming that racquets will last for awhile. I am assuming otherwise. If you're gonna go with cost... why not a cheaper sports like soccer or even baseball? I think general investment of any sports can prevent kids from doing drugs or mix with the wrong crowd, not necessarily just badminton alone. I am not contesting the cost of raising a kid. Rather, I am wondering if huge initial investment is warranted for kids just starting out in baddy. Go for gold by all means if the kid has natural affinity for the sport or displayed intense passion for it, but otherwise money could be better spent elsewhere.

i've already gave u my life example

- all metal racket--> i stop playing from junior high school
- a cab20 original red---> i'm here bugging you guys :D

[cooler]

goodness guys.

the gentleman Putnam here is doing a great thing, introducing his daughter to the great sport of badminton. please don't spoil it for him by grilling on such unneccessary details.

:mad:
kwun, i just dont want a kid disliking badminton and quit because of a steel racket hurting her wrist and tiring her out before she start getting a hang of it

[cappy75]

Heh! And racquets were so much cheaper before too. Did you acquire your CAB20 Red in Canada or HK. Chances are it's way cheaper back then:D.


i've already gave u my life example

- all metal racket--> i stop playing from junior high school
- a cab20 original red---> i'm here bugging you guys :D

[Midget_Boy]

I wish my dad bought me a Boron-2 or Cab20 when I was six :rolleyes: .
But when it all comes down to budgeting and lack of trust with little hands and a piece of 200 dollar equipment, my dad just turned away.
Besides, I had a friend that had gotten a Boron-2 when he was younger, snapped it in 2 days, kept clashing other racquets and smashing the ground in frustration. He also used it for roleplaying, like a sword, and swung it crazily :D .

[bluejeff]

Heh! And racquets were so much cheaper before too. Did you acquire your CAB20 Red in Canada or HK. Chances are it's way cheaper back then:D.
You have to remember that all things were cheaper before.
(Think about the food cost before)

Here are some pictures of the yonex junior rackets:
note that, Junior 30 is for 6-8 years old kid
Junior 15 is for 8-10 years old kid
(all as stated in the picture/description)

[cooler]

Heh! And racquets were so much cheaper before too. Did you acquire your CAB20 Red in Canada or HK. Chances are it's way cheaper back then:D.


You are incorrect, rackets are cheaper now, way cheaper.
First, i didnt say get the top of the line racket.
MP22,24,27,66, SL-70, SL-75 aren't are expensive.

second, cab20 cost 140 CAD in 1989. at 4% inflation, today $ = 252 CAD, similar price to today's top racket. I can assure u can get a new cab20 now for less than 140 CAD. Matter of fact, u can get a whole lot of good light racket for ~150 CAD range, yonex or not

[cappy75]

Heh! How about that for a life example:D? I guess, to an extend, it depends on how serious the parent is in developing the kid to baddy. Equipment cost are negligible comparing to coaching and facility usage... the cost of the sport is even higher for the non-baddy playing parents. Truth is w/o proper guidance and the right attitude, young'uns will never fully appreciate the value of a good thing. Some kids are just exceptional... to the credit of their parents;).


I wish my dad bought me a Boron-2 or Cab20 when I was six :rolleyes: .
But when it all comes down to budgeting and lack of trust with little hands and a piece of 200 dollar equipment, my dad just turned away.
Besides, I had a friend that had gotten a Boron-2 when he was younger, snapped it in 2 days, kept clashing other racquets and smashing the ground in frustration. He also used it for roleplaying, like a sword, and swung it crazily :D .

[bluejeff]

Both Junior 30 and 15 are very light, and now I think it's the string part :)
You can string the racket like 16x18 with BG65 would be a good choice

[cooler]

[QUOTE=bluejeff]You have to remember that all things were cheaper before.
(Think about the food cost before)
QUOTE]

*sigh*

1989 hamburger 99 cts
2004 bigger hamburger 99 cts

[cappy75]

Wasn't CAB20 a top of the line racquet way back when? If comparison should be made... it should be with Armourtec and MP series of today.


You are incorrect, rackets are cheaper now, way cheaper.
First, i didnt say get the top of the line racket.
MP22,24,27,66, SL-70, SL-75 aren't are expensive.

second, cab20 cost 140 CAD in 1989. at 4% inflation, today $ = 252 CAD, similar price to today's top racket. I can assure u can get a new cab20 now for less than 140 CAD. Matter of fact, u can get a whole lot of good light racket for ~150 CAD range, yonex or not

[bluejeff]

Another thing would be the grip.
Both rackets are G6, should be small enough for a kid (even if you apply a thin over grip)

It would be good to let her/he to try the racket first before you buy it

[cooler]

Wasn't CAB20 a top of the line racquet way back when? If comparison should be made... it should be with Armourtec and MP series of today.

that is my whole point, the girl don't need AT800/700/500 MP100/99/77/88
a light graphite racket can be had for less than 150 CAD, even cheaper if it is an used one

my other point was to show that rackets do not cost more now like u had said. Actually, i'm saying rackets are CHEAPER today than decades ago

[cooler]

[QUOTE=bluejeff]You have to remember that all things were cheaper before.
(Think about the food cost before)
QUOTE]

http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=65&highlight=stock+check

check the rackets ownership these days, most rackets are less than 5 years old. Are they really more expensive these days??

[cappy75]

Ah, for awhile there I had the impression that you're arguing for light but expensive racquets for kids since you have listed some rather pricy racquets which I think is too flimsy albeit light comparing to midrange Yonex selection.

You have a valid point when you say that heavy weight could discourage the kid, but I never advocate big steelie beaters for kids anyway. I just think that there are other more durable yet reasonably light affordable racquets out there that could do much better as first racquet for kids.


that is my whole point, the girl don't need AT800/700/500 MP100/99/77/88
a light graphite racket can be had for less than 150 CAD, even cheaper if it is an used one

my other point was to show that rackets do not cost more now like u had said.

[cooler]

Ah, for awhile there I had the impression that you're arguing for light but expensive racquets for kids since you have listed some rather pricy racquets which I think is too flimsy albeit light comparing to midrange Yonex selection.

You have a valid point when you say that heavy weight could discourage the kid, but I never advocate big steelie beaters for kids anyway. I just think that there are other more durable yet reasonably light affordable racquets out there that could do much better as first racquet for kids.

like i said before, most of today light rackets are clones and fakes, made just for newbies

[Midget_Boy]

You are incorrect, rackets are cheaper now, way cheaper.
First, i didnt say get the top of the line racket.
MP22,24,27,66, SL-70, SL-75 aren't are expensive.

second, cab20 cost 140 CAD in 1989. at 4% inflation, today $ = 252 CAD, similar price to today's top racket. I can assure u can get a new cab20 now for less than 140 CAD. Matter of fact, u can get a whole lot of good light racket for ~150 CAD range, yonex or not

I still think that the MP-66 isn't a cheap or regular priced racquet. To me, anything over 220 dollars CDN is something that is high priced.

[cooler]

I still think that the MP-66 isn't a cheap or regular priced racquet. To me, anything over 220 dollars CDN is something that is high priced.

*more sigh* MP66 is definitely less than 220 CAD


Today, 02:50 PM #8
twlih


Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 25

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i got it for usd89 (with string bg65+stringing)after bargaining with the vendor.
Yes I agree it is a relative thing, but the thing is I got a ti-5 light
3ug4 which is medium flex; compare with MP66 i think Mp66 is stiffer.
But not as stiff as my MP77 and MP99.
Just my feeling...

[bluejeff]

I still think that the MP-66 isn't a cheap or regular priced racquet. To me, anything over 220 dollars CDN is something that is high priced.
MP-66 doesn't cost more than 220CDN
It cost way less than that. It's about 100USD in my area.

I personally would say, spending around $50-$90 USD would be a good range of buying her the badminton racket

[cappy75]

I would think so too, especially if one has to foot the bill to replace it:D.


I still think that the MP-66 isn't a cheap or regular priced racquet. To me, anything over 220 dollars CDN is something that is high priced.

[cooler]

MP-66 doesn't cost more than 220CDN
It cost way less than that. It's about 100USD in my area.

I personally would say, spending around $50-$90 USD would be a good range of buying her the badminton racket

Nod, MP66 was the highest model recommended from my limited list of my earlier post

[bluejeff]

Nod, MP66 was the highest model recommended from my limited list of my earlier post
Yeah, something that is light is great for a little girl:)
If she doesn't like full-length racket, she can try out those junior rackets that I mentioned in threads before. :)

[concretemad]

6 years passed, any updates on kids' racket in the market?

[druss]

I personally don't see any but that doesn't mean there aren't any... I plan on starting my kids with an apacs super light which can be found for under $80 CDN.

[concretemad]

Checked it on web...wow...72-74g. Good choice! Any other recomendation? Not sure can get here and the cost.

btw, how old are the kids?

[demolidor]

Just dug up my first racquet: (unstrung) 113 gram! G3 or 4, aluminium frame, carbon(?) shaft Yonex B-850 (Made in Japan). Second was a Blacken, all under the age of 12 ;) (by which time I was in the junior county squad).
Think it's a steel shaft actually ...

[concretemad]

i had one blacken and a carbonex 7 too sometime ago. very heavy racket. try to string ur blacken and play with it. lost the memory how it play.

[demolidor]

i had one blacken and a carbonex 7 too sometime ago. very heavy racket. try to string ur blacken and play with it. lost the memory how it play.

You are right. My Blacken weighs 102gr! (sticker says 3L-G3, cone code 3 047SP) Unfortunately I broke it back then already :(. On the plus side I got my first Cab 21 after that :cool:.

[concretemad]

At last settled with mp2jr. But its very heavy for a 4yr old kid. Nice paint work tho.