Shuttle Retardation

[ayl]

G'day,

Here's something that I need some clarification on -

When the shuttle is too fast to play, is it legal to fold the tip of the feather to retard it a bit?

If so, should it be fold inwards or outwards? I have seen people on court doing so and I am not certain if this is considered shuttle tampering or a common practice.

What's the correct way to slow shuttles if the above is illigal?

:confused:

[modious]

It's not illegal and is the only way I guess.
To slow the shuttle, bend the tip of the feathers outwards.
It's also better if you tell your opposition beforehand.

[badrad]

if your court has test marks painted on, use those to determine the speed of the shuttle. you should get agreement with your opponent and umpire prior to making any adjustment to the shuttle.

tipping out slows down the shuttle. the number of feathers to tip will depend on how much you want to slow it down. sometimes a common sign is to raise number of fingers to the person tipping to indicate which feathers to tip (ie: 2 fingers - every other feather, 4 finger - every fourth feather).

tipping in speeds up the shuttle.

[TDotSmAsHer]

How do you know when it's too fast?

[viver]

Tampering the shuttle's speed is not allowed in official tournaments. Rule is quite clear:

16.7 A player shall not:
...
16.7.2 deliberately modify or damage the shuttle in order to change its speed or flight;

[Winex West Can]

Viver is right that it is against the rules to modify a shuttle during a tournament but I am assuming that Andrew is probably talking about informal play. In which case, Badrad's post illustrate the procedure to slow down the shuttle. The feathers to be tipped should be tipped about 1/8".

Remember to get consent from your opponent(s).

[ayl]

Thanks everyone for your tips.

I have checked with few of the senior players today and they have concurred that it is fine to fold the fins on the shuttle providing consent is given by the opposition. However it is illegal in tornaments where shuttles should have already been speed tested prior issuing to players.

Come to think of it, the way we play here the shuttle gets so roughed up after few shots it would slow itself down after a few points. ;)

Cheers,

Andrew

[badrad]

that is an interesting one. in the laws of badminton

4.4.1 To test a shuttle, use a full underhand stroke which makes contact with the shuttle over the back boundary line. The shuttle shall be hit at an upward angle and in a direction parallel to the side lines.

4.4.2 A shuttle of correct pace will land not less than 1' 9" (530 mm) and not more than 3'-3" (990 mm) short of the other back boundary line.

i have seen this one questioned in terms of how hard one hits the shuttle for testing - a full underhand stroke will vary depending on the strength of the individual.