Badminton: Indonesia's Favorite Sport
Why Badminton Runs So Deep in Indonesia
If any single sport can unite the whole of Indonesia in front of a screen, it's badminton. From narrow alleys in the neighborhood to large sports halls, the "tock" of a racket meeting a shuttlecock echoes almost everywhere. Legendary moments like the Olympic gold at Barcelona 1992 and a string of All England titles turned this game into more than a hobby. It became a national pride passed down through generations.
Four Reasons Badminton Is Everyone's Favorite
Its popularity is no accident. There are practical reasons it stays close to so many Indonesian hearts:
- Cheap to start. All you need at first is one racket and a tube of shuttlecocks. You can even play in your yard or a village court without expensive facilities.
- Playable at any age. A primary schooler and a grandparent can step onto the same court. The intensity adjusts easily.
- Made for the tropics. Because it's usually played indoors, neither rain nor blazing sun gets in the way.
- Social and fun. The doubles format turns badminton into a gathering. Many communities hold weekly pick-up sessions that double as a place to socialize.
Basic Gear to Get You Started
Before stepping onto the court, get familiar with these three things so your first outing feels comfortable:
Racket
For a beginner, pick a light, balanced racket rather than the priciest one. A stiff racket suits experienced players, while a slightly flexible frame is more forgiving of shots you haven't perfected yet.
Shuttlecock
There are two kinds: feather shuttles for serious play, and plastic ones that are more durable and cheaper for casual practice. Starting with plastic shuttles is perfectly fine.
Shoes
Use proper badminton shoes with a gripping rubber sole. The game is full of sudden stops and direction changes, so ordinary running shoes risk a slip or a twisted ankle.
Shots Worth Practicing First
Instead of chasing a powerful smash right away, master the foundations:
- Serve. Every point begins with a serve, so a consistent one is your core asset.
- Clear. A high shot to the back of your opponent's court to buy time and reset your position.
- Drop shot. A soft shot that lands near the net, a weapon for wrong-footing your rival.
- Netting. Fine control at the front of the net, which often decides who wins a battle of patience.
Where to Play: From Village Courts to Sports Halls
One of badminton's strengths is that courts are everywhere. Many sports halls and indoor venues rent courts by the hour, and this is the best option for playing on a level surface with proper lighting, free from wind that would throw off the shuttle's flight.
The Modern Scoring System You Should Know
Badminton now uses a rally-point system, meaning every rally scores a point no matter who served. A game is won by the first side to reach 21 points, provided they lead by at least two. If the score ties at 20-20, play continues until one side is two points ahead, stopping at 30 as the hard cap. Matches are usually played as best of three games. Understanding this matters so you know when to press your opponent and when to play safe and protect a lead. In doubles specifically, remember that you and your partner shift between an attacking formation (front-and-back) and a defensive one (side-by-side) depending on where the shuttle is heading.
Want a hit of nostalgia and a weekend workout at once? Gather your family or office mates, then find and compare indoor badminton courts near you on Bukujanji — check the facilities, hourly rates, and opening hours side by side, then contact the venue directly to lock in your favorite slot before another community claims it.
Do you run a sports academy?
This article was written for parents — but if you are on the other side of the court, running a football school, tennis academy, swim club, or any training programme, age-group schedules, student registration, and training attendance can run from one system with no monthly fee. Learn more on Bukujanji's sports academy management software page.