When it comes to indoor sports, two of the most popular and widely played games are badminton and table tennis. Both these games provide ample physical activity, but they differ from each other in various aspects. In this article, we discuss in detail the similarities and differences between badminton and table tennis.
What is Badminton?
Badminton is a racquet sport that is played with a shuttlecock and two racquets. The objective of the game is to hit the shuttlecock across the net in such a way that the opponent is not able to return it. The game is played either as an individual game or as a doubles game. A badminton court is typically rectangular in shape and is divided into two halves by a net.
What is Table Tennis?
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight ball back and forth across a net. The objective of the game is to hit the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to return it. The game is typically played on a hard table, divided by a net.
Similarities Between Badminton and Table Tennis
There are a few similarities between badminton and table tennis:
• Both these sports involve a net and a ball or shuttlecock.
• Both these sports require a lot of hand-eye coordination and agility.
• The objective of both these games is to hit the ball or shuttlecock across the net and score points.
• The games can be played either as singles or doubles.
• Both badminton and table tennis require a good level of physical fitness and stamina.
• Both these sports can be played indoors or outdoors.
Differences Between Badminton and Table Tennis
Though badminton and table tennis share some similarities, there are some major differences between the two:
Equipment:
• The equipment used in badminton is a shuttlecock and two racquets. On the other hand, the equipment used in table tennis is a lightweight ball and two small paddles.
Size of the Court:
• A badminton court is typically a rectangular court with a net running across the middle. The court dimensions are 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. On the other hand, a table tennis court is a hard table which is divided by a net. The table is typically 9 feet long and 5 feet wide.
Height of the Net:
• The net in badminton is 5 feet 1 inch in height at the center and 5 feet at the sides. On the other hand, the net in table tennis is 6 inches in height at the center and 6 feet at the sides.
Game Play:
• In badminton, the shuttlecock is hit with a racquet. The shuttlecock can be hit in any direction, either forwards or backwards. On the other hand, in table tennis, the ball is hit with a paddle. The ball can only be hit forwards and not backwards.
• In badminton, the shuttlecock must be hit over the net and land within the court boundaries of the opponent. On the other hand, in table tennis, the ball can be hit over the net and land outside the court boundaries of the opponent.
• In badminton, a point is scored only when the shuttlecock lands within the court boundaries of the opponent. On the other hand, in table tennis, a point is scored even when the ball lands outside the court boundaries of the opponent.
As you can see, there are some similarities and some differences between badminton and table tennis. Both these sports provide ample physical activity and are great ways to stay fit and active. So, if you’re looking for a fun and challenging way to stay active, then try out either badminton or table tennis.