During my sophomore year of high school, my best friend got me to play on the badminton team and now it is my absolutely favorite sport to play. I mean, I’d played it before as an activity for gym before, but I’d never played it competitively. I am no stranger to racket sports as I’ve also played tennis, but badminton connected with me in a way no other sport had before.

1. It makes me push myself

Badminton is physically and mentally exhausting. It sure doesn’t look like it when you play it in gym class, but have you seen it played at the Olympics? The birdie moves incredibly fast, and you have to cover the entire court; the lines also count. Unlike other netted sports, the birdie cannot touch the ground, like in tennis, and it cannot be touched more than once per side, unlike volleyball.

As I hadn’t been in a serious sport before, except for tennis, I hadn’t had such a rigorous workout routine. We even boxed during the off season just for conditioning; our coach also happened to also be the boxing coach.

There was also this horrible exercise he had us do after almost every practice where we had to sprint to the quarter mark of the basketball court and back, then the half way and back, the three quarters and back and then the length of the court and back all without stopping. If even one person fell behind and didn’t make it in the time limit, we had had to do it all over again. And I don’t mean just that rep, but all of the other reps we had done before that one as well. Completing those were extremely hard for everyone, but we all felt accomplished for completing them on time.

I enjoyed how hard I had to work for every win and during every practice. I enjoyed playing the game, even when I started out being terrible and when I lost. The joy of playing motivated me to do so much, that is has shaped part of me as I've grown.

2. The girls I got to know (and love)

I got to know some girls that I had merely been acquaintances with before. We’d spend so much time together with morning and evening practices, weekly games, weekend tournaments, conferences, and trips to Starbucks. Although this can seem like such an independent sport, your entire team will cheer you on, especially if you’re the last one playing. We shared everything, from food to spare socks and shoes. Bus rides were especially fun because of the sing and dance offs we would have, along with the gossip.

3. My Partner

You also form a very strong bond with your partner. Once I was on varsity, I kept the same partner for my last two years. She was a wonderful spot of sunshine that made me enjoy playing. She was caring, understanding and always ready to improve. She was also a great player and communicator. She always listened to what I said and was a wonderful supporter of me whether we were playing doubles or I was playing singles. She was always there for me with a smile and kind words.

4. It takes more than height and brute strength

Although those help. (I was easily beaten by a girl who seemed like she was twice my size because I couldn't get the bird over her head.) Badminton is all about finesse and your ability to read and outsmart your opponent. If she’s right handed, hit to her left side. If she’s guarding the front of the court, hit over her head. One of the sneakiest moves is the drop shot; you wind up like you’re going to hit to the back of the court and instead, tap it just over their head so it drops just over their net as they’re heading for the back of their court. You also have to learn to save your energy; being able to execute a move with great technique does just that.

Badminton, like other sports, is an emotional marathon that requires both mental strength and endurance. It can seem like you’re in the lead, but relaxing can cost you the game. It’s especially hard to hold in there and make a comeback if you think you’re going to lose.

5. Fidgeting with my racket

My coach once said that fidgeting with your racket between rallies helps keep you active and focused the entire time you’re playing. As I am a fidgeting kind of person, I felt like I could have headed a parade by the end of my first year.

6. Going to State

During my senior year, one of our teammates went to state, and although she was only supposed to take two other players to accompany her, she took five of us. We went down to Charleston, Illinois and stayed for three days. I even got to volunteer at the state tournament to keep score. To be able to witness the amount of talent there was an incredible experience. The girl who took second in state, was a little freshman who had a hearing impairment. I got to meet her and her aide as I kept score for them a few times, and they were both delightful and polite. She really exemplified to me how badminton really allows people of different sizes and abilities to suceed.