Dear Parents and Badminton Enthusiasts,
Every week, hundreds of thousands of people across the United Kingdom enjoy playing badminton, for the fun, the friendships, and the challenge it brings.
As one of these players, I’m proud to be part of this community. When I play, I also scan how people move on court: What helps them perform safely and what might put them at risk.
After visiting many badminton clubs across the North West of England, I’ve noticed that about half of players wear shoes made for other sports, such as running or general training. It made me wonder: Do players and parents really know why proper badminton shoes are so important, and that it’s not just about looks or trends?
Why Badminton Shoes Make a Difference
Think of badminton shoes like the tires on a car. The right tires help you stay in control and avoid accidents; the wrong ones can lead to slips or breakdowns. The same principle applies on the badminton court.
Badminton is a fast, multi-directional game. Players move forward, backward, and sideways in quick bursts. Shoes designed for badminton support these movements and help prevent injuries.
Here’s how:
- Rounded heels make forward motion smoother and protect the ankle from rolling forward.
- Low heels keep your feet close to the ground, improving balance and reducing the risk of ankle rollover during sideways or backward movement.
- Strong side support keeps the foot stable on the sole, even during quick direction changes.
Why Regular Trainers or Running Shoes Aren’t Safe Enough
Running shoes are built for straight-line movement. They feel soft and comfortable, but they lack the lateral support badminton requires.
When players move sideways or backward – which happens constantly in badminton – those shoes can twist or collapse, increasing the risk of ankle and knee injuries. Sometimes the damage builds up slowly over time; sometimes it happens in one unlucky moment.
Even if your child is young and fit, the wrong shoes can still cause problems later, especially as they start playing more seriously.
Health & Safety — Lunges, ACL Risk, and Why Heel Height Matters
One of the most common and important badminton movements is the forward lunge. Research shows lunges place substantial loads on the knee, the same kinds of forces that can stress the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Studies of badminton lunges report high knee moments and impact forces during these moves, particularly when a player reaches far forward or lands on one leg. Source: PubMedCentral
Importantly, scientific work looking at footwear and knee/ACL forces shows that shoe design changes how those forces are transmitted. Features such as heel geometry, sole stiffness and heel-to-toe drop alter ankle and knee angles and can increase or reduce knee moments during lunges. In short: a shoe with a higher heel or the wrong sole shape can change the way the foot and knee meet the floor, and that can increase ACL loading during a lunge. Source: PlosOne research
ACL injury reports and registries for badminton players also identify lunges and single-leg landings as common situations when non-contact ACL injuries occur, which reinforces the practical importance of good footwear and movement technique. Source: PubMedCentral
What this means for you as a parent?
- Heel height matters. Shoes with a larger heel-to-toe drop change ankle position during lunges and can increase the load transferred to the knee and ACL. Choose low-profile (low-heel) court shoes. PlosOne research
- Buy court-specific shoes. Badminton, tennis or squash shoes are designed for quick lateral moves and lower heels. They reduce risky ankle/ knee mechanics compared with running trainers. PubMedCentral
- Look for stability and appropriate sole stiffness. A shoe that feels unstable during a few practice lunges is a red flag. A stable midsole and good lateral support help keep forces in safer ranges. PlosOne research
- Test before you buy. If possible, have your child try shoes and do a few forward lunges/side steps on the shop floor or a gym surface to check comfort and stability.
- Protect now to prevent problems later. Repeated lunges in unsuitable footwear can create cumulative stress on growing knees, investing in the right shoe early can lower future injury risk. Wiley Online Library
Making the Right Choice
If your child plays badminton regularly, investing in proper badminton, tennis, or squash shoes is one of the best ways to protect them and help them play better. You don’t need to buy the most expensive brand, just make sure the shoes are designed for court sports, with good grip, low heel and side support.
This isn’t a sales pitch, I’m simply sharing what I’ve learned from years of experience and from seeing preventable injuries. If we meet at a local club or tournament, feel free to ask for advice, I’m always happy to help.
Let’s keep everyone safe, confident, and enjoying the great game of badminton!
Warm regards,
Frank