STL All Sports

Whether or not the game of badminton is ready for incorporation into all school programs is problematical. There is no question regarding the attractiveness and desirability of the game itself. It is a game that ap- peals to both sexes and to almost all ages. While it takes several years of diligent study and practice to become an expert at badminton, it takes only a few minutes and a few swings at the bird to cause one to become an enthusiast. When matched against someone of equal ability, both old and young seem to receive much enj oyment and good wholesome activity f rom the game.

The game is an active one that demands vitality, skill, and coordination. It contributes to organic development, neuromuscular skills, and grace of movement. More than most sports, the traditional etiquette of the game calls for courtesy, understanding, and honesty (acknowledging aces on your side of net that might be called faults) .

The element of danger is at a minimum in this game, the racket and birds being very light in weight. Individuals with impaired vision, who find it necessary to wear glasses, will experience f ewer hazards in this game than in most of the other racket games. Even though one's glasses were struck by one of the birds, they would in all probability not be broken. The game is also desirable from the standpoint of economy of space, requiring very little more than the actual size of the court, for there is no necessity for retrieving the missile. The birds stop almost immedi- ately upon striking the playing surf ace and do not roll across the gym floor or playground as is often the case with tennis balls, baseballs, and so forth. Since the bird can only be played in the air, no bounce plays being permitted, it is not necessary to have a perf ect playing surf ace and only a f air f ooting surf ace is essential. The low cost of installation and maintenance should aid in making badminton an ideal carry-over sport that can be played in most any fairly spacious building, or in one's backyard.