Pro Performance Speedminton Endorsed by 2004 Wimbledon Champion Maria Sharapova

Three different Speeders allow for different types of play:

• Fun Speeder can be used by beginners or for recreational volleys on the beach or in a park.
• Match Speeder is for fast and competitive play.
• Night Speeder is modified so that a Speedlight can be inserted at the base.

The set includes

• Two Speedracquets made of high-quality, extruded aluminum for maximum durability
• Three Speeders made from patented, aerodynamic materials, each for a different kind of play
• Four Speedlights for up to three hours of after-dark play
• One Speedbag for carrying portability
• One Wind Ring for all-weather play
• One Easy Court, which includes weighted sandbags and cords to provide the court boundaries for competitive play

A Speedlight glows for up to three hours of after-dusk play. This type of play, called Blackminton, can be seen in parks in Berlin and across Europe. An Easy Court comes with the Speedminton set so competitive play can be set up anywhere.

Speedminton's inventor, Bill Brandes, spent years perfecting the proprietary materials that went into the Speeders as well as the unique shape to the Speedminton racquet. In May 2001, three enthusiastic racquet sportsmen founded Speedminton GmbH in Germany. Their purpose was to broaden the marketing and sales of this entirely new sport--speed badminton. Today, only the cone-shaped appearance of the Speeder is reminiscent of badminton, as the Speedminton has taken on its own identity.

How to Play Speedminton

Speedminton can be played on a portable Easy Court

• The Easy Court--This portable court allows you to set up just about anywhere outside. Ideal for grass, the beach or street play. The Easy Court comes with rubber lines and corner anchors. Squares are 18 feet wide, 42 feet apart.
• A Tennis Court--Competitive match play can easily be played on a standard tennis court (no net is required). Simply extend the center lines to the edges to create a 18 by 18 foot square. Two matches can be played at once or four players can play doubles.

Service

Speedminton can also be played using a tennis court

• Players draw for service (winner may elect to serve or receive, or choose to play at a particular end of the court; loser makes the remaining choice).
• A player who scores serves the next point.
• The server must be behind the front service line, and the speeder must be hit below the server's waist with the racquet head below the server's hand (overhead service is permitted behind the back service line).

Scoring

• Once Speeder is in play, the point continues with players attempting to hit the Speeder back and forth.
• A player wins point by hitting the Speeder to the floor or ground of the opponent's "box" (the line is considered to be in bounds), or if an opponent fails to keep the Speeder in play.
• The first side scoring 15 points wins a game, unless both sides reach 14 points. In this case, play continues until one side achieves a two-point advantage, and the side that is trailing has the serve.
• A Speed Badminton match is played as best-of-five games, with losing side having first service in the next game.
• Players change sides after each game.

Doubles

• The doubles match is played on two adjacent Speed Courts.
• Players draw for service (winner may elect to serve or receive or choose to play at a particular end of the court; loser makes the remaining choice).
• Players always serve cross-court diagonally, beginning from the right-hand box.
• Points are awarded just as in singles play.
• When the serving side scores, it retains the serve and switches boxes for the next point, while opponents remain in the same positions.
• Once the serve has been returned, all players can move freely.
• When the returning side scores, it has the serve and player in the right-hand box serves first.
• Teams must alternate servers each time it wins back the serve, regardless of which box each is playing.