MARBLEHEAD - Many people play badminton as just a backyard activity during outdoor parties or cookouts. But not 11-year-old Christopher Rodts of Marblehead. He's very serious about the sport and practices about six times a week.

"I play tennis and baseball, as well," Christopher said. "But badminton is my favorite."

Christopher and his badminton buddies have been training to compete in this weekend's New England Junior Open, which the Marblehead Youth Badminton Association will host at the high school.

There will be 85 participants between ages 8 and 21 from eight different states, including Massachusetts. Participants come from as far away as Arizona and California, said Dee Colcord, the president of MYB.

During the year, about 100 kids are involved in the local program, but only 35 will be playing in the tournament. There will be three categories for each age group: singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Although many of the players are involved in other sports, badminton is serious business for them.

"These kids are playing up to five times a week," said Melinda Keszthelyi, the head coach for MYB. "This is their main sport."

As a three-time national champion in Hungary and a one-time champ in the United States, Keszthelyi knows how to work the racquet.

Although badminton gets little attention in the United States, it's the world's second most popular spectator sport behind soccer, Keszthelyi said. It is especially popular in Asia, where crowds up to 15,000 can attend matches.

Keszthelyi and Colcord hope for some growth in the United States.

"Badminton is obscure in the United States, but we are working to change that," Colcord said, "by introducing one person to badminton at a time."

The sport can be intense. It requires fast movements and good hand-eye coordination.

"You need to be quick," Christopher said.

Andrew Chan, 11, of Swampscott, along with his friends in MYB, is very excited about the upcoming tournament.

"I get to meet people from all around the country, and it will be a challenge to play against people other than my friends," he said.

This competition is a ranking tournament - the winners will advance to the National Junior Tournament, which will be held in Marblehead this summer.

If you go

* What: New England Junior Open badminton tournament

* Where: Marblehead High School

* When: Tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Cost: Free