Many thanks for your comments.

Yes, I agree, a huge majority of club players are not interested in the finer and vital parts of the game. That is, until they play with a partner who can’t serve or return and then they’ll blame these lack of skills for the poor result. Funny, it’s got to be so obvious or it’s not considered.

More than likely, in the face of defeat, a player will blame the conditions, their partners mistakes, or “my smash isn’t working properly tonight.”

It’s only when you talk to good players do they really understand what’s important in this game. That’s fine, it’s just how badminton life is.

Here’s wishing you a successful 2010.

Paul

Great article.

When you included serving and receiving a serve as your top 2, I\\\’m assuming you\\\’re mainly referring to doubles, right?

If that’s the case, I soooo agree with you. It\\\’s really hard to be partnered with someone whose service usually gives a lot of options to the receiver. In doubles, getting the attack is very important, and a good service dictates this. I once saw an interview of Gail Emms and Nate Robertson after they lost to the Korean pair Lee Yong Dae and Lee Hyo Jung. Gail specifically specified that it was the tight service of the Koreans that gave them a hard time.

As for club players, most of them (at least in my club) are social players. They play just for the sake of playing. Only a handful of players are eager to learn. They\\\’re already contented on the idea that a strong smash makes a good player. I would be lucky to know someone in our club who knows what a bevel grip or a pan handle grip is.

Keep on writing.

Rhod

Fitness and tactics play a huge part in the game. You can’t really have one without the other if you really want to become a good badminton player.

You’ve covered all the must have’s really well Warwick. It’s a shame so many club and league players ignore them.

Paul

I also think fitness is a huge deal too. If you\’re at the ragged end, you can\’t apply your skills properly because you become haphazard and \’lazy\’.

You know one thing that I always find facinating, is when a much more highly skilled player can\’t beat a less skilled but more tactically proficient player. That always weirds me out.

I guess for me, skills are obviously very important, but fitness and tactical proficiency are the other 2/3rds of the equation!

I totally agree with you.

It’s a good tip for players to watch other games and count the number of points won on service or return. It may finally change their minds. I suspect the ego really wants the big winner from a smash but that’s not how the game is won, certainly in league badminton. Usually, it’s won on mistakes rather than winners. Actually, this pretty well sums up international badminton too!

I thought about my game a little the other night and recognise that I am “backing off ” the serve too much at the moment because I’m spending too much time thinking about the third shot and whether my partner will do anything good with it. Inconsistency in hitting the shuttle is not a good receipe for confidence!

Thanks for your comments Michael.

To your success in 2010.

Paul