Dobbie

Every player goes through this cycle in varying degrees. When you are working on one particular aspect of your game, your attention and focus is drawn to this, almost to the detriment of everything else. And that's why there is a problem. Also I'll guess you are trying to work on this issue during club night games which is NOT practice.

Practice is the thing that 99% of club players will not do. If you want to practice then find a practice partner and book your own courts. Then, you can set up the practice to suit and consistently repeat the routine focussing on improvement.

During the day at Milton Keynes it was interesting that a player may be practicing one particular aspect of their game for weeks at a time. Remember, their skill levels are already high. But they have the advantage of a consistently good feed and pure focus, coupled with sheer determination and commitment to succeed.

The other aspect to your issue is the way in which we learn. Think back to when you learnt to tie your shoe laces. Initially it was all too much. Then will a number of lessons you managed to remember the sequence and develop the mecganical skills to complete the first part. Eventually you could do all of the technique. However, this is not the end of the example. There is a point where you know what to do, but have to focus on the varying stages. As your competence grows and you lock in the mechanics you reach a point which you can complete the task on a subconscious level i.e. you can have a conversation, look in a different direction and still bend over the tie your laces.

It is this last stage in your development where you are really ready to use the technique in a game. You have no issue with all the noise and distraction of the game and can easily (sub consciously) integrate the technique without bringing the sequence to the front of your mind in respect of your concentration.

This is where most players go wrong. They do not properly practice.

I am now playing at a club and really struggling as I'm having issues with my eyes and missing a lot of shuttles, expecially in defence. I also know that after 25 year of coaching and only playinghalf a season of matches I am not in the best shape reactivly to respond. Additionally, I have just turned 50 which means my reactions are not what they used to be.

What I realised very soon wasn't that I can't play the shots, it was simply that I need to groove them and develop the speed of the technique. It is easy to demonstrate a shot without the pressure of speed.

So I recognised that what I need is practice. Whilst it's fun to play games, I have slowed down by playing with some of the club members which in turn has upset my rhythm of play. But, overall it's the lack of continuous practice that I need.

I hope this helps.

Paul

Many thanks Luke.

Going for a contact lens fitting on Tuesday which should be interesting – I'm not quite sure fun will be the operative word. However, if this provides me with a better view of the shuttle coupled with practice and the continued improvement of my health since I took up a different eating program, then things can only get better.

Paul

The lenses were a disaster.

Had one fitted to begin with and went for a walk. Wow, so many signs were blurry.

Fitting number 2 just the same although the lenses didn't feel comfortable. So they gave me a third set on a different prescription. Walked out of the store this time and it wasn't any better. Having spend so long with this fitting I needed to get home. Took the lenses out after 2 hours – wow that was not good. I'm really struggling with this and obviously need a lot of practice.

Bottom line, I'm not wearing these lenses as I see better without them. And that should be right.

Paul