Peter Warman said:

I thought I'd start a new topic, although this is relevant to two other topics (shoes and setting an example of the younger generation).

 

I recently played the final match of the season and also in a tournament.

 

In the match, due to the fact that our club had to play another match at home at the same time as ours, we only had two courts for two hours instead of three courts for two hours (it's a four court hall). It's do-able to get the games done in time, but the opposition seemed to time waste to try an push for some games to be forfeited. Has anyone here experienced such things? And I know it depends on which league you play in (as each league can alter the rules slightly as the BE rules are there for just as a guideline), but how much time is allowed between ends?

 

One bloke finished an end, got a top of a flask (cup of tea maybe??), walked all the way over to the other side of the hall to talk to his partner who was waiting for him (to play the next end), had a (long) chat. Then walked all the way back, messed about a bit with a towel then FINALLY got back on court! Never seen anything like it!

 

And he wasn't the only one in their team. We were stood around for AGES between ends. I thought you only allow a few minutes.

 

On to the tournament, and I have now experienced what it's like to play against a pair that use a towel for their shoes in between points A LOT. There aren't that many players in our league that do this but this pair were doing it after every single point played. At one point a player went off, danced on the towel (I now call it a dancing mat!), his partner followed suit, they were just about to serve then the player went back to the towel for another little dance!! Obviously they didn't dance, and they just stamped on the towel or whatever, but it sure looks like dancing to me!

 

I'm sorry, I know some of you have issues with Yonex shoes, but it really isn't my fault that you don't buy adequate footwear! It's turning into tennis and the players getting a towel after every point in that drives me bonkers. To do it every now and then is about bare-able, but every point is a complete waste of time. You don't see the professionals do it so you can not say that they are setting a bad example.

 

Rant over! 

 

I will agree, that as I don't suffer from the problem, I have a different perception. This is why I would like to know other peoples opinions (and stories of their own). But I just feel that if I was to turn up and play badminton in flip flops and after every point having to stop and mess about with them, then the opposition would get annoyed and say that it's not their fault that I am not wearing the correct shoes. I'm not saying that you need different shoes for different halls, but there are some shoe ranges that are not fit for any surface type except professional courts. Yonex should advertise this bit! Unless this is a cunning plan by Yonex, to sell more Yonex towels!

 

I'd like to hear other people's stories of players time wasting, I'm sure there must be some players out there that push this to the limit! 

Peter, I am going to have to call you on this one. Taking excessive time between games – unnaceptaable. Completely agree. However, using towel on shoes, I will never agree with you. The reasons are twofold:

– When a floor is dusty, it is NOT fit for badminton. It is dangerous. It is not generally dangerous for players who do not move much. However, for myself, I know that playing in a dusty hall IS dangerous. I do not hold back when I move, and if I am going to slide a foot before I stop, then I am going to hurt myself. Similarly, when pushing off, I am going to pull something because the floor is dangerous. I will never criticise an opponent for wiping their shoes between points, if the floor is dirty. Whilst you can argue about time limits between points, and breaking rules, the bottom line is the court is dangerous and anything a player does to mitigate that danger is fine in my book.

– You can never know how easily an opponent is moving, how they feel, or how safe they feel. They have the right to feel safe on court, and be assured that they are doing everything they can to make sure that they do not suffer an injury. I do not think it is my right to tell them what they can or can't do with respect to their own personal safety. Your analogy about flip flops is not applicable – you have chosen to wear a non badminton related shoe. Anyone with proper badminton shoes (even if they are a brand you don't like) should not be forced to play in an unsafe way, just because you do not have the courtesy to wait. This isn't mind games, this is just common courtesy and good manners.

End of my rant. Sorry to call you up on this Pete, but in this case, I think you are wrong!

I played in a match this season just gone where as soon as they went a few points down, they did the shoe lace untie / tie up etc. They would apologise,( my partner & I were getting vexed by this) I said don’t worry I could do with a rest as got a stitch & feel knackered. Funnily enough there time wasting stopped & we duly beat then. Think if the umpires in the professional tournaments jumped on this straight away 1 warning then a yellow card, then red etc.
If I was warming up & felt the floor was dusty, I would ask them to sweep the court, & I take a wet rag with me & put by the net post (& at an appropriate time wipe the soles of the shoes) as this helps to improve your shoes grip.
Maybe when the score cards are returned there should be a space to mark your opponents conduct good or bad. Then as well as results there could be a league table showing up the cheats.