Term

If it's any consolation, I left badminton in 1999 and only returned to the sport in 2008. This was due to starting a business and also the timing was right having resigned as Head Coach from Greater Manchester Schools BA and my private batch of students left for university. At the time, I didn't want to commit to another 5-7 years of coaching junior players and then going through the process again.

What I realised in 2008 was that I'd been out of the game for far too long and had missed it. I'd also lost 10 years of court time.

The good side to this was that I could apply so many things I'd learnt from my courses over the years and that I saw badminton differently in terms of skills. I was also able to disect the game better and create the tools I now use to achieve better results for players. I have more insights into the game than I ever did.

As a potential player I realised that my best playing days were behind me and I could never get that back.

Before you decide to hang up your racquet there are a few things to consider. You see, most of the time when players quit, it's not that they don't enjoy the game, it's because they're lost in the game. Let me explain…

Many times with players, they have aspirations or an internal film if you like of how they play. This involves a breakdown of their competencies in terms of racquet, movement, body and tactical skills. All of these combined set the player's target regards achievement.

The danger of course is that a slump in form, lack of cohesiveness in the skills area leaves the player staring at a string of poor results, which in turn leads to disenchantment. As you can imagine, this then leads to frustration and opens up many negative emotions. When you're feeling this way, your body releases chemicals which also make you feel bad, consequently life ain't great on the badminton court anymore.

If you allow this to fester, then it worsens because your body becomes good at running this same program, hence the negative feelings and performance continue to grow.

The danger with this is that this is a pattern that can be repeated in life. It could be that badminton really isn't to blame but is only a sympton or casualty of this process. Who's to say badminton was the catalyst for this process? Could there be something else like a bad time at work or other areas in your life?

Term, I hope this has given you food for thought. It could be you're in a rut at the moment and a few weeks off and a change of badminton scenery will do you good.

Keep in touch.

Paul

Term

Thanks for sharing. It would seem to me there are a number of issues here and not all wrapped around badminton.

Moving home is stressful. Finding the right club to suit your game is difficult. When I moved I had a few years not playing because of the boys coming along.

When I got back into the game, I joined my local club for convenience, being only 5 minutes drive away. But, the club wasn't that friendly and as I joined there was a mass exodus of players because the first team were relegated from first division. So, I joined the team, played second division badminton, sometimes with 4th division standard ladies and wondered why I wasn't making much effort to get fit again. I realised that whilst I wanted to play, it wasn't at this club because they weren't trying to grow.

I quit the club due to my coaching committments. Whilst I really miss playing, I don't miss the club, although I do miss the convenience of the sportshall and playing matches.

At the moment I'm a frustrated player who isn't playing and being a member of a good club. At the same time I'm a very happy coach because of what I do.

It seems to me we both have something in common…we are players without a goal in sight. I wonder whether you expected your current club to fulfill the role the club at university did? If so, maybe you're asking too much or you're at the wrong club.

Second, it seems that if you're not working towards something in life, then you're dying or stagnating. Maybe this applies in a number of areas and badminton is being used to fill these gaps and is falling short of the mark? Whatever the situation, you need to be moving towards something in life. After all, life is a journey not an event.

All I do know is that something doesn't add up right now and this forum isn't the place to take it any further.

As for me, I really haven't the time to look for another club right now. This blog takes a lot of my time in addition to my many business interests and other hobbies. With two young boys, my life is pretty full. Whilst I'd dearly love to be a player again at a time when I have the ability to get fit and compete, in real terms I don't see this happening. My only worry is that by the time I can focus on playing again, I won't be physically able to do it. I have to live with that decision on the basis that whilst I can't get the time back, I also can't get it back whilst my boys are growing up. And, they are my priority.

So it looks like you're stuck with me as a coach!

Paul