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2:42 am
June 6, 2010
Offline
Unless I plan it that way, it's very difficult for me to recover from
being down on points, especially against a skilled opponent.
I
try to adjust my tactics as I go, reckognize quickly what works and what
doesn't, and take special notice of my footwork. A stiff footwork will
make you lose quicker than anything else. Nevertheless, when all else
fails I tend to up the pace and push myself to reach the shots quicker
and put them down whenever I can.
Then after a few more points, if my opponent is skillful AND crafty, I'm exhausted.
I've
let people get ahead of me when I was working on sapping their strenght
and endurance. It's only temporary. And I can honestly say that I'm a
very strong player, as they come around here. It's not a very
competitive area by any means.
I don't mean to brag, but I want to
emphasize that lagging behind on points isn't a situation I'm very used
to. Aside from adjusting a few things and breaking up my opponent's
pace, I have no idea how to play.
Any tips or related stories are welcome.
4:49 pm
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 12, 2010
Offline I have the opposite problem! I struggle to maintain a lead I get! Haha!
When I get down on points which tends to happen quite often, I like to keep up a high intensity – i.e. work rate. You will notice I am not suggesting the speed of the game needs to be intense – you could play fast paced or slow, aggressive or defensive – whatever your style is. However I will put all my focus into winning the next point, making sure I move as best I can around the court. I want to make my opponent feel as if I am everywhere – this will lead them to feel as if I am too strong (if i am being aggressive) or will make them feel they cant get it past me (if i am being more passive). As soon as you start to push yourself, you will realise you can take things earlier! You are not trying to win the point, you are making sure you don’t let anything go. No attacks except when you are well balanced and have created opportunities, get to everything your opponent hits, no extravagant shots. You aim for at least 2 feet inside the sidelines at all times. After you’ve won 5 points of doing this, you will discover at least one or two new ways to win points against your opponent, and he will be in despair because everything is changing – your respective game plans haven’t changed, but you have increased your movement speed and increased your execution percentages.
The most effective tactic that works for me under pressure (and all the time actually) is to make sure my opponent cant hit the shuttle from close to the net – every shot I hit will land on or past the service line. These shots will really limit your opponents chances to attack – it takes away their “net” reply options thus meaning they are less likely to win themselves a lift after some net play.
Today, I was playing against a group of county players at singles (they are in my universities 1st team, whilst I am only 2nd team). I was 9 – 2 down against one of them. I was struggling to get it “away” from him, because he is tall and strong and has a very strong jump smash (he is an extremely good volley ball player). Against him, I decided that I would keep him at the back of the court and “blanket” the court in defense. I will get everything back with these half court pushes, until I win a short lift for myself – any clears he hit I would use attacking clears back. When focusing on getting everything back – the most important thing is to make sure you are almost leaning forwards in your footwork, on the balls of your toes ready to spring forwards and retrieve an shot, and if you have to cover the rearcourt, you have plenty to time to turn and do so! I won the game 21 – 19, having never beaten that player before. However I am now a lot quicker and fitter and I enjoy playing the high intensity defensive game, followed by decisive accurate attacks.
This is what happens to me when I am losing. Everyones different, but maybe what works for me – basically focusing on footwork for a few rallies, will help you?
p.s. I am a bad front runner because I stop working hard and go for “quick winners”. I’m an idiot!
1:25 am
September 12, 2011
Offline
Matthew makes some good points, I would add all points are equal, and equally important UNLESS you are so far down in one game you decide to let it go without a fight (probably applies more to tournament play at top level)
What I mean is whatever the optimum serve/tactic/effort level is you should employ that regardless of score. Any focus on the outcome will only detract from the execution.
I often hear people say things like its 19-19 just get the serve over,or its 20-20 just keep it in, just make the opponent have to play it.
While either of these advices could be true (for instance if your opponent isn't pressuring the serve just getting it over may be a good idea) the score does not make the advice true. In fact any deviation from your normal play based on the score is likely to be counterproductive. This is how a player can lose a big lead for instance. You are 17-12 up playing good attacking doubles , you feel safe, you start thinking if we keep it in we will win. Suddenly you stop playing and become passive. Your opponents gain the attack more and your lead is eroded. Example: You have a good smash and when you smash and rush in you win a high proportion of points- its match point to your opponent- you get a chance you smash and rush in- but you lose the point. The top player knows he did the right thing- in the same situation again he will do the same thing and over a season it will bring him many wins in tight games. The lesser player starts playing negatively whenever its tight and loses more often than before.
This is not to say you shouldn't change tactics but you should do so based on analysis of the gameplay, not the score. Sometimes you are simply outclassed and losing but if you abandon your good tactics you may lose more than the game. For instance you are trying to attack in doubles but outplayed and decide just to lift everything and stand and defend you will most likely lose badly and you will lose confidence /the opportunity to practice good play. Your opponents will consider they have an edge over you next time you play.
8:53 pm
January 24, 2011
Offline Very well written dlp. I'm facing that problem myself sometimes when it's getting tight, I have trouble finishing a match off because I'm getting quite passive at the end of a game and then I lose most of the time. You shouldn't expect your opponent to make an unforced error in these situations, you have to win the point(s) by yourself all the time. Unforced errors are a bonus and not something to rely on (well except if you're opponents so bad but in that case winning the game shouldn't be a problem anyway lol).
<3 Badminton!
3:48 pm
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 10, 2010
Offline Yves said:
I'm facing that problem myself sometimes when it's getting tight, I have trouble finishing a match off because I'm getting quite passive at the end of a game and then I lose most of the time. You shouldn't expect your opponent to make an unforced error in these situations, you have to win the point(s) by yourself all the time. Unforced errors are a bonus and not something to rely on (well except if you're opponents so bad but in that case winning the game shouldn't be a problem anyway lol).
I have also incountered this prob for a while and its only now im fixing the problem. Number of things going on. Its tight or we may even be in the lead and think i can relax here or because its close, we tink, keep it in rather than win the point so we end up changing our game!!
We need to be very aware of when this happens and cut it out asap. I remember I used to play a game and be in control 1st half and then jus suddenly got beaten and easily. It was only until I got off when a friend said why did u start lifting so much?? I didnt realise!!!
Its great if your in the zone, then by al means switch off and let the brain go on autopilot but when things arent going well, u have to tink why? How do I fix it?
I now see this change inside 2/3 shots so I can fix it. I feel the pressure when its close and I can see myself changing the tactics to more keep it in and get it back rather than how do I win this point. We need to be process orientated rather than outcome orientated. If we think on the process, out brain can do what we tell it or can try to. If we think on outcome, it cant becauses its in the future which it cant control so thats where it begins to fall down.
If you want to win games, always focus on the here and now, the process, the how to win this point! Keep the intensity up the entire time whether its 19/5 to you or the other way about.
11:09 pm
February 15, 2011
Offline 
So many really good points here so thanks to all contributors.
When you are in a losing position it always appears as though your opponent has more time. As a result, you tend to make errors by being late on the shuttle. Generally this is caused by tension and upsets your natural body rhythm and is a killer on technique.
This is an area where the mind needs a lot of discipline and good mental training techniques can make all the difference.
Yes, you’ve done the right thing by changing pace, which is fine as long as you can play a high standard at that pace. For some, changing the pace means not playing in accordance with their natural body rhythm and therefore they cannot consistently play this style of game and soon fall into unforced errors. I believe you need to incorporate this into your practice and therefore can be called upon to play at a high level if need be.
Why might this be needed? If you play a player with similar style but, someone who is better at it than you are. If you cannot adapt then you will simply lose. Occasionally having the ability to play an opposite game to what your opponent is winning with can completely upset their rhythm and confidence and swing the game. However, you really need to be good at it to pull it off.
Dip – you are so right that sometimes players do not realise that they have already changed their game rather than stuck at it, which has caused further giveaway points.
At the end of the day, your mindset is going to play a major role in whether you turn the game around or not. Sure there is the skill element. However, if two players are evenly matched then the difference in outcome is down to fitness, confidence, tactics and mindset.
If there is a gulf in standard then fight for every point and try so play your best game. If it’s not good enough, then so be it. There’s no shame in losing to a better player. What you do next is admire their skill and then write down in how many ways they were better than you e.g. was it that they were faster, more accurate, hit brilliantly out of corners, super-tight net game – the lists goes on but you know what I mean.
We’ll see more on this topic and I’m sure I’ll be adding more thoughts later.
Paul
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