I'd like to request a poll/survey to see what category most of the forumers in BC fall into. I find this interesting after speaking to members of my badminton club over the last few weeks. I would categorise badminton fans into

1) those who play badminton but are not interested in international badminton tournaments at all (a lot of the members of my club seem to fall into this category)
2) those who play badminton and do follow the pros and the international circuit religiously (like yours truly)
3) something in between 1) and 2)
4) those who don't actually play badminton but do follow international tournaments (like some forumers in here)

I'm just curious really, no malicious intent at all (in case someone suspects that's the case and wants to flame me). i just find it surprising that I know quite a few people who love playing badminton (3-5 times a week) but when I mention that I'll be watching the All England this weekend say, 'Oh, is it on this weekend? Who's playing?'

:D

I play anytime I can (which is about 4 times/week rightnow) but I almost never watch Professional badminton. Of course living in Canada I pretty much have to rely on Youtube so a big thanks to all those who post videos!

ah, great, here we go ....

Any vote to #4 would be interesting.

i think there should be a few forumers here who don't actually play badminton at all buy follow the tournaments. however, i think they are still asleep at the moment ...

:)

ha, evening the odds at 9 all :p

I play up to 7 times a week (the popular term for this would be "nut"), watch some scores online when I can, download some finals whenever I have time..

I can only hope there're people out here worse than me ;):p

ha, evening the odds at 9 all :p

I play up to 7 times a week (the popular term for this would be "nut"), watch some scores online when I can, download some finals whenever I have time..

I can only hope there're people out here worse than me ;):p

I played 7 times a week last year before a tournament, and ended up playing in that tournament with a knee injury... still came in at 3rd place in doubles.:p It took me about a month of no badminton whatsoever, to completely heal my knee.:crying:

ha, evening the odds at 9 all :p

I play up to 7 times a week (the popular term for this would be "nut"), watch some scores online when I can, download some finals whenever I have time..

I can only hope there're people out here worse than me ;):p

There are...

I watch the All England on Sky Sports and, until this year, Darren Hall was the "colour" commentator (alongside Gill Clark). A few of us played a game whereby we bet how many times Hall would say "absolutely" - his opening response to any question put to him by Gill. I won in '07 with what I thought was a ludicrous overestimate: we counted 135 across the three days that were televised:eek:.

Unfortunately (for the game, that is), the great Morten Frost replaced him this year:D.

I play anytime I can (which is about 4 times/week rightnow) but I almost never watch Professional badminton. Of course living in Canada I pretty much have to rely on Youtube so a big thanks to all those who post videos!

I play 1-2 times/week at a low level, but I have become fascinated by professional badminton since finding BC last year.
Just as Polar Bear says, Canada is not a place you are likely to find any TV badminton.
Interestingly enough our provincial badminton president (who is a wonderful person) doesn't seem too current on international badminton.

haha i said 2) .. i do watch the pros all the time and have tons of videos but i dont really follow the gossip stuff, just the straight facts and results.

deffinetly play lots of badminton training for sure (4-7 days a week) and compete in tournaments provincial, national, 1 international one as well. but i also like to follow the professional players more so the tournaments and what happens at them. I will watch matches when i can dl those i cant watch online and well i will read up onto some of the stuff on the players themselfs and the incidents that happen, etc.

I fall under #2. I play 3X a week. If wife permits I can add an additional day of play for the week. Like other member I also rely from you tube to watch some tournaments. Since our cable company dropped a sporting channel which carries the only badminton game. I'm in the process of changing our cable subscription in order to be able to watch my favorite players in action once again. There are times I just stare at the monitor watching the live scores changes and imagining what is happening during the actual match.

i play badminton and i follow international badminton but not religiously. :D there are some player i have never heard of. mainly i know the top players. and some oldies players.

aha, we finally have someone in category 4, i'm in that category as well, not for badminton but for football ....

ha, evening the odds at 9 all :p

I play up to 7 times a week (the popular term for this would be "nut"), watch some scores online when I can, download some finals whenever I have time..

I can only hope there're people out here worse than me ;):p

average around 9 per week. my friend told me my house is in badminton hall :p

you play 9 times a week????
that's every day and 2 sessions a day during the weekends????
do you sleep with your racquets as well?

:)

you play 9 times a week????
that's every day and 2 sessions a day during the weekends????
do you sleep with your racquets as well?

:)

2-3 on the weekend..
ahahaha last night actually was the the 1st time i sleep with racquet beside me :o finished restring almost 2am and couldn't be bothered to go downstair to store the racquets so I leave it on the bed (i have 2 bed put together so i have enough space.. wouldn't dare to put on bed if its single bed) :o

hahahhaa, nice one man .... so what's that, 20-25 hours a week of badminton? that's more than some people work, i'm a truly impressed.

hahahhaa, nice one man .... so what's that, 20-25 hours a week of badminton? that's more than some people work, i'm a truly impressed.

yeah around 20ish.. but not all of the game is hard out game though, some of the game pretty relax, some just purely training around the court :o

i picked for the third..since i don't really take it religiously..the international competitions n pros..just some.But i do take badminton sport religiously i guess.Almost everyday badminton,don't really care who am i playing with.As long as i can hit the ball,i'm happy.LOL..

There are...

I watch the All England on Sky Sports and, until this year, Darren Hall was the "colour" commentator (alongside Gill Clark). A few of us played a game whereby we bet how many times Hall would say "absolutely" - his opening response to any question put to him by Gill. I won in '07 with what I thought was a ludicrous overestimate: we counted 135 across the three days that were televised:eek:.

Unfortunately (for the game, that is), the great Morten Frost replaced him this year:D.

yeah slightly off-topic here, but totally agree with Mark A. The worst thing about DH is, he repeats what Gillian Clark has just said. So if GC says "do you think, Darren, that X has lost steam in the 2nd set?" DH: "Absolutely, Gill, X put so much energy into the 1st set that he's got no energy now...."

Another thing DH loves to say: "yeah, he's taking it so early Gill....."

btw I know this is just a fun survey, but it's kind of biased from the beginning, isn't it? Basically, only those who are either 2 or 3 are going to be logging on here, which is mostly for those interested in the players and the tournaments....those who want advice or tips will only 'stay' for the advice and then 'leave'--they don't want to read about the latest hairstyle of XXF (much better than her last one! and don't get me started on Zhou Mi) or whatever....

ah, well, i guess it is a little biased. i did expect between 10-20% to be in categories 1 and 4 though, i'm quite surprised it's only about 5%. it doesn't matter, it's just a poll, and like you said, it's just for a laugh.

hey sorry I'm a complete pedant.:o well you're totally right though: I have a couple of friends who play like mad but were surprised to hear about the All England last week, and showed little interest in going. They don't make any connection between the game they enjoy playing and watching the professionals.:confused: I wonder if this is the same for other sports?

i'm guessing it's less so, especially for most of the more popular sports here in the uk. football, cricket, rugby, tennis, snooker, darts and even lawn bowls get more coverage here than badminton. if they were to show it more on terrestial, i'm sure more people would get into it.

I guess i would pick no 2 i play 5 times a wk, n whenever if i am not playing my hand would get itchy:D & usually i also do follow up with the tournaments:)

yeah slightly off-topic here, but totally agree with Mark A. The worst thing about DH is, he repeats what Gillian Clark has just said. So if GC says "do you think, Darren, that X has lost steam in the 2nd set?" DH: "Absolutely, Gill, X put so much energy into the 1st set that he's got no energy now...."

Another thing DH loves to say: "yeah, he's taking it so early Gill....."

Hes still better than some commentators though. Some commentators, everything they say you already know, and you can pick up errors in their commentary. I heard from somewhere that one even marvelled that the players weren't waiting the shuttle to hit the ground before returning it (ala tennis)! :eek::eek::eek:

Hes still better than some commentators though. Some commentators, everything they say you already know, and you can pick up errors in their commentary. I heard from somewhere that one even marvelled that the players weren't waiting the shuttle to hit the ground before returning it (ala tennis)! :eek::eek::eek:

:rolleyes:true....honestly, I wish that whoever was in charge would either a. provide a decent, knowledgeable commentator, or b. don't provide one at all, because a bad commentator is even worse than than not having one. It drives me crazy: it's almost as if they don't trust us to be able to enjoy a game without someone providing us with commentary:crying:--a bit like a laugh track.

ok rant over.....:D:D

I m type 4, seldom play badminton, but follow tournament closely.....I m good at mopping the floor....hahahahaha

don't you get the urge to play after watching your favourite stars on court?

don't you get the urge to play after watching your favourite stars on court?
errrrr.....I have racquet, but, I m really lousy....my baddy partners are my niece n nephew....really beginner....

U sure get bored, if we have the chance to play badminton together....:D

haha, oh well, i'm sure you can find kaki in kuching if you really wanted to. i've only ever been to kuching once, like 10 years ago or something now. what really surprised me was how similar the hokkien in kuching is to the hokkien in penang. and we're so far apart as well. the seafood was amazing!

Same with all sports I play, I rather spend my time playing the sport than following the professionals, who have close to no effect in the realm of badminton that I play in. Though, sometimes the matches can be amazing :O

before i just play badminton, now i watch tournaments as often as i can
so...can i change my poll? =P

1. it's fun to watch pros play because they usually have amazing rallies
2. it's interesting to observe how players move, react and play shots, and often we learn from them

I'm the second type of fan xD

Being in Jamaica, and communting over 100km per day makes for very little badminton but I do get in about 2 days a week. However I don't follow international players... if only badminton was more accessible I'd play every day. There are times when I dream badminton (sigh)

Being in Jamaica, and communting over 100km per day makes for very little badminton but I do get in about 2 days a week. However I don't follow international players... if only badminton was more accessible I'd play every day. There are times when I dream badminton (sigh)
...boy, i must say you are 1 dedicated and passionate baddy person!!...:cool::cool:

...boy, i must say you are 1 dedicated and passionate baddy person!!...:cool::cool:

Got to get it whenever I can! :D

100km a day?
how's the traffic though?

i love badminton and almost everything about it. gets me good exercise and good lungs. i enjoy smashing those birds. i can't enough of it. but however i think it's a boring sport to watch and thats why it's not so much popular.

anyone here in minnesota?

Traffic is a pain but I have to bear it. It takes between 2-3 hours to get to where I train depending on the traffic. If I get a vehicle to borrow, it takes me about 1 hr 15 mins. So of course, I have to plan the days I train in advance since so much time is spent travelling.

I've been playing badminton for quite a long time. But never have I felt better in this game until I started watching professional badminton players. I get tips from them and from the commentator (in the likes of Gillian Clark). And somehow, I absorb their movements.

In this forum, I was able to read that muscle memory work at its best when asleep. Well, before I sleep, I watch a good badminton game until I doze off. That way, my brain would process memorizing the proper footwork and techniques in hitting the birdie. There's no scientific basis here. But I am telling you, it works. I think I'm in level B now. :)

I'm number two...
I'm still in a very beginner level though, and I follow the tournaments (even though I can't watch often)

I love watching badminton and reading all the entries here. Used to play some badminton in my younger days. The younger generation is luckier nowadays. I love the game never miss the matches played if I can.

I voted number 3,

the problem is, I really follow the pros, but I'm not able to go to tournaments, yet I do follow them on the internet etc..

And I play badminton often (bit too often for my body as it seems:p)

I picked number 3 also because Australia never show badminton on TV so all the results are obtained from this forum or youtube.

no regret no surrender.
Surely I am no 2 type of badminton fan.
Even not every time able to watch live, but still can cope with you tube.

somewhere in between 1 & 2.

I picked number 3 also because Australia never show badminton on TV so all the results are obtained from this forum or youtube.

u need to get ESPN or Star Sport... Olympic game are coming... if me, i dun wanna miss de badminton event...:o

u need to get ESPN or Star Sport... Olympic game are coming... if me, i dun wanna miss de badminton event...:o

Australia doesn't have ESPN or Star Sport. I'll just watch off youtube instead.

Maybe I need to get a life, I'm a strong 2 on your list. I play at least five times a week and live about 5 minutes away from some very nice indoor courts that only cost about $3.00 US per hour. Here in Thailand my satellite tv provider has replays of the big tournaments on almost everyday and I watch them almost everyday. At the recent Thailand Open I went everyday, I was one of maybe 20 people who watched Lin Dan play his opening match at 9:00 in the morning, I was in heaven. I also had front row seats for the finals. Even when I'm not at the courts, I'm out in the yard trying to teach my 6 yr. old daughter and she really loves to play. It's a great sport, I guess I am a true badminton geek.

Australia doesn't have ESPN or Star Sport. I'll just watch off youtube instead.

uhhhhh.... sorry to hear dat dude...:(

Any vote to #4 would be interesting.

wel, I happen to have a serious bone defect. To give you an idea of what commonly happens to me: once I was walking when a felt UNBEARABLE pain. When I looked at my foot it was...twisted; like my toes were all turned and facing one way, the rest of foot another. I could feel the bones in my big two moving around and pressing agaisnt the skin. After 10/15 minutes..it fixed itself.

Turns out, all through my life (and there is nothing the docs can two) my bones will randomly dislodge themselves all over my body, pushing on other bones. Its happened in my finger, feet, neck and jaw. When I walk for more than 5 minutes, I can feel stres on the arch of my feet, I can feel the bones pulling away - it's both extremely incomfortable and painful.

lol. Just wanted to make it clear that I CANT play badminton. Though I played when I was younger, I was advised to stop playing sports altogether (I played football/spccpr, badminton, basketball tenis etc).

:( :(

lol, but yeah- I fall into number 4 . Sorry for the life story :P

ouch, i'm sorry to hear about your predicament.
well, at least you've found a place that provides you with the resources to watch the sport, even if you can't play it.

True Dreamzz. I wasn't very good anyway :D now I simply have an excuse. Though I do miss it. I can play very casually for 10/15 minutes at a time, so I wont complain.

Any vote to #4 would be interesting.


i did vote for number 4. less time to play badminton and no partner

back into it training twice a week atm and trying to catch up on the international scene after my year off.

I would like to follow badminton religously :D

But it is hard , with only streaming available in england :D

20 people who don't play badminton but watch it :O - it is a start :D

I like play badminton very much! when I was in school , I play anytime I can. But now as a worker I do not have much time to play badminton.:crying: I am also a photograpy lover , bit now I just have to let my
Digital Camera lay at the corner!

i like badminton very much. the very first game i watched is the 1994 Thomas Cup final.

#1 for me. badminton is the best among all the sports for me... maybe influeced by my friends, i must play at least 3 times a week or i will feel something missing, like addicted alr...

me play every day ... 2-3 hours training(For now)

i play badminton once a week with friends....& if there any live broadcast i'll watch the game

I'm obsessed with badminton.
I play when I can.
I watch videos when I can't.
Nuff' said.

Hmmm I guess I'm more of a #3. I crazy about badminton, I play at least once a week cus I don't know that many clubs in Mississauga. And I am interested in international tournaments, but there's no tournaments or badminton/sports tv programs that shows badminton in Canada. Plus watching it on youtube kinda ruins my interest. I prefer watching the tournement in person. Kinda gives you the motivation to improve :D

I vote for 2nd

Cos sometime can learn something while watch these pro play :p

i play badminton once a week with friends....& if there any live broadcast i'll watch the game
me with my 7 year old brother ... he is quiet good

Hmmm I guess I'm more of a #3. I crazy about badminton, I play at least once a week cus I don't know that many clubs in Mississauga. And I am interested in international tournaments, but there's no tournaments or badminton/sports tv programs that shows badminton in Canada. Plus watching it on youtube kinda ruins my interest. I prefer watching the tournement in person. Kinda gives you the motivation to improve :D
other then youtube ... try like badmintonfreak.com or etc ..
some of them always advertise their webs for the video

wow bro Amin who knows maybe your young brother will become the next Lee C W ........:):):)

If you judge someone saying "Oh, is it on this weekend?" in response to your saying "I'm watching All England this weekend" as a 1 on your scale, then there are people in my club who would decidedly get 0. There are many people (some of them excellent players) who don't know the name of any professional Badminton player or tournament.

I, personally, would probably qualify for 2, because I make sure I keep myself informed of all events and results. I don't know anyone who doesn't play badminton yet keeps up with all the events (4). The majority of members of my club are either 1 or 0, with a lot of them on 2 and even more on 3. All of the very best people (that is, training full time to be professional) are split about 50/50 between 2 and 3.

@ GameGod: Same with our club. They only know Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei, and Taufik, all singles players, although 99% of us are doubles players.

And to answer the question, I'd be the screaming type. LOL.

I play at 3 clubs and two of them would be 1's. The third club has an England veteran playing and he keeps us all up to date with any tournaments going on.
We subscribe as a club to Badminton England too, so we get a quarterly magazine with all the latest info for about £30 a year (mainly English stuff but it gives all the latest tournament details and results)

I play about 11 hours a week at an intermediate level. that coupled with physical training and fitness sessions means i fall somewhere between 1 and 2. Also considering all that, i still dont regard myself as a professional player.. just love playing the game...:)

I play anytime I can (which is about 4 times/week rightnow) but I almost never watch Professional badminton. Of course living in Canada I pretty much have to rely on Youtube so a big thanks to all those who post videos!

Yo, true that

but then again i know most of the vids on youtube, but if you were to ask me to tell you a name i'd just laugh

I am in the category 3, guess what? My dad is cat 4, haha

However, he used to be a hard player when he was young.