Well, badminton season for school is coming up soon, and my former partner really sucks... I recently played him and he could only return around 1/20 smashes from me. I don't want to tell him that he can't be my partner anymore, but he really does suck. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I told him to get another partner, plus we've played lotsa games together so we know what each other is thinking almost... Do you guys just ditch a crappy partner?

How often does one's partner get to return one's smashes during a match?

:D

I used to have the same thing, but then I decided to play singles since I didn't want to hurt him.

Well it basically boils down to 3 questions:
1) Do you play badminton for trophy-hunting?
2) Do you play badminton to have fun?
3) Do you want to do both 1 and 2?

If you answer is 1, then by all means ditch your friend and find a better partner. This way you will have a better chance to win.

If the answer is 2, then keep your partner as your friend, and have all the fun you can.

But if your answer is 3, then go out with your partner(friend) and train him!! And have him do more drills and practice his shots to improve his game.

can u teach him to return your smash?

i mean its not that hard w/some practice

a friend of mine sux ass at badminton - but i showed him the proper stance and way to hold the raquet for defencive lifts

and i hit constant smashes at him for over an hour

at first i had to hit less than half power or else he'd miss

but after playign w/him a few times and doing this.. well now he's better than me at it

i have to jump smash to even have a chance at getting it past him
and if i just hit to his defence area i can't ususally get it past him.. unless i move him out to one side first then go to the other quickly

its funny cuz he still sucks at everything else lol



but seriously .. what i would do is tell him he will have to work w/you to get better or else he'll have to find another partner

I know how you feel buddy. Its kinda hard to tolerate your partner's errors. It gets me so frustrated. As for what Zero said, i guess I'm a number 1. I dont feel i can achieve what i'd like to if my partner keeps playing the way he does.

wutever buddy...if i want to...u wont even be able to return 1/2000 of my smashes

Swordfish,

Doubles is a team game, in game and at practice. Either you succeed together or both of you fail.

If you're decent player as you state you are, then I would guess that you'd have no problem adjusting your & your partner's game strategy to maximize both your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. All the while both of you can practice and drill at the aspects of the game where you're weak at. For example try minimizing defensive situations by attempting to control the net more so opponents would lift if your partner lacks consistent defense, etc.

As far as I'm concerned, even if my partner is a complete newbie, as long as he/she is willing to put in the work & effort to train with me improving the team game, then there's absolutely no reason to seek a new partner. After all, there were times when I started playing, I was not as good as many of my partners that were willing to put up with me.

However, if your partner is not willing to put in the work and improve both your playing experience, then I can see a very valid reason to quest for a new partner.

have a honest mature discussion with your partner