Hi! I've undergone some light training for 3 years already. Eventhough I am quite quick and can cope with it in my footwork drills, I find that I can't actually put much of what I learned from the footwork drills into the game. My footwork seems hurried. What should I do to rectify the problem? Besides playing with other opponents, any other trainings I can do? Thanks!

Ali, I'm afraid 3 years isn't much. It sounds to me like you should try to get more high-quality match training, and concentrate more on "real life" (as in game-like) drills to actually put things into practice.

The problem could be with your shot selection and/or execution.

Footwork drills are done against an imaginary opponent under controlled conditions. So you move into position to hit, swing, then move back to base and get ready for the return. But in a real game, with a real opponent, with you actually hitting a shuttle, things don't always work out like the drill. For example, maybe your attacking clear is not so good and your opponent intercepts it earlier than you expected. Now you are rushed to get to his shot.

Originally posted by Mag
I'm afraid 3 years isn't much.

:eek: 3 yrs isn't much?? damn... i thought 1 year was a lot >< (man... where's the crying face when u need it :( )

Hi ALI, I'm assuming you're talking about singles foot work because doubles is more rushing to wherever the bird is, less footwork involved.

I'm not sure if you learned the full footwork from your coach. There is different footwork when you hit a clear and a drop. When you hit a clear, you walk back to the center. When you hit a drop, you only hop one step back and move directly to where your opponent hit next, same for smash.

Once your learn ALL the footwork, you need to drill them with real game in mind. Instead of just run to the corner and go back to the center, you need to practice foot work as you're playing a real game. Do the different foot work when you imagine yourself smashing or clearing, and learn to run from corner to corner instead of just go back to the center and run from the center again.

Foot work needs to be smooth and continuous, just like a correct swing should be.

It's much easier to say than done, I'm trying to achieve the same for myself.