for those who are starting badminton...

This should get a separate space on the home page! :P


kwun said:
i think this has been echoed many times before, but i think it deserve another mention.

for those who are starting badminton, i suggest a few things you should focus on and a few things that you should not focus on at this stage.

FOCUS ON:

- focus on the correct grip - read the grip guide in BC
- focus on the correct stroke - ask a coach to show you.
- focus on footwork
- focus on fitness - jog/swim/bike - or do footwork drills
Click to expand...
 
I completely agree, any starter of badminton should start in this order:
Grip,
form / technique, usually in the form of over head clear strokes
footwork
if you have spare time, stamina.

That said, I would go so far to say that unless your form is correct, you should not be on the court hitting at all. Sounds really boring and it does suck, however, having the right form / technique from the start is paramount. If you start badminton just hitting it around, sure you will eventually get the hang of the game but your technique / form will be off and you will plateau quickly, there is a reason why professionals have roughly the same strokes with minor variations, because they work. It also makes correcting your form very difficult down the line. When I trained, we were not allowed even on the court for the first 3 month, all we did is practice our strokes, nothing else. Years later, we found out that it simply takes too long to correct you if you start with the wrong form, so its actually quicker this way. Muscle memory is hard to lose, but its also hard to correct.

As for the others, fake moves etc, these will come to you naturally in the fullness of time. It is simply not possible for you to try any fancy tricks if you can not get into position quickly. A net fake usually requires you to intercept the shuttle in an advantageous position which cannot happen if your foot work is not up to par. If you watch Peter Gades practice his double action you will notice he does it when he can intercept the shuttle close to the top of the net, not when he is scrambling at the bottom. Also should note, fake shots has a higher chance of error, which may negate its point unless you can do it consistently.
 
Last edited:
kwun said:
i am on a roll lately. so here is an expanded article that i posted in the BC front page. i took in some of the advice i saw in this thread. enjoy!




Advice for Beginning badminton players

Badminton is becoming more and more popular, more and more students are taking up badminton as their main sports, more and more adults are also taking up badminton as their recreational activity. As we see more beginners, I hope to point out in this article what aspects of badminton a beginning badminton player should focus on, as well as point out a few common mistakes that beginners tend to make. We hope this will help your journey into this sport that we all love.

First, let’s point out the positives, ie. Aspects of badminton that we think will help the up and coming players.

FOCUS ON:

Focus on the correct grip

The most fundamental aspect of badminton technique is the grip. The grip is how a badminton holds the badminton racket. A correct grip is a pathway for a badminton player to improve upon their skills. on the contrary, using an incorrect grip is often a brickwall that leads to poor form and poorly executed techniques. It takes much more time to unlearn a bad technique than to learn one. Many of us have experienced it before the painful way.

The proper badminton grips may feel uncomfortable and unnatural in the beginning, but if you are able to get over that fact, later on you will appreciate what you have learned.

There are two basic grips for badminton, the forehand grip and the backhand grip. We won’t go into much more detail here, if you want to know about gripping, please read the grip guide in Badminton Central. The information maybe overwhelming at first, but since this is so fundamental in badminton, it is worth the time to digest it.

Focus on the correct strokes

The worst part of learning something is to have to unlearn it later on. This happens to many recreational badminton players. We hop into the court, invent all these wild shots that seems right then, but later on to find out that they are the wrong way to hit. Then we spend 3 times the time to unlearn them as they have been so ingrained into our muscles. If you want to avoid that happening to you, it is vital to learn the proper way in the beginning.

To do that, you must find a good coach who can direct you. When you choose a coach, make sure he understands and can demonstrate the fundamentals. Your friend who happens to be playing next court to you may not be the best coach you can get.

Focus on footwork

We cannot stress the importance of footwork more. Footwork is the skill that allows you to move from point to point in the badminton court. While it sounds like an easy concept, in fact it is one of the most difficult skills in badminton. The reason footwork is so important is very simple: if you cannot get there in time, it is useless to have the best racket skill. The Cororary of that is that, the earlier you can get to the shuttle, the more choices of shots you have and the more you can pressure your opponent.

Lee Jae Bok, an ex-Korean national player, once says:

"You hit shuttle with your feet."

Footwork is one of the most difficult aspects of badminton. It takes a lot of time to learn, as well as a lot of time to practice. It is often less practiced because of the lack of venue. It is quite uncommon and anti-social for someone to take up ½ of a badminton court to practice footwork while everybody waits on the sideline. Despite so, it is still very important. A professional player can move around the court very effortlessly solely because they have very good footwork technique, they do make it look very easy but in fact, it takes many years of very hard work to master it.

Focus on fitness - jog/swim/bike - or do footwork drills

Fitness is one of the many reason many people take up badminton. Depending on the level of one’s game, badminton can be a very leisure game all the way to a down-right fitness torture. Beginning recreational players will likely be moving relatively less around the court, but as one’s skill improve, you will not only notice that you have to cover more parts of the court, you will also have to cover it in greater speed, which multiplies the fitness level needed by many folds.

In order to catch up with your pending improvements in skill, it is then important for you to increase your fitness level to complement it. There are many ways to improve one’s fitness, one popular way is to skip rope, or jog, swim, bike. Doing footwork drills also a great way to practice footwork and develop one’s fitness at the same time.

Focus on keeping track of your progress

Often when one is having fun, you must try to re-evaluate what you have learned and how you are using it. Most recreational players do not do that but it is helpful in identifying potential weaknesses in your game.

DO NOT FOCUS ON:


Avoid expensive equipment - you will most likely be wasting money

Badminton is solely a game of skills and mind, and not a game of equipment. 99% of ones game depends on how well one can yield the racket but not depend on the racket itself.

Having said that, equipment is still one essential aspect of badminton, and one do need to get the correct equipment. However, the most important equipment that a beginning badminton can own is not the top of the line racket, but instead a good, fitting pair of badminton shoes. Due to the nature of badminton movement, there is a high risk of injury due to twisting or spraining of various leg joints. A good pair of badminton shoes will ensure that you get a good solid grip of the badminton court and vastly reduces the risk of injury.

I’d like to mention one more thing on badminton equipment, often top of the line badminton rackets are not designed for beginners. While they are cool looking and expensive, their characteristics are more suited for advance players with more power. Beginners are best suited to lower end rackets. Your money is best suited to pay for some decent coaching instead.

Avoid trick shots - stop learning those strange shots.

Too many a time I have stepped into a badminton court against some beginning players who can do all these fancy trick shots but at the same time, unable to do a proper baseline to baseline clear. Badminton is a very fundamental game where one really need to learn all the basics in order to survive in a match. Trick shots may work once or twice but soon your opponent will learn how to read them and then you are back to square one.

There is definite a place for trick shots in badminton, but that’s only after one has learned to execute all the fundamentals shots first.

Avoid fancy style - i have so many times seen beginners with really fancy looking hitting style but then they miss the shuttle completely. keep it simple.

Badminton is a very efficient game. The standard, non-fancy, way of playing badminton is the most efficient way for one to hit a shot, there is simply too little time in badminton for one to do all these fancy style.

Avoid strength training - leave this after you have learned your basic strokes

Every now and then, someone will come to badmintoncentral and they want to know how to train their muscles to hit the strongest smash. Which is ok except we later on find out that such person cannot even hit a baseline to baseline clear properly. There is no point trying to hit hard when one cannot hit properly. An example of a proper technique is when I see 12 yrs old girls at 5 feet tall who can hit baseline to baseline clear with ease. Imagine what she can do when she grows a few inches taller?

To close, I’d like to point out that badminton is a very complex game, even advance players learn new aspects of badminton everyday. Make sure you keep an open mind when you approach badminton, only then will you be able to appreciate the greatness of this sport.
Click to expand...

Definitely agree with you Bro...

In every training, the coach team always and always repeated the footwork training. Little bit lazy to practice this, but when we play, we got a lot of advantage, can cover almost the 4 or six point yard, can hit the shuttle properly - I think... Much easier
 
kwun said:
i think this has been echoed many times before, but i think it deserve another mention.

for those who are starting badminton, i suggest a few things you should focus on and a few things that you should not focus on at this stage.

FOCUS ON:

- focus on the correct grip - read the grip guide in BC
- focus on the correct stroke - ask a coach to show you.
- focus on footwork
- focus on fitness - jog/swim/bike - or do footwork drills

DO NOT FOCUS ON:

- trick shots - stop learning those strange shots.
- fancy style - i have so many times seen beginners with really fancy looking hitting style but then they miss the shuttle. keep it simple.
- strength training - leave this after you have learned your basic strokes
- expensive racket - you will most likely be wasting money
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info
 
Thanks for the info, but I understand that the Grip Guide is gone. Found the replacement on the Badminton Bible, but it does not seem to be for beginners anymore... There is no info on the Basic Grip and all the other are confusing.
Are there any other beginner resources on grip and stroke basics? Thanks.
 
DO NOT FOCUS ON:

- trick shots
- fancy style
- strength training
- expensive racket

as a moderate beginner, when you mean trick shots and fancy style , do you mean copying the style of high ranked competitive players like Lin Dan，LCW or others? Since i do tend to want to play like Chen Long
and racket wise, im using cheap fleet rackets but still cant find a good ones that gives me a good feeling when playing... should i just focus on perfecting basic shots before looking for the right racket?
 
Hi All,

These tips are so useful! I have only just started to learn to play badminton over the last 2 months or so. I am blogging about my experience so far.

www.badmintonchronicles.com

I have found learning how to hold the racket the trickiest! I always start off with the right grip but then change it somehow. At the moment my only saving grace is my short serve!

Jooji
 
Jooji said:
Hi All,

These tips are so useful! I have only just started to learn to play badminton over the last 2 months or so. I am blogging about my experience so far.

www.badmintonchronicles.com

I have found learning how to hold the racket the trickiest! I always start off with the right grip but then change it somehow. At the moment my only saving grace is my short serve!

Jooji
Click to expand...
Awesome to have another blogger and a female to boot! My blog is http://www.badmintonbecky.com and I actually wrote a post about my hair too, haha. Although we have totally different problems. http://www.badmintonbecky.com/2017/02/20/badminton-problems-hair/

Even though we had different problems I like that someone can share my pain. ;) Anyway, I read your blog and it's great! Keep up the blogging and the playing. It's totally worth it.
 
Borkya said:
Awesome to have another blogger and a female to boot! My blog is http://www.badmintonbecky.com and I actually wrote a post about my hair too, haha. Although we have totally different problems. http://www.badmintonbecky.com/2017/02/20/badminton-problems-hair/

Even though we had different problems I like that someone can share my pain. ;) Anyway, I read your blog and it's great! Keep up the blogging and the playing. It's totally worth it.
Click to expand...

Hi! I have checked out your blog and really like it! I will be following! It is so cool that you are learning to play badminton in China! Looks like your badminton skills have come a long way which really inspires and motivates me!

Haha yes we do indeed have different problems but good to know I am not the only one! Thanks for checking out my blog :)
 
Jooji said:
Hi! I have checked out your blog and really like it! I will be following! It is so cool that you are learning to play badminton in China! Looks like your badminton skills have come a long way which really inspires and motivates me!

Haha yes we do indeed have different problems but good to know I am not the only one! Thanks for checking out my blog :)
Click to expand...
Yeah, your blog is great! I really like reading about other people's experience in playing badminton. And not just a general overview but like, the more detailed nitty-gritty stuff.
 
There are time where you are struggling to learn and it seems your progress is not going anywhere. Despite having the full understanding about the correct technique, did your homework but your shots still looks horribly wrong and damn it is very frustrating.

Dont blame yourself as even top world class player be it Lin Dan or Datuk Lee Chong Wei or Roger Federer or Lionel Messi goes at certain point of their career such situation. There are numerous factors that can contribute to such situation varying from the physicality aspects i.e fatigue, mentality i. e personal problems etc.

It is the upmost important aspect that if you're going to learn badminton be it with your coach or friend, your heart and mind is also well prepared so that you can have the full concentration and focus to learn it properly. As important it is such as to learn how to grip your racket correctly, having a correct grip will be no good If you look depressingly tired while playing. Acess yourself, be well prepared, sort out any issue that can affect your learning concentration if possible and have enough rest.


SS
 
Important for beginner as well: find the balance between having fun and be ready to commit to training! I have seen people getting frustrated and depressed all the time from training. Remind yourself of why you started training in the first place.
A cent for you: the more you understand the game, the more fun and challenging it becomes. It’s like a growing loving relationship. It is great!
 
Elaborating more what was well said here

Phase 1

Understand the theory and application

How to move properly around the court (correct footwork) + correct basic techniques (grips etc) + how to perform correctly all the basic shots (smash, dropshot etc) + fitness exercise (jogging, skipping etc)

Your main objective at this phase - can confidently understand and perform all the above CORRECTLY.

If you already able to achieve this then the next step is to practice to improve more all the quality there are in how you play

Phase 2

Improving the quality of your gameplay

You cannot improve the quality of any of your style of play if you still cannot master CORRECTLY phase 1. For an example, how can you execute a tight net play if your still can't execute a basic netplay.

At this phase

Improve the quality of your footwork
- reaction time and stability
- speed of movement
- speed of recovery
- balance

Improve the quality of your shots
- validity
- accuracy
- power
- deception

Learn to control emotions and mental
Learn peripheral vision
Improve cardiorespiratory endurance
Improve musculoskeletal strength and endurance

At this phase, high level of commitment, discipline and physical endurance required. Involved possibly as much competition or games for self evaluation. As your gameplay improved then in the next phase it's just to further fine tune your style of play

Phase 3

Dedicated training to further fine tuning your style of play.

Footwork
- faster reaction time and court coveage agility
- better reaction stability and movement balance

Quality of your shots
- 100% validity
- 100% accuracy
- improved power
- more deceptive

Stronger mentality and character
Excellent eye coordination and peripheral vision
Better physical fitness and endurance


Understanding the above phases, you can see that is why it is very vital to grasp first all the essence of learning the basic before moving forward if you want to be a better player. That's why this thread was written at the first place. No point to focus on difficult shots if even your basic shot is not executed correctly or mostly end up stuck in the net. Patient plays a critical part also in your quest to learn.

SS
 
shooting stroke said:
Elaborating more what was well said here

Phase 1

Understand the theory and application

How to move properly around the court (correct footwork) + correct basic techniques (grips etc) + how to perform correctly all the basic shots (smash, dropshot etc) + fitness exercise (jogging, skipping etc)

Your main objective at this phase - can confidently understand and perform all the above CORRECTLY.

If you already able to achieve this then the next step is to practice to improve more all the quality there are in how you play

Phase 2

Improving the quality of your gameplay

You cannot improve the quality of any of your style of play if you still cannot master CORRECTLY phase 1. For an example, how can you execute a tight net play if your still can't execute a basic netplay.

At this phase

Improve the quality of your footwork
- reaction time and stability
- speed of movement
- speed of recovery
- balance

Improve the quality of your shots
- validity
- accuracy
- power
- deception

Learn to control emotions and mental
Learn peripheral vision
Improve cardiorespiratory endurance
Improve musculoskeletal strength and endurance

At this phase, high level of commitment, discipline and physical endurance required. Involved possibly as much competition or games for self evaluation. As your gameplay improved then in the next phase it's just to further fine tune your style of play

Phase 3

Dedicated training to further fine tuning your style of play.

Footwork
- faster reaction time and court coveage agility
- better reaction stability and movement balance

Quality of your shots
- 100% validity
- 100% accuracy
- improved power
- more deceptive

Stronger mentality and character
Excellent eye coordination and peripheral vision
Better physical fitness and endurance


Understanding the above phases, you can see that is why it is very vital to grasp first all the essence of learning the basic before moving forward if you want to be a better player. That's why this thread was written at the first place. No point to focus on difficult shots if even your basic shot is not executed correctly or mostly end up stuck in the net. Patient plays a critical part also in your quest to learn.

SS
Click to expand...

Hello SS,

Since you are a coach, may i ask you about double play.

My friend told me single and double plays differently.

My questions for double play:
Serving - low forehand or high serve, which is actually better?
footstep, for low serve - master leg in front.
High serve, master leg behind to support the posture.

Receiving
Footstep,
both legs, slightly bend in parallel.
or master leg behind, in order to sprint front or rear.

is this correct?
 
kurty said:
Hello SS,

Since you are a coach, may i ask you about double play.

My friend told me single and double plays differently.

My questions for double play:
Serving - low forehand or high serve, which is actually better?
footstep, for low serve - master leg in front.
High serve, master leg behind to support the posture.

Receiving
Footstep,
both legs, slightly bend in parallel.
or master leg behind, in order to sprint front or rear.

is this correct?
Click to expand...

Hi

Single and doubles plays differently mainly in the aspect of strategy and certain type of shots selection. Practical applications as far as for techniques and footwork is still the same.

As far as when you want to serve in doubles, there are no type of serves that is much better than the others. If you can execute a high serve that create more problems than your low serve than a high serve is better similarly vice versa. Importantly, .mastering both a very good low and high serve is very important so that you can have a wider option of what type of serves you can used esp to adapt against players that can reply serves well.
In theory, why players adapt more into low serves because it reduces chances for the opponent to mount an attack if executed well. Having said this, players also sometimes use a high serve to deceive opponents into thinking he is going to do a low serve... A flick serve.

About the preparation, your racket leg should be in front while preparing your serve and racket leg at the back while preparing to receive the serve
 
bighook said:
Totally agree with everything on this thread.You have to learn to walk before you can run.Technique and form are critical to the game .

The proper grip is what most if not all good technique helps to facilitate.
Good stroke technique allows for power,deception and energy conservation which allows you to play with fitness on your side.An aspect of grip which many fail to realize is that the proper grip utilizes proper body positioning as well as gives feel to proper execution of the shots accelerating the learning process.

Good footwork along with racquet preparation allows you to move and take the shuttle earlier and this allows for a greater variety of shots available to hit from any position.

Fitness allows you to hold your form longer and recover faster .The more badminton specific the better.

I personally think involvement of a good coach is critical to success and enhances the overall enjoyment of all this sport has to offer.Mastery of the basics is critical to further skill enhancement and a skilled set of eyes and guidance of a coach is the quickest way.The trial and error approach which many use often leads to bad habits which later hinder you as they become more reflex than if you learned the proper technique from an early stage.I know this unfortunately from my own personal experience.

The extra money which many spend on the latest and greatest racquet would be far better spent on a good coach.I personally think one can't appreciate what a good racquet can do until one can perform all the basics with proper technique.The only thing I think that is necessary for a good racquet is that it have a graphite head and shaft and it need not cost $300.

Trick shots are an enticement that many aspire to be able to do and when they work its great. What many don't realize is that until the all the basic shots and footwork are mastered the time and effort expended is wasted as you will never get a chance to use them.Trick shots require early retrieval and shot delay which can only occur with experience and speedy footwork.Beginners often execute these shots late and lose the element of surprise and because of faulty footwork can't reply when the shot is returned.

Excellent post Kwun.Alot of newbies need to remember this stuff .
Click to expand...

Man. 13 years later, you've helped a newbie to badminton. Thank you :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top