best way to improve your game, not racket, nor your smash.....

**david14700** · 09-08-2004, 05:26 AM

I read somewhere (maybe on this forum) that there are Chinese junior teams where the kids don't actually pick up a racket for two years. They start at 7 or 8 and only do footwork and physical conditioning until they're 9 or 10.

These kids must have amazing footwork - it must be truly second nature to them. Hhhmmm, I think I'm jealous

**megabites** · 09-08-2004, 08:50 AM

Err.. Sorry but what's footwork and how do I practice it? Very keen in it as well as improving my skills.. So do u mind explaining footwork?

**Neil Nicholls** · 09-08-2004, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by megabites

what's footwork and how do I practice it?

How to move. By doing it (properly).

Do an advanced search.
Search for posts with "footwork" in the titles and you'll find lots of stuff

**GiGaChip** · 09-08-2004, 05:31 PM

Say, I don't have a place (it takes a while to go to the clubs and I dont have that time or resource to get there) or a wooden floor to practice footwork. Would it be ok to practice footwork on some other surface (say i somehow measured a court sized area and began to do footwork)? I know the feeling and resistance isn't the same, but maybe something like a cement floor or something...?

***Cheung*** · 09-08-2004, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by GiGaChip

Say, I don't have a place (it takes a while to go to the clubs and I dont have that time or resource to get there) or a wooden floor to practice footwork. Would it be ok to practice footwork on some other surface (say i somehow measured a court sized area and began to do footwork)? I know the feeling and resistance isn't the same, but maybe something like a cement floor or something...?

Go ahead! Badminton is played on many types of surfaces depending on the facility. Not all floors are wood.

**chibe_K** · 09-10-2004, 02:16 PM

Strongly agree footwork is one of the basic skills one needs to master, but my coach keeps telling me it is not important in playing doubles

So, I cannot make him teach me proper footwork...well I asked few times but he never done it.
So, I have to learn from experts in this forum. I heard things about footwork like "scissor" or "split", what does it mean ? Can someone please explain to me ?

Thanks.

**MP_User** · 09-10-2004, 07:54 PM

I completely agree that foot work is important, but where you position yourself after you take your shot is important too. In order to do so, you have to be able to somewhat predict your opponent's shot, which can only be done through experience. The combination of right positions on the court and perfect footwork will lead to more labour for your opponent(s), and a better chance of winning. (Although this concerns singles more than doubles)

**marshall** · 09-12-2004, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by kwun

thanks redkingjoe for reviving this old thread. while i have less and less time to play badminton nowadays, i still believe the same thing, ie. footwork is most important. i notice when i play less and less, it is usually the footwork that deteriorate the fastest. it takes quite a lot of effort to regain the movement around the court.

A friend from Nanjing always does about 15-20 minutes of footwork drills after everybody else has left for the day. This after he has been playing for 2 or 3 hours. I recognize the advantages of this kind of drill, and even the benefits of doing it when you're tired to increase your overall stamina. I try to follow his example, but so far haven't sustained the program for more than a few consecutive times ( the group I play with meets Friday Saturday Sunday). Laziness is a big obstacle for me. Guess I should develop my characted more.

**Cubanpuckstoppr** · 09-14-2004, 11:45 AM

Here is a link to some agility ladder drills that I would do to develop overall athleticism, see if you think they would help footspeed.

http://www.pacifictigers.com/Athleti...drillsweb2.htm

You don't need to buy an expensive ladder, it can be as simple as tape or chalk on a floor or driveway.

**Bobatea** · 09-16-2004, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by chibe_K

Strongly agree footwork is one of the basic skills one needs to master, but my coach keeps telling me it is not important in playing doubles

So, I cannot make him teach me proper footwork...well I asked few times but he never done it.
So, I have to learn from experts in this forum. I heard things about footwork like "scissor" or "split", what does it mean ? Can someone please explain to me ?

Thanks.

I would have to disagree with your coach. Footwork is important in doubles. It may not be as important as singles (because you're covering the court on your own), but it really does help you get in position for returning and executing shots and you will notice an improvement.
I don't know what the 'scissor' or 'split' means. I should probably search the forum and get into context. The only thing I can think of at the moment is the 'split step'. You probably already know this, but just in case I'll explain it a little. The 'split step' is used in almost every racquet sport. It's basically a little hop right before your opponent hits the bird (in the case of badminton). Your feet are generally at shoulder width or a little wider and standing at your ready position. What it does is prep your muscles to be able to react to the shot. This pretty much balances you and keeps you from moving before the shot is actually executed.

MP User: I agree that where you're positioned to receieve the shot is important. But it doesn't really require the skill to correctly read an opponent's shot (although that really does help a lot. Cuts down on your work physically and mentally

). Footwork is what will really overcome this weakness. If you're having issues reading a persons shot and getting there in time, just work on footwork more.

***kwun*** · 09-16-2004, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by chibe_K

Strongly agree footwork is one of the basic skills one needs to master, but my coach keeps telling me it is not important in playing doubles

So, I cannot make him teach me proper footwork...well I asked few times but he never done it.

fire your coach!

footwork is just as important in doubles as in singles.

**Bobatea** · 09-16-2004, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by kwun

fire your coach!

footwork is just as important in doubles as in singles.

Yes, fire the coach

. I can't believe he actually said that...

**mnanchala** · 09-16-2004, 05:39 PM

there is a saying. to play good doubles, you need singles footwork.

**confuzzledfreak** · 10-13-2004, 11:26 AM

i totally agree with this.....recently my strokes have been getting better, but definatly not my consistancy, ive decided it is due to my footwork, as I am so lazy

(and always caught flat-footed)

**confuzzledfreak** · 10-13-2004, 06:07 PM

btw, it is ideal to have to move for every shot, right?

**Robbo77** · 10-15-2004, 11:30 AM

I am also quite lazy as can rely on my reach, being fairly tall and flexible, so my footwork becomes slow and I stretch for the shot instead.

Though I run 6km a week, which helps build stamina, I find it did nothing for my court speed. I then took up skipping, and found like a boxer, it helps me get 'light' on my feet and easier to stay on my toes rather than get 'stuck' after hitting an awkward shot or return under pressure. So my tip for people who find their footwork is slow, but don't really want to do all the drills and feel a bit dumb doing footwork practice, I find this helps a bit too.

**viver** · 10-16-2004, 02:56 AM

In my opinion, racquet strokes are as important as footwork. To position yourself properly you have to move in a speedy and coordinated way. When in position you need good racquet skills to strike the shuttle to achieve the maximum effect. However in a match situation where both players are very tired, I believe the player with better footwork has the edge and bigger chance to win.

But what you consider as good footwork? What do look in a player and say he/she has good footwork? Is it the smoothness (i.e. Hoyer-Larsen, Yang Yang), speed/athleticism (i.e. Zhao Jianhua), more strenght-based (i.e. Xia Xuanzi), leg speed (i.e. Gong Zhichao), etc. Anybody care to provide some insights?