This just popped into my head. At what age do you guys think that being introduced to badminton will give the most impression on a youngster. If there is any consensus, maybe we will start targetting individuals of certain age groups for badminton exposure amongst friends and relatives That way, we could increase the popularity of badminton
It seems a lot of top players started training at 7-8 years old. but for non-professional players I think it may be too early as children may not build up their muscle yet at that age. My girl started play at 8, her workfoot looks smooth, but she still can't manage to hit the shuttle hardly after 8 months once-a-week training. I think she is still not strong enough now. I think if boys start from 10 and girls start from 12 would be better as they become stronger and with better hand to eye cooridination. what do you think?
Not for training! I mean just actually seeing the game played. Picking up the racquet trying the hit the shuttle. No formalised training.
Children who seem to enjoy the game when they first start out are probably in the 8-12yr old range. When they see more advance players play the game, there is always that 'wow' factor, and inspires those 8-12yr olds to improve or stay in the sport. Any older (as a 13yr old), they may feel/become frustrated and most probably lose interest if they find that they don't manage to put racket to shuttle continually. Also, I believe as they turn 13, they will become more exposed to other sports and therefore test out other sporting experiences and decide which one would more likely be 'fun' (or 'easier' to play for that matter).
I personally believe that a person should start training at about 12 years' old. If they start too early, they end up losing the interest in badminton sooner. And this have been reflected in many cases I have seen. For instance, my senior who started training as young as 9. He was a great player but he lost the interest when he was 15. I also think that kids should not start playing the game at a young age. Because they have hardly grown any muscles and they end up missing the shuttles.
If they show an interest the younger the better , I am always on the look out for 7, 8, and 9 year olds, I take a class of 7/8 years old at school for fun badminton and if I find any that have the co-ordination that I think they need I then take them into a county squad that I train for that age group, I have an 8 year old girl that can consistantly clear from her baseline to nearly baseline in her opponants court, no she isn't big for her age actually she is quite small but has good timing. If you leave it until they are 11/12 they will have already been influenced by other sports, football, cricket, tennis, swimming and netball for the girls. Think back to your own childhood, praise at being good at something at an early age can influence you greatly. I realise Cheung is simply talking about being introduced to badminton, that can be by watching your parents or siblings playing but better still if you can get them to simply have fun hitting shuttles before they get influenced by the better publicised sports.
hey guys i blieve dat starting at bout 7 would be okay. wen u guys say dat starting early isnt a gud idea cuz the kids havent developed enuff muscle isnt entirely true, i have seen really small kids( and i mean really small, like twig size) and they can clear prity far aswell.
The "wow factor" story In Poland an exhibition badminton event was organized a couple of weeks ago. The event was carried in the in the giant atrium of the full packed shop center. During this best players were playing, there were contests for spectators, etc. But what was the most amazing moment that attracted a lot of spectators was the match between a former player aged 81 and a small boy aged 5. That little boy was so short that it could almost walk under the net without touching it. The boy was able to play clears (of course not whole court long) and he was using a slightly shorter racket. I remember that boy around year and half ago (he should be around four that time) playing with the use of racket that look like ping-pong racket. There was only head and handle without any shaft. That was really impressive and the "wow factor" was really big. That little boy is so keen to play that his father must stop him from asking everyone around to knock up with him. Regards dzgdz
how about 15??? is that too old to start? i have just joined a badminton club last week because i know nothing about technique (i only enjoy watching it )but actually i started playing at 10
