Free coaching and practice, in Surrey UK

**Gollum** · 12-16-2005, 08:24 AM

I am offering free coaching in Surrey, UK. All interested players please join the discussion in this thread, but first read the details and conditions below.

Why offer free coaching?

Because I want something in return. I want practice partners.

Here's the deal: you practice with me, and you get the benefit of my coaching. The sessions will not be dedicated to you, however. They will be dedicated equally to both (or all) of us.

My aim is to improve my badminton. At the same time, I hope I can help you improve yours. I have a wealth of technical understanding, but I don't get many opportunities to practise. Therefore my skills are not the equal of my knowledge.

Although the sessions will not be dedicated exclusively to you, I will of course observe your game and, drawing on my coaching knowledge, I will devise practice routines to help you overcome your weaknesses. We can then include these routines in the practice session.

We will help each other to improve

Details

Likely venues: Epsom, Dorking, Redhill, or Reigate.

Number of people: one is enough, but more are welcome.

Skill level required: moderate. You could be a stronger or weaker player than me. All I require is that you have a decent set of basic skills. For example, you need to be able to perform a full-length forehand overhead clear. You need to be able to feed shuttles with reasonable consistency to different parts of the court.

It doesn't matter if you have lots of weaknesses. So do I; if we didn't have weaknesses, we would not need to practise.

Frequency: negotiable; ideally once a week.

Day and time: depends on what is convenient for you. I am quite flexible, by nature of my occupation.

Shuttles: top quality feathers.

Expenses: we will share court and shuttle costs equally. For at least some sessions, I may be able to obtain free courts.

Who am I?

My name is Mike Hopley. I am a Badminton England coach (level 2). I am the badminton coach at Reigate Grammar School.

Around here, I'm probably most well known for writing the BC badminton grips guide.

I play at Ebbisham badminton club in Epsom in the B section. It's a reasonably strong standard of play, but nothing extraordinary. I don't currently play matches (by choice); previously I played in the Oxford and District League, division 2 or 3 (can't recall).

Issues about the coaching

Normally, I would not coach players who are close to my own skill level. This is because, ideally, you should get coaching from someone with a much higher level of skill than your own.

So, for the best coaching, you might choose a county or national coach. But they are not so easy to find, and they will charge you money.

I'm right here in Surrey, and I won't charge you anything. All I ask is that we practise together. You can always see a higher standard coach in addition (I don't demand exclusivity

).

Finally

Come on, there must be someone living locally who wants to practise! Don't be shy; ask any questions you like.

Don't forget: practice is better than games or matches. Practice is what makes you improve.

**Gollum** · 12-16-2005, 09:46 AM

(Oops, looks like I posted this in the wrong forum. Apologies to the long-suffering mods!)

**DinkAlot** · 12-16-2005, 10:43 AM

Nice and generous offer Mike.

If I were in the Surrey area, I'd take you up on it.

I can always use more practice.

**Break-My-String** · 12-16-2005, 06:09 PM

WOW, I got real excited until I saw Surrey UK, I thought it was Surrey BC

.

Great offer Gollum!

Cheers!

**Gollum** · 12-17-2005, 04:54 AM

Damn, would have been a pleasure to practise with you guys

I hope someone local (to me) reads these forums!

**Azwok** · 12-17-2005, 04:31 PM

Aww tis a shame,

I live in surrey but a good hour from epsom college by car, im up their quite often for tourny's though.

**Gollum** · 12-18-2005, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by Azwok

Aww tis a shame,

I live in surrey but a good hour from epsom college by car, im up their quite often for tourny's though.

Hmm, we might be able to meet in the middle, depending on where you live. Optimally, it would be a 30 minute drive each way for each of us.

For me, 30 minutes is about the maximum I'd be prepared to travel.

Alternatively, depending on your tournament schedule, we could arrange a practice session when you're in Epsom.

I'll PM you for details.

**alansd** · 12-20-2005, 04:45 AM

Hi gollum,
If the offers still open I am very interested in taking you up in the offer. I work in sutton/belmont and as a bonus have virtually free access to a court. It's not in perfect shape but I think its being resurfaced after xmas.
I play at wimbledon b+ at the moment and play in surrey division 3.
Think this might be a possibility?
Alan

**Gollum** · 12-20-2005, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by alansd

Hi gollum,
If the offers still open I am very interested in taking you up in the offer. I work in sutton/belmont and as a bonus have virtually free access to a court. It's not in perfect shape but I think its being resurfaced after xmas.
I play at wimbledon b+ at the moment and play in surrey division 3.
Think this might be a possibility?
Alan

Sounds excellent. I'll be in touch via PM.

And for everyone else -- the offer is still open until I say it's closed! At the moment I see no reason to limit the number of people involved.

**davestar82** · 12-22-2005, 12:19 PM

Hi Mike,

I am also very interested in your offer. Im always looking for practice partners and new people to hit with and am keen to improve my game as much as possible. I play at Dorking BC, not sure with division - possibly 3/4? Id say my game was reasonable but i know there is plenty of room for improvement. Could you send me some details? Cheers,

Dave

**alansd** · 12-22-2005, 07:12 PM

Dave,
Dont know if mike has been in touch but I think that a third would be excellent, lots of scope for tough work 2 v 1 with some rest time also some fast multi shuttle stuff not possible with just 2. if mike has been in touch then cool, if not pm me for a chat.
A

**Gollum** · 12-23-2005, 10:19 AM

Three would be good; four would be better! Let's see if we can get a fourth person too!

Only danger with three is that, for many practices, one person will be left out.
Typical basic practices involve one hitter and one feeder, or two hitters rallying. Of course, with a bit of thought, we can make many practices accommodate three, and some even require three!

In fact, I'm already thinking of ways to modify practices for three

With three people, you start to do some doubles positioning practice too, which is impossible with two.

Finally, I think having three+ people will make the sessions much more fun; we can learn from each other and the sessions will be more lively.

I'll PM you details of our current thoughts on times and venues, etc.

Cheers!

**Dreamzz** · 01-06-2006, 08:49 AM

Gollum,

I live in Putney, and would like to join one of your sessions. Problem is, I don't have a car and it'd cost me quite a bit just to get to say Epsom and back. Any suggestions? Maybe I can meet Alansd in wimbledon and hitch a ride!

**Gollum** · 01-09-2006, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by Dreamzz

Gollum,

I live in Putney, and would like to join one of your sessions. Problem is, I don't have a car and it'd cost me quite a bit just to get to say Epsom and back. Any suggestions? Maybe I can meet Alansd in wimbledon and hitch a ride!

Just noticed this post; have sent you a PM.

**alansd** · 01-09-2006, 05:54 AM

Sorry but I dont drive and also I work in sutton where we train so its not really practical, I can give you directions on how to get here on public transport. Its about 15 mins on the train and a couple of minutes on a bus from wimbledon so it would be up to you
A