Hi all. Have you ever experienced this--you've improved your game yet the better players at your club still avoid letting you join their set? This article, which I originally wrote for Inquirer Badminton, is for you. Enjoy: Class A Snobbery By Vip Malixi So you've been playing for some time now and are thinking of "moving up." You've engaged the former national number one to train you, not to mention the former number two, the former coach of the former number three, Mr. Miyage, Obi Wan and Yoda. You've done plyometrics and also spent four months at a Shaolin Temple thus you feel you've graduated to "the next level." Problem is, to get really better, you need to play with more challenging opponents. Whenever you invite the "elite" bunch at your club though, they react by looking at you up and down as if they were seeing an ant that suddenly learned to talk, then they give excuses like, "Oh, sorry, but I have my period (even though they're a guy)", or "Sorry, but I'm dead tired, and I have a torn meniscus and ACL," and then as if by some miraculous jolt of Lipovitan and microsurgery they athletically bound off their seat when invited by their peers. So what can you do other than crafting a voodoo doll from the threads of their towel grip? First, you have to know the motivation behind their "class A snobbery." These players have seen you rise from the primordial soup of beginnersville and feel they won't even work up a sweat playing with you. They haven't observed your progress from always missing to super smashing so they think you're still the same person with the same slow footwork, nonexistent court sense and laughable attacking game. They don't realize you've improved since then. Understanding this is the key: since they've already formed an image of you, you have to break that image. So if your court costume has been mainly running shorts that look like adult diapers, it's time to invest in some mid-length ones. The point is looking different so they think you also play different. So disappear for a week or two and come back with a new look. If you're a guy, maybe grow a beard, if you're a girl, maybe grow armpit hair, what's important is to make the Class A snobs stop and think: "Hey, who is this new guy/girl?" Next, start rumors about yourself. Have your friends start gossiping that you won in a tournament and beat so and so, etc. This'll pique their curiosity and they'll be tricked into giving you a chance. Third, bribery: offer them discounts on cell phones, treat them to delicious snacks you just happen to have with you when they're around. Have them date your kid sister or brother who's a Viva Hot Babe (maybe your brother had an "operation"). But what if you've done all you can and they still won't give you a chance? Well, try playing somewhere else where people don't know you. There are so many courts now that you can find people who, since they've never played with you before, will grade you based on your current ability instead of past reputation. Join tournaments and have yourself classed at one level up so you get to play with people who'll bring out the best in you. Tell your trainer that he won't get paid unless he gives you no mercy during your practice games (or give him extra if he plays for real). Then after you've stepped up your game, the people who used to avoid playing you will start to notice your improvement (no thanks to them) and may actually agree to take you on now and then. Before you know it: ta da da dum! You've broken through the Class A snobbery barrier! And of course the first thing you'll do is to repeat the cycle and start turning down requests from players you consider "beneath" you, heh heh. P.S. you can get hold of one of the best books on badminton "Advanced Badminton Techniques" (detailed, easy-to-understand instructions, lots of pictures/diagrams, explaining all the strokes) at http://instructoons.com/book/
For me, at SGVBC it was exactly the opposite. As I started improving, the top players there asked me to join them to play. I didn't need to ask, they took the initiative and came to me. So I think they are nice people. However, it could be for some other reasons: 1) They wanted an easy game. 2) They want me to play in their Pot and "donate". 3) They need a whipping boy. Regardless, my experience has been the opposite but I can relate to what you are saying Vip.
Well, I think you are very unfortunate that there are selfish badminton players like the ones you describe in your article playing in your club, and if you want to play with them, you had to buy flashier gear, start a rumour or bribe them etc.. I hope it was just some exaggerated humour for your article. All badminton players must know that even if you are a professional, there will always be people better than you are, unless you are world class where any given good day you feel you can beat anyone even if you are not ranked one. I would like to think that although people will like to play competitive matches, they would also give lesser players a chance to play with them. I mean, which good/excellant player today have not played with a even better player to get to the level they? If you are good and have improved to the level of the above said CLASS A or even better, I am sure that they will want to play with you as it is always interesting to play a new good player. Don't do those things that you suggested in the article (like buy new gear, start rumour or bribery) as if they think you are a looser or no good, those things will mere reinforce the prejuduce against you, particularly if you get to nervous and lost narrowly. Good luck.
That's a bit dramatic. I know for instance, international players at my club didn't mind playing with me when I was at County level, however I wouldn't push it on them for a whole session. A game here and there is OK, but anyone is going to get frustrated if they play down a level the whole time.
Oh and I would say the solution is easier. Walk up to them and ask to play, tell them that your level is improving and you'd appreciate a game here or there. Just be polite and non-threatening, and I don't see how they can say no. However, if you are way outclassed when you play with them, accept it.
Where I play, there are some people like that. It's just like.. social ranks. I just joined my new club. I'm not a very good player, nor am I bad. So I'm the middle guy. They dont talk to me. They just give me strange looks. It's called snobbery. They have like Yonex clothing, and stuff. I use my adidas track-suit pants, and a t-shirt. I look like a hobo, but it's more comfy though. I'm not rich either, but they are.
your case is unique tho. Since most badminton players cant beat u in a back alley brawl, eating contest, weight lifting, arm wrestle, etc., beating u in badminton give them extra satisfaction since they couldnt do that in any other situation. Ie, beating u in badminton make their days lol
Dang it Cooler, since you put it that way. Come to think of it, this one guy challenged me to an arm wrestling contest (as a joke), he didn't win and he couldn't believe it... ...he used both hands.
Why would anybody even want to play with snobs? If one really wants to challenge himself, he has to play in tournaments. If you have already invested time and money in coaching and training, why not put them to good use. I won't consider beating your local club's A**-holes pushing yourself. Only way to get exposure to the best players in your region would be to play in tournaments. If your local snobs happen to be the best players, well... I guess they would be forced to play against you.
Summing Up/Exagerration I basically summed up and exagerrated the experiences of various players who were snubbed at their clubs to create something funny yet hits at the truth. vip
I'll never forget what happened to my friend back in 2002. My friend (her name is Arlene, she's now in The Netherlands) waited for over an hour for her badminton quorum to arrive in Club Filipino (a local club in Metro Manila). And I guess no one else wanted to play with her because she was a newbie. By chance I passed-by and when she saw me, she told me about how she'd been waiting for over an hour to play. Another friend of mine, Martin, overheard her complaining to me, and on his own initiative he invited Arlene (a 2-month newbie) to play with him. Arlene even asked Martin how she should play. Martin told her to "just play your game". Arlene told me afterwards that THAT match (2 games) was the best match she ever played and the most fun she ever had on the court (of course they won both games). Martin never even gave her any unsolicited advice. That happened back in 2002. Last 2005, Martin Araneta became the Head Coach of our country's National Badminton Team. He was our country's best doubles player and #2 singles player back in the 90's. p.s. based on our experience, the really really really good ones are willing to play with anyone (newbie or Open Class). The "snobs" are those who feel that they still have something to prove and are not yet really that good.
I think a story always have 2 sides. Sure, some "so-call elite" players look down to any others, and tend to stick among themselves, and even could be mean to the lesser skillful players from time to time. However, I also notices there are the other kinda people, who always tend to follow the elite group, even their own skills are no where near. To me, I think going to play with elite player is more like they are doing me a favor. They are playing the " nice big bro", and sacrifice their own time to take care me. I truly thankful for their effort. If they kindly reject my request (i.e. needs to prepare for the up coming tourny), I won't feel anything. It's me "beg" for their help, they have every right to agree or simply reject. Of course, I won't have a big sunny smile after being turned down, but I understand. However, I noticed some people are way "over demanding". After they get a good game with elites players, they just keep coming back for more, and kinda annoying sometimes. In a rather crowded gym, ppl need to wait for quite a while to get a game. 1 or 2 easy games with newbies, most ppl won't really complain. But if 3-4 consecutives ones with ppl way below your skill (and they give u mean attitude as you own them), could be very frustrating. And I know some rather nice person being labeled "a**" simply because s/he turned down some "unlimited requests", which is not fair at all. So, I would think twice, before label anyone, especially if I don';t know the complete story.
Hmmm... i hea so much people complaining about people that are snobs . Here at our club (im Dutch by the way) everyone plays with everyone (though competition players are separated from recreative players. I joined the highest group like 4/5 months ago, and everyone is always making fun with eachother, and nobody makes trouble when they have to train/play matches against people that are worse than they are. I guess its just the way the club is. Ours is very social and very close together (also out of the club, going on holidays and going out together) with a mixture of Competetance, everyone has fun playing against everyone.... People from our 1st team dont bother playing me, though i just joined the highest training group. As they know i have fun playing, and they like that to. Its also a matter of loving the game i think, I always love to play against noobs in one condition: of they are willing to go for it and like to play to. I guess its essential that you like the game. People who reject worse players than themselves more like the winning and especially their own development, they more care about how THEY play than the game badminton as an overal. If you love the game, it doesnt matter who you play. just play, and have fun! right?
indeed .... i dont really care how good i am... im a good player i think but that doesnt really matter much to me (but yes, i always DO want to improve to get the best out of me)...... but there is simply nothing better than playing a nice piece of badminton with your friends/clubmembers and have fun at the same time
Well, at the club that I play, everyone plays with everyone, we have advance players(30-40 yr olds) playing with 60-70 yr olds or they would play with beginners like teenagers. However, one difference is, like what LazyBuddy said, these beginners do not request to play with advance players all the time. And when advance players play with beginners, the teams are usually teamed up equally i.e. advance/beginner against advance/beginner. When the advance player feels like playing a tough shot like smashing, he/she would smash at the other better player. And they would try to keep the play longer by giving beginners a chance to practise their shots. Remember, it's not that better players are giving up points, they still play to win, but it will be harder to win because, you as the better player are trying to "teach" these beginners while trying to win and of course most of all, enjoy the game. Being the better player at this club myself, I have lost many games. But I had fun, and it taught me how to play different shots or most of all expect the unexpected like getting those shots that are dinked Besides, athe the last 30 min of play, usually we have time to select teams that are just better players. To be honeset, out of all the clubs/ community centers I've been too, this is the one I enjoy most. Tose as better players, need to give beginners the experience. Again like what Lazyuddy said, not 100% but at least some percentage. As to what percentage that is, that's up to the better players themselves. bchaiyow
I just broke that barrier about 2 months ago. Generous donation of feather shuttle cocks work the best. Although now I feel like an outcast again since their numbers are always even thesedays...
