Through badmintoncentral, I found groups to join and enjoyed playing with them. In general, there are few things that I observed in social groups. Firstly, the rating of skill level in social groups is very subjective. Everyone has their own definition of the skill level. For example in group A, a player is rated as intermediate but when he is in group B, he is rated as advanced player. Another example: A player who does not meet the requirement of high intermediate but rates himself as high intermediate I believe this is very common in many social groups. Players often rate themselves incorrectly or inaccurately. If their peers believe that they are at that level, they will rate themselves that level. In the future, they will rate other people according to that gauge. I’ve seen rating tables on badmintoncentral before but how many groups actually accurately follow the table? Secondly, one of the things that you may encounter in social groups will be the change of shuttles after every game even when the shuttle is still usable. However, organizers who fixed a price for their games often make losses if the players use too much shuttles. Often but not always, players tend to not come at the last minute due to personal or urgent matters. In these cases, organizers often tend to absorb these losses. When new racquets are out in the market, some players will always be the first to get their hands on the new racquet. In social groups, I have seen players of all skills levels getting their hands on the latest racquets. A good thing about joining social groups is that you can get to try on new racquets. =D I find that some players tend to go for the latest racquet on the market.Though respecting their choice and rights,they seem to forget that their technique is one of the most important aspect in the game of badminton. No doubt a better racquet will improve your speed, power and defense but is the racquet that really matters most ? Lastly, I would like to thank the administrator who had set up this forum. This is a good place to connect badminton enthusiasts from all around the world. These are just what I observed in social groups. No offense to anyone. =D This topic is open for discussion. Tell everyone what you observed in your social games!
Social badminton is just that... social. I understand where you're coming from in terms of the ranking but everything is relative. In social badminton, if you're one of the top players at the club and never plan on playing anywhere else then you'd be ranked at high intermediate or advanced. Yes, this is subjective but realistically it doesn't hurt anyone. I will use myself as an example here, I was a college player, about middle of the field, in provincial mens open I was also about a mid level B player. In my club I'm in the top 3 players and I know I'm only playing 70% or so of when I was competing. So when I was in college and competing mens open I'd say that I was intermediate (still rank myself this way), but most of the guys at my club think of me as advanced. As for rackets, they are also used as status symbols. Having the latest and greatest is like owning high end cars, clothes, jewelry... etc. Others just like to try out the best without worrying about damaging someone elses stuff. Me? I just like collecting stuff...
Many players do not understand the costs involved in organising Social Badminton . Hi smashfun, This is a good discussion for us at BadmintonCentral. * Firstly, the rating of skill level in social groups is very subjective I am an organiser for Badminton sessions here in Melbourne, Australia. And I understand what you are trying to say and/or to generate a discussion here at BC. To me, Social Badminton is for all players to come and to enjoy playing Badminton together, regardless of their skill levels. Sometimes, it puzzles me as to why some groups here at BC insist that players are required to be higher skill levels in order to participate in their sessions. BadmintonCentral is set up for all Badminton players; so why do we need segregations here? * Secondly, one of the things that you may encounter in social groups will be the change of shuttles after every game even when the shuttle is still usable Yes, this is very true. Many players do not understand the costs involved in organising Social Badminton sessions. There are courts hire and shuttlecocks usage costs involved. When our club, CCC Badminton, decided to adopt the new scoring system (21 Rally-Point Scoring System), our usage/cost of shuttles have doubled. I always remind all our players to continue using the good shuttle (from the previous game) to start of their new game. But not many players understand the costs involved. * Lastly, I would like to thank the administrator who had set up this forum You don't know how lucky we are to have BadmintonCentral. Our CCC Badminton Club received so many visitors from all around the world. It is because we have this BadmintonCentral forum. Cheers... chris-ccc .
Finally found someone who understands me I think i posted this discussion on the wrong section of the forum. I guess there isnt much traffic on the general forum. I feel the same way too but some groups in singapore feels that lower level players will "spoil" their game or slow their game pace down. Personally, i feel that we should let the beginners have a chance to play with better players to gain experience and to learn something from them. Nobody start out as great players, everyone will have to train hard to get better. I hope there will be more people looking and discussing in this thread. After all,this is what forum is all about!
Calculate the court fees after the session itself, after counting the shuttles used . If the group of players playing is smaller (say, around 8), then this method is OK to implement. But if the group of players is bigger (say, around 25), then this method will be troublesome to implement. And if the group of players is around 50, then this method will be almost impossible to implement. .
How about getting players to pay for the shuttles they use. So everytime you give out a shuttle, the 4 players share the cost. The more shuttles you use, the more you pay. I think that's fair.
Great idea you have. Pay as you use. haha! Presently, i think no or few groups is using your method of payment. Most of them have a fixed price for 1 session like i mentioned before. Keep the discussion going and share with everyone your personal experience when playing in social groups or clubs!
Back in the late 70's, (showing my age here now ) we use to adapt this pay as you use and it makes the game more exciting when the loser has to pay for the shuttle. With regard to enjoying the game, i think i would enjoy my game more when there are good rallies and i give my 100%. I dislike playing against someone who, for some reason thinks he's better than everyone else, doesn't put in any effort in making the game enjoyable.
Better off organising a private group of players . Then this someone is not suitable for a social group/club, IMHO. He/she is better off organising a private group of friends to play with. .
Haha. I have seen this kind of people as well. There are all sorts of people playing badminton. There are people who are way too serious in the game as well. From the start to the end, they will give you a stern look, not even a single smile at all. I am scared when playing with this kind of people. :crying: They look as if they are gonna kill me. Haha! Another kind of people i came across in social game is those that LOVES to comment, teach and find fault in you DURING the game or even AFTER the game when they are not necessary right. However, there are always a group of people who are friendly (Just like me! haha!) People who are friendly will always make the game more enjoyable. These are the people who will make you go back and have fun with them. Badminton is a great game for us to sweat and have fun. Do smile more when playing!
The definition of "enjoying badminton" differs from person to person and changes even when the context changes. In a very social context, gathering with friends may be what players are looking for. Player level is not a concern. OTOH, if you are looking for a good tight game, skill levels cannot vary too much. When inviting a previously unknown player, especially at a forum like BC, it will be nice to set the expectation. Having an absolute beginner caught in the middle of a howling drive war between 3 other fairly advanced players makes no sense and can in fact be fairly dangerous. Then again, imagine if you find yourself coaching 3 absolute beginners you hardly know who can barely serve or clear when you are looking for a game. I'm not insinuating that it is criminal to play with players that are of different levels. The player deserves to know what they are signing themselves into and hence the need for transparency we see in published games. There are games I do not put in 100% not out of disrespect but because if I do, the game ends too easily. And I can barely claim to be lower intermediate. If my coach goes even 50% on me, the game will not last 5 minutes and I will hardly get a workout. The playing field is just that huge.
The higher skilled player just plays the correct way . Agree with what is highlighted in the quote. Perhaps, comparing to other activities can illustrate... A new player attended a Social Chess Club. In first game, got checkmated in just 2 minutes (say, in less than 10 moves) by a higher skilled player. If this new player feels the embarrassment, it's up to him/her. The higher skilled player just played the correct way. It's not the winning or losing that counts in a Social Club. The new player is not there to compete. He/she is there to enjoy Chess and to socialise with Chess players, weak or strong. .
Indeed, the "lesser" player should not feel embarrassed. Even in chess, there are several handicaps that can be adopted by the stronger player. The question then is, what is the correct way? I prefer to extend the game so everyone can get a piece of it instead of making it lobsided. I was once invited to a game where I partnered someone whose clears are mid court at best. I was about the same level as both the opponents. The problem was those 2 folks played correctly and picked on the weaker guy. It was quite simple sequence. They just play the shot to my partner, he will lift, the opponents push him to the base and kill the return (if any). My partner would not limit his coverage (actually he swung at shuttles around 60% of the court) so the situation was hopeless. I certainly accept the annihilation but still wonder why they even bothered to invite me. I hardly touched the shuttle. Not withstanding, the situation will be different if I had gotten into the game with the correct expectation. If I had chosen to play the game knowing the certain massacre, I wouldn't have felt so cheated (of my time). That transparency is exactly why I believe several organisers set the playing level.
The 3 types of players involved in Badminton . Hehehe That's why I have posted earlier - the 3 types of players involved in Badminton - the 'social', the 'learning' and the 'competitive' players. Have a read of it. .
i think what 1984ALLENGLAND meant is that those players do not even bother to play properly and disrespects their opponent. As chris-ccc mentioned earlier(highlighted in red), it's not about winning or losing that counts, its the process. In social games, better players should give weaker players more chances to continue rally rather than killing them off with 1 shot. If you look at it in the weaker player's point of view, will you continue the game if you play with better players who just kill all of your shots? If we were to just play with same players every week and of the same level, how will we improve the game? Perhaps? If there is a good mix between the level of players, the weaker players will improve over time. I totally agree with chris-ccc. Players who join social games are just there to enjoy badminton and socialise but not there to compete.
I totally agree with the different type of players. I am answering why I like it that folks here indicate the expected level of play for their games.
The 3 different types of players . I was going back to read what I have posted about the 3 different types of players. But it has been deleted . Perhaps, our admin/moderators can explain??? Don't know if I should repost what has been deleted? It's about what are considered as; * the 'social' players, * the 'learning/training' players, and * the 'competitive' players .
theres nothing more frustrating than waiting ages for a game at a social session, and then getting stuck on court with someone who is not roughly the same standard as yourself. there is a reason high level players sometimes refuse to play with beginners, and that is safety. safety for themselves, and their racquets. im sure we have all seen the beginners who play doubles like it is singles, go for every shot, and end up clashing with your racquet, and because their racquet is strung at 10 pounds with fishing wire and is made of steel, your carbon fibre racquet strung with expensive strings at 30 pounds means your racquet ends up dying. I'm all for fairness and equality, but in reality, there is no equality because you're quite simply - a weaker player. No? Just my 2c.
In social doubles games, I often see ladies being asked to stand in front and cover the net during the game with the men at the back. Some ladies are contented to play at the front but there are others who are afraid to tell the guys that they would like to learn more about standard doubles rotation, even though they have weak techniques. On some occasions, some of these guys (who are not really good players and overrated themselves) return some shots mid-court, setting up an easy kill for the opponents. The poor female partners often have to duck to avoid getting hit while standing at the net. Do give the ladies a chance to learn and improve their gameplay.
