Los Angeles Badminton Club - Articles & Blog

Articles, Ideas & Information to improve your badminton skills
Tags >> technique
Nov 26
2010

Better Badminton : The Power of 4

Posted by Administrator in technique , mental , footworks , fitness

Administrator

For any player who plays badminton, its always a dream for him to able to improve how he plays and eventually become a better player. Regardless if you are a beginner, intermediate or an advance level player, improving the way you play is always a continuous and on going process of learning in Badminton that every player needs to go through in order to upgrade themselves.Badminton StrokesDiscussing in regards about how one can improve the way he plays is a vast topic and the inputs available are a lot. Since the information available in hand are a lot, it can become dilute to understand what's the core element that the player needs to emphasize first as a starting point before gradually learn more about how he can improve how he plays badminton.
Like any quality improvement process, without proper guidance, whatever correct input available, the output will eventually will be incorrect. In referring this to Badminton, regardless whatever theory in hands that you have on how you can improve the way you play but then, without the correct guidance on how to transform that information to proper practical knowledge, the results will eventually will be incorrect and you will not improve much. Therefore, having a trained coach, an experienced mentor or a player can help very much.
In this blog, i want to discussed only the theory surrounding "the power of 4" that are the foundation in Badminton coaching module that all player must comply in the path for him to improve the way he plays. Most coaching information or guide available will emphasize from certain approach but here, i want to simply its concept for easy understanding in order for you to know where to start and what are the priority information in becoming a better player that you need to emphasize:1. Better Badminton : The power of 4The 4 elements that you need to seriously learn and master are:
a. The power of Fitness b. The power of Proper Footwork c. The power of Correct Technique
d. The power of Strong Mental
a. The power of Fitness
Its extremely important in Badminton that you are always fit be it playing or training. The importance of fitness is very important as it plays an important role on how you can improve because:
- By being fit, you will have the physical ability to continuously learn properly
- By being fit, you will have the mental ability to continuously learn properly
b. The power of Proper Footwork
The role of footwork in badminton is extremely important since every strokes you do, require you to make few steps of footwork FIRST. Without able to initiate a proper footwork, it simply to say that you WILL NOT ABLE TO POSITION YOURSELF PROPERLY TO EXECUTE THE CORRECT STROKES ( and don't blame your racket for this if it happens).
c. The power of Correct Technique.
The application of the correct technique while executing any strokes is extremely important since without knowing the knowledge of the correct technique and also the correct application of such knowledge will eventually leads to unsatisfactory hits. The application of such correct technique is so important because by combining it with the proper footwork movements, the impact of the strokes unload will be solid thus making the chance for it to be a winning strokes higher.
d. The power of Strong Mental
The psychology in Badminton has an important role as part of the process of learning to become a better player. Having a strong mental in Badminton in very important because:
- It influence one's self confidence. - It influence the thought of making the right decision - It influence the way we properly strategies our game play
- It influence the Physical strength
Having a strong and correct mental attitude will create a stronger character inside a player mind that able him to impose the will to play confidently regardless with who he plays with.

Article was quoted from BadmintonCentral and written by Shooting Stroke
Oct 29
2010

The Art of Badminton Deception 2 – Double Motion

Posted by Administrator in technique , motion , deception , badminton

Administrator

Once a player has fully understand the technique on how to execute all range of strokes and then upgrade himself to master several type of deceptions, the double motion is another type of deception that the player can learn. In the advance stroke coaching module, the double motion deception is another useful and popular type of deception that is very deceptive in nature if executed very well.

1. Introduction

Like its name, the double motion deception is simply defined as a type of deception that is executed where two action of racket swings are performed – The first action of racket swing (first motion) is performed addressing the shuttlecock in one direction and then, by quickly withdrawing the racket, a second action of racket swing (second motion) is performed that will eventually hit the shuttlecock to another direction.
The objective of this deception, if well executed, is to deceive your opponent about the direction of your hit whereby you show the opponent that you intend to hit the shuttlecock to one direction but then quickly place the shuttlecock elsewhere. For an example:
You can initiate the first motion of racket swing similarly like addressing a shuttlecock to do a straight lift but then changing the direction of the shuttlecock by executing a second racket swing and making a hit directing the shuttlecock into a straight or cross court net.

2. Components

By knowing its definition, we can simply understand that the double motion deception technique is centered at its two executed “motion”: It is very important to fully understand the components of this deception in order to fulfill its objective when executed and also to understand the techniques applied to execute them.
a. First motion - Referring to the first @ initial racket swing action
- It also referred as a “False Hit” since there is no hit performed even though there is a
 
racketswing executed while addressing the shuttlecock
- Purpose : This first motion of racket swing is done to create a convincing scenario to the opponent that you are addressing the shuttlecock and making a hit to direct the shuttlecock to one specific direction.
b. Second motion
- Referring to the second racket swing performed after the quick withdrawal of the racket following the first motion of racket swing.
- It is also referred as a “True Hit” since there will be a hit performed to direct the placement of the shuttlecock.
- Purpose : This second motion of racket swing will actually deceive the opponent by making a hit to direct the shuttlecock into any opposite direction.
3. Requirements

Like any other deceptions, to successfully execute a Double Motion Deception, there are certain requirements that a player must fully understand and master first so that this deception can be well executed. 3.1 General Requirements
a. A player must understand first how to execute all the full range of normal shots using the correct technique.
b. A player must have a fair degree of forearm and wrist power to energize the complex movements of the racket and to hit accurately for proper placement of the shuttlecock.
c. A player must have a clear vision and awareness on how he moves his racket in refer to where the opponent positioned in order to properly coordinate the next hit.
3.2 Specific Requirements
a. Address the shuttlecock early.
By addressing the shuttlecock earlier:
- The player will make enough room to execute properly both of the swings. - At the same time also, it will allow enough time for the player to observe the opponents position
- It will also allow enough time for decision making prior to the placement of the shuttlecock.
b. Grip
A tight grip is important to maximize the power for both of the swings.
c. Timing
Timing is essential to coordinate a fluent sequences of racquet swings and withdrawal of racket between swings with the trajectory of the shuttlecock.
d. Fulfilling the purpose of 2 (a) stated above
4. Technique

The double motion deception has 4 phases that a player needs to follow in order to properly execute it. These 4 phases are:
a. Preparation
b. The first motion – False hit
c. Withdrawal
d. The second motion – True hit
These are the detail explanation and diagram for all the phases:

a. Preparation
Always hold the racket head level high
. By doing this, you can address/retrieve the shuttlecock at the earliest opportunity through a faster respond reflexes and to make enough comfortable room for you to make a convincing first motion of racket swing.
b. The first motion – the false hit
With a clear idea of where you are going to direct the shuttlecock ( in this case : A direction), address it and make a swing with the technique and approach exactly like how you are going to hit it but then don’t hit it yet. It is extremely important for you to address the shuttlecock with the correct technique and approach exactly like how you are going to hit it. This is to create a convincing action of racket swing that will convince your opponent that you are making a hit to direct the shuttlecock to the area of intention ( A direction) hence making your opponent react to retrieve it. If this technique is not executed as stated above and the player will rather just do a racket swing for the sake of making one without any purpose, then most likely, especially in the eyes of an experience player, he will not react to your first swing and subsequently making your double motion deception most likely a fail one. That is why it is important for your first motion of racket swing fulfill its purpose stated at 2(a).
c. Withdrawal
After executing the first motion of racket swing, quickly withdraw your racket. It is important for you to quickly withdraw your racket so that you can properly prepare yourself before making the second motion of racket swing. To properly prepare yourself before executing the second motion of racket swing is vital because by being properly prepared, you will have enough room to observe your opponent respond from your first racket swing, adequate time frame to make the decision making process for the next direction of your hit and a comfortable space to maneuver yourself to make that second motion of racket swing.
Due to the fact that there is only a few fraction of second exist between the first motion and second motion of racket swing, a quick withdrawal of the racket is important to coordinate a fluent action of swings.
d. The second motion – the true hit
After executing the first motion of racket swing followed by a quick withdrawal, a second motion of racket swing is then executed. At this point, it is important for you to observe and aware where your opponent is positioned in correlate with his reaction towards your first motion of racket swing.
By clearly aware of your opponent reaction, at this second motion of racket swing, hit the shuttlecock and direct it to the opposite direction ( In diagram : B direction) thus deceiving your opponent.
5. Application

To execute a double motion deception is not easy. However, in the hand who has mastered it, a double motion deception can produce spectacular results that can even deceive the most experienced player.
As long as the technique applied to execute it is done correctly, the application of a double motion deception are vast even to the most difficult shots:
a. First Motion – Straight Clear
Second Motion – Straight Drop Shot *
* Involves a deceleration of racket swing to produce a drop shot
b. First Motion – Straight net shot
Second Motion – Cross-court net shot
c. First Motion – Straight lift
Second Motion – Cross-court lift
5.1 Tools
It is better to apply a fast and compact type of racket swings to both of the motion. By applying such type of swings:
- Its more maneuverable thus making both of the racket swings easy to execute.
- The hit will be more unpredictable since the racket swing is fast and short.
5.2 Advancement of the Double Motion Deception
a. Triple Motion Deception
A deception that involves 3 actions of racket swings where the first two actions of racket swings will be the false hit and the 3rd racket swing will be the true hit. Rarely being use and very difficult to execute. b. Fusing with other type of deception – Hold and Hit
The double motion deception can be fused with the hold and hit deception. The “Hold” component will remain as it is but the “Hit” component will end as a double motion action. Rarely being use and very difficult to execute.
By having a clear idea of what Double Motion deception is all about, the next step will be to practice it regularly and once mastered, hopefully it can give benefit in the future and makes how we play badminton even more beautiful.

Article was quoted from Badminton Central
Apr 12
2010

Smash Blocking Techniques

Posted by Administrator in technique , smash , defense , blocking

Administrator

Blocking smashes is among the most important defensive skills in badminton. If you can't return your opponent's smashes, then your chances of winning the game is slim.

In the NBA, there is a famous saying: Good defense equals good offense. This also applies to badminton. Everybody knows that the smash is an important offensive move in badminton. Smashes, especially jump smashes, are extremely fast and powerful and it is the main attraction for audiences watching a competition. Players and coaches spent years trying to perfect smashes and also smash blocking techniques. In the 80s, there was a famous match where Han Jian from China stopped around a dozen continuous attacks from Liem Swie King of Indonesia, one of the best offensive players in the world at the time, and went on the Defense win the match. There are many other examples of great defense in high level competitions, and all of us recreational players wish that we had that level of defensive skill, so that winning a game becomes easier.

The goal of smash blocking is to prevent the opponents from scoring points from their smashes, and also try to turn the tide of battle. There are many specific smash blocking techniques, but all of them fit into three general categories.