I have run a number of courses at my own club and for what its worth I'll try to give you some tips and ideas. It certainly does pay to sit down and write out a schedule - be prepared though for it to change on the fly and make a note of what you covered each session, what went well ( and badly) and what areas need more time.. Never try to rush through any practise, always give the players plenty of time and ask for their feedback. They might well remind you of something you forgot to mention! I have made some abbreviated notes that I always carry around with me as an aide memoir, and below you will find those on Mixed Doubles. Use them as you wish. I take no credit for many of the points - I have gleaned them from everywhere and anywhere I can and used what I believe to be correct! ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- MIXED DOUBLES It is assumed that the lady is not as strong in the rearcourt as the man and hence the lady generally controls the mid to forecourt area and the man the mid to rearcourt area. One of the main tactical objectives in mixed doubles is to try to reverse the positions of the opponents whilst retaining your own attacking formation. CHANNEL ATTACK The Channel attack is most effective when you are hitting straight into your opponents' body with both attacking players 'tending ' to the side they are attacking, but guarding against X-court defensive replies. The lady in the forecourt should strive to hit down or flat and only take shuttles that are in front of her body which she can move forward into. She should try to:- be big, aggressive, dominant, intimidating, threatening, alert, positive .................etc., maintain her attacking position from behind the front service line The man in the rearcourt , when the shuttle is high, should predominantly be hitting the shuttle downwards with drops and smashes straight or towards the centre towards his male opponent, unless the defending lady is particularly weak. Shots played from below net level should be returned low over the net to the fore and midcourt sides or deep (and high ) to the rear of the court. The wedge attack, is where the lady in the forecourt, moves to the opposite side to which her male partner is attacking from, and is used where the opponents favourite replies are X-court. This is not as favourable as the lady is not in a position to intimidate the opponent under attack. X-COURT DEFENCE The ladies adopt a X-Court defensive position, equidistant from the shuttle with her male partner, for tactical reasons. She should if possible defend with racket held up in a forehand (or panhandle) grip using a 'crouched' stance, with weight ready to move forward and/or sideways . She is defending / attacking the triangular area formed by herself and the two net posts. Any shots which pass over her head (i.e. X-Court clears) are returned by the man. The man defends against the straight smash, fast drops to the midcourt, and clears. Both men and ladies defend with the racket held away from the body and towards the net with the wrist below the racket head hips facing the shuttle and hitting player Positioning on Court Given the above tactical considerations the positions on court of the four players are found by:- The strikers position is determined by the position of the shuttle The opponents position is determined by the strikers probable moves The striking partners position is determined by the probable replies TIPS AND GENERAL ADVICE For both players Except when serving, or being served to, keep your feet moving and pretension the legs . Be alert at all times. Each and every shot contains all these elements Starting position Movement to the shuttle Hitting Phase Recovery to base So, after hitting the shuttle move to your 'base' to cover the probable replies. Don't stand and watch your shot, good or bad ! ( we all do !) Attack mainly straight, down the sides or to the centre, and don't play X-Court shots to the midcourt until both opponents have been drawn to the same half of the court, or if there is an obvious opening, as an occasional alternative, or if attacking a weaker player. By smashing or hitting hard at a players body or racket hip the return is likely to be straight due to cramped defending. Smashing wide of a player may produce a winner in easy situations but otherwise it can open up the court for strong X-Court hitting defenders. Men - Smash, clear , drop, push and drive mainly straight Ladies - Return of high serve:- Straight smash or drop mainly X-Court Clear Occasional straight clear or X-Court smash and drops Ladies - Forecourt Kills and Smashes Tumblers Straight net and mid court pushes X-Court net clears ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- ( Some of this may not have formatted very well when pasting from a Word Document but I hope it gives you a general idea ) You will note that I haven't included any specific practises or routines in my notes, but if you want I can give you some more ideas - let me know. For all the rest of the coaches out there it would be great to have a healthy discussion on this sort of topic. We are all looking for new ideas and views and we shouldn't be embarassed about asking for help - the internet gives us a great medium for exchange. Helens lit the fuse - lets start a fire .............. Regards to all Dave Bolus Email: 100257.1772@compuserve.com Tel: +44 (0) 1235-510503 -------------------------------------- This information was drawn from the Badminton mailing list as presented by Dave Bolus 1JUN95.