Tips For Coaching Beginner/Intermediate Players Helping a young beginner who tries to serve but always misses: Usually this is caused when the player drops the shuttle and swings at the same time. Time after time they will think that they must swing quickly if they want to contact the shuttle before it reaches the floor. The result is always the same, the racquet shaft and not the racquet head passes through (or by) the shuttle and the service is never delivered. Stand behind the youngster and have them hold the shuttle and their racquet. Hold the wrist of the shuttle hand and the hand of the racquet hand. On the count of 1, move the shuttle hand as though you were releasing the shuttle. On the count of 2, shift the player's weight forward via the hips/knees. On the count of 3, start the racquet moving forward to serve. "1-2-3 over the net" can be repeated during the action. Emphasize a rhythm similar to dancing e.g. "1-2-3, cha-cha-cha" Teaching the scissor kick (scissor movement/round-the-head) Many hours may be wasted by coaches trying to get beginner and intermediate players to learn this movement. Coaches, on your own time, try breaking the movement down into its major components: 1. racquet foot on the ground towards the rear of the court with the non-RF off the ground, weight back, non-RA in the air, RA lowered but with the racquet pointed upwards 2. jump with trunk rotation, landing on other foot Your students will remember the movie Karate Kid I where the young hero practiced the "Crane" movement for hours on a rock. That is almost the same movement that we are asking them to do in badminton. Have fun, pretend that the player(s) is the Karate Kid. Have them practice standing in position 1 with their racquet. Then switch to position 2. After they feel comfortable with balance, have them swing the racquet as they are in the air moving from position 1 to position 2. Add the movement to and from the corner AFTER they master the jump and weight transfer. Children are easily able to learn this complex movement at a very early age. Advice in the 5 minute break when you haven't seen the first two games This is a terrible situation for a coach. But it often happens that you have too many players at an event to adequately watch all games and no available, more experienced players to help you watch the others. Most coaches would initiate a problem solving session with the player to assist them establish their own game plan. But some coaches of junior players are aware of certain "developmental" trends with young players in general, I repeat, in general. They will often try to determine if certain skills are strong or weak in the opponent by asking the player direct questions. In general, players have problems in the following skill areas: Under 12 players -strength from the back of the court Under 14 players -weak backhands Under 16 players -weak movement to the rear forehand corner Under 18 players -poor forecourt coverage; both defending against fast drops and taking the shuttle high at the net and doing something useful with it This being the case, coaches would be advised to help their player determine if the above skill could be exploited or not. The converse, of course, is to work harder with the players you coach so that they do not fall into one of the above categories. Avoiding Racing Around the Court "Speed" in badminton is not as difficult to learn as it appears to be. Young players are in awe of the better players, especially the internationals, because they appear to move effortlessly, never racing, always getting to the shuttle. Yet, of course, that is the skill to learn and try as they may, the amateurs can never seem to avoid being rushed. The secret lies not in generating speed, but in generating momentum. Think about it. One only really has but a few steps to take in any direction in order to return a shuttle. The court is quite small, especially when the player starts from a central base, or close to it. Initiating movement is the skill to be practiced. Leaving your mark. Exploding from the base. A player who "explodes" from the base with 1 or 2 rapid, short steps will have no difficulty in reaching the shuttle (in theory). Simple, eh? Practice moving in and out of the central singles base. Avoid rushing back to the base each time. Time the return so that ONE foot only touches into the base area at the same time as the imaginary opponent hits the shuttle, push off with 1 or 2 quick, short steps and slow down as you get closer to the corner. It's tough to get that momentum going when both feet are rooted on the floor. Returning "Flick" Serves This is not my tip, but I'll pass it on. Players of all ages seem to have trouble properly preparing to return a flick serve in doubles. They like to stand at the very front of the court with their toe practically touching the front service line, but just can't get to the rear of the court to return a "flick" or "wrist" serve. Tell the players to "Lean forward and think backwards". Works well! FOR MORE COACHING TIPS, PROBLEM SOLVING.......... contact Gord Smith (gsmith@magi.com) (This page courtesy of Gord 23FEB95)