Misconceptions of Beginners

I began to think that a list of misconceptions of beginners should be brought about.....For example a lot of beginners think the smash is the be all and end all of badminton. It is just one of the tools and is only effective when used at the right time or used to force other returns which can be exploited. Another one is if only I had a backhand. Backhands are nice shots when properly executed but are often a point of exploitation by superior opponents who understand that often this leads to slower recovery and opens up the court for other attacking shots. Round the head shots are superior and allow one the ability to see what the opponent is going to do as well as power and redirection possibilities are much greater.

The weakest points of most opponents (beginner to intermediate and sometimes advanced players ) is footwork to hit deep clears and the technique to hit strong effective clears to move the opponent quickly to back of the court. Errors from the backcourt are the hardest to recover from as they lead faster dropshots from 3/4 court or clears in the midst of running back in any attempt to salvage the rally or the ending smash.

I would say I beat more players on clears than any other shot and I think if you have played any advanced players this is the avenue which leads to the fastest end of the rally in singles and in intermediate doubles. After all without the ability to push your opponent all the way to the back leaves you with only drops and smashes to beat your opponent. Drops can be anticipated by moving your base forward and without a strong overhead motion for clears leaves your smash with not a lot of velocity. It is like giving your opponent an extra 3 feet less to worry about and that leaves you doing all the running. All shots are important but without a strong clear you have no foundation for all the other shots to come off.

If I can not make you believe I can hit deep to any of the far corners then all my other shots become far less threatening. This why proper grip and coaching are so important to high level play. Still so many look for a magic pill in a new racket rather than put that money to good use in a coach who can teach them what truly matters in the long run. Without a guide it is easy to find shortcuts that only lead to dead-ends and boundaries and all too often these people come looking for another shortcut. I don't enjoy watching others trying to teach badminton to others when their skill level is low and technique are incorrect. If they can't hit a clear all the way to the backcourt then they have not mastered the foundation which badminton is built upon.

Written by bighook
Wednesday, 02 March 2005