Keeping Tempo

Discussion in 'Techniques / Training' started by Charlie-SWUK, Jan 26, 2015.

  1. Charlie-SWUK

    Charlie-SWUK Regular Member

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    Yo!

    So something I've noticed about my game, is I keep dropping back to keep tempo with other people. It's most noticeable in doubles, when I either get a partner that plays too aggressively and tries to take absolutely every shot (exposing areas), or a very weak partner.

    The quality of my play drops, and the aggression in my playstyle also drops significantly. I start getting lazy and sloppy, scuffing silly shots as if it were a warm up.

    It's less prominent in singles, but it depends on who I'm playing; I've occasionally lost on the last couple of points due to this lower play quality.

    There are games where I've played very advanced players and they've beaten me with a considerable margin, but I can at least say I put everything I had into those games. A lot of these other games, I can't say the same.

    Is there a way to train mind set to continuously player highly competitively, or is this something that can only really come naturally?
     
  2. MSeeley

    MSeeley Regular Member

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    A good question - but it depends on where you play! If your club is mainly social, then its not so good to do it... but if you are in a highly competitive club with serious players, then this will work:

    When you play with the weaker players, just wipe them off the court. Don't hold back - play your best and beat them easily. The assumption is: you won't have to play with them many times, because you will be playing against good players. If there are not many/any good players, you are in the wrong club.

    When you play with the overly aggressive partner, you need to focus on your game, make no mistakes and do what you can to win the points. Treat your partner as someone who doesn't know how to play - just hold your own and make sure your quality doesn't dip at all. You could also start trying to move faster to cover the gaps.

    You have to accept: you have chosen to play like garbage when you could have tried harder. Now ask yourself... why? Do you think you are too good for the game you are on? Then you need to change your attitude. Do you think that its not worth playing those games? Then don't play them at all.

    If you change your attitude to one of serious focus -where you play your best at all times and try to win comfortably, your mind set will improve. However, as I said, amongst groups of strictly casual players, you will be seen as someone who is not playing in the spirit of the group - which should be more friendly. Also note: having the above mindset doesn't mean you can't still joke and laugh on court - but play your best!

    I have been in your position, and I had to learn to play at my standard, not be affected by other people.

    Good luck to you!
     
  3. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    I think that's normal... I do that too in those situations. :) It's because you're not sure of the usual doubles tactics, where to hit to, where to stand, where to anticipate, where to cover.

    There are always one or two more advanced players in each group who obviously are more advanced than me in skills, but have absolutely no inkling of doubles tactics, and take high risk shots. I never seem to have the right play chemistry when partnered with those.

    In those cases, I just concentrate on my shots and my play and just go with the flow. Win or lose don't matter to me, I just do the best I can.
     
    #3 visor, Jan 27, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2015
  4. Line & Length

    Line & Length Regular Member

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    Whilst I largely agree with the replies above, I would place greater emphasis on the difference between focus and competitiveness.

    Are you "scuffing silly shots in warm-up" because you're not warm or because you're not focused on what you're doing? If you're not focused, why are you bothering to warm-up?

    When playing socially or against clearly weaker opposition, it's OK to play less competitively. Smash slightly less, lift a bit more. However, there's no excuse for not getting to the shuttle early, getting to a good position when the shuttle goes to your partner, reinforce as many good habits as you can etc.

    When I became a father, I found my free time severely constrained. Therefore, I have learned to get the absolute maximum out of what time I have to invest in this sport. You can still have fun, but treat your time (and that of others) with the respect that it deserves.
     
  5. TeddyC

    TeddyC Regular Member

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    The experience is mutual to most of us. I've been there many times, especially when my mates told me to play slow due to their injuries.

    On another note, realized that to best enjoy one's game (not all-out aggressive), need to b familiar with the players one is playing with AND all four r playing at the same pace (not too fast, not too slow) irregardless of players' level... does this make sense...?
     
  6. Charlie-SWUK

    Charlie-SWUK Regular Member

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    When I'm playing with the hyper aggressive 'every shot' players, I feel like I'm in their way and start limiting which shots I'll attack; instead I end up playing very defensively constantly, often crossing the court to compensate for the open spot my partner left.

    With the slower players, it's more like I cool off and slow down; it's hard to keep trying to play strong shots when your partner has a netkill opportunity and they instead smash it into the net or clear it when they have a really strong angle.

    I mean I totally accept this my attitude changing towards the current game.

    I find myself with an increasing number of players with both of those traits; they'll move back from the front to take a clear even when I'm in position to smash, or they'll start a cross court lunge to try and take the net shot right in front of me. It's really off setting and it defocuses me a lot. And when I feel like my shots are being intruded on, I lose focus a lot; the demotivation and defocus cause me to play badly.

    For example, last night I had a partner that couldn't stop laughing and ended up missing shots as a result. It's hard to take a game seriously when your partner is barely willing to play.

    I'd rather get trashed around the court and at least feel worn out afterwards. If after 2 hours of playing my first instinct is 'I need to workout because I didn't get enough exercise', I'm a little dissatisfied with the game quality.
     
  7. TeddyC

    TeddyC Regular Member

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    Satisfaction guaranteed... play single... the birdie is in ur court...
    { ^.^}
     
  8. Charlie-SWUK

    Charlie-SWUK Regular Member

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    This is sadly what I'm finding to be the case. I'm starting to enjoy singles a lot more. Even though my footwork needs improving, I'm definitely playing better shots in singles because it's all on me.

    Some people I've played with have been playing for years, practising singles and getting coaching - a lot more than my meagre 8 months of play (this time around) - and I'm edging on beating them after just 3-4 weeks of playing singles.

    I feel like I'm getting a better workout from it too.. Shame very few clubs offer singles play because of court space.
     
  9. MSeeley

    MSeeley Regular Member

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    You can point your finger in blame at others, but you are the one who lets it affect you. I know first hand how tough a situation this is, but you are creating the problem for yourself.

    When people lunge in front of you to take a shot, you can either be annoyed, or you can move like lightning to cover the rest of the court. When you play with the aggressive players that take your shots, just get out of their way if they intrude and be a good partner by covering the court. You are then doing your best, and they are being useless. The alternative is you just stop bothering, and you are the one at fault - your partner is trying, so why can't you? They didn't try to miss those netkills. They are doing what they can, and you are giving up because their best isn't good enough for you - that seems a little harsh to me.

    This is going to sound harsh, but it sounds like you are judging the other people you play with, which you have no right to do. Whether they are good or bad at badminton - they are doing their best. Even if your best is better, thats irrelevant. You thus have a choice - keep trying your best, or give up. It sounds like you are choosing to give up. I used to do the same - and I am not proud of it.

    Now, from everything you have said, you should REALLY be changing clubs immediately - the current group you are playing with are obviously not enabling you to enjoy your game - so its the wrong club. If you don't want to move club to find a group of players that fits you better, the alternative is to change your attitude - when players do the "wrong" thing, instead of focussing on how bad that was and how annoying it is, why don't you focus on what you can do salvage the situation - instead, just be the really fast player that everyone likes to partner because you never give up. There is always something you can focus on!

    Im sorry it sounds like I am preaching at you - I really don't want to. You are here seeking help, which is a lot more than I ever managed! It sounds like you are very serious about your badminton, but you play at a social club. Social clubs are for socialising, and in such a club, the people who play badminton are the ones who play for a hobby. Its just a hobby, so why take it so seriously? There is a big difference between focussing, and being serious :)

    And I agree completely about getting trashed versus having dissatisfying games. But when I am not getting the badminton I want, or I am in the wrong mood to appreciate it, I just leave, even if there is an hour of the session left. Life is too short to get angry about this sort of thing. Its only a game!

    I sincerely hope you work out how to deal with your current circumstances!
     
  10. Charlie-SWUK

    Charlie-SWUK Regular Member

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    Big chunk of text, I'm gonna respond paragraph by paragraph.

    1. Because I'm not lightning. I'm building my agility because (including on this forums) by my own admission my footwork is sub-par and something I'm working to improve. I've started running and other exercises to build up leg strength. When I'm forced to move like that, I can't move fast enough to play a strong shot in return; it's like having your partner force you into an error. And honestly, it makes me feel bad when playing; I start feeling like I should've done as you said, but in retrospect it's kind of unreasonable to be forced out of position by your partner, to have to go round them, to cross court to counter.

    2. It's honestly not deliberately or even consciously. It's more like I'm just disappointed in the game we're having, and that brings me down. It feels really hard to put that much effort into the game when it feels like the opposing team can easily force an error by repeatedly playing to the partner that can't return as well.

    3. I think you're right. I think maybe I should find somewhere else to play.

    I get that it's a hobby, and it's a hobby for me too, but I went to play with people that play in a league; these are players that are for the most part, better at the game than I am. Getting forced into errors, or being forced to play with weaker players for almost the entire night, is dissatisfying. It feels more like being hazed by a badminton club; it's uncomfortable and the games aren't satisfying.
     
  11. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    Finding a group about the same level as you is very important for any satisfying games. Can't stress that enough.
     
  12. MSeeley

    MSeeley Regular Member

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    Good on you! You are being extremely honest and thats good to see.

    1. I understand - but surely that gives you something to work towards! I know that it feels like your partner is making you make mistakes - thats because they are. The trick is to keep trying to improve and develop the movement and see what you can do. Some nights you might be really quick and others maybe not. It may be a useful distraction for you to take your mind off your partner, but maybe not. Everyone is different!

    Out of interest - have you talked to the players and tried to understand what they are doing - maybe they honestly don't realise you are standing there! You might be surprised!

    2. I know the whole situation and negative feelings it creates is not deliberate, but that is whats going on in the background. When I realised that I was in control of how I handled the situation, it helped me change my perspective. I now focus only on my game - when I put in lots of effort and get let down by my partner, I am now really pleased with my movements and my effort - and I am disappointed to lose the point (if that happens). I am also strategizing how to go about changing the rallies to try and win points - I am not often successful, but im working on it :)

    3. If there are actually players that you could be playing at at the club, then start by trying to talk to them. Explain your frustration and try to get some good games. Or, move club - its your hobby and you should be enjoying it. Either its a good club with nice people and you stay, but change your attitude, or you move to a different club with different players that may suit you better.

    Good luck!
     
  13. No_footwork

    No_footwork Regular Member

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    A lot of good points brought up already regarding this perhaps all-too-common scenario. My own personal view on this is that I treat each game as an opportunity to test myself.

    If I am playing with an aggressive player, I let him take the lead and I will focus on filling the gaps accordingly. Perhaps I am still relatively new to badminton (but not new to competition), but I don't expect things to always go by the book. The defense or rotation will break down so I just focus on recovering from bad positions, etc.

    If I am playing with a less-experienced partner or one with not as refined in technique; and my opponents are focusing on him and we're losing, I try to encourage and support my partner emotionally. But I do not try to jump in front to take the shot away or do anything out of position, my partner will need to learn to withstand the pressure. I just try to take control of the point when I get a chance to get involved, e.g. jump on a loose serve and keep us in the game that way.

    This is not unlike situations where I play in co-ed softball and I have the pressure to perform as one of the better offensive players on our team. This helped me being more disciplined and focused as an athlete.

    Things don't always go according to plan. Personally, I use situations as discussed to battle against the odds so to speak. Call me strange, but I love the challenge of being down big and coming back to win. It doesn't always happen, but I love these situation so I can test myself as a player and to show support as a teammate. This is more fun to me than blasting the opposition out of the courts.
     
    #13 No_footwork, Jan 29, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2015
  14. TeddyC

    TeddyC Regular Member

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    Well said!! Many times, we were in ur situation n we came back trailing frm behind to win the match or close the gap by two-three pts in the end. Tis a gd thing to b persistent n nvr give up. Makes the match that much more exciting.
     
  15. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    Be careful that your letting your opponent "take the lead" doesn't lead you to give away free points unnecessarily as that would be considered bad sportsmanship and throwing away games. ;)
     
  16. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Interesting. I used to base my game on forcing winning points.

    Now, my game is less about power - it's about anticipation (because I can't accelerate so well now), experience and creating situations where the opponent makes an error (but they think it's an unforced error). Many times, I will do soft shots that keep a rally going but try to give 'nothing' shots. The opponent thinks they have to do more in a shot to win e.g. go for the line/hit a harder shot, and then they will mess it up. It's a deliberate tactic to frustrate the faster and fitter players!

    One thing for sure, I need to have (a) a good, consistent serve and (b) be comfortable in receiving smashes and playing counter attack.
     
  17. wning

    wning Regular Member

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    nice, I am learning to play exactly that. Play a safe and control game...not forcing the game.
     
  18. SSSSNT

    SSSSNT Regular Member

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    I hate the "tries to take every shot" player as partner in doubles. Mostly because my racket would be in high danger of clashing and breaking playing with such player. Met a few during the years. I'd scold them lightly and usually they'd tone down their aggression, if not in the current match then in future matches.
     
  19. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    And there's some of us like me whose tactics is to purposely cause confusion between my opponents by hitting in between them... ;)

    I truly feel sorry for their clashes, but hey it's part of the game...
     
  20. TeddyC

    TeddyC Regular Member

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    ...n the clash, if any, brought me a silent smile
    { ^.^}
    Especially if the opponents r left n right handed...
     

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