Anticipating using Sound

[valourarc]

Does anyone here use the sound of impact in anticipating shots?

I know it's difficult to do consciously but somehow I get the sense that I subconsciously anticipate a drop vs. clear/smash by listening to the sound made by the stroke.

Anyone have any similar experiences?

[Nanashi]

yes, if it is loud, i assume it is a clear/smash, if it is soft, a drop.... of course there can be some times when this is unreliable...

[jamesd20]

light travels fast than sound, so you will be able to see where the shuttle is going before you here the sound it has made, although the difference only across a badminton court is minimal. As matt ross said in a previous thread it is about cues which your mind uses to determine which shot is next, be it sound vision, previous guesswork. disabled people competing in badminton, might well use it though, although i am not sure.

[Dill]

Learning to do this increases bad habbits, I know an ex international who used to train with ear plugs so that they were not moving to a location or pre-empting the shuttle destination based on the sound. The theory behind this was that particular sounds can be faked, making the player go the wrong way.

I think that most of us do this at some time when we use feathers but I don't think that it works with plastics

[valourarc]

It is true that light travels faster than sound but if you think about, when exactly do you pick up where the shuttle is flying? I suggest that it is hard to pick up the type of shot at the point of impact.

That's why I'm thinking that sound may play an important role in helping get to a shot quicker. As we all know, a properly hit clear/smash will have a pop sound whereas a slice/drop shot will be more muted. (Of course, this is using feather shuttles).

[jamesd20]

I think I do it when I see where the shuttle moves to, it would be very hard to train yourself to "hear" what shot is being played, there are much more variables involved,, eg. string type, tension, whether you play a particular dropwith slice or not. I think imho that it would be easier to see where the shuttle is going then move. you can also decide what shot your partner is going to play by what position he is in,eg if below net you know all he cannot smash or hit downwards. if pressed on backhand then he can really only clear or drop, and if really pressed you know he can only go straight, if you smash well he will strugle for a cross court reply, etc etc etc..

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by valourarc
It is true that light travels faster than sound but if you think about, when exactly do you pick up where the shuttle is flying? I suggest that it is hard to pick up the type of shot at the point of impact.

I see ur point.

However:

1. I think sight should still be listed as the 1st consideration. Same loud pop sound, how u know whether he will do a baseline smash or a baseline clear? Is his aiming ur backhand back corner or a simple line drive? Same thing for relative "mute" sound. Will that be a simple tap over or a cross net drop?

2. Also, I don't think we should only focus on the "shot", but also need to predict where ur opponent will move after his shot. This way, u can get a high quality shot / return, and get him into trouble. To get a better prediction of opponent's move, u have to use ur sight and experience. There's no way u can "listen" and make up above decision.

3. Ppl using different racket, string, tension. We even using different brand of shuttles. Therefore, the accuracy of "sound" is far less than sight. I am sure, a very loose string will have totally different sound compare to a 28+ lb string.

4. A lot of places (including high level tournies) could be very noisy. If u over rely on the "sound", u might lose the feeling due to the poor environment. However, there's no way they can take away ur sight, unless they build a wall around the net. Therefore, get used to use ur eye sight, will be much more useful and secure than "sound".

Overall, I think we should put "sight" to be on the top of sound. Sound might help when u against a player who's either below or at least not above ur level. However, against a skillful player, sound will have more chance to get u into trouble than providing help.

[valourarc]

LB,

I agree that sight is the #1 consideration. It just seems to me that sound could help anticipating some shots. I don't relying on sound exclusively but I've found that it's helped anticipating drop shots.

For example, when I don't hear a pop sound, I will usually take a step towards the net. I found this method of anticipation has really let me take control of the net (either forcing a lift or a straight put away if the shot isn't tight).

[blckknght]

Originally posted by valourarc
LB,

I agree that sight is the #1 consideration. It just seems to me that sound could help anticipating some shots. I don't relying on sound exclusively but I've found that it's helped anticipating drop shots.

For example, when I don't hear a pop sound, I will usually take a step towards the net. I found this method of anticipation has really let me take control of the net (either forcing a lift or a straight put away if the shot isn't tight).

i see your point there, but still be careful! when someone does a well executed drop, he or she can change the direction of the shuttle at the very last second. so if you dont hear a pop and move forwards, watch out because you may have to move sideways if they slice it in another direction than straight.

One other thing... sound IS definitely important if you are playing doubles and your parter is hitting behind you. if you listen for your partner's shot you can move accordingly.
gregory

[yonexfanatic]

Originally posted by blckknght

One other thing... sound IS definitely important if you are playing doubles and your parter is hitting behind you. if you listen for your partner's shot you can move accordingly.
gregory

that can be true..just gotta sharpen up the senses though. I try to use sound..but usually just end up using my knowledge of how my player usually plays..

using sound is easier said than done

[frictionman]

Sight for me should be the priority coz with all the sound you keep hearing all around you sometimes you'll get confused. it's not efficient and effective compared to sight.
And besides sound generated depends on the string tension of each racket, higher string tension like 25-30lbs. rarely makes a popping sound when hit.

to show how important sight vs sound is i can cover my ears and play badminton but not while covering my eyes.

just an addition light do travel faster than sound. you see it before you hear it...

[mindfields]

The most useful aspect of sound. . .Listening to what your partner is doing. . . .

When your at the front of the net you keep your eyes forwards & listen for the type of shot that your partner plays.

You can tell if it's a clear/smash/drop & from what sector of the court & you can better anticipate your "kill" at the net.

[frictionman]

Originally posted by mindfields
The most useful aspect of sound. . .Listening to what your partner is doing. . . .

When your at the front of the net you keep your eyes forwards & listen for the type of shot that your partner plays.

You can tell if it's a clear/smash/drop & from what sector of the court & you can better anticipate your "kill" at the net.

could you please clarify on this one? is'nt it the way your opponent and not your partner decides on where to land the birdie, besides if your opponent sees that you "anticipate" he'll just flick/smash/drop it to the empty part of the court...

[blckknght]

I think what mindfields was getting at was that if you listen for what type of shot your partner is making, you can be more effective at the net. If you hear a soft sound, move in a little closer towards the net and dont let your opponents make a drop shot. make them lift again!

if you hear your partner smash, stay where you are (presumably a couple feet behind the short service line) and look to cut off a weak reply, or a quick reply.

And yes, I suppose it might be a little difficult to tell between a smash and a clear sound. That doesn't matter so much though: assume it's a smash, so you're ready for a fast return. If it's a clear, then you'll have time to see that and move backwards.
hope that helps
gregory

ps - in addition to hearing your partner's shot, you should watch where your opponents lift. I dont mean look behind you and watch it, just glance as they lift and get a general idea of where it is going. that way you can move slightly left or right with the direction of the clear... and be able to cover the often quicker straight return. sorry if I explained that a little poorly... perhaps someone else can help me clarify this last point.

[Matt Ross]

I would say this is a very bad habit actually.

Fair enough, you can tell that a soft 'ping' will be a light shot and that a 'bang' would be a smash.

However, i would of thought there would be trouble when it comes to slicing? Everyone knows the sound it makes, and alot of people can slice across court from the back or even a reverse slice which goes straight, but they still cut across it. How will that help you differentiate between where the shuttle will go?

Also, a bang could be a smash, or an attacking clear. If you assume a bang will be a smash, and you settle yourself for that shot, it would be very difficult to re-adjust yourself to get it, as attacking clears can be a pain.

[LoveJoy]

Matt's points are all correct...many players with advance skills would use sound/noise generated from the bird/racquet to deceive the type of shots.
I have found it to be very effective,

[cappy75]

Heh! Matt's right about them. My half smash/overhead drive is so loud that it gets my opponents every time I hit it between them when they lift. Mind you, I do have to deep smash on my opponents to 'condition' them