Tactical awareness

[blametheshuttle]

Hi,

this may seem like a stupid question but I just can't figure it out. When you watch badmiton on TV or watch live badminton with really good players they always talk about how the teams are using the wrong tactics (ie. needs to slow it down / needs to put pressure on etc..) and how they can exploit their opponent's weaknesses.

Granted that us mere mortals are not meant to spot the weaknesses in the best players in the world (or the players themselves or their coaches wouldnt be paid to do what they do :p), I seem to have an utter failure to spot mistake even in games that I am play in myself. I have the general understand of things like front and back when attacking, side by side when definding, smash down the middle and returns servers to the side-middle etc...

I play mens doubles mostly and I've been playing with my current partner for a long time now so we are pretty good at the general formation around the court, but whenever we losing I have the complete inability to spot what we should do to save the situation (given that the opposition are of a beatable standard). Can you pros out there please tell me how to spot my own weakness, spot the opponent's weakness, and how best to device a plan to exploit it? I know it takes experience but I am just losing games that I should win sometimes and come off court without a clue how and why I lost it.

here are a few specific questions I have too and any general advice (for both doubles and singles) would be much appreciated:

1. I assume "speeding up the game" means more attacking shots to give the opponent less time to react
2. How do you "Slow down the game"? the only method I can think of is lifting to give yourself more time but surely that'd be giving the opponent easy potential winners?
3. Assuming I cannot study the opponent before the match, what would be the best method to test for his/her/their weaknesses without being 10-0 down before you find out?
4. What are the typical scenarios?
what I mean by this are:

example1: you opponents are playing really fast shots at you all the time and you struggle with the pace of the game.
Solution1: You slow the game down by doing/trying blablabla... etc....

*edit* 5. If you are playing singles against someone who does very flat clears making you struggle to get back in time (I can't jump 2 feet in the air to intercept it lol) what kind of shots should I play to him to prevent him from doing so?

Sorry for this extremely long post but I wanted to be clear as to what I am saying as aquiring this skill will bring lots and lots more victories under my belt and I need that in order to improve/be noticed to be improving.

[Lefty]

the pros have a slightly easier time as they typically play the same set of players each tournament whereas club players can be facing almost anybody....each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Even more frustrating, club level players are far less consistent so one day, your opponent might be the jump smash king, the next they might play really lazy and slow.

I think you really need a coach to help answer your question...preferably watching one of your games so he can analyse each shot and why you played it etc.

However that said, here's some general tips:

1. I try to smash as hard as possible for the first lift my opponent gives me. This gives the impression I am dangerous and if my shot is successful, it can have the effect of the opponent being reluctant to play a lift to me in future...which means they now have 1 shot less to use against me!

2. Dominating the forecourt (net) is crucially important in both doubles and singles but lots of club players don't have the confidence or skill to play in this area. If you can return all serves to the net then stay very alert and agressive, it forces your opponent to lift to you (or your partner if doubles) which then gives you instant attacking options. Try playing a friendly game against somebody and only ever return service to the net (no lifts)...see how hard it is to get each one consistently tight to the net to prevent attack but without making an error.

3. Angle of smash can be very important. I've played people who have incredible defense...they are like walls! However the moment you smash flatter to them (as if you were aiming for their head), they are caught unaware time and time again. It can be risky as they can gain the attack from a flat smash or the shuttle could go out but it does reduce reaction time and people have a general reflex to get their face out of the way of the shuttle so they take their eyes off the shuttle for a split second, giving you a greater chance of success.

4. I guess spotting weakness can be done by watching your opponent warm up/knock up. You can watch their technique and footwork to some extent and you may discover flaws like slow grip changes, balance problems etc. Alternatively, early on in the match, you can try to play on a single opponent, moving them around as much as possible...playing lifts, drops, smashes and net shots to them to gauge how effective their responses are. However I wouldn't recommend "playing" someone when you can simply attack or kill the shuttle...as you are inviting your opponent to come up with clever shots and gain in confidence as they return everything you throw at them!

5. Frustrating your opponent can be the only way to reveal weakness...or it may be their only weakness!! I've seen county superstars crumble just because they get annoyed at one thing or another...and then they become beatable. You can frustrate them without cheating or being rude... if there is an opponent who wants to smash all the time and clearly enjoys it...simply play net shots and drops to them constantly...or don't give them a single shot...play on their partner.

Hope some of that helps. Most of it is obvious really but that's the trouble...we often overlook the simplest of things :)

[blametheshuttle]

Thanks for the tips lefty! after reading your post I went out today and recorded 6 games of singles and watching it does reveal some problem areas like lack of variation. One strange problem is that I play tight net shots, try to go in but mostly get flicked and I am unable to get back in time to smash it, forcing me to clear :(

I am hoping to get doubles recorded soon so I can see that as I believe I am tactically worse at doubles than singles.

ps. also found that my jump smashes arent as high as I thought it was ... The camera lies!!! :p