JUNIORS: Done it again!

[marcus1471]

The England u17 team retained the 4 nations title for yet another year. we also picked up 3 out of the 5 individual titles. just ask me for any of the details.

[Martin Dew-Hattens]

Congrats ...

Do you think you can maintain this through to the seniors as you grow older.

Is so why and if not why not.

If not then what can you do to change this around.

This is actually prompting the question "what is going wrong at this point in time with the seniors".

ps. Don't think I go round reading this site late at night. I am in Atlanta at the moment.

[marcus1471]

i dont see why not, our particular age group is very strong. i dont see why at least 4 players out of our age group in england cannot go on to be world beaters in years to come.

[marcus1471]

i dont see why not, our particular age group is very strong. i dont see why at least 4 players out of our age group in england cannot go on to be world beaters in years to come.

[marcus1471]

i dont see why not, our particular age group is very strong. i dont see why at least 4 players out of our age group in england cannot go on to be world beaters in years to come.

[marcus1471]

i dont see why not, our particular age group is very strong. i dont see why at least 4 players out of our age group in england cannot go on to be world beaters in years to come.

[marcus1471]

i dont see why not, our particular age group is very strong. i dont see why at least 4 players out of our age group in england cannot go on to be world beaters in years to come.

[marcus1471]

i dont see why not, our particular age group is very strong. i dont see why at least 4 players out of our age group in england cannot go on to be world beaters in years to come.

[marcus1471]

i dont see why not, our particular age group is very strong. i dont see why at least 4 players out of our age group in england cannot go on to be world beaters in years to come.

[rachyuk]

Congratulations Mark!

What was the best part of the event, for you?

Was it the winning or the taking part or a bit of both?

[Martin Dew-Hattens]

For your sake and England's I hope you are are right since I have to listen to
a load of leg pulling here in Denmark about the English players.

Maybe you should think more about the process and not rely on "i don't see why not" so much.

Simply I mean that it is going to take a carefully constructed developement plan which suits you and nobody else.

It might be instructive for you to talk to some of the still young but ex-seniors who have recent experience. i.e Shuker, Ponting. It might help you to not make the mistakes they made.

Good luck.

[marcus1471]

yeah that would be great martin thanx a lot. winnings great but developement is more important.

[Frodo]

I for one fail to see how juniors can progress to competing at the highest international level once they become seniors.

Sadly this view gets re-enforced whenever I see the junior performance cells training.

[Derek]

Your comment,Frodo , is too cryptic for me. I wonder if you would care to elaborate for the benefit of those of us who are not "in the know".

[Khalid]

From the few times I have seen the junior cells train, the impression I get is that most of them are bored .. as if they are doing set pieces that they do not believe will benefit them and those that do not appear bored (and just going thru the motions) are trying to get something out of it, but look like they are fighting a losing battle.

Not once have I watched a junior cell and felt envious about what they are doing. I feel that they are not being stretched and developed and most of what they do is well within their current playing abaility.

Maybe (hopefully) what I have observed is particular to the cell(s) I have seen but I do not see why that should be. I suspect all the cells have a similar set format along with a checklist of things they should do.

To this effect I would have to agree with Frodos comments.

PS: I wouldnt claim to be in the know, these are just some personal observations.

[marcus1471]

Well what do you propose we do then. I for one spend hours upon hours training so that one day i may become good enough to compete at international level. its not a great boost when you "older" players mock us for not trying in training. come down to my cell and watch that!!!

[derekwitham]

It is not for us to say that you won't get any good mark but I think that the bad standard at the top of english badminton is a good example of things to come. However much training you might do Mark it is not always beneficial!!!

[Khalid]

I'm not suggesting you and others arent trying and I dont know what your cell is like.

What concerns me is what is taught, or to be more precise what is not.

[Frodo]

Derek - these are my personal observations. I am no more in the know then the average enthusiastic club player.

I am only looking at the trends and playing styles involved(in singles) at the top international level, who wins and what distinguishes them from a good player.

If you look at the likes of Gader, he has an excellent jump smash and is quick, Hoyer Larsen was extremely deceptive and excelled at strategy. In English badminton we do not seem to produce players with a particular outstanding quality that they can build a game around.

Our players have the talent, especially the juniors. But I feel that they need to develop their game around what they excel at as opposed to develop their game so that they are good at all aspects but dont excel in any particular aspect of the game.

[Martin Dew-Hattens]

Mark,

I think the best you can do is to get yourself in touch with a successful ex-international. Somebody that has been at or close to the top will know what you have to do to get there.

This somebody would be a personal mentor and not a group mentor who can help you with your personal training needs and not mindless/endless robotic routines. (no need to be like a lemming even if you are told to act like one!).

A ex top player would know first and foremost be able to see if you have the qualities to make it. With this I mean the determination. In other words what lengths are you prepared to go to to make it. This has nothing to do with badminton skill!! Butler had prabably the stringest determination I have ever seen but he did not quite make the very top due to lack of technique and mobility.

It takes so many things to make it.

Anyway - don't let this stop you and good luck.

[marcus1471]

is Helen Troke a good enough ex-top player???

[timmyjohnson]

no shes not!!