Badminton Tactics: Playing to Improve

When playing badminton specifically to improve your game, you must stay fixed on the future and not the match(es) at hand. While this might seem like an odd concept, it is absolutely essential to take your game to the next level.

This tactic does not immediately translate to winning. Strangely, though, it is very similar to the idea of ‘playing to win.’ The only difference is that improving is focused on your future state of play, whereas winning deals with only the present. By the end of this guide you will be armed with the knowledge to help you improve your overall game and steadily surpass your peers.

Purpose of Playing to Improve

When you play “to improve,” you are working solely towards playing better badminton. Here winning is just a bonus. Playing better is broken into two parts: Decision-making and execution. It’s a process in deciding what course of action to take and then carrying out that action to the best of your ability. Far too often, players rely on their “go-to” shot to score a point. If you think about this for a moment, you’ll realize that being predictable makes your shots less effective. Ideally, all of your shots will be equally strong, and every swing you take will be as unpredictable as the last.

Collectively, you should make every aspect of your game as good as the others. You might be able to mask your weaknesses against lesser players, but any worthy opponent will find your flaws and exploit them. In playing to improve, that is exactly what you are aiming to do: Find the best way to beat your opponent and then execute the best you can. For example, if your weakest shot is the drop, but your opponent has trouble returning drops, you should still utilize the drop more than you normally would. You do this to refine your decision-making, while also practicing your worst stroke. This is the fundamental nature of playing to improve, because it aims to make you a better player for the future.

When to Play to Improve

Essentially, any time not spent playing in a tournament or an official match should be designated as practice. For example, if there is an upcoming tournament or match against a rival team, then you should pour every bit of energy into improving. There isn’t as much to gain when you focus on beating your practice opponents. Playing to improve holds decision-making above all else, and disregards your ability to execute. If losing to every player on your team during practice will better prepare you for an upcoming match, then so be it.

 

Engaging in the “playing to improve” tactic can be tough on your ego, but the benefits you reap will far outweigh the losses you endure. Stick with the routine and you’ll soon find yourself surpassing your rivals.

Decision-Making

Decision-making comes with experience in being able to analyze your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and then finding an effective counterstrategy. If you pay attention to how the game progresses, tendencies should reveal how your opponent operates. For instance, a player’s backhand is most often his weaker side. If you pay attention to how your opponent deals with shots to the backhand, it can give you insight into some of his tendencies or weaknesses. If you find that he can only drop from the back with his backhand stroke, then you can take advantage by cheating up toward the net whenever you hit to his backhand. Even paying attention to the smaller things like his body language in between rallies can give you a sign about to his stamina level.

Absorbing all of this information and processing it all at once to make split-second decisions during a rally is what you’re ultimately working toward. As you get into higher levels of competition your decision-making will need constant refinement. It becomes an ongoing process, one you can never ignore.

Shot Execution

Shot execution is essentially comprised of two parts: Consistency and technique. As these two things improve, your overall execution will undoubtedly do the same. 

Consistency

This relies on muscle memory; ensuring that you have the same setup before each shot will refine this memory. Having excellent footwork will enable you to take each stroke with your ideal setup. Repetition will ingrain each of your movements to become automatic, or second nature.

Technique

Start with the traditional grips and strokes and become familiar with them. If necessary, alter them slightly to suit your style. To continue your progress, don’t hesitate to learn new techniques for more advanced shots. As always, repetition will push your technique to a level where it feels completely natural.

Playing to Improve vs. Playing Poorly

The greatest drawback in playing to improve is the possibility of playing poorly. Playing poorly does not mean losing a match or not scoring a lot of points. It is making poor decisions and not executing shots properly. Taking a drop shot instead of a clear because it is more challenging for you does not mean you’re becoming a better player. Part of playing to improve is knowing how and when to take the right shot. For example, if your opponent hits a weak clear, a smash would be the correct play in most cases. However, if you notice your opponent moving back to compensate for his weak return, then a drop shot will catch him off guard and put the shuttle out of reach.

Playing to improve is predicated on making the correct play and executing it properly. Do not take a shot simply because it is more difficult. This can lead to poor habits that affect your normal game. Without sound decision-making, this improvement strategy can become largely ineffective or even detrimental. If you’re making the wrong decisions, the quality of your shots will be irrelevant. Even if you score you a point, it can defeat the purpose of the exercise.

Every Experience is Valuable

Your time is too valuable to be wasted with poor practices as a result of a poor attitude. Each aspect of playing to improve relies on the other. Having good decision-making without solid execution makes your decisions worthless. This is truly an example of where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Ultimately, you should reach a point where both halves become automatic without having to think about what shot to take or how to hit it. It is at this point where you become a complete player who can play to win!

The Yonex Voltric Z-Force

This is the big one. I've never seen a racket sell so well and garner so much attention. So much so that I've been tempted into buying one to try it out for myself and even wrote multiple entries for it here.

The Yonex Voltric Z-Force is the badminton giant's latest attempt to tap on the Asian market's delight for fire power. Boasting a 19KGf smash force on your opponent's racket, the dedicated website for the VTZF even has testimonials from the Malaysian Nationals about how they couldn't resist its temptation.

I knew there was something about the new racket when I noticed World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei adopt an extremely offensive style of play leading to its release at the Yonex All England, and I was proven right when the 10 rackets my stringer got in disappeared in a matter of 4 hours.

Suddenly the badminton world is ablaze about the marvels of Yonex's new haymaker.

But I have other ideas. Not every foot fits in this Cinderella shoe, and this here is one of them.

This review is from my opinions of the racket and of the game of badminton. Take this with a pinch of salt, but feel free to ask me if you have any more questions that my review failed to answer.

Ok, here goes.

Yonex Voltric Z-Force
Est. Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Extremely Head-Heavy
Max String: 26lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax @ 24lbs

I use this racket for singles play.

Defense
As expected given its extreme weight distribution, the racket leaves much to be desired when it comes to defense. The slightly smaller head frame and the weight takes your defense down a notch off the get-go, but once you get used to it the extra weight down the front will end up giving you better returns.

But when it comes to defense, I'm not one to make a game of chance out of it. I'd rather be able to take a beating than give one, and the Yonex Voltric Z-Force doesn't give me a good defensive game.

Clearing from end to end is effortless given the balance, but the loss of control leaves more to be desired as I had to mentally calm myself into making safer shots.

Attack
The Yonex Voltric Z-Force feels like a VT80 on steroids. They didn't increase the weight of the racket much, but boy did they perform an overhaul on the weight distribution! Pushing most of the weight into the head frame made this racket extremely head-heavy.

I'd go as far as to say it's pretty much feels like an 80/20 balance.

The result being a very forceful downward stroke. People with a further downswing on the follow-through should watch their swing lest it starts to drill a hole into the net (or ground!).

With that domineering allocation of weight also comes, in a my opinion, a slightly flexible shaft. This gives drive shots and check smashes a whole lot of power as you which the racket to give you an added boost to speed.

This is one amazing racket to attack with, especially if you like to use the wrist to get it that surprise attack.

Control
But all that speed and power comes at a price of control. You're going to need more concentration to keep that shuttle in play. Feedback from the strings feel lost because of the lower density coming down the shaft.

It didn't feel right hitting the shuttle and I couldn't feel the path of the shuttle as well after it leaves my string bed.

People who like that half smash-fast drop will also find that the shots are taken down a lot steeper than with previous rackets, another resultant effect of top-loading the Voltric Z-Force to hell. I'd push a little more forward than downwards with this racket.

Prepare to lose a few points to control till you get the hang of it.

Looks
Weird, is what I said when I first saw the racket. Yonex went off and removed the shiny coating from their rackets, replacing it with a smooth, matt layer that's often accompanied with shoddy finishing.

The distinctive tattoo markings on a Voltric was also diminished, overshadowed by sharp lines that perhaps reflected the company's focus on delivering a devastating downward stroke.

Green, white and black were primary colors of the Yonex Voltric Z-Force, which in my opinion was a good change away from the angrier colors employed in the VT70 and VT80.

Overall, it's pleasing to the eye if you can get past the inevitable bad finishing.

Yonex SHB-01 Lee Chong Wei - Limited version

Comfort

The SHB-01 is meant to wrap around your entire foot - top and bottom - so as to achieve a non-slip feel as you move around the court. The tight hold it has probably means it's not really suitable for those with broad feet. 

For those whom it serves, it will serve well. The shoes offer very good comfort as they hold firmly. Apart from the feet getting really warm over time (it's not got a lot of ventilation like the Mizunos), the Yonex SHB-01 really did offer a lot of comfort.

One thing I did feel, however, was the tongue cutting into my ankle as I ran around. This was rectified by making sure you pull it right up when you wear em. Prolonged use will also soften it up. 

Stability / Grip

The soles of the shoe look like they're of some mid / low end range. No more of the complex sole mechanics that came with my previous SHB-101LTD. This one's more of a two-piece, no nonsense make. Not that it doesn't get the job done, but you get the feel that Yonex was probably pulling your leg about the previous one. 

Those who are used to a broader shoe (I'm talking to the Li-Ning users out there), watch your step with these narrower tips. 

One the court

I constantly find myself looking down at the shoe to see how nice they were. Other than that I don't feel any need to worry about my footing.

The Yonex SHB-01 Limited gives a very good grip, with excellent stability and a nice firm hold on your foot. Non-slip, fast-paced.

Yonex Arcsaber 11

Racquet Type : Yonex Arcsaber 11 SP version
Specs : 3UG5
Flex: Stiff
Balance: 285 mm (Even Balance)
Strings: Yonex BG80 Power
Tension: 27lbs, pre-stretched using Yonex ES5PROTECH
Grip: Yonex cushion wrap+ original grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology : (New) Sonic Metal, T-Anchor and CS Nanotube Neo
Shuttles used: Apacs Aeroflight 700

First Impression: 
I won't described the colors or the looks of the racquet as the manufacturer's website and badmintoncentral.com has plenty of those.
A successor to the flashy but difficult to use Arcsaber 10.
Similar in shape and flex to Arcsaber 10 but having different materials at the frame and the T-joint.
This racquet occupies the same niche and has the same specs as the Arcsaber 10 i.e. stiff flex and even balance.
To put things into perspective, I am benchmarking this racquet against Arcsaber 10 which is somewhat difficult racquets to use for the majority of non-competitive players.

Final comprehensive review

I played mostly doubles (and half court singles)

TOC (time on court) when making review:

total of 20 hours of game play.


Warm Ups:
Warming involves baseline to baseline forehand clears.
Clears are long and far owing to the aerodynamics, repulsion and the flex of the racquet.
If one word is to describe this racquet is 'comfortable'.
Drives are pretty fast owing to the 'repulsive' (Sonic metal) frame. The handle of the racquet is the same length as the Nanospeed and Nanoray range, hence very good for holding the racquet higher up the handle for faster reaction. 
The racquet shaft is similar to Arcsaber 10 and felt that the stiffness and kickpoint is the same.

The major difference I felt is that Arcsaber 11 have a more solid feel and more repulsive string bed.
Perhaps it's the effort of the designers to improve the somewhat lame duck feel of the frame of Arcsaber 11.
Cup stacked nano tube was originally design like (a spring) to provide a trampoline effect whilst (improving control?).
Quote,'Increased durability and improved flexibility allow the frame to return back to its original shape faster. Positioned at the sides of the racquet, CS Carbon Nanotubes improve the frame’s elasticity, holding the shuttle on the string bed for enhanced control at the point of impact.' -Yonex.com.


Game Time:
I won't go into detail each and every shots tried.
Generally since I am playing doubles, receiving of serve and serve are great as expected for a fast and stable racquet.
The ease of use of this racquet is apparent, as one can comfortably whip the racquet to hit shuttle gently or violently.

Front court: Aerodynamics of the racquet and the long handle of the racquet allows quick and fast reaction to perform netshots, netkills and crosscourt net shots.

Midcourt: This racquet shines best in the mid court range area as it is both good in attack and defence. As for drive shots, this racquet can rival the Nanorays in fast reactions, heck (it shares the same material as the king of drive aka Nanoray 800) Long handle and comfortable control support cap helps in using finger power (Thumb and grip tightening) for sharp compact backswing in backhand drives.

Back court:
The control and power suffers a tiny bit as it it not heavy nor stiff enough like Voltric Z-force for power smash and power clears to the back court.
Nevertheless, the sweet spot is rather large and felt very easy to whip this racquet as the kickpoint is leaning towards the handle.
Control is excellent, slicing (normal and reverse) and checked drops are precise, fast and accurate.

Conclusion: 
This racquet's playability is great as it is very comfortable to wield this racquet both forehands and backhands. An improvement to Arcsaber 10 with better repulsion and ease of use.
Feel: 9/10

Control: 9.5/10

Power: 8.5/10

Defence: 9/10

Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros: Ease of use and generally an all rounder racquet.

Cons: Almost none.

Suitability: intermediate/advanced players 3U and 2U

Player type: All rounder.

YONEX NanoSpeed Excel

I'm very excited to be reviewing the redesigned Yonex Nanospeed Excel today; an intermediate racquet with an added bonus. 

Fans of Yonex will know the Nanospeed series is being phased out, so apart from the Nanospeed 9900, which has a strong fanbase, is the last of the series breed.


The Nanospeed Excel comes in a standard cover, however it is a full length one, which is unusual for a racquet in this price category.






The Nanospeed Excel comes in a dark metallic Orange and grey colour scheme, with a few flecks of white. While it does look good, it doesn't stand out too much. 

Like all other intermediate and beginner racquets from Yonex, the Nanospeed Excel is made in China. This already will put off a lot of purchasers due to the volatile manufacturing standards of Yonex's Chinese factories. Buyers should look out for the Yonex stamp authenticity sticker and only purchase from approved stockists. 

Like all Nanospeed racquets before it, the Excel is headlight and is terrific around the net. It doesn't have the poise or shuttle direction changing ability of the top of the range Nanospeed 9900, but then at this price point, that's asking for a bit much.

The BONUS... I feel the Excel is a test racquet for Yonex to test a new material called Excel Alloy (hence the name). It is made by combining titanium with aluminium creating a strong and flexible frame. It means strings can be strung to higher tensions and strikes can be hit with greater repulsion. 

The shaft is stiff on the racquet so power generation is through your own swing, however I must say I feel the Excel alloy has an effect on return speed of the shuttle.

This is a great swan song for the Nanospeed series and considering the abilities of the racquet, it is terrific value for money.

Lin Dan intensive physical training

Lin Dan is the greatest badminton champion of all time. In this video, we will see how Lin Dan fitness.

Great physical exercise example from Lin Dan. Lin Dan executing modern sports methods with physical trainer adding resistance while doing crunches and modern gym equipment's. I guess that's what makes a champion.

Dropshot in badminton

Badminton Drop Shots are delicate badminton shots that can win you points outright if executed well with deception. These shots can be played both on the forehand and backhand sides.

Use the badminton drop shot to move your opponent to the frontcourt. It will create space in the midcourt and backcourt for you to exploit. Wrist action is essential in providing the disguise and element of surprise. The optimum hitting zone is located somewhere above the central area of your racket. You can play two types of Badminton Drop Shots, Slow Drop Shot and Fast Drop Shot. A slow drop shot shall land in your opponent's frontcourt area, as close to the net as possible. The point of impact is above the racket shoulder. It is intended to move your opponent to the frontcourt, hopefully forcing a weak return to your midcourt for you to kill A fast drop shot shall land in the front of your opponent's mid court area, preferably to the sides. Hit the shuttle slightly further in front of the body to produce a shallower trajectory at a faster speed. It is intended tocatch your opponent off balance and have less time to respond. Forehand Drop Shot The forehand overhead drop shot is similar to the action of throwing a ball. If you can throw a ball well, you shouldn't have problem playing it. You can always practice throwing with a shuttle first before stepping on to the court. Here are some pointers for playing a forehand overhead drop shot. - Adopt the forehand grip. - Turn your body and stand sideways to the net with your non-racket shoulder facing the net. - Shift your weight on to your rear foot. - Bend your elbow and lock your wrist preparing to swing forward. - Raise your non-racket hand and point at the shuttle to improve timing and balance. - Contact the shuttle as high as possible and out in front of your body. - Straighten your elbow as you hit the shuttle. - Slice or tap the shuttle as you hit it, reducing the speed of the racket head. - The angle of the racket face will determine the direction of your shot. - Follow through with your racket and shift your weight from your rear foot to your front foot. - Move back to your base position. Backhand Drop Shot It is not easy to play a backhand overhead drop shot. Even experienced players have problem with this badminton stroke. You shall always try to play an 'around the head' forehand drop shot whenever possible. However, it is important that you know how to play the backhand overhead drop shot. There are times when you just can't play the shuttle with your forehand. Here are some pointers for playing a backhand overhead drop shot. - Adopt the backhand grip. - Turn your body so that your back is facing the net. - Lead and shift your weight to your racket foot. - Lift your arm from the shoulder with the forearm parallel to the floor. - Hold the racket across your body with the racket head pointing down. - Keep the racket arm and elbow close into your body. - Contact the shuttle in front of your body and as high as possible. - Slice or tap the shuttle as you hit it, reducing the speed of the racket head. - The angle of the racket face will determine the direction of your shot. - Push your body back to your base position. Around the Head Drop Shot This is actually a forehand overhead badminton drop shot played at the non-racket side of your body. Try to use it whenever play permits as a forehand stroke is always better and more accurate than a backhand. The techniques for hitting this shot are about the same as the forehand overhead stroke with only some minor adjustments. Here are some pointers for playing a forehand around the head drop shot. - Stand squarely to the net. - Bend your upper body sideways to your non-racket side as your arms come through. - Shift your weight to your non-racket leg. - Bend your elbow and bring the racket behind your head. - As you swing forward, your forearm will brush the top of your head before straightening. - Transfer your body weight rapidly as your non-racket leg pushes your body back to your base position. An important thing to note here is that whether you are playing a badminton drop shot, a clear or a smash, your wrist plays a key part in creating deception. The basic preparations for these badminton shots are the same, only the angle of the racket face, the speed of the racket head and the point of impact is different. Keep your opponent guessing. Remember...Practice is the only way to improve your Badminton Drop Shots...