Every sport demands the very best from professional athletes, especially when they are fighting for the big titles. Since there isn’t much difference between athletes at the very top level, the technique has to be perfect, irrespective of the sport. Badminton is no different. It’s a fast-paced sport that requires precise movement, agility, eagle-like reflexes and pure understanding of the game. While to the fans, and from the courtside, the game might seem simple, it’s a tough sport, where even a slight flaw in the technique can hinder progress and performance.
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Here are 5 Mistakes to Avoid While Playing Badminton
1. Poor Footwork
Footwork is perhaps the most basic aspects of badminton and yet, many players, especially beginners, underestimate its importance. Poor footwork can lead to bad movement on the court, resulting in late return and compromising balance.
Some Signs of Poor Footwork
- Always struggling to reach the shuttle on time.
- Often losing balance while playing shots.
- Sluggish movement on the court.
- Struggling to reach from one position to another on the court.
Ways to Improve Footwork
- Exercises: Exercises such as ladder drills, that focuses on improving speed, can work wonders for athletes. Also practice the split step, lunges, and sidesteps regularly.
- Stay on Your Toes: Make it a habit to remain on the toes always. In sports such as football, athletes tend to remain on toes for quick movements and better reactions.
- Practice Shadow Drills: Try to practice shadow badminton to mimic movements without the shuttle. This helps build muscle memory and improves reflexes.
2. Incorrect Grip
Just like Lawn Tennis, your technique to hold the racket can make the biggest of the difference. Because an incorrect grip can severely impact a player’s control over his racquet and the power he generates from his shots. A wrong grip can also limits a player’s option to return the shots effectively.
Some Common Grip Mistakes
- You are holding the racket too tightly, which can lead to restricted wrist movement.
- You are using the wrong grip for shots. For example, it’s wrong to use forehand grip for backhand shots and vice-versa.
- Not adjusting the grip according to the shot.
How to Correct Your Grip
- Use right grips: It’s important to know the basics of the forehand and backhand grips. The forehand grip is mostly used for shots on the side of your dominant hand while backhand grip is mostly used by Badminton players for the shots on the opposite side of your dominant hand.
- Keep a Relaxed Grip: Never hold the racket firmly too tightly. A relaxed grip allows for better control over racket.
- Be ready for adjustments: Change your grip depending on the shot you are playing. The adaptability is crucial for executing the shots on the court.
- Seek Guidance: If you’re unsure, do not be hesitant to seek advice from a coach or an experienced player.
3. Not focusing on Fitness and Stamina
Like every other sport, Badminton is also a physically demanding sport that requires endurance, strength, and flexibility. Maintaining a peal fitness level is as important as sharpening your skills. Also, the lack of fitness leads to bad reflexes, poor feet movements and an increased risk of injury.
Some Signs of Poor Fitness
- Feeling exhausted after short rallies.
- Inability to keep up with faster-paced games.
- Frequent muscle strains or injuries.
- Poor movement on the court.
- Mental fatigue.
How to Improve Fitness for Badminton
- Maintain discipline: There’s no short cut to fitness. From sleeping to exercising daily, you must be discipline in everything you do.
- Aerobic Exercises: The best way to improve feet movement and improve fitness is to do aerobic exercises such as running, cycling, or swimming.
- Strength Training: Also focus on exercises, such as squats, lunges and planks, that strengthen your legs, core, and shoulders.
- Flexibility Exercises: Since Badminton require a lot of lateral movement, players need flexibility. Therefore, stretching exercises before and after games can improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injuries.
Also Read: Creating a Balanced Diet for Young Athletes
4. Ignoring Shot Selection and Strategy
Badminton is not just about hitting the shuttle, well it is, but the shot selection is key. It’s a sport that requires a perfect strategy and a spontaneous reaction to the shot your opponent is playing. Poor shot selection and lack of planning can give your opponent an easy advantage. For example, if you always returning a lofted shot, your opponent is likely to hit a smash, winning the point easily.
Some Common Errors
- Constantly playing the shuttle to the same area, making your game predictable.
- Attempting high-risk shots unnecessarily, leading to errors.
- Failing to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses.
Ways to Improve Shot Selection and Strategy
- Study Your Opponent’s Game: Study your opponent’s game before the match. It helps you prepare better for the match.
- Observation on the court: Also observe your opponent’s movements and weaknesses on the court. So you must be ready to adjust your game, in order to take advantage of your opponent’s weaknesses.
- Develop variety of shots: Developing a variety of shots such as smashes, drop shots, and net shots can keep your opponent guessing.
- Play to Your Strengths: Know your strength and play to them. For example, if you have a strong smash, use it to your advantage, play at the right opportunities to dominate rallies.
- Stay Patient: Avoid going for winners on every shot. Build the rally and wait for the right moment to attack.
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5. Lack of Mental Strength
It’s the mental toughness that separates the serial winners from average players. Novak Djokovic’s win over Carlos Alcaraz, who is 16 years younger than him, is a perfect example of how determination and mental toughness can help win games against big odds.
Some signs of Poor Focus
- Getting distracted by the score or external factors.
- Losing confidence after making mistakes.
- Inconsistent performance during matches.
Ways to improve Mental Strength
- Stay Focused on the present: Never waste energy thinking about the point lost. Always keep your focus on the next point.
- Maintain a Routine: Top players such as Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic and LeBron James always follow a certain routine that helps them remain focus before the game. So develop your own routine and remain steadfast on that.
- Talk Positive to yourself: Keep talking to yourself that you are going to win the match, that I can do this. It creates a mental image and can work wonders for you.
- Set Small Goals: Even during the match, set small goals such as winning the next point rather than thinking about winning the entire match.
- Practice Under Pressure: Simulate match scenarios during practice to get used to performing under stress.
Conclusion
Just like any other sport, Badminton also requires a certain level of skills such as mastering shots, remaining fully-focused and developing mental toughness. If you are a player who is struggling to hit your top game, chances are, you are struggling from common issues we mentioned above.
But remember, improvement takes time and consistent efforts. You must stay motivated and dedicated towards your ultimate goal.