During training, many players can just go through the motions and are content with being dictated to. Training is most effective when it is more interactive and when the right attitude is applied. Here are 10 tips in attaining the optimal benefits from training.
- Be well nourished – Eat and drink before you arrive.
- If you don’t fully understand something – ASK QUESTIONS!!!!! Also, don’t be afraid to break down the different aspects of a shot. You could start with just focusing on the mechanics and the technical approach to a shot, then onto refining the movement into the shot and then finally any other nuances – BREAK IT DOWN
- Be conscious of your body and how your shots feel when performed effectively; try to recreate it every time.
- If there is a particular aspect you’re struggling with (e.g. implementing a split step) before your training session, visualise yourself doing it. During the session consciously think about implementing the split step at every appropriate opportunity. Similarly, if you have any bad habits; visualise yourself doing it correctly and during the session consciously pay close attention to it and do it accurately.
- Establish how you learn – Personally, I am a visual learner so I like to watch something and then do it. Others prefer to be talked through the mechanics and logistics of a shot. There is no right or wrong way, but determine the most effective way in which you learn and inform your coach so they have this in mind when demonstrating or teaching new techniques or shots.
- If you are coached by more than one coach and they have differing views on something, don’t be afraid to respectful challenge their view and ask them to explain why this is the best way to do things. Try it out, if it works for you, makes sense to you and isn’t TECHICALLY FLAWED, do it!!
- Remember that no one person is the same, so what may work for me may not work for you. Badminton is not one size fits all.
- Try not to get irritated and despondent – your attitude is your altitude, do not give up.
- My old coach Nora Perry would always say “JO-EL!!!!! How you train will translate onto the match court.” If your sessions lack intensity and not much effort is being put forth then this will be indicative to how you play matches.
- For people that I coach (especially beginners) I encourage them to write notes on how to perform specific shots. Bullet point the teaching points given by your coach, so if you play whilst your coach isn’t there and a shot breaks down, you can look back at the notes and address any problems and try to rectify them yourself. It is also helpful to revisit these notes before training sessions, so again you can visualise yourself performing the shots perfectly.