A good player of badminton must not only have great physical skills but also possess mental strength. It is vital to have a strong mental frame, especially for tournament play. These are just a few of the many important aspects that Sport Nutrition plays in the preparation for tournament play.
1. Physical Skills:
Let’s begin with the fundamentals of badminton skills: Steps/Footwork/Strokes, Stamina and Strategy.
Strokes:
Basic badminton strokes include Overheads clear forehand, backhand clear/smash / drop drives, lifts and net shot. It is highly recommended that you watch the badminton demonstration video (link at bottom of page). This video will make learning the fundamental strokes much easier.
The next thing you need to do after you learn the fundamental strokes is practice. You won’t be able to do all of the strokes if you don’t practice enough.
Steps/Footwork:
Stroke is the combination of steps/footwork. Badminton is best if it has a well-coordinated footwork and strokes. It includes coordination of foot, body and swing.
Stamina:
Badminton games can take anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour and can have more than one match in a single day. If you play 3 consecutive games of badminton, your match will be considered complete. A badminton player who lacks stamina will not be able to execute the desired strokes, or finish the match. You must work out regularly to increase your stamina. A regular workout can also improve your game and increase your arm strength.
Strategy:
It is important to have good skills and endurance in badminton. However, it does not suffice. You must also be able to plan your game well to win. You must make sure you hit the right shot, whether it is a clear, drop-shot or smash. You must also identify the opponent’s weakest point. Doubles games are especially important because you need to identify the weaknesses of your opponent and then attack those who are weaker. This is the simplest strategy. You should aim the shuttle more towards your opponent’s backhand if you feel that your opponent has a weak backhand. It is important that you make the right choice in return sequences and create a plan for your entire match. This strategy is known as the “strategie of a badminton match”.
2. Mental strength:
Good badminton players must possess mental and physical strength. Mental strength means the ability to take the right decisions, even under stress or when it is crucial. If one’s down to 5, 19, or reaches the match point 20-20, this is an example. The player should remain focused on the game, regardless of whether they are leading or leaving behind. An excellent badminton player should be able change his strategy when the situation changes. Good badminton players will never give up and be determined to win. They must also have the ability to change their strategy during the game. One example of this is the match between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei at the Malaysia Open 2006. Lin Dan led 20-13 in rubber and it was difficult for Lee Chong Wei to keep up. But, he remained composed and showed great fighting spirit as he slowly recovered the lead. He won the game 23-21.
Also, you need to be calm and have a high EQ in order to play well on the court. There are many incidents that can occur in a match, both inside and outside the court. Bad line calls and umpires’ decisions can lead to insults from the crowd or by an opponent coach. Refer to the link below for The Athlete’s Mind Guide.
3. Sport Nutrition
Sport Nutrition, which is linked at the bottom of the page, is essential for any player who prepares for the tournament. You must ensure that you eat a balanced diet of carbohydrate and fat as well as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water on a daily basis. You can seek the help of a nutritionist to achieve this. It is important to drink enough water before, during, and after play.