You could increase the speed/duration/quantity
however that may not be the only way
it’s the number of decisions will stress and challenge
I didn’t understand the importance of decisions in practice
and how much tougher it suddenly made the practice
Increase the reps or move faster?
These were the only variables I knew
To make practice harder, I often used to just increase the number of repetitions and ask my players to move faster
Or, I would increase the duration and create rallies in excess of those found in the competition.
That was my only way to make it harder, tougher for players.
Include decsions
It will help with in many ways
Once a skill can be performed at game speed, increasing the number of decisions the player has to make will provide the most effective learning for a real game.
It can, more effectively, provide stresses found in a competitive match.
It’s often what separates two equally physically and technically matched payers
Increase the amount of decision-making and the practice will …
- immediately become ‘harder’ and more effective
- create deeper more robust development
- allow the players to make decisions based on what they see
- develop their anticipation
- give them an opportunity to believe that they can influence the situation, not just chase shuttles
- produce ‘players’ not ‘trainers’
- make it feel more like a game than a routine
Yes, you can increase the speed and duration
but for deeper, long-lasting development, practising with indecision is key
Tough practice with opportunities
In a game, neither player knows where the other player will hit the shuttle.
Therefore, how do you develop these anticipatory and reaction skills?
If you want some more reading click here and go to the post that describes the essential elements to any great Badminton Practice
Point no. 5 explains all about the importance of increasing indecision in practice to make it tougher
I questioned if my practices were just causing players to chase shuttles
Yes, it was tough work but it was really helping them win matches?
This podcast may be of interest
They discuss the extended challenge point hypothesis.
How can we get the level of difficulty right to challenge a performer?
What are 3 different goals coaches should consider when designing a practice?
Send me a question
I’m always grateful if you have read this far.
If there is anything that you have read that has helped or that you disagree with, then please send me an email.
I promise to read all your comments
It would be great to hear from you contact@badmintonandy.com



