The process is exciting and sometimes mysterious
Developing net spins will test your coaching abilities
When and how to create a learning journey
Your aim is to create technical ability,
but more importantly, the ability to develop by themselves within constraints
General advice about practice
The practices you use are the key to development,
not the amount of technical information you impart to players
- Create practices that enhance the opportunity for continued development and that create real game advantages.
- Lots of player input will be required, create experiences, and challenge
- Provide hints and tips : be careful about the amount of technical information that is given
- Do talk with other coaches how their methods but remember the way coaches talk to coaches is NOT the same as the way Coaches talk with Players
Have you seen these posts for more ideas?
You will meet people who have ideas of their own; their advice may differ from mine.
You will have to navigate this yourself
Encourage a desire
A desire to experiment and seek mastery over time
Experiencing how a shuttle spins is essential for players, even during the first few interactions.
The thrill and wonderment of this part of the game can easily last a lifetime.
Establish the idea that spins are exciting, and be super positive in your coaching of them. In the beginning, use practices that create all types of spins. The ability to repeat actions is not important.
However, there are certain aspects to take into account before you may decide to refine the skills that involve spinning. Ensure that you not only consider the technical information but you start to create tactical thoughts. It’s the combination of technical & tactical that will create the journey of ‘mastering’ net spins.
I believe that there is no ‘right’ time to explore spins.
However, there are certain aspects to take into account before you decide to refine the skills that involve spinning. Ensure that you not only consider the technical information, but you start to create tactical thoughts.
It’s the combination of technical & tactical that will create the journey of ‘mastering’ net spins.
Early practices
If you’ve read the previous post, you will have seen that I recommend starting without the net.
If you want to read the post again, click the image and read about the different practices you can try
How many fun and challenging games/tasks can you create?
Your coaching challenge is to think about each heading below and then write 3 games/progressions for each that you could use with your players.
.. Partner catch spins
.. Spins into a box
.. Spin it one way then find another
.. Net games: how many variations do you use?
Establish these core elements
I recommend that all early practices incorporate these technical points.
They don’t have to be given to your players verbally. Why not demo them and ask the players to copy, or ask them to describe what they see.
You must create different ways to instil the technical aspects that you think are important.
- Striking and landing at the same time
- Small and subtle hand movements
- Step and pivoting body moments
- Moving frwards 'into' the stroke
Don’t discourage experimentation
Discovery is key
When players first start discovering spins, they often use that exact method: discovery! 🙂
I’ve yet to find a player who has learned how to spin a shuttle without making many, many errors. But, don’t think of these as errors, more like ‘ mis-timed mishits’
The process of development is certainly not linear ie you improve little by little, progressing each day/month. It’s not from reading books or listening to a coach.
However, players can give themselves an advantage by hitting on court with others who have better spins, and by watching videos.
I’d encourage you to play lots of net games where bonus points are given for unreturnable spins.
The importance of practice partners
The importance of practice partners
As often as possible, players need to practice net spins with other players. This is the most effective form of practice.
Don’t just have players hand-feeding each other; create practices with elements of both cooperation and competition.
The practice may look something like this
Player A : blocks or pushes (like a serve) over the net that would land around the service line.
Player B : attempts to play a tight net from this push/block (initially without spin)
Player A : moves forward and spins
Player B : tries to either spin the return immediately, or let it drop and play back to the net, to return
You may think that this practice sounds very simple, but it’s more realistic than hand feeding, as there are subtle variations contained within.
Player A can decide how fast or flat to serve/block. To which side of the opponent should be ‘feed’ (will the return be different). They could feed straight or slightly crosscourt.
Player B could take it very early and return with a ‘fast net’ or hit a loopy ‘feed’. They could try to spin (even if they are away from the net). They could direct the net return away from the opponent, making them adjust.
There are huge amounts of information and opportunities available when players practice together if you create the structure/rules.
Not all of this will sound like coach instruction. Most of the valuable information can be seen or experienced as they work together in these practices/challenges.
Encourage players to practice with each other
Hopefully, they will learn by ‘watching’
Information and beginners
Deciding how much and when
If you are working with beginners, consider how little verbal information you can give in order to allow players to progress through stages. View development as a journey, and probably for net spins, a long journey.
Of course, you will have to speak and provide some form of instruction. Certainly, you will have to describe the practice, its aim, and the images a player needs to visualise.
I recommend that you use coaching cues that describe the technical information you know will work, but don’t sound like coach-technical-speak.
Get onto court, play net games with your players, and (if you can) show them various spins.
Taslk to beginners about how long it took you and others to ‘master’ net spins. Drop in the odd story of how effective they are, and how sometimes it’s best NOT to spin the shuttle.
Some beginners may demand information; be prepared for that!
Give just enough to enhance their ability at the stage of development that they are at. Don’t trate them like experts or other coaches and try to impart all the knowledge you have. There will be plenty of time for that over the future years!
Be prepared to offer information when asked,
but provide only what helps them right now. Don’t impart everything you know!
Do's and Dont's
Everyone will have an opinion on how to introduce net spins,
Listen to what others say, request confirmation from people you trust, try it out with players
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
