What are the benefits ?
Could there be any disadvantages?
Do you think skill and technique are the same
and can both be developed using multi shuttle?
What did over 100 coaches say
Multi-shuttle allows for more ‘control’ of practice than other practice types. This happens both in design and execution.
The feeder (often the coach, but not always) decides exactly where to direct the next shuttle, its speed, the timing of the delivery and if they desire, out of context from the previous stroke.
That is unlike any other situation in a game, a rally.
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Why do coaches want control of practice?
Do coaches favour this practice type because it reduces the variations found in match play?
Is multi-shuttle possibly more controllable than single-shuttle (rally) type practices?
Do coaches want practice ‘certainty’ over situations a player is exposed to.
It could also be that the coaches ‘see’, can picture the rally situations but no longer have the physical abilities to create them in a rally against their player. Plus, the fact that if coaches were to play in every session, they may become injured or fatigued.
Coaches often use multi-shuttle because they want to
reduce the variability found in rallies and direct exactly what happens in practice
Multi-shuttle practice has many uses : some more effcetive than others
This post is part of a mini-series looking at the uses of multi-shuttle.
My initial thoughts
How many do you agree with?
-
Is technique multi-feeding more effective at different stages of a player’s development?
If that’s true, what criteria would you use to decide when to use it and when to practice the technique in a different way? -
The theory is that by repeating a movement or shot (or a combination of the two), the player will develop a technique that can be used in a match.
Does more repetition in isolation (feed-hit, next feed, etc) actually produce an effective game skill?
- Using multi-feeding can provide an immediate improvement in ‘practice performance’. However, have you noticed that at the start of the next session and in matches especially, that the technique doesn’t seem as robust as it was when compared to the previous practice session? (Maybe more practice isn't the answer)
- Does technique practice need to be in context, ie having some elements of what happens in a competitive rally? Very often the shuttle is not returned by the coach and the next shuttle is delivered ‘out of context’ to the shot that has just been played. e.g. the player hits a clear and the coach feeds to the net using an underarm feed.
- Once a technique is partly established in isolated practices, how much more time should be spent practicing without the influences and pressures that happen in a real match. Does more 'simple' (isolated) practice = more development?
Finally, I wonder how many coaches like doing single-shot multi for technique development because they, the coach, can control many elements of the practice. Plus they can provide continuous, specifiuc feedback thatt during the practice.
Multi is definitely highly controllable from a coach’s viewpoint. Plus, the feeder isn’t required to move, therefore it’s less physical for them and maybe they can observe much more.
Identify the reasons you do multi-shuttle for technique with single isolated feeding?
There may be many or are you just keeping players busy and active?
I do not agree with all the points
I’ve made them in the hope that they will simulate your thoughts: good or bad
Positives and advantages
How many do you agree with?
- Using lots of single shuttles with small restricted movements will certainly give the player a good representation of that stroke or movement.
- There is often an increased technique performance in practice as the practice is highly controllable. Coaches, players, and parents often seek reassurance that practice is ‘working’ by looking for ‘progress’. The controllable element of multi shuttle can provide this.
- There is an opportunity when using only 1 shuttle to establish key technical underpinning elements. These critical components can be isolated and established if the coach is knowledgeable.
- It allows the coach to watch multiple attempts, preparing feedback whilst the player is performing the repeatable actions.
- The coach can place the feed in the optimum position to maximise technical practice performance.
- Practice isn’t affected by a player making mistakes as there are no rallies to break down.
- It can place less physical stress on players. This is important if players are training many hours a week and not everything can be practiced at game intensity.
- Players may find it motivational and gain increased confidence as the ‘success’ level can be high in a multi shuttle. Confidence can be gained even if the feeder has deliberately manipulated the practice to aid/produce player success.
Once a player can perform an effective technique (not perfectly),
is single shuttle multi the most effective practice type for further technique development?
Negatives and disadvantages
How many do you agree with?
- It’s questionable if once the technique is partly established (a debate in itself) that performing it continually in a multi shuttle way will increase its effectiveness and robustness, especially if it’s hand feeding or coach ‘deliberate assisted’ feeding.
- The coach/feeder starts every practice and therefore the player is missing an opportunity to influence the practice. Have you thought about using ‘player start’ practices to allow at least one opportunity to affect/influence what the feeder may experience?
- Some people suggest that even in techniques practices it’s essential to have some variability caused by opponent-type decisions.
- Can a technique ever be thought of as complete if the impact of that technique on the opponent is not experienced/measured? If the shuttle is never returned, how can the effectiveness of that technique be measured in practice?
- Do you believe that an element of ‘technique’ includes the early anticipation by the player and that this information is an essential part of the skill (techniques + context) about to be performed? Where are the anticipation cues in a feeder-led multi shuttle?
Can an individual technique be considered a skill if it’s developed through a single shuttle?
Skills could be thought of as a collection of techniques applied in a game context.
Where is the context in a multi shuttle if only one shuttle is used and it’s not returned? Repetition of a technique is this ‘closed’ context should not be considered as skill training. Technique and Skill are different.
Repetition of a technique is this ‘closed’ context should not be considered as skill training
Technique and Skill are different
Are there other reasons why you choose to multi-shuttle?
I’m sure you must have your reasons for using this practice. Especially if it’s your ‘go-to’ practice type.
How you coach the practices you create will always be your choice
All I ask is that you consider why you do what you do and how effective it is
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
