We tried and it was a tough challenge
There are problems with seeking error-free badminton
Why don't you try
“I’m making too many unforced errors!”
This was the cry from one of the players I was watching in a training match
What happened
I was watching a friend’s coaching sessions
It was a match play session. One player was slightly better than the other but it was certainly a competitive match.
During the break, both players talked about the need to make fewer errors, especially unforced errors.
I asked how many unforced errors they felt they should make in a game to 21 points
“I shouldn’t make any!”… was one reply!”
So we decided to test if this was possible
What would be the effect if the two players attempted to play error-free badminton?
The challenge
To play a normal tough match to 21 points and try to win : rather than make no unforced errors..
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BUT if one player made 3 unforced errors, they immediately lost the match even if they were winning.
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In our session, one player then decided to increase their target to 4 and the other reduced it to 2 !
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‘Forced Errors” were allowed, e.g., your opponent hit a great shot (a smash) can you just can’t return
What happened
- The game was close at the beginning with lots of forced errors but no unforced errors
- Then suddenly one player hit a return of serve just out the side! Ah!! was the cry
- They kept two scores 9-7 and (0-1 unforced errors)
- As the score widened, both players made errors when either under pressure or surprisingly when they went for an ‘easy’ big smash down the line ‘, out!’ (1-3)
- There was a brief discussion over the difference between forced and unforced errors
- The match finished 21-15 (2-5)
- They kept playing even though one player past their ‘target’ limit of unforced errors
After the match, players and coaches had an honest disscussion
- Both players agreed that it was much tougher mentally than they expected and they “couldn’t stop thinking about making an error”
- It was agreed that some unforced errors were ok as they happened at a time that didn’t affect the overall match result.
- Although after stating this we all stopped to consider how ‘true’ this was. What was your immediate reaction to the statement above?
- There was a debate over the difference between forced and unforced errors
- One player expressed frustration by saying said that they didn’t like the game and ” I don’t want to play it again!”
Find a coaching friend and consider
Zero unforced errors is an unrealistic target, and maybe the reduction of errors is much tougher than people realise?
Should the first goal be to reduce the chance of unforced errors at critical stages of a match?
Maybe start with something such as the return of serve. Preparing to hit a ‘safe’ return to service is a skill that needs to be mastered.
Do you want a conversation?
I’d like to hear from you if you have a viewpoint on anything that you’ve read
We don’t need to agree, but explore viewpoints.
It would be great to hear from you, send me an email : contact@badmintonandy.com
This is part of a series of conversation starters.
Although not in detail, the posts are written to get you thinking and talking with others.
