Do you tell players to keep their racket up!
Do they question you?
Maybe it more myth than useful instruction
Be aware of repeating instructions without considering the implications
What would you say if a player questioned this advice?
Have a conversation
Talk with your coaching friend
Explain to them your concerns about what you see and feel.
Keep it as factual as you can.
Maybe ask them to stand next to you whilst you both watch the players on court.
Discuss :
– Is it true that players need to have their racket up?
– Do they feel the same as you?
– Where did you (and maybe them) both receive this advice?
Is it too simplistic to say “Keep your racket Up!”
What do you see World class players doing?
Watch some matches
Start with Singles
Where do players generally have their rackets?
Down by their knees, around their waist height, or held around their eye level?
Is there a connection with the strokes that they have just played, the position of the shuttle on the other side of the net, or maybe what they anticipate from their opponent?
Doubles
I presume you expect the front (net) player to have their racket up : but is that always as true as you expected?
Then, in the rallies, do the racket positions vary, again does it have any connection to what’s happening in the rally?
Did you agree with the information or stick to your own belifs
It must help to have your racket up ?
Yes, however, consider what you are preparing for and how much time you have
Instead of asking players to “have the racket up”, consider encouraging them to prepare for something that is likely.
Therefore at times, they will prepare with the racket low and down around the waist/knee level, as they expect it will be hit downwards.
At other times, the racket will be around chest level, expecting a flat drive or push.
And, of course, at other times (especially at the net), the racket will be around head level, looking for a flat or upward stroke by the opponent (s).
This recommendation applies equally to both singles and doubles.
Do you agree with this different viewpoint?
It’s the situation and anticipation that dictates where a player prepares their racket: not the coach’s instruction of “Racket UP!”
Is there a better coaching suggestion?
Prepare for the shot you expect will hit your court first
Prepare for the opponent’s shot that gives you the least time to prepare and move your racket
What happends after a while
Coaches should observe rackets in lots of different preparations: height, grip and location
Coaches don’t communicate “Racket up”, rather “What opponent’s stroke are you preparing for?”
Players resist less as there is no argument to be had.
Ok, coaches may argue amongst themselves about ‘What opponent shot to prepare for”
Some may even feel that players still need to be told to “Keep your racket up!”…. good luck when discussing with these
No need to have a generic “get your rackets up”
More “What are you preparing for? , get ready quickly for that”
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.
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