What are the 3 things you can’t do without

Expert advice, General

Welcome to the series that gives you access to expert opinions and views on all things badminton

We asked a group of experts (coaches and players) …….

What are the 3 things you can’t do without

People and fitness

The top 3 things you cannot do without in your career is base fitness, strength and conditioning (all being under 1 thing) ????

Being respectful of other players / people is super important as you will need people to work with as it’s probably quite likely that there is a small number of people to work with. Become great at getting a long with people.

Routine, Family, Guidance

A strong routine and consistency. Knowing I have these two definitely helps me in matches as when it gets to the tough stages I know that I have a good foundation behind me.

My family – without the support of my parents and little sister I would never ever be able to be a professional badminton player

Guidance – for many years I lacked guidance in a coaching capacity. I had talent but needed a lot of help to understand how to use that talent. Unfortunately, I had to wait until I was 23 to find a coach who has the knowledge and patience to find out what worked best for me. But I think I was lucky as I’m sure some players never find that guidance. I would say it’s nearly impossible to do it alone.

My list changes depending on how I fee, but generally …

These aren’t listed in order because I find that the order changes depending on my scheduling and mental state at the time, but these 3 things consistently come up as necessary for my career.

Physical exhaustion, I need to be exhausted regularly, I have to push my body further and further until I end up in a puddle. I want to highlight that this is not every day, but when I set my mind to a physical session I won’t rest until I can’t go any further – more than once in this past month have I had to call someone to come pick me up because I’ve pushed my run too far and too hard.

Jokes, for anyone that knows me you will already know that I love a joke and it’s these little comments/remarks that keep me going in training when things get repetitive and potentially a little on the boring side, making light of hard work makes it easier for me to work hard. It also keeps the fun in skill sessions, I regularly attempt trick shots just to develop some coordination, prove that I can, or sometimes to mark the end of a strong rally. (keeping this part in check for tournaments of course)

Hobbies, training can be challenging, especially now during Covid and lockdowns. I need these non-badminton related distractions to keep me energised and focused, on occasion I end up looking forward to a hobby more than an on court session. I tend to keep mine in line with building and developing skills that are useful for my training. For example other sports, I have been bouldering for over a year now and it definitely works badminton-specific muscles in a different way

Spirituality is important

I always need and value family, friends and a sense of knowing myself

Our 3 most important things

Laptop for analysis + organising our tournaments,

A pair of noise-cancelling headphones for all of the flights we take every year (usually at least 30+ flights per year!)

‘support’

Exercise, self, family

Exercises is one (I only go without due to injuries and illness), I really miss that 40min run or weights session.

Meditation and visualisation when I was playing. I don’t do enough of it now but I should find the time!

The final one is unique to everyone but something to make them chill away from badminton, for me that’s time with family, others its golf etc. Very needed.