Since Ryan is doing the technical aspect of the game,I shall try my best to explain how the mentality will affect the play.Playing badminton will always be seen as a sport for the weaker ones since it's of smaller playing area and in between rest for professional tournaments is usually about one or two days before the players plays the next match.It is sufficient rest although you can see that basketball and soccer has more rest days in between their matches.Never compare it with other sports because badminton uses quite an equal amount of brain and brawn unlike other sports which focuses more on the physical side.

In order to play badminton all you need to do is to hit the shuttle.And that's how you define a badminton player amongst the good ones.When you play a match,mentality is the key to winning although some might disagree.Every player has a certain style of play,each unique to themselves.

The very first thing you have to do is find your strengths.Maximise your strength in every way possible and work on your weaknesses.

For example,my style is more of controlling the ball rather than roasting the opponents with smashes every time.As you can see my smashing is nothing compared to Ryan's or even Ivan's.That's my weakness,but that's not something I won't do during matches.My strategy is to tire opponents out with controlled shots which will stretch players to every corners before I try to surprise them by doing smashes.This will take a very long time breaking the opponent down and can be seen as risking the first set.And by the way,I'm using one of my strengths which is my stamina so I will try to outlast the opposing players.

To me,Ryan's style is far more aggressive.As far as possible,he tries to get the ball down as fast as possible.It is good for those who are able to recover fast and play a fast game but those not used to it will be shooting themselves in the foot.It'll mean to use a lot more energy and those unprepaped will suffer once the match reaches rubber set because usually people who trains aggressive spend most of their energy in straigth sets to win as fast as possible.

We should never,I repeat never try to copy another person's style.I may likee Taufik Hidayat for example,but I know I'm not as calm and patient as him so if I were to emulate him,it will be a game of defence since Taufik's offence is defence.If I'm not that kind of person,it will do me no good since I prefer an attacking game.

What I observe about our shuttlers is the lack of width used.They don't spread their play,they smash,drops and nets at the centre of the court.This is not making use of the width of the court because of fear that their shots will go out.Try to experiment hitting shuttles to every inch of the four corners.Use this to your advantage and vary moves.Don't just keep smashing at every high balls,instead mix some dropshots or flat drives or even lob back at them.It's no use smashing every ball when you know the opponent is going to return 75% of the shots.

One last thing,since it's the tournament season I bet everyone's excited at the chance to represent the school and earn more points or even to skip classes.Be very particular in training,make a stand on whether you think you're able to play singles or doubles.This is very important because we usually have separate trainings and those playing doubles will need time to find the right partners that gels well with them.Don't always stick to partnering your friends because if you and your partner were to lose,the coach will have blacklisted half your name from the team sheet.

This year,we had plenty of people trying out for singles which means that there are high amount of competition for 3 spots.I planned to take singles but I see the opportunity to get on the first team sheet by playing doubles.And I partnered Bryan otherwise known as Chan Wei who I've never talk to until that period.We gelled well and were never left out from the teamsheet for the tournament.It's a good learning experience for me too and now I'm able to adapt to both singles and doubles better than someone who emphasise on singles and try to play doubles.Besides,it's no harm making friends with someone a year older or younger than you right?

This has been a long a dry post but someone's got to do it.If anyone of you have any questions feel free to approach me or Ryan for the boys and Grace or Gina for the girls during since it's easier to show than tell.Add us at msn or whatever just don't be afraid to ask.Remember Rome isn't built in a day.

Edwin.

Rocked at 9:05 PM - Shuttler-