My Badminton Progress

..::*+ Small Talk +*::..

Well I know this blog has been abandoned for quite some time. It just means that I haven't been playing good badminton game, or simply just because I didn't keep track of my game progress. But 'nuff said, I'm back.

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Today I went to play badminton. And as usual we started off with some warm-up and some strokes to have the touch to kick in. And we (Koboi and I) played a double game with Germans. We lost the game, mainly because the better play and control from the opponent team (a guy and a lady). Nevertheless, I was quite annoyed by the fact that I made in total of 5 mistakes for shuttle serve, which is something that wasn't often happen to me. Positioning from both of us needs to be sharpened.

However, I think the main reason of the lost is still control. We sorta struggled to get control of the game, despite the fact that our skills and power are much more superior than theirs. Typical Germans: They are not that good in whole, but they are good in what they are doing. In this case they showed their superiority in hold-position ball-control, and since it is nearly impossible to make them off-position in a double game, it was difficult for me to take over the wheel.

After the game we rested a while, and the lady went on with her mix-double game in other court. After that she challenged us to play a single match. It has been more than a year since I played a proper single-game. So it was natural for me to not let this chance pass by.

Nightmare stroke though: I didn't know that my performance was no longer that great, given that I was trained to be a single player. I lost the first set. My shots were all adjusted to double-court, since I didn't train to play for double anymore. All my shots went out. Services were bad as well: My natural serves went beyond the court. For a while I was really convinced myself that the court was smaller -____-

In terms of court, I definitely had the best opportunity because I was facing the dark wall, compare to the other side, where one could overlook all other 7 or 8 courts before the wall. In the second game, it was even more disadvantage for me. But this time I controlled all my serves, and thank God I managed to recalibrate my shots back to a little normal. Lesser power, but focus more on controlling the shuttle instead. It did go better and with my dying breathe I managed to win the set and force a rubble-set.

I think none of us planned for the third set so by the third set we were very tired. Nevertheless, I made sure I took the full advantage of the side and managed to get 11-1 score before we changed side. The situation turned bad and soon enough she was just a point behind me while the score increased by time towards the 21 points mark. I wasn't able to apply proper control of my shots, only tried to do some tricks and find some advantage to force her to make errors. It was then 20-19 and all I had in mind was control control and control.

She made mistake and I won. It was a hard fight. And breath-taking game. It has been a very long time since I played such a game and it definitely felt good. I think I should play more single game and focus on controlling my shots. And my weakness still exists: I couldn't return their services in an offensive power. I think I need to work something out from that. Secondly it's about footsteps - It slowed me down by a lot and I found myself being lazy to chase after shots that were nearly on-line. Definitely should learn to play a little steady and hold-position control like they do. That is something I must master - the only improvement that I must make to compete with them.

It was definitely fun and it really felt good. We talked a little while post-game and she is actually studying in my school. Well, not surprise I didn't see/know her - I don't really know anyone from IBIS course.

That's all for now. signing off.

It felt good to come back to play badminton again. It's just that I still not really use to the fact that I might be going away from Heilbronn to other place.

Anyway, today I played well at the first hour but second hour was kinda bad. I partnered Mus against Siew Chun and Koboi and it was quite fun although quite hard.

But after 4 rounds we decided to stop and the German woman who "brought" me into the "gang" asked for a game. First set we played well. But after that I realized what Danny said in Ocean's 11 was true: You as challenger play the same strategy over and over against the host you will eventually lose.

And what I didn't like the most about the quote was that I lost my coolness. Ceh. We lost 19-21, 21-10(?), and 19-21. It wasn't fun because I was the one that kept making mistakes. All due to the injured ankle that I failed to get my fulcrum and direction properly. Sway away by... less than 5 cm.

grrr.

Okay this site has been quiet for some time, and the reason is simple: I didn't go for badminton.

Okay but today I went.

Analysis:

Today four of us went: Charles, Siew Chun, Roy, and me. And we went by car.

Well, I would say today I'm quite satisfied with myself. After so long didn't play, and my hair is seriously blocking my view, and as usual, the lighting. Hmm.

Anyway, we played 2 full double games. Apparently after a month or two my wrist tightened and thus I played better lol. As in controlling shuttles, and as usual practicing my 'eye' dummy thingy. A little 'impolite' because you're like fooling your opponent, but well, sometimes, I have to.

Also because of tightened wrist, cross-court jumping smash didn't really reach my target intended. Foot-work loosing, and I'm more like a fool chasing after the shots, although I knew I could, and it's always been like this, but I wanted to learn to be more steady. Like the Germans. Like the one I want to beat. *grin.

But late game I did quite some unforced errors. And shuttle-services were poor. Leg started to crammed a little, yea, after long time without proper exercises. Sigh. Exams coming soon, and I guess I have to dump this blog for quite some time.

So the first double game I partnered Charles and won against Roy and Siew Chun. Our strong points were offensives and less judgement and unforced mistakes, compared to them. And still, I couldn't get my service low enough to avoid tabs from Roy. Their mistakes were obvious and repetitive moves. I sort of knowing how they would return the shots. Their winning points were tabbing from Roy, and it's quite hard for the 2nd player to cover up.

Second double game we switched partners and I partnered Siew Chun. We lost, because we were sort of tired and made lots of errors. My leg crammed a little and it affected my shots. Siew Chun made some unforced errors and so did I. I'm still yet to understand how to play with him. The mixture is not that easy. Just need to find out the strategy to partner with him. Hmm.

After that trained a little single. Noticed my services were no longer perfect - couldn't reach the 1/4-circle targets at the corner that I set for myself. Well, go back Malaysia this time I should practice more on services. And footwork. And figure out a strategy to partner with Jing Xin and train the strategy with her for the Cardiff Game.

I did a little rope kipping, mainly not feel good after 2 Germans played with the rope. LoL. Well, few attempts and reached only 40-50 double skips. Certainly I backslid. Last time I could do to 100 easily. Sigh. Roy said his best was 200. I'm gonna beat that. Hehe.

Well that's all, the next time I play should be when I'm back in Malaysia. Going over to Port Dickson to train JingXin. I want a gold medal, after the failed attempts last year. Pff. My aim is to get gold medals in Single, Mix Double and Mens Double. So far I don't have confirmed partner yet. Everyone is busy. But the best possibility is Charles now. I hope he can play with me. If he's doing the 'bombardment' job, I can focus more on tactical. We can win =)

That's all for this time. I worked my muscles too much I guess. Right leg a little crammed and pain. Ohh, tomorrow morning it's gonna be pain in the ass =(

School holiday so badminton hall closed.. =.="

Well well well, today I didn't go for badminton, because it's our Betreuer, Herr Kern's annual Weihnachtsfeier (Christmas Party).

Instead of maintaining healthy weight, I went on with food and food and food. I ate a lot today. Sigh.

But nevermind, I can still go on Monday.

Should start thinking about Cardiff Game already. Jacky might want to go to Cardiff just to watch me play =D

But somehow I still unsure if the partners that I've picked is perfect. Definitely there's the chance, but maybe the commitment part is still a doubt.

I want to buy skipping rope also. Been missing my double-skip very much.

Okay I'm gonna record down every progress of mine in badminton from today.

20091214 Monday

2005 - minimal warm up, stroke with Roy, played offence-defense

• Positioning problem due to slippery ground - unable to grip firm on ground;
• it has been a while since last played, so coordination problem, as in shuttle didn't reach my intended target, especially under stress;
• nails too long, especially middle finger, due to learning fingerpick style