Emphasizing the Importance of Small Badminton Clubs: A Coach’s Perspective

We always talk about the good players – the ones who win tournaments – the ones who are on TV – the players the young people look up to.

And rightly so, these players must be highlighted, but unfortunately it generally gets far too little in the press.

There are a lot of clubs in Denmark which are fun, inspiring and cool to follow, but which are “only” mentioned locally – if the sport of badminton is lucky.

The small clubs out in the province, which are actually doing really well – also at youth level.

The breadth, which is so important to maintain and develop and eventually bring some of the talents to light.

Viktor Axelsen wrote a post about playing with the ball – being able to keep the children playing with the ball.

As a children’s and senior coach, I myself have a great focus on playing with the ball – being able to feel the hit – the lark’s touch – right down to the little toe, when the ball plays sweet music on the strings and you get to perform the most delicious hit of the whole season. The kind of shot you want to make on the match ball in the 3rd set.

There are many senior players who are also motivated by playing with the ball, which they can use constructively in matches. It’s great as a coach to see the players develop and to see the players get together for new goals.

What kind of mind-set do you bring with you as a new coach in an “unknown” club.

Yes, you have of course found out which series, division, etc. the club has played in and have also looked at some results from last season. But most of all, it is important that you have some ideas for what you need the players to do on the pitch – at the weekends – in the team rounds and with the help of the weekly training sessions, make it happen. Preferably before the start of the tournament, which always comes too early for a coach.

I work with a completely fixed doubles concept and some fixed routines in the singles game, which benefit the players. They feel they are moving quickly, as the concept is point-giving and thus the players first reach 21 in more games than before.

In this season, which was my first season in Stenløse Badminton Club, we went through the Sjællandsserien undefeated and even ended up beating number two in the last round of the promotion game to the Danmarksserien with 13-0 at home, which gave a staggering 141 points in the season. How did it just happen, with two 1st team players on the injury list?

Yes, the concept and the game with the ball. Lots of touch on the ball in training and matching each individual player. Yes, playing with the ball as an adult is also important.

The philosophy is lots of ball movement for training. When we are in the hall, we practice badminton and not how to run the fastest from one end to the other end of the hall. Makes demands on each other when, for example, we feed, as well as the intensity for training.

I spoke to, in my eyes, one of DK’s most talented coaches (and former top player with an Olympic medal, etc.) the other day. He was also surprised that there weren’t more people who used sparring as part of the coaching job. It must be said that he and I have sparred a lot together over the season, and why not make some coaching groups where you can spar about different challenges – in this way you could network and not least retain coaches who I feel are in short supply in Dansk Badminton.

Well, but remember playing with the ball is rewarding, regardless of whether you train children or seniors.

See you out there in the halls :o)

The best greetings
Jan Nielsen

2024-04-11 07:40:26
#coachs #perspective #Badminton #Magazine