As someone who lives in Berlin Badminton we know that some of the best badminton players in the world are not necessarily the fastest sprinters on the court. But they have other qualities that make them winners!
Of course, it doesn't hurt to work on your physical speed (it will improve your game immensely), but if speed isn't your strong suit, we have good news. Here are 5 strategies you can use in Sportcenter Wittenau nevertheless leave the pitch as winners:
- Read the game (anticipation)
- Use a clever choice of headlines
- Improve stroke quality & precision
- Use deceptions
- Train your footwork (yes, that helps too!)
Let's go into detail:
1. read the game (anticipation)
A prime example of a player who can read the game perfectly is Indian doubles legend Hendra Setiawan. He is certainly not the fastest player on the World Tour, but won the prestigious All England Open in 2019 despite being injured and playing on one leg!
How do you do that? Setiawan knows exactly where the ball will fly by reading his opponents' body language and racket position. He understands which shots are likely in which situation.
A professional tip that you can also use on our court: Leave gaps on purpose. Play certain balls that tempt your opponent to play into a seemingly open space - while you are already waiting right there to intercept the ball. This works particularly well at the net and in doubles.
2. use a clever choice of headline
In badminton, you should choose shots that expose your opponent's weaknesses instead of emphasizing your own weaknesses (such as lack of pace).
- Doubles: Play a block and move forward to the net. This way you leave the back court to your (hopefully faster) partner.
- Fast racket, slow legs: Even if you move slowly, your club control can be lightning fast. Try to engage the game in flat, fast duels (drives). This often provokes hard setbacks, to which you can react with reflexes instead of running.
3. improve stroke quality & precision
We often see players on our courts in Reinickendorf who play the ball half-high in the middle of the court (lifts) without putting the opponent under pressure.
If you play more precisely to the baseline (good „length“), you force your opponent to take the ball late and from a difficult position. This reduces the quality of his return and gives you more time. This does not only apply to release shots! Precise serves, service returns and clean defense take enormous pressure off your own footwork.
4. use deceptions
Deception is a powerful weapon. If your opponent doesn't know where the ball is going, he will hesitate - and this moment belongs to you. You can win a lot of quick points by pretending to hit a hard smash and gently dropping the ball behind the net at the last moment. This is not only effective, but also feels damn good!
5. train your footwork
Of course, if movement is your main problem, it is still worth working on it. There are many simple exercises for „fast feet“ (Fast Feet) or movement sequences (Shadow Play) that will make you more efficient.
Just 10 minutes of targeted warming up before your booking can work wonders. Our sprung floors in the Wittenau sports center provide optimum support, as they are easy on the joints and promote dynamic movements.
Conclusion: Play smarter, not just faster
You now have some tools at your fingertips to play to your strengths, even if you're not a sprinter. Badminton is so much more than just racing - it's tactics, precision and brains.
Want to try out these tips straight away? Grab your partner (or find a new one via our community) and book your court. And if you still want to hone your speed: Ask at the counter for our coaches for an individual lesson!
See also:
- What age is ideal for badminton?
- Badminton rules: How to play correctly
- Badminton doubles tactics: positioning, rotation & communication
- 5 ways to improve your badminton technique
- What do you wear to badminton? The perfect dress code for the court
- The 5 most important fitness attributes for badminton
- Is badminton harder to learn than tennis? A comparison
- The correct grip position in badminton: a guide for beginners