The fastest racquet sport (Badminton - General)

Member Name: tibby17

Product:	Badminton - General
Date:	24/03/02 (452 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast paced, Enjoyable

Disadvantages: Unappreciated, Lack of television coverage

I was introduced to the game by my boyfriend. He has been playing since childhood and after spending many hours watching the game I felt that I knew enough to take it up myself. Either that or a life of cold sports hall floors watching.

I have now been playing for just under five years. When I first started it was much harder than it looked. My boyfriend has been my coach, although he has never been coached himself. I used to say that I only played because of him but I realise that I now too am addicted.

Many people do not realise the complexity and the skill of the game. It is not simply a case of hitting a shuttlecock back and forth it involves movement, footwork, disguise, skill and consistancy.

I still laugh when I see 'public' playing the game of badminton that they see as hitting the shuttlecock TO each other rather than trying to win a point. Yes, that is how you start to learn but once you can hit it then please try to hit it into the space.

In five years I have gone from being myself a public player to a regular league player and there is nothing I enjoy more than competitive Badminton.

I have found that the best way to improve at the sport is to watch those who are better than you and learn from what they do. I do this by attending the few national events that occur each year (English Nationals, All England) and watching numerous videos that I am subjected to by my other half.

The thing that annoys me most about the game is the profile. It is the most played racquet sport in this country, believe it or not, but sports halls are still painted with white walls and have dodgy lighting.

The game will not improve if we contunie to place little emphasis on it.

My latest gripe is the new scoring system, which meaning to make the game more exciting for non players, ruined the finals day of the All England where the mixed doubles lasted but 17 minutes. Television companie
s will not show more of the sport unless schools and sporting institutes place more importance in the game. National players are unknown and under appreciated and the prize monwey of national events shows that. Give us the coverage, give us the importance because the game is great and thousands of people will, I am sure, agree with me!

Summary: