S&C for Badminton

👈 We’ve covered what they are and why to use them.

🤔 But how and should 🏸 players look to incorporate plyometrics in their training?

🤔 Yesterday we looked at why should 🏸 players use plyometrics in their training. But what exactly are plyometrics?

👨🏻‍🏫 Plyometric activities are those which aim to utilise the stretch-shortening cycle to improve output.

🦘 Rapid eccentric (stretch) loading means we load elastic tissues such as tendons, and ‘supercharges’ the muscle to contract harder!

💡 This is why plyometric training is effective for improving the body’s ability to utilise elastic energy.

🤔 Why should 🏸 players use plyometrics in their training?

👨🏻‍🏫 The goal of plyometric training is to improve the body’s ability to utilise elastic energy.

📝Why is this important?
✅ Increased speed
✅ Increased jump height/distance
✅ Increased smash power

👍 But also, better elastic utilisation means increased movement efficiency!

🤔 What is ‘S&C’ in a badminton context?

🗣 asked me a share a few of my thoughts and opinions on the topic.

🔗 Check out the link in my stories.

🤔 Are we actually getting better at developing young 🏸 players?

🗣 Earlier specialist coaching
😥 More hours on court
🥇 More competition
📈 More focus on grading points
🏃 More focus on ‘fitness’

✅ Technically, it’s probably a yes.

🤔 Tactically, I’m not sure.

😕 But physically and mentally, I don’t think we are. I think the focus on the sport is far too restrictive.

❓What do you think?

🤾🏼‍♀️ The last few posts have highlighted that young 🏸 athletes need to focus on developing fundamental movement skills and a foundation of physical literacy.

🧐 But what are these fundamental movement skills?

📝 Here are how I’d consider them blocked into the three categories we mentioned last time:

1️⃣ Stability skills
2️⃣ Locomotive skills
3️⃣ Manipulative skills

🏸 Skills highlighted in red are those not really challenged in badminton.

🤾🏼‍♀️ Young 🏸 athletes need to focus on developing fundamental movement skills and a foundation of physical literacy.

📝 I like to break the fundamental movement skills down into three categories:

1️⃣ Stability skills - being in place in the environment
2️⃣ Locomotive skills - moving in the environment
3️⃣ Manipulative skills - interacting with the environment

🤔 What ‘skills’ would you suggest go under these umbrellas?

🤔 Although resistance training for young 🏸 players is super important, there’s much more to the S&C process.

🤾🏼‍♀️ Young athletes need to focus of developing fundamental movement skills and a foundation of physical literacy.

❌ Too many young players specialise in sport without developing an appropriate physical base.

🔼 The pyramid is only as strong as it’s base. If young players cut out another forms of activity to make room for more 🏸 they’ll lose out in the long run.

🤔 Should young 🏸 players be performing resistance training?

👍 If it’s with appropriate and qualified guidance, then yes!

1️⃣ Improve health
2️⃣ Reduce injury risk
3️⃣ Improve performance

👉 Here are some of the principles we employ with young athletes pre-puberty.

👍 Getting things right at these ages raises the potential for what they can do when they’re older!

🤔 Should young 🏸 players be performing resistance training?

👍 If it’s with appropriate and qualified guidance, then yes!

1️⃣ Improve health
2️⃣ Reduce injury risk
3️⃣ Improve performance

🏆 It’s absolutely a win-win!