Yehlex Birmingham Badminton Bonanza 2010

Here is following Tournament in Birmingham for badminton lovers. Entry form will be available soon, keep watching caused form submission usually closed 2 weeks prior to the event. This is a good moment to track learning progress and keep badminton as a sport that never borings.

Following its overwhelming success last year, BADMINTON England are proud to announce that the Yehlex Birmingham Badminton Bonanza will once again be returning to the National Indoor Arena this summer with the sponsorship of Yehlex (UK) and the support of the NIA and Birmingham City Council. Entries will open shortly, to both members and non-members of BADMINTON England.

The event will be taking place on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th August 2010.

The Yehlex Badminton Bonanza aims to provide a fun but competitive atmosphere for players who compete on a social level, and an increased level of competition for those players playing in leagues and tournaments. For this reason, entries are separated into SOCIAL or LEAGUE. This also means that it is not appropriate for members of any National Squad (in any country) to take part, since there are numerous alternative tournaments available throughout the badminton season.

Over 600 players from all over the country joined us in Birmingham in 2009, and were able to not only play in the same arena as All England stars and World Champions, but many also enjoyed coaching and tuition from former Korean National Champion and England Coach, Lee Jae Bok. There was also training from the Badminton Line Judge Association of England, personalised photographs, and merchandise from the event sponsor, Yehlex (UK).

Remember - if you can pick up a racket, you can pick up an entry form!
http://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/text.asp?section=189&sectionTitle=Forthcoming+Bonanzas

Badminton Through Injury

Injury become a nightmare for badminton lovers. Frustration and give up are the worst could happen.

Phases of Injury Recovery
During the acute recovery phase you should be following the R.I.C.E. principles (rest, ice, compression and elevation), limiting your activity, allowing yourself time to heal. Depending on the type and severity of your injury, treatment may also include medical care, surgery, various taping, bracing, or physical therapy treatments.

While your injury heals try to maintain overall conditioning if possible. Try alternate forms of training such as water running, swimming, cycling, rowing or weight training of the non-injured parts.

Regaining range of motion and strength should be started as soon as possible as directed by your physician or therapist. Use discomfort as a guide and avoid movements that cause pain. Once muscle strength and flexibility return you can slowly get back into your sport, working at about 50 to 70 percent max capacity for a few weeks. During this re-entry phase, functional drills for balance, agility, and speed can be added as tolerated. Quoted from: sportsmedicine

Ankle & Foot Injuries
If your ankle or foot is injured, you still have many exercise options. If your doctor approves it and you are able to, using the rowing machine or a stationary bike with one leg, or swimming are possibilities. Work with your doctor or trainer to find other non-weight bearing cardio exercise you can do and spend 30-60 minutes about three times a week on that exercise to maintain endurance. Quoted from: sportsmedicine

Leg and Knee Injuries
Leg and knee injuries can be fairly limiting for most athletes. Almost all endurance exercise require flexion and extension of the knee joint, so developing a new routine may be frustrating. One-legged cycling, kayaking, using an upper body ergometer (hand cycle) are options. Swimming may be possible if you use a pull buoy so you don't kick or use your legs. Quoted from: sportsmedicine

When my knee was twisted on court, it took me about 2 weeks RICE treatment, supplements, only walk with care is the rest exercise could do. During this period, nothing about badminton unless low serve exercise. It may take some creativity and the flexibility to try new things, but most athletes find training through injury is possible and not terribly difficult. The key is to maintain the right attitude and protect the injured part until it heals. e.g. taping, supporting, etc.

When the pain can be overcome (it's very personal) and no more swelling, playing double still could do with limitations. Often play at the net while improving it. When dragged back to rear court, do not smash as vibration from arm transferred to the knee. This is why as a man I refuse play mix double for a while. Again maintaining attitude on the game is as important as thinking the best battle strategy.

Asics Gel Blade 2 Badminton/Squash Shoes

A very comfortable shoes with suspensions on the right places. A little tight at the first time using it caused by my wide feet, but after a couple of games the shoes gave and moulded my feet. The wet rubber soles incredibly brilliant grip on a slight dusty court.
It's got a good suspension for knee joint as it's soft gel feeling, lounge with easy. It's really good shoes for people mid age like me.
Rubber and plastic side-claw prevent the foot slide side way but not as stiff as other yonex's top range. A slight giving allow stability yet comfortably.
I can't say about durability yet since recently purchased. Still shining, lol. I'll update after a couple months.
Here is the links Asics Men's Gel-Blade 2 Court and Asics Lady Gel Blade 2 Indoor Court Shoe

The Drama of Sport

When reaching 20 match points and cased up by the opponent from 14 back levels 20 all, battle mentality is the key of the winning. Optimism, keep calm, concentration,plays the game with safe shots (no special shots), keep the rallies going, shot to mid court or the players and avoid shots to tight too the border lines and the net. Here is a good example from Badminton Asia Championships 2009 Men Doubles (MD) Final.

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A great thanks to Youtube and rhmntk3 for uploading this video.

Grips Like A Pro

Badminton double has a slightly different grips. I told to my friend to grip like a pro to frighten the opponents, LOL.
Grip Position
Grip position for double is the same with front players, slightly upper or toward the grip cone. Why? In order to get closer to the racket central gravity for more manoeuvrable,  higher swing speed of the arm and great defence. Some players doesn't do this as they very lack on footwork.
Changing Grips
Generally club players do not change grips from forehand to backhand vice versa. Less practice is  the biggest reason. The hesitation to practice is more important than the feel of losing the game. So, eventually very lack of improvement, boring and the worst is stop playing.
Lets practice a bit, lets make badminton sessions more colourful.

Product Review of Hi-Tec Ad Pro (Adrenalin) Badminton Shoes

Badminton is a sport with unique movements should have a well design shoes for the purpose. Bought this shoes 3 months ago. I need a pair of shoes that comfort yet durable on court. Hi Tec has work hard on reinforcing the shoes for badminton. Footworking from side to side or corner to corner on court with no problem. No indication of torn on the side and front of the shoes as often I got from other shoes previously never last for 3 months, 4-8 hours a week play.
The grip is excellent and footwork stability awesome. My feet slightly wide but fit nicely with it. These shoes will comfortable after a while wearing them.
Pros: Durable, stable, firm, wide feet possible, well priced (around £30)
Cons: Less flexible, slightly heavy compare to Yonex SHB 101MX Badminton Shoes or Hi-Tec Sports Men's Squash Classic Trainer.
If you are looking for a durable yet function badminton shoes, it's a 4.5 of 5 star  Hi-Tec Sports Men's Ad-Pro Trainer should be on your shopping list.

Mixed Double Lesson Learned

In All England Super Series 2010 Mix Double (XD) Semi Final,  Nova Widianto shows his intelligent on intercepting. In the age of big 30, he still on-form. Changing pace and angle trouble the opponent badly. Liliana Natsir incredibly good defence. Consistent on the net, superior to Lee Hyo Jung. Concentration also the cause of their winning. Most of the points they made with confidence using opponent weaknesses.
This video also shows how important of the front player. Very often mens or mixed double winning is dictated by the skill of front player. Unfortunately very rare club players rule the net including low serve.
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A great thanks to Youtube and Badminton Freak for uploading this video.