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Welcome badminton fans, to the Jump Smash Badminton Blog - your source of quality badminton articles and latest news! Enjoy! :)




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Friday 14 August 2009

Badminton Video........with MUSIC! =]



First time I tried to put music and badminton in the same video! :)




Comments in the shoutbox please! =]

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Badminton Online Flash Games Review

http://www.westath.org/images/home_page_pics/computer.jpg

We all like to play a few online flash games once in a while. Even in the sports genre, there are many free games available to play. Football? loads. Tennis? plently. Cricket? surprisingly, lots. So when I went to search for badminton games, I found 2 that were unique. Not much variety, but here are the ones I found anyway:



Badminton-Information.com Badminton Game









This is quite an enjoyable game to play, because it allows you to use a variety of different shots, such as smash, clear and drop shots. The controls are simple as well, the arrow keys for movement, the Z key to clear, X key to drop and the C key to smash. All the shots will be very precise (and never seem to go out!) so the game isn't frustrating and quite easy to play. As long as the character is near the shuttle when the shot is played, the shuttle would usually fly to wherever you hit it. Although sometimes, a net shot will hit the net, instead of going over. There is some tactics involved, as the opponent will usually return the shuttle. Therefore you will have to move the opponent around the court quite a bit. For example, drop, lift, drop, lift ect. Just use your real life badminton tactics! The smash in my opinion isn't very effective, because it is too slow and a drop seems to work better. But you might find a use for it! Overall, apart from the shots being so accurate, a very fun and realistic online badminton game!




Revoke.ca Badminton Game






Play this game at: http://revoke.ca/badminton2/



This badminton game is more 'fluid' than the other game, because you can roam around the court (you can actually run off the court unlike the other game) and you can even jump! This allows you to play a jump smash! ^_^ However, there isn't a designated button for different shots, but rather the shot depends on how much more you hit the shuttle with and that is controlled by how hard/how long you press the X key for. But then again, this does kinda emulate real life. As well as many other factors, a clear and a drop is played is played differently, becuase you put different amounts of power into the shot. The controls are very simple and straightforward for this game. Arrow keys to move, Z key to jump and X key to hit the shuttle. Easy. If you play football games, then it's like the first game being like FIFA and this game being Pro Evo. Somehow theres probably a small comparison there, but you would have to try both games to find out your favourite, and I recommend you do so! =P

Have fun! :) And don't forget to leave a message in the shoutbox!! ;)

Yehlex Birmingham Badminton Bonanza 2009

http://tourist.britzone.org/National%20Indoor%20Arena.jpg

The Yehlex Birmingham Badminton Bonanza was held in the National Indoor Arena on the 8th and 9th of August. The National Indoor Arena is a massive venue, which hosts the annual prestigous event, the All-England Open since 1994. There were 28 courts set up for matches, with 1 court occupied by Yehlex coach Lee Jae Bok to provide some free coaching drills and tips. As a player Lee won three Korean National Titles between 1979 and 1981, he has a wealth of coaching experience including, Korean Nation Team (1986 -1987), British Olympic Team (1990-92), English National Team (1990-92), English National Team Coaching Adviser (1993) and England team men's singles coach (2005-2007). Lee has also delivered many keynote speeches at several World and European coaching conferences over the past 20 years.

A smashing competition was held on an adjacent court, each participant was fed 3 shuttles and tried to smash the shuttle as fast as they could over the net. A machine was used to measure the speed of the smash, but to be honest, it wasn't too accurate if you ask me. The winning smash speed was 137mph - still quite a bit off of the fastest recorded smash of 206mph by China's Fu Haifeng.

The playing surface wasn't ideal for badminton. Concrete certainly isn't the most ideal surface to be diving on! Initially, things weren't going great for me. In a group game, I was playing a backhand block, then as I put my racquet in front of me to play a net shot, I saw this:



Certainly shocking to say the least, as I didn't hear any sort of clashing. Luckily, I bring a few racquets with me and I continued the match with my trusty Armortec 900 Technique. But in the final match, the strings snapped. Great. I was left to endure the final match with my admittedly very under-used Armortec 250, which has probably been collecting dust for the past year. Playing with factory strings isn't favourbale either. However I managed to scrape the game 21-18 and collected a little glass cube, which was to be my prize.





Meanwhile, Sam 'The Muel' McKune smashed his way into the finals, where he unluckily lost 21-20. Apparently, in the last point of the game, the shuttle was going out but he hit it. Clever ^_^. Anyways here are some pics of Sam McKyoone in action:








Hopefully next time I will remember to ask the photographer to take photos of ME. =]

Pictures are only used for reference purposes. No copyright infringement intended, all rights go to owners. :)

Monday 10 August 2009

England Team Withdraw From World Badminton Championships

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/08/09/article-1205338-020C9A3D00000578-705_468x373.jpg

The English badminton team have withdrawn from the competition, citing "a specific terrorist threat made by extremists" to be the reason for their withdrawl. The team pulled out of the tournament, which is held in Hyderabad, after alleged reports of threats by Muslim extremists Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Even though the World Championships are considered one of the most important and prestigious events in the badminton calendar, the English players and staff made a "unanimous" decision to pull out of the tournament and return home. Badminton England chief executive Adrian Christy said: "After the Olympic Games, this is the most prestigious championships in the world but we were not prepared to risk the safety of our players, coaches and staff in what we felt could have been a very volatile environment." Some players have complained about the lack of security in the area in and around the venue, as they claim that the presence of armed guards or forces are insufficient and inadequete.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/08/09/article-1205338-0600A615000005DC-867_468x278.jpg

So far, England are the only team to withdraw from the event.

Anne Smillie, chief executive of Badminton Scotland, said that Badminton England had "perhaps overreacted".

She said: "I don't necessarily think they've made the right decision.

"Certainly our Scottish players and our team manager who are in Hyderabad feel confident that the security is at its best. They have been well looked after and they have no intention of coming home."

The England badminton definitely had a chance of bringing home a medal, so was the threat significant enough to force a withdrawl of a team?

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01459/nathan-robertson_1459616c.jpg

Wednesday 5 August 2009

Does Starting Late Really Matter?

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/19/sports/s_62lindan.jpg

Many badminton players at international level, have started playing badminton at a very young age. For example, Lin Dan started his badminton training at the age of 5. Think how high the net would have seemed! True, he may have played in a smaller court with a lower net or equipped himself with a shorter racquet. But is particpation from a young age a vital requirement for a player to reach international levels?

Lee Chong Wei does in a way disproves this theory. He started playing badminton at the age of 11 - 6 years later than Lin Dan. Yet he managed to achieve World No.1 ranking and reach the international stage just as Lin Dan did. Even with 6 years less training. In my opinion, starting badminton as early as Lin Dan did, would certainly give you an advantage, but you would still need the determination to succeed, high quality and quantity training, high work rate and last but not least; raw talent. So there could be several factors deciding how high your badminton career could reach, but it is unlikely that you will reach the international stage if you enter the sport around 14-16 years of age, as most of the national squads are selected from quite a young age and you have to be able to make the cut from early on.

http://virtualmystic.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/lee_chong_wei.jpg

However there are a occasional exceptions. Han Jian, a former Chinese international badminton player, started the sport late at the age of 16. However, he still managed achieve great success in several World Grand Prix competitions, before becoming the men's singles champion after beating Morten Frost in the 1985 IBF World Championships. Considering he started the sport at the age of 16, while his peers may have had a 10 year head start, Han Jian has accomplished more than that of many other professional players.

http://www.chinabadminton.com/ball/images/upload/2006/01/28/144724.jpg

You could argue that Han Jian achieved his successes nearly 25 years ago and a modern player who has entered the game as late as he did, would have a slim chance of replicating his feats. However Colin Haughton is one player that has reached international level with England, despite also starting badminton at the age of 16. Although his highest international ranking of 19th cannot compare to Han Jian's several World Grand Prix victories, he still held the No.1 position in the national rankings. For any 16 year old player starting badminton, it would be a dream come true.

So does starting late really matter? I think that although starting the game from a tender young age isn't vital to reach international levels, it would definitely improve their chances of doing so. Realistically, if you start the game at around the same age as Colin Haughton, then chances are that county level would be the highest you would be able to reach. But with quality training, hard work, grit determination and raw talent, then maybe following Colin's Haughton's footsteps or even surpassing them, is possible.

http://www.pjlighthouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/how-beijing-2008-olympic-medal-are-made-01.jpg

Saturday 1 August 2009

The Hunt For Cheap Shuttles!

http://www.sweatband.com/upload/products/main/Yonex-Aerosensa-AS-50-Shuttlecock---1-dozen.jpg http://weblogs.cltv.com/news/local/chicago/Money%20stacks.jpg

During this difficult financial climate, prices for shuttlecocks have shot up and many people are looking for cheaper alternatives. Not everyone can afford to play week in week out with Aerosensa 50's. But there are a few brands of shuttles available that don't break the bank.

Mybadmintonstore stock Hi-Qua Special Edition shuttles for $11.50 (approx. £7)
I have yet to try these, but if you're on a budget and willing to test a few brands then these look a decent acquisition. Also, mybadmintonstore provide FREE worldwide shipping for every order. Not bad.
http://www.mybadmintonstore.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=693


Central Sports also stock some fair shuttles at a respectable price. Yehlex have launched the new Yehlex Competition shuttle. "From one of the Uks most respected shuttle suppliers comes a new shuttle for 2009/10. Manufactured from First Grade Duck , the Competition Shuttle is the answer to many clubs feather shuttle cost nightmare. Excellent flight characteristics with good speed consistency and combined durability equate to an absolute winner."
http://www.centralsports.co.uk/shop.php?page=detail&product=7000

http://badmintonstoreuk.com/Images/COM77_L.jpg


The Ashaway Red Tournament 10 is available at an incredible £8.50. "One of our best selling club/league feather shuttles - consistent in flight and durability - great value."

While RSL Tourney No.3 comes in at a £10.95 price tag, which seems a good bang-for-your-buck shuttle. "Used by many clubs throughout the UK the No3 is a club secretarys dream, durable, consistent and economical. No wonder its one of the Uks top selling shuttles."
http://www.centralsports.co.uk/shop.php?page=detail&product=5766

http://www.bigsquash.com/catalog/images/yonex/yonex2000.jpg http://www.tennisnuts.com/images/product/main/RSL3.jpg

For those who want to cut cost for shuttles and are willing to delve into the world of plastics, then the Mavis 2000 looks like a improved form of the ordinary Yones plastic shuttles. "Built using “Wing Rib” structure technology, this new shuttlecock has the flight characteristics and performance of a feathered shuttlecock coupled with durability of a synthetic shuttlecock."
http://www.centralsports.co.uk/shop.php?page=yonexd&product=7015


However do keep in mind that Central Sports do incur a £2.25 charge for the first dozen shuttles and more for every extra dozen ordered. Check the website for more details.

These are only a few budget options available, so I'm sure that you avid badminton players and fans know where to get different brands of shuttles at an even cheaper price. If you would like to share your views and knowledge, please feel free as always to comment below.

Good Luck in your matches! ^_^

All the credit and rights of these pictures go to their original owners. These pictures have only been displayed for reference purposes.