Badminton: Steps to Success (book)
DESCRIPTION Badminton: Steps to Success offers 10 easy-to-follow steps designed to help players learn and practice key skills. The book features 83 drills that develop players' skills. The drills come with performance goals and a list of key points to remember when executing each drill. Plus, many include instructions for increasing or decreasing the level of difficulty. Each step is an easy transition from the one before. The first steps--racquet handling, serving, and overhead strokes--provide a solid foundation for the more sophisticated strokes and strategies that follow. As players progress, they'll learn to execute more difficult techniques--drop shots, smashes, and drives. By studying the book's 112 illustrations and following the simple instructions, readers will learn * why each skill or concept is important; * how to analyze and correct common errors; * how to practice each skill in a realistic way; * proper racquet handling, position, and footwork; * the mechanics for five basic serves (long serve, forehand and backhand short serves, drive serve, and flick serve); and * six basic strokes (overhead, clear, drop shot, smash, drive, and around the head). The book also discusses the basic principles that guide singles' play and fundamental strategies and formations for doubles' play. COPY Part of the highly popular Steps to Success Activity Series, this book will help badminton enthusiasts become more confident and capable players. AUDIENCE How-to for beginning to intermediate badminton players. CONTENTS Preface The Steps to Success Staircase The Game of Badminton Step 1 Ready to Play: Racket Handling and Footwork Step 2 Serves: Long, Short, and In-Between Step 3 Overhead Strokes: Forehand and Backhand Step 4 Clear: High and Deep Step 5 Drop Shot: Low and Slow Step 6 Smash: Fast and Steep Step 7 Drive: Flat and Sidearm Step 8 Around the Head Stroke: Quick and Flexible Step 9 Singles' Play: Fitness and Patience Step 10 Doubles' Play: Rotation and Teamwork Rating Your Progress Glossary Suggested Readings About the Author Tony Grice, who has been playing and coaching badminton nationally and internationally since 1975, has been ranked as 11th nationwide in men's doubles and 15th in men's singles. He has taught and coached the sport at both the high school and college levels. Tony has been a board member and national team exercise physiologist for the U.S. Badminton Association (U