Project Supported by the Cornwall County Badminton Association (CCBA) Club Development Fund and West Cornwall Badminton Leaguge
On Saturday 14th December, coaches from across Mid Cornwall came together for a dedicated CPD morning held at Tregorrick Leisure Centre. The session, supported by St Austell Bay Badminton Club and Bodmin Badminton Club, welcomed seven enthusiastic participants. Although numbers were slightly reduced due to illness and a clash with county training, the smaller group allowed for detailed discussion, individual attention, and plenty of practical application.
The morning’s programme combined discussion with on‑court activities, focusing on four key coaching themes:
- Warm‑Up: Purposeful and Fun
Coaches explored ways to make warm‑ups both engaging and useful. The session highlighted how to embed footwork patterns, prepare players physically and mentally, and adapt activities to different age groups and abilities. - Footwork: Agility, Balance and Coordination
Participants looked at how to develop essential movement skills, progressing into badminton‑specific footwork patterns. Emphasis was placed on breaking down movements before rebuilding them to improve players’ fluency and confidence. - Overhead Power: Technique and Timing
This section focused on how rotational movement contributes to power generation. Coaches worked through isolated components, then integrated them into full overhead actions. Practical throwing games helped reinforce timing—particularly the lag between hip rotation and racket impact—alongside work on elbow positioning. - The First Three Shots: Communication and Strategy
Through discussion and court demonstrations, the group examined how communication and anticipation affect early‑rally success. Topics included recognising opponent return patterns, declaring serve intentions to a partner, and understanding shared responsibility across court zones.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone reporting that they had taken away new ideas, insights, or practical tools to use within their coaching. The session provided an excellent opportunity for local coaches to connect, share best practice, and build confidence going into the new year.
