Skill Acquisition and Development Issues with Predictable Badminton Feeding Routines

Badminton practice designs contain feeding routines that allow players to practice technical skills. Optimal skill acquisition and development is gained through practice simulating competitive match play rather than approaches centred around mass repetition with low levels of uncertainty. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical differences in twelve youth elite UK badminton players in activities with varying levels of predictability. The three experimental trials were handfeed, multifeed and match play trials. Motion capture cameras were used to record participant biomechanical data. Data analysis revealed several significant biomechanical differences between trials. Results showed that an increase in trial unpredictability led to increased depth of the forward lunge shot and a lower racket shuttlecock strike position with greater forward trunk bend. This study showed that visual search behaviour in badminton is a key component of the forward lunge shot. Predictable practice feeding routines may cause poor skill acquisition and development through maladaptive learning behaviours. Coaches are recommended to implement unpredictable feeding practice routines to simulate the visual search behaviour of competitive badminton match play to enhance skill acquisition and development in youth elite badminton players.