From ping pong to badminton, the Chinese seem to have real skill at dominating world competition in some of the lesser-known areas of world competition. As with many sports, the Chinese attribute their success to finding young athletes with lots of talent and grooming them for world competition. As reigning champions, the Chinese believe in keeping their training secret, so very little is known about their actual practices.
Talent Search
Badminton is popular in China, and many small towns have a pool of local talent. These youth are sought out by the Chinese government and trained at state expense. As they rise through the ranks, competing on a national level, they earn the opportunity to compete at the international level. Children as young as 4 are trained by China's best athletes in rigorous programs, according to the Badminton Information website.
Training
Athletes are given intensive training in both the physical and mental aspects of badminton. Junior players are taught court coverage, skillful netplay, and appropriate use of power and aggression. Posting on a forum at Badminton Central, a Chinese player and shuttlecock manufacturer states that aggressive play is no longer the primary focus of training. Today's young players focus on skills, but they also learn the more subtle, psychological nuances of the game.
Stamina Training
Footwork is an important part of Chinese training. Because badminton is a sport with many explosive bursts, quick stops and sideways movements, the focus is not on running distances but on moving around the court in all directions. At some Asian training programs, athletes train for four hours, do conditioning for four hours and follow this with another two hours of training, according to the Bintang Badminton Academy.
Academies and Camps
There are several academies and camps worldwide dedicated to the sport of badminton. Staffed by Chinese nationally and internationally ranked players, these academies provide an opportunity for students from all over to learn from Chinese masters.
Equipment
Chinese training is not just mental and physical, however. Equipment selection is another important aspect of training. The Chinese prefer a traditional badminton shoe with thin rubber soles and canvas tops. Called Baiky shoes, they are known for their grip and traction on a variety of surfaces. These shoes lack cushioning and cause foot and ankle pain. They wear out quickly but are cheap to replace. Other aspects of equipment selection includes durable shuttlecocks with good flight attributes, and graphite and titanium rackets designed by legendary Chinese coach Tang Xianhu. These rackets have a wide sweet spot which helps with off-center shots, and the grip tape is non-slippery and super-absorbent.
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