I've been meaning to write about this for some time. I've been introduced to a couple of new and fun games that I would like to share.They are called padminton and speedminton which are a blend between ping pong, badminton and racket ball. In Korea, they are big on badminton and ping pong, so it's not suprising that padminton came into existance. Padminton uses a ping pong style racket but with a badminton shuttle. The shuttle does not go nearly as far when using this paddle so the game is a lot quicker. This means the players have to stand a lot closer then they otherwise would in a badminton game. The net is also lower than it is for a badminton game. Since the net is lower, it is still possible to smash but it is also easier to return the smash (at least I believe it is). The boundaries or scoring area is also very small, making precision an important virtue for the game. Since I do not beleive it is an official game, players can create their own scoring areas.
The next game is speedminton. This game is played from long distances. I played it with the Physical Education teacher the length wise of the gym. The reason the shuttle can travel so far is because the racket and shuttles are different than in badminton, padminton or ping pong. The rackets are similar to rackeball rackets and the shuttles are smaller than badminton ones. There are also three different shuttles that can be played with. This included a fast, medium and slow shuttle. However, keep in mind that even the slow shuttle is faster than a badminton one. The fast shuttle brought me to automatic laughter because it was so fast. From long distances, it is not difficult to rally with someone and is good training for badminton.
In fact, both of these games are good training for badminton. Padminton in particular is good for improving ones reflexes because the game is so quick. However, it is important to have quick reflexes but combined with precision. These are the two elements that I believe really help to improve ones badminton game. After playing padminton, I feel that my confidence is also boosted because I feel my reflexes and precision are slightly improved after playing a few rounds.
A simialr comparison is when I come back from a vipassana meditation retreat and and have refined my awareness of sensations and in general my awareness of being. I know one or two hours of practicing padminton is not the same as 10 days of silent meditation, though I do feel like in many ways I am sharper as is the case when I return from vipassana. Badminton is like working with the gross sensations while padminton is refining that to more subtler sensations. After working on the subtle sensations, it is very easy to sense the gross ones. This might be difficult for some to understand, but it is something that I believe has some resemblance even though it may be difficult to make the connection.
The next game is speedminton. This game is played from long distances. I played it with the Physical Education teacher the length wise of the gym. The reason the shuttle can travel so far is because the racket and shuttles are different than in badminton, padminton or ping pong. The rackets are similar to rackeball rackets and the shuttles are smaller than badminton ones. There are also three different shuttles that can be played with. This included a fast, medium and slow shuttle. However, keep in mind that even the slow shuttle is faster than a badminton one. The fast shuttle brought me to automatic laughter because it was so fast. From long distances, it is not difficult to rally with someone and is good training for badminton.
In fact, both of these games are good training for badminton. Padminton in particular is good for improving ones reflexes because the game is so quick. However, it is important to have quick reflexes but combined with precision. These are the two elements that I believe really help to improve ones badminton game. After playing padminton, I feel that my confidence is also boosted because I feel my reflexes and precision are slightly improved after playing a few rounds.
A simialr comparison is when I come back from a vipassana meditation retreat and and have refined my awareness of sensations and in general my awareness of being. I know one or two hours of practicing padminton is not the same as 10 days of silent meditation, though I do feel like in many ways I am sharper as is the case when I return from vipassana. Badminton is like working with the gross sensations while padminton is refining that to more subtler sensations. After working on the subtle sensations, it is very easy to sense the gross ones. This might be difficult for some to understand, but it is something that I believe has some resemblance even though it may be difficult to make the connection.
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