Alright badminton smashers, Intermediate partner here. I've spent a good deal of time on the court, battling it out, learning the ropes, and yes, getting humbled by players who seemed leagues above me. It's a common experience, right? You step onto court against someone better, and suddenly, your game feels off. You might struggle to play your best, maybe even feel like you've got no chance.

But over the years, I've picked up some valuable lessons, hard-won insights from trying to overcome those seemingly insurmountable opponents. It's not just about having the fanciest technique; it's about mindset and strategy. This is how I learned to not just survive, but sometimes even thrive, against better players.

Here are five strategies I've used and now teach:

1. Master the Mindset: Don't Overhype Your Opponent

This is the bedrock, the absolute first step. It sounds simple, but the psychological battle often starts before you even step onto the court. Thinking "They're so good, I've got no chance" is incredibly damaging. It's actually scientifically proven that believing you're going to lose makes you more likely to lose. Studies have shown the power of expectation – people told they had better genes for a fitness test performed better, and athletes given a placebo they thought were performance-enhancing drugs performed better.

Now, this isn't about being arrogant. It's about re-framing your thinking.

Action Point 1: Talk to yourself like you'd talk to a friend. You wouldn't tell a friend they have no chance; you'd likely say, "You can definitely win this". Practice telling yourself that.
Action Point 2: Focus on your game. Instead of dwelling on the opponent or the outcome ("If I win this, I'll make the team!" or "If I lose 21-0, I'll be so embarrassing!"), bring your focus back to what you need to do to play well.

We all occasionally fall into that mindset, even against top players, but the key is to consciously bring the focus back to your performance.

2. Pin Them Deep: Get a Good Length on Your Lifts

This is a fundamental tactical point. If you lift short or without hitting the corners, your opponent only has to move a short distance, maybe half a meter. But a good, deep lift into the back corner forces them to move significantly further – up to 5.2 meters!.

Why is this crucial? It massively eases the pressure you feel on court, giving you more time and increasing the chances of your opponent making a mistake. I learned this the hard way playing against the National medalists; their attack felt relentless, partly because our lifts were too short.

Action Point 1: From the very start (love all), aim to find that back line. Don't be afraid to hit one out initially; the important thing is to learn from it for the rest of the match. If you're struggling defensively, hit one lift much harder to gauge the power needed to reach the back.
Action Point 2: For a more advanced touch, add some deception to your lifts. Better players read the game well and anticipate shots. If your lift is obvious, they're already moving into position. Adding deception makes them take the shot slightly later, giving you more comfort. When we managed good length and deceptive lifts against the current world number one, we found we could actually cope with his attack reasonably well.

3. Patience is Power: Be Calm and Consistent

Against superior players, it often feels like everything is faster – they hit earlier, their shots are better, and they retrieve everything. A common mistake is then feeling like every shot you play needs to be a perfect winner to win a point. This often leads to errors, trying to hit too close to the lines or the net. You make a mistake, try harder, make another mistake – a negative cycle.

But believe me, you don't always need a "crazy winner". There is often more space than you think. Even against the world number ones, when I stayed calm and patient, I found space to hit into.

How do you build this calmness under pressure?

Top Recommendation: Do competitive drills aiming for speed and consistency. Examples include rear mid, mid-court control, or defense drills.
Make them competitive:
- Try hitting 20 consecutive shots without mistakes, resetting if you miss.
- See who makes the fewest unforced errors in 90 seconds, with a forfeit for the loser. This replicates match pressure.

Even Olympic Champions like Zheng Siwei remind themselves to stay patient during drills. Practicing this at higher speeds makes you feel like you have more time in a match.

4. Throw Them Off Balance: Disrupt Your Opponents

Better players often rely on specific strengths, maybe a killer shot or a preferred doubles formation. You need to find ways to disrupt their rhythm and comfort zone.

Here are three ways I've found effective:

In doubles, force a player into a less comfortable position. If one player excels at the net but struggles at the back, aim to keep them deep. In singles, if their attack is strong, try to reduce how much you lift.
Vary the pace of your attack. If they defend consistently against a steady pace, use slices, half smashes, or punch clears to upset their rhythm.
Control the tempo of the match. Don't just play at their speed. Take an extra second before returning, or speed up between points when serving.

Winning tactically can overcome opponents who are technically or physically better. This is part of what we call "winning ugly" – being scrappy and finding unconventional ways to win. In a tournament, I'd always rather win ugly than lose beautifully.

5. Keep Learning: Learn From Them

Every match against a better player is a learning opportunity. Psychologist Albert Bandura's social learning theory highlights that we learn by watching others and imitating successful actions. By observing better players, you can pick up their techniques, tactics, and habits.

Early in my playing, I lost a lot of points in the first three shots. I went home, watched better players, and worked specifically on that area until it became a strength. When I later faced the world top 10 and found new areas to improve, I did the same thing.

I highly recommend the "proximity principle". This means surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Ask to play on a stronger court at your club or enter a tournament slightly above your current level. Remember the principle: "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you!".

By implementing some or all of these strategies, you significantly increase your chances of competing with, and potentially beating, players who are currently ahead of you. Of course, keep working on your technical and tactical skills alongside these strategies – they all work together!

Keep training hard, stay smart, and embrace the challenge!

I am off the court!!!

How to play with a Better Player?

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