UNIT 1: FEEDING TECHNIQUES

Introduction
Feeding is a very important aspect of coaching. Feeding is not merely hitting or throwing the
shuttle.

Through feeding the coach or feeder can help to solve specific problems and even train new
moves or sequences. It is an essential for a coach to learn how to feed. Coaches can train a special
group of people to do multi-feeding.

What is feeding?

Feeding is specific task oriented shuttle placing exercise for a trainee to execute a particular shot
or a group of shots or in specific situations.

Feeding can be done by a coach or player. It is important for players to learn how to feed for team
mates because this will help develop team cohesion and responsibility. On the other hand by
feeding players also improve their own sense of timing and learn to see from the opponent’s point
of view.

Purpose of feeding?
 Create new sequence of movements
 Consolidate certain strategy or tactical moves
 Prepare for a future opponent
 Train specific areas - attacking or defensive component or conditioning

Types of feeding

 Multi shuttle feeding - using many shuttles with specific tasks

 Passive feeders - one or more players who do not move away from
their allocated zones - place the shuttle in specific
pace, direction, angle and intensity depending on
the task given

 Active feeders - one or more feeders who perform the task

allocated but they are freer to move

Multi-shuttle feeding - Considerations

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 which shots to train
 trainee’s ability
 trainee’s needs
 feeder’s ability
 how to feed
 do we have many shuttles
 how many repetition
 what is the goal?

o Execution speed
o Acquisition of a new skill or technique
o With or without movement
o Accuracy of shot
o Shot production under pressure

Types of multi-shuttle feeding

 Hand Feeding

o Stack shuttles up on non racket arm

o Take shuttle from the bottom of the
tack with your thumb, forefinger
and middle finger of the racket
hand
o You can feed in a number of ways
- underarm or overhead Fig. 1 - Underarm feeding
o Throw with the cork facing the way
and direction the shuttle is intended
to go

 Racket Feeding

There may types of racket feeding.

Generally they fall into underarm

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 and overhead. Overhead racket
feeding is a little tricky.

Fig.2 - Underarm feeding with racket

Racket feeding varieties

 Underarm - dropping with non racket hand or dropping with racket hand
 Overhead - tossing with non racket hand or tossing with racket hand

An example of overhead racket feeding

 Stack shuttles up the non racket arm
 Take the shuttle from the bottom of the
stack of shuttles
 Hold the cork with the thumb, forefinger
and middle finger of the racket hand
 Use a short grip or long
 Use a short swing
 Maintain a relax grip before impact to
be more deceptive
 Do not throw the shuttle instead release
the shuttle in front of the racket hand so
as to contact shuttle high and slightly in Fig.3 - Overhead racket feeding
front of the body
 The act of taking the shuttle, releasing
and hitting must be smooth
 Keep eyes on the shuttle as you take the next one in order to create a rhythm

Factors affecting feeding

 Timing - It is important to ensure that the shuttle arrives at the
right time for the player to execute the shot. This is a very
important factor to consider when dealing with a beginner.

For the advanced athlete the feeding timing must be as close as

possible to game like situations.

 Accuracy - The shuttle must go to the right spot or area

 Consistency - This is important to fed consistently if we want the

players to concentrate on their task

 Shuttle speed - The shuttle speed must be suitable to the athlete’s

ability

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 Racket head - The racket head speed manipulation will decide how
deceptive or quick the shuttle leaves the racket upon impact
 Feeding speed - This refers to the rate of shuttles being fed

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