Badminton is an Olympic sport comprising of five different disciplines: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles, in which each pair is a man and a woman. One of the fastest games in the world at the highest level, the sport demands excellent fitness: players require aerobic stamina, strength and speed. It is also a technical sport requirine good motor coordination and the development of sophisticated racquet skills.

This area, Skills and Techniques, begins by looking at three major factors affecting your learning of skill.

1. "What is it that makes the performance of a skill a 'skilled performance'?"

A skill or technique should be carried out with MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. (i.e. the movements that link together to execute the skill)

There are three characteristics which back this up:

• The movements that link together to carry out the skill or technique are carried out with control and fluency of movement often with the minimum of effort.
• Choosing the correct options of shots to play
• Playing from your experience. The skills and techniques used reflect the player's ability and experience to date.

It is also important to realise that SKILL is relative to your ABILITY. (This means that your ability to attack your opponent is determined or limited by the variety of attacking shots that you are able to play. Your options will be far less extensive than those of an international player but certainly more extensive than a beginner.)