Hand feeding: safe, useful practice shuttles
How to throw shuttles to a partner so the practice looks like the real game: safe position, realistic flight, the right rate, and underarm and overarm throws.
What hand feeding is
Feeding means delivering the shuttle so that a player gets realistic practice. In hand feeding you throw it by hand. It is often the first step after shadowing, because it is generally easier than feeding with a racket and gives many repetitions in a short time.
Strengths and limits
- Good for: many repetitions quickly; copying downward shots (overarm throw) and upward shots (underarm throw); players can learn to feed well with a little practice.
- Limits: it is hard to give the shuttle real pace; the player cannot read the shuttle coming off a racket; feeding for an overhead stroke is difficult to do accurately and gives only a limited chance to pick up the flight. You may need plenty of shuttles.
Six things to check before you feed
- Safety. Feed from a safe position, especially to protect eyes. Sometimes this means feeding from a slightly less perfect spot. Tell the hitter not to strike the shuttle back at you.
- Flight path. Copy the flight of the real stroke. For example, an overhead throw from the rear court to the forecourt looks like a drop shot.
- Pace. You cannot throw as fast as a racket hits. If pace matters, move to racket feeding when you can.
- Time of flight. Give the hitter enough time to practise the skill. If the hitter moves further into a net shot, you may need to step back.
- Rate. Feed slowly enough that the player can think about the last attempt and prepare for the next.
- Wait for the technique. You can hold the shuttle until the hitter shows one detail, such as a correct grip, and your gaze can quietly help the player correct themselves.
How to hold and throw
- Holding many shuttles: cradle them in your non-throwing arm with the corks pointing down.
- Underarm feed: use a long arm swing. To give height for practising overhead strokes, stand with a wide stance, bend and straighten the knees, throw from the shoulder with a long backswing, place the shuttle in the air and finish with the hand high.
- Overarm feed: copies overarm strokes and can help overhead habits such as a sideways stance, loading the rear leg, moving weight forward and reaching high.
- Flat, fast feed: often easier with the hand over the top of the shuttle.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Feeding too fast. Slow down so the player can reset.
- Standing in the line of the hit. Move to a safe place.
- Same feed every time. Gradually vary direction and length as the player improves.
- Never moving to a racket feed. When the stroke is secure, move on (see from simple to complex).
Simple practice
- With a partner, take ten hand-fed shuttles each at a net stroke, with the feeder to the side and a safe distance.
- Swap roles and give each other one observation about the feed: too fast, too high, well placed.
- Next time, vary the feed so the hitter has to choose between two strokes.
Limits
Eyes are very vulnerable to shuttles and rackets. Keep a safe distance, never feed in front of a hitter who may swing at you, and stop if anyone feels pain.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.