Expert‐Novice Differences in Game Performance and Game Understanding of Youth Badminton Players

The purpose of this investigation was to examine differences in skill, game performance and game understanding in expert (n=12) and novice (n=14) youth badminton players (13‐14 years). Each subject participated in skill tests (serve, clear and drop) and a game understanding test which consisted of 15 different video simulations of actual offensive and defensive game situations. In every sequence, players were to solve tactical problems by selecting appropriate solutions and arguments for their decisions. In addition they played 2 x 10‐min singles badminton. AH matches were video recorded and post match analysed. Results clearly showed that skill, game play and cognitive components all differentiated experts from novices. Experts exhibited significantly more sport skill, played more effective shots and understood the game situations better when compared to novices. Based on the findings it could be suggested that all these qualities must be taken into account when teaching/coaching games in order to increase competence, interest and enjoyment in games playing.

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Minna Blomqvist

Minna Blomqvist and Pekka Luhtanen are with the Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Jyväskylä, Finland. Lauri Laakso is with the Department of Physical Education, University of Jyväskylä, Finland.