Hola!
It's the third day of the European Summer School and everyone here is having a great time in the sunny city of Madrid! Players, coaches and staff are busy chatting and mingling amongst each other. Even with the different nationalities and languages, it's a wonder how they are able to communicate with each other!
The highlight for today was probably the evening's activity where players and coaches were treated to a Capoeira martial arts demonstration at the accommodation complex. After two days of tough training sessions, players were happy to chilled and watch a Brazilian cultural art that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. This demonstration was delivered by a group of 'fit' looking guys and gals from a local area who were actively involved in this 'sport',
The demonstration started with players and coaches being put through some exercise routines, giving them an insight of what Capoeira was all about. Everybody was in awe to what they had to do. One of the routines involve doing somersaults and everyone was trying to do them.
It was quite an interesting workout and after about 30 minutes or so, the actual demonstration started. Everybody was seen staring in awe at how physical it was. There were jumping and flipping stunts, and the exponents were using martial arts to outdo each other. There was no hitting but just 'acts', keeping everyone in suspense. The music kept everyone singing to the rhythm of the tunes. Everyone was staring in astonishment! A few players attempted to try and boy, were they trying to 'beat' their exponents who were twice their size. Swerving left and right trying to find the right opportunity to 'attack'! It was great fun watching them!
All in all everyone had a great time. Even though some players were tired, but the activity helps them take their mind off the badminton court for a while and to experience a little bit of the cultural activity in Spain.
by Joanne Quay (Malaysia), staff-coach
Today we trained doubles. I need to work on splitting, moving quicker into the corner and defense work. The afternoon was also good. I am glad that I am here. I am very much looking forward to learning new technique and skills.
by Dimitur Delchev (Bulgaria), player
Today in the morning I was late and they made me wear the bull-hat (el toro). It was fun! In the afternoon, we had a very hard training, because we were very tired from the training in the morning. In the evening a capoeira group came and taught us some of their sport. This was so much fun!
In this camp I am having a great time because I am meeting many people from other countries, while I am learning a lot of badminton and English. I want to come back next year!
by Lorena Usle (Spain), player
Hey ;)
today we trained rear court offense and defense. It was a hard training but I enjoyed it a lot. But then my foot hurt and I had to go to the physiotherapist.
In the evening we learned Capoeira. That was a lot of fun and the show was really fantastic.
by Julie Aulner (Italy), player
Morning: defense and defense in the back of the court
Afternoon: spin-shots and some more exercises
evening: Capoeira (I liked it)
by Roswitha Fragner (Italy), player
Hello, today we were training doubles rotations in the morning; first with one shuttle and then with some routines. Afterwards we rested for one hour. Then we made defense shots and recoveries. I am training recoveries for two years, so this wasn’t so difficult for me. In the afternoon we made drops, clears and smashes in the first part of the session and in the second part we made top spin in the net.
I feel like I have already been here for a week because I met a lot of people, (like Flore) from other countries. At the moment I understand most of the things.
by Daniel Alvarez (Spain), player
The first day, here in Madrid, was a really interesting and useful day. In the morning we had the opportunity to learn and practice very useful options of technics, exercises in order to manage our goals and progressions. In the afternoon session we did our first practice with players in cooperation with other coaches and of course staff. We gained great experiences from that part, too.
by Pavlos Charalampidis (Greece), coach
It was a good day. But it is difficult to train players in small groups. Never the less the staff coaches are good help.
by Gudrun Jacobsen (Faroe Islands), coach
Since the summer school started I saw a very good organisation and strong coordination among all staff. This is the base for everything to work. In particular, my day is following this. Working on theoretical and practical contents with all the staff, as well as watching them working on similar topics with the players, gives us a better idea of how we can correct and guide the players.
In the afternoon we made the first coaching session. It is good to practice the individual work. I think the work is in the right direction because each player is different from the other and need an individual plan. But that planning is hard work. When we feel very tired after a days-job we have to clear our minds new and start to create individualized trainings for the players based on goals.
by Angel Moreno (Spain), coach