AWAY GAME Info and Tips

Credit: Kangjin Wang

1) PERMISSION SLIPS/OB PASSES

    In General

            - you need to have the permission slip signed by your 9th and/or 10th teacher(s) to be able to skip their periods and leave school for games

            - we will meet, before we leave the school, at the Memorial Garden, in front of the entrance to auditorium (so bring everything with you  by then)

            - for games at Flushing, Flushing International, and Townsend, we will meet at the memorial garden and leave promptly at 2:30, meaning we will skip part of 9th and 10th periods if you have them (which means you need to get your 9th and 10th period teachers, if available, to sign the OB pass). Please get there on time. If you have teachers that don't let you leave until exactly 2:30, BRING YOUR EQUIPMENT WITH YOU AND HURRY UP. You are holding back the rest of the team.

            - for games at MLK, Morrisania, and Hunter, we will skip 10th ONLY. So we will meet at the memorial garden and leave right after 9th period. Similarly, if you have SGI, get your teacher to sign the OB Pass

            - please remember to bring your rackets, uniforms (if you have one), shorts, shoes, and other equipment. Relying on others' rackets may not guarantee you a racket when it's time for you to play. Without your uniform and dark shorts, your games will be disqualified.

            - everyone should find Mr. Qiu on Monday for permission slip if you have not already gotten one for each game

            - look for him BEFORE 9TH on Monday because you need to get your 9th period teacher to sign the pass at least one day before the event

                        * your teacher may say no to your OB pass if you show him/her the pass the day of and then you will not be able to go to the game on time

            -  bring enough water and food in addition to shorts, uniforms (if you were given one), shoes, etc.

            - bring a happy mind :) We are there to enjoy the sport and learn, in addition to trying our best to win the games!

2) TIPS BEFORE AND DURING THE GAME (from the previous email)

    Trivial Stuff to remember

            -bring enough water

            -try to get your heart pumping before the game starts, this relaxes you and prevents injuries

            -bring towel or jackets to cover yourself if you get cold easily

            -STRETCH, and don't just bs it-> again to prevent injuries

            -try to stay focus. I know this is BS, but when playing, try to stay focused on the game.

            -show RESPECT to your opponent. In addition to being great athletes, we are also great human beings. Our respect to them is beyond the scope of losing or winning the game. SPORTSMANSHIP IS MAGIC. :D

    Technical Stuff to remember

            - Serve diagonally

            - if you're nervous, just stall the game a bit-> you have a minute between each rally.

            - keep your feet active and don't just stand around-> standing around drains you out of energy super fast, keep your feet moving even your are waiting for the opponent to return

            - try not be nervous (staying warm helps), and calmly return

                * don't think about how messed up you returned the previous shot--it will not make your shot any better but will only make you nervous and unable to think about the next move

                * once it's out of your hand, it's out of your hand

            - 1 minute max break between points

            - 2 minute max break between sets

            - switch sides after you get to second set. If your game goes to the third set, switch sides after mid-game interval (the 11th point) of the third set            - birdie toss: whoever wins the toss can choose either to serve or to choose the court. You get to choose only one of them. For example, if you choose serving your opponent gets to choose her court.  ***please take into account of the lighting in the gym if you ever get to choose the court. Normally going against the window is terrible, so make your opponent face the window if you can. 

            - serve when your opponent is ready and mostly importantly, when YOU are ready



Also please read the rules. You can find small hacks and score points that way, while being fair.

Service

Singles courts and Doubles courts are slightly different.
The singles courts are more narrow, and the doubles court are wider.
Thus their rules are also slightly different.
However, in both cases, you MUST serve to the box diagonal to you. (Unless your opponent is somebody who hits every birdie regardless of where it goes, because he/she is ignorant. But we are a  team, so expect good serves rather than bad serves.)

The red circle represents the server.
Usually the best service spots are the spots where people have to move to receive, or the ones that people might give up receiving. (Hey, those no-receive outs are an easy way to score points...) These spots are the front and back. The most satisfying matches are the ones in which you compete in skill, and the best points to get are the ones that catches the opponent off guard or the ones that show the opponent that she/he is too slow for you receives. 

In doubles, it is more common to see people do the chest service. Chest service to the front or to the back are both fine, usually. It is common for the partner to be near the middle line and in the back. It allows you to take defense faster after the service is complete.


In singles, it is more common to see people do a underhand "high-clear" service. (Makes people run to the very back, makes them a bit unprepared for the next move. It also prevents first move smashes.)


Besides the chest and the underhand service, there are no other acceptable service. There are more acceptables ways in where the birdie goes--high, drive, flick, and low but if you know how to do the high and low, the rest would be easier to do.

See you guys, Friday,

And good luck (^______^)