Kunena Site Syndication http://www.birdievent.com/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:55:17 -0700 Kunena 1.5.12 http://www.birdievent.com/components/com_kunena/template/default_ex/images/english/emoticons/rss.gif http://www.birdievent.com/ Kunena Site Syndication http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=126#127 Videos are updated daily until the final matches. Please stay tune. Visit Birdievent.com Video Section for all the newest badminton events videos Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:09:20 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=126#126 Well, this event is not an exciting start for USA team. The favorite Men's Double pair (Bach & Gunawan) was defeated in 1st round by Clark & Robertson. Meanwhile, the Wang Sisters were also lost on their 1st matches. The good news is we have some videos of the most exciting matches of this tournament. Just visit Badminton Video section of this site. Best Regards, Birdievent.com Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:18:18 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=116#125 Letter from Royal Badminton Management: Dear members and supporters of Royal Badminton Academy and friends in the badminton community: We regretfully have to inform you that we can no longer provide you the opportunity to participate in the truly royal experience we have been tirelessly and passionately preparing for you to welcome the Li-Ning Champions U.S. Tour scheduled for September 2. We were delighted to host such a historical event at our fantastic club. We have put in a lot of work and energy to maintain our objective to offer events and experiences that reinforce the superior quality and service value propositions and provide a broader multi-cultural and global exposure for both companies and the sport of badminton. Most importantly, we strive to create fantastic and memorable brand experiences for our current and future customers and honorable overseas guests. We encountered differences in business practices and ethical considerations while working with a Li-Ning representative. We sincerely apologize that we were not able to ensure that both parties reach a mutually agreeable arrangement in a timely manner. We wish members of the China's national badminton team to have a great experience while visiting the United States, and let's continue our enthusiastic dedication to promoting the sport of badminton in this country! Sincerely, Royal Badminton Academy Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:28:51 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=116#124 Personally, I am upset and disappointed with the whole circus on handling this event. First, the news came to us (the badminton freaks) from "unofficial" people in the badminton arena. Of course, no one believed this news on the beginning, realizing the schedule of badminton tournaments in next few months are pretty tight (after World Championship in Paris, players may play at China Super Series then Japan Super Series). So, who is telling who? The next disappointing decision was the venue selection, especially in Southern California. I am sure like many of us, we want to impress these prestigious international players, if USA is ready and has international arena to host such global players. Why is ABC? Bottom line it is a warehouse with no air conditioner and no sitting area for audiences. How can it hold 400+ badminton enthusiasts in the gym? Where can we park the cars? Next is the $20.00 entrance fees. I thought Li-Ning USA is trying to impress USA market and trying to gain its supremacy in USA. By charging fees for this "show", I think Li-Ning is not doing a good job on trying to be closed to their fans. In fact it is business as usual. So, if I am thinking back again what is actually the whole objective to have Lin Dan and the gangs in USA for us (the badminton community in USA)? Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:04:51 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=116#123 Li Ning official CHINESE website does not list this event at all. Nor the English website. SGVBC website said the tickets is only sell to their members not to anyone. ABC has a list of ticket request list but ticket not ready yet and they don't know when the ticket will be ready. I star wondering if this is BIG HISTORICAL EVENTS really that big enough to have the marketing and ticket process handle in a better way??? It seems very unprofessional and not qualify to be call International Event. Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:47:29 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=116#122 Note from Mike Yang, Managing Director of Li Ning: Due to unexpected circumstances and inability to assure full cooperation, Li-Ning USA has changed the SF Bay area venue of "Li-Ning Champions Tour" to Eastbay Badminton Association, http://www.eastbaybadminton.com/. We apologize if this change has caused any inconvenience. All official tickets will only be sold at the following three locations: (LA) 1. SGVBC, http://www.sgvbc.net/ 2. ABC, http://www.abadminton.com/ (SF) EBA, http://www.eastbaybadminton.com/ We look forward to seeing you at these two historical events with Li-Ning Badminton Superstars! Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:18:20 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=121#121 What does it say when Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal made a combined $43 million last season and both can be had by the Celtics for a total of just over $7 million for 2010-11? NBA star center Shaquille O'Neal is the latest international sports hero to join the LiNing family. Sina.com, China's leading internet portal, reported that the NBA player has signed a contract to promote the Chinese sportswear giant's basketball boots. The company has kept the amount it spent on the deal top secret, but insiders reckon it was a generous sum, given O'Neal's status. Shaq O'Neal is the second NBA player to join LiNing, after Cavalier's Damon Jones. China's leading sportswear company, LiNing, was created by and named after Chinese gymnastics legend Li Ning. Currently striving to take the lead on the international stage, the company has acted as official sponsor for the national French gymnastic team and Spanish basketball team. Company sources say LiNing intends to sign more NBA stars. http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/img_0214.jpg Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:33:31 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=116#118 This event should be a "big" deal for badminton community in USA, particularly in California. Yet, the event coordinators and Li-Ning USA management still have not done much to publicize this event and created rave of awareness. The news is still based on mouth-2-mouth conversation. I am very concern if Li-Ning home office management had appointed the right person to handle USA market. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:04:20 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=116#116 Summary: 2 Top China badminton players are coming to California after the Paris World Championship. Lin Dan & Bao C. Lai will do exhibition match in Arcadia Badminton Club, Arcadia, CA (Southern California) on August 31, 2010 and continue on Sept 2, 2010 at Royal Badminton Club in Menlo Park,CA (Northern California). Summary: Arcadia Badminton Club: Ticket is $20.00 per person ABC will limit to 400 tickets (first comes first serve) Event will start around 5:00PM for some Li-Ning presentation Exhibition match will start around 7:00PM. Royal Badminton Club: Ticket is $20.00 per person pretty much follow the event schedule of ABC http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/Teamnew2.jpg Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:52:39 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=114#115 The final arrangement is Markis Kido & Hendra Setiawan will play in Paris 2010 World Championship, but not in China Super Series. In addition, they also will play in Japan Super Series 2010. Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:27:36 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=114#114 Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan said they might not compete in the Paris worlds after the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) failed to submit their names for the China Masters Super Series. The world championships will be held on Aug. 23-29 while the tournament in China, the seventh leg of the top-tier Super Series, will take place in Changzhou on Sept. 14-19. “If we can’t play [in China], then we won’t represent our country in the world championships,” Markis said on Wednesday. “In our contract with our sponsor, the worlds is not a mandatory event but the China Masters is. “We were ready to play in Paris and represent our country. In fact, we were going to use our own money just to get there. But I think we have to think things over now.” Even though Markis and Hendra left the national camp this year to turn professional, a Badminton World Federation regulation states that shuttlers need to be registered with their national association before they can play in any tournament. Icuk Sugiarto, head of the PBSI’s Jakarta office, said he had not issued a letter for Markis and Hendra because they had failed to present a number of documents, including paperwork related to their sponsorship contracts. Retno Kustijah, chairwoman of Jakarta’s Jaya Raya Club, with which Markis and Hendra are affiliated, said she had tried and failed to convince Icuk to sign the letter for the players. “The rule is only applicable to national team players, not professionals. It’s not the PBSI’s concern anymore how much the pros make from sponsors, PBSI still wants to know,” Retno said http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/kido_hendra.jpg Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:01:59 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=113#113 Some exciting Final and Semis videos are available in video section of www.birdievent.com http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/10709.gif Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:37:09 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=112#112 A racket used by Nova Widianto, a mixed double player specialist from Indonesia, was auctioned by Tangkas Bhakti Mulia at a social golf event to achieve US$5000.00 price mark. Meanwhile, Vita Marissa racket was auctioned for US$1500.00, Simon Santoso' racket got US$2500.00, while Liliyana Natsir's racket got US$4000.00 The funds will be donated to PT Tangkas (Indonesia Local Badminton Club). Source: Kompas.com http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/badminton.jpg Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:38:47 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=111#111 LVBC is doing a preview of its facility at 4280 Wagon Trail Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89118 [center]ANNOUNCEMENT!!![/center] We will open tonight (FRIDAY NIGHT, August 06, 2010) for open play from 6:30pm to whenever...$5 donation play until you drop..this is not grand opening..just pre-opening..Come out and lets have some fun!!! http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/23312_183694486169_7569_n.jpg Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:36:55 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=110#110 Bay Badminton Center is excited and proud to have a Halim Haryanto Ho join our coaching team. BBC is excited to bring a world class caliber coach to the Bay Area. Please keep posted for his class and training schedules. Halim played for Indonesia from 1995 to 2004 with various partners before coming to the U.S. He won the 2001 International Badminton Federation World Championship as well as the 2001 All England Championship in men's doubles with Tony Gunanwan. They also won the Malaysia (1998) and Singapore (2001) Open titles together when both played for Indonesia, and the Chinese Taopei (2005), Bitburger (2005), and United States Opens (2006) together. Haryanto also won the Copenhagen Masters men's doubles with Candra Wijaya in 2003 and the United States Open mixed doubles with Peng Yu in 2008. He played on the men's world champion Indonesian Thaomas Cup team of 2002, winning his final round match against Malaysia with Tri Kusharjanto. Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:53:25 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=109#109 Macau Open 2010 videos are available in video section of Birdievent.com Watch the exciting close matches among the premier players... Simon Santoso, Lee Chong Wei... etc... http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/7892.jpg Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:26:40 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=108#108 Some exciting final matches from Malaysia Gold Series in Johor Bahru are available in Video section Venue: Stadium Bandaraya Johor Bharu Address: Jalan Tebrau Johor Bharu Johor Malaysia Events Name Draws Entries MS 2 103 WS 2 59 MD 2 63 WD 2 37 XD 2 44 Events: 5 Draws: 10 Entries: 306 Players: 302 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:17:45 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=21&id=107#107 Monday, July 19th 12pm-9pm Qualifying Round Free admission Tuesday, July 20th 9am-10pm First round $15 adult/$10 kids admission Wednesday, July 21st 2pm-10pm Second round $15 adult/$10 kids admission Thursday, July 22nd 5pm-10pm Quarter final round $15 adult/$10 kids admission Friday, July 23rd 7pm-11pm Semi final round $25 adult/$15 kids admission Saturday, July 24th 7pm-11pm Final round $25 adult/$15 kids admission All week pass $60 adult/$40 kids admission Contact Orange County Badminton Club at: (714) 639-6222 info@ocbadmintonclub.com Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:15:39 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=106#106 You replied: The mentality is no longer there. All these players can think of is monetary rewards. Stars in the old days were only in it for the sport itself, doing their best to become champion. Nowadays, players are like stars, but are not as tough as they used to be. Sunardi, Jakarta If the shuttlers took less time complaining and trying to look good on camera, they would fare much better. Gunadi The government should accord more attention to developing talent. It cannot just demand and give nothing out. Yusniarti, Yogyakarta In the old days, a pro was a pro. Badminton was their only livelihood. Nothing on the side, so therefore better concentration. Yannick, Jakarta I am not so sure. Players these days tend to be not as tough as the older generation. Too much distraction, I think. If they really want to excel, then they should concentrate on being badminton players and practice and practice and practice. Nothing less. Peter Tedja, Jakarta Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:12:18 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=105#105 Introducing the new NanoSpeed 3000 badminton racket. Its light weight and head-light balance make this new racket the weapon of choice for beginning- to intermediate-level players with a naturally quick swing and an attacking style of play. The flexible shaft allows the NS3000 to play defensive shots with ease, and it has above average power, allowing players to drive and smash with confidence. The G5 grip size makes this racket attractive for top junior players, and it is sure to be the choice of many top youth academies around the country. The NS3000 is available in two cosmetics (White/Lime Green and White/Pink) and will be available in stores starting June 10th. SPECS: Frame Composition: H.T. Graphite, Graphite Shaft Composition: H.M. Graphite, Fullerene Weight/Grip Size: 4U (80.0-84.9g)/G5 Flex: Flexible Technology: Isometric, Fullerene, New Built-In T Joint, Solid Feel Core, Aero Shape Quoted from: Yonex.com http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images s3000wlm_newsbyte.jpg Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:35:11 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=104#104 (11 June, 2010 – Hong Kong) – Li Ning Company Limited ("Li Ning" or the "Group"; HKSE stock code: 2331), one of the leading sports brand enterprises in China, announced the successful conclusion of LI-NING Brand Products Trade Fair ("Trade Fair") for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2010. Total order value increased by 20.3% year on year. For footwear products, the average retail price increased by 7.8%, while volume increased by 1.0%. The average retail price of apparel products increased by 17.9%, while order volume increased by 10.9%. Mr. Zhang Zhi Yong, Chief Executive Director of Li Ning, said, "The increase in the average retail price is in line with the Group's long term strategy, as we put more emphasis on the long term value of our brand. In addition, our continued efforts in brand building, product R&D and design will provide support to our pricing strategy." During the Trade Fair, the Group launched a number of popular items, including a new product line in collaboration with some famous designers as well as a series of products specially designed for the upcoming Asian Games, which all drew encouraging response from distributors. As far as the market situation is concerned, Mr. Zhang commented, "Despite the continued improvement in order book growth, we need to be aware that the Trade Fair is the equivalent of a spot purchase mechanism, which relies on the combined judgment of the distributors and brand companies about the market outlook for the next six months. Meanwhile, our internal tracking research suggests that the discrepancy between sell-in and sell-through in the industry will continue for some time. We will remain vigilant of the changes in the market and hold a cautiously optimistic view on the overall growth in the industry this year." Source: Lining.com http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/lining.jpg Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:39:55 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=103#103 In a new two-year sponsorship deal, Indian badminton’s power couple, husband and wife players Chetan Anand and Jwala Gutta will sport Li Ning clothing and equipment when not competing in team events. The Indian badminton team is currently sponsored by Yonex but this latest move represents a significant challenge to the market leader. Yonex will be only too aware that Li Ning, renowned for its ambush marketing tactics, was able to secure its sponsorship deals with both the Chinese team abd the Singaporean team by first sponsoring individual players. Vicky Lim, Li Ning marketing manager, was delighted that the company had got a valuable grip on the growing Indian market, saying badminton is becoming increasingly popular in India and that Indian players needed to be recognized for their achievements. While figures for the latest deal were not disclosed, it is believed that Anand and Gutta could receive up to US$200,000 over the two year period. Issued by sportspromedia.com http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/Jwala_Gutta_300.jpg Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:32:10 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=0#102 Congratulation to young Indonesian Alamsyah.... Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:29:19 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=0#101 Congratulation Taufik... It is a tiger baby... Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:26:44 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=0#100 Where is the idea coming from to play badminton while doing movie shots? Fri, 11 Jun 2010 21:01:42 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=0#99 The advantage of being able to speak Cantonese Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:10:35 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=98#98 LIST OF US PLAYERS APPROVED BY BWF FOR NON-CITIZENSHIP INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION (Last Updated On May 18, 2005) The following non-US citizen players have been approved by the Badminton World Federation to represent the US in International Team Championships (Pan American Junior Championships, Pan American Championships, Thomas Cup World Men's Team Championships, Uber Cup World Women's Team Championships, & Sudirman Cup World Mixed Team Championships), Pan Am Junior Individual Championships, Pan Am Individual Championships, and World (Individual) Championships: Wei Hwa Chan Hai Tong Li Hanlin Wan Andy Weng Kai Chong Khan Malaythong Lukas William Wijaya Trisna Gunadi Meiluawati Thomas Wijaya Eti Gunawan Amarit Rojsirivit Chibing Wu Tony Gunawan Matt Sakulrattanakorn Isabel Zhong Jun Xia Hu Arnold Setiadi Susana Zhong Mike Jensen Szilvia Szombati Lili Zhou Melinda Keszthelyi Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:11:23 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=97#97 Joining USA Badminton, is your passport to play in USAB sanctioned events and obtain a ranking. Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Badminton is the National Governing Body for the sport. Its mission is to foster the growth of badminton in the US from the grassroots to the Olympic podium. Benefits of USAB Membership * Right to vote for USAB Board * Eligible to receive electronic USAB newsletters * Eligible to play in USA Badminton sanctioned competitions * Eligible to attend Trials in order to qualify for individual events and also Junior Team for Pan Am Junior Championship and World Junior Championships * Eligible to participate in Team USA Trials to represent the USA in Pan Am Championships, Pan American Games, Thomas Cup ( World Men's Team Championships), Uber Cup (World Women's Team Championships), Sudirman Cup (World Mixed Team Championships) * Eligible to compete in Badminton World Federation sanctioned * Eligible to represent the USA if selected by the BWF for the World Championships and the Olympic Games * Opportunity to complete USAB Coach Certification Program * Opportunity to apply for coach positions to lead Team USA for the Pan Am Championships, Pan American Games, Thomas Cup ( World Men's Team Championships), Uber Cup (World Women's Team Championships), Sudirman Cup (World Mixed Team Championships), Olympics and Youth Olympics Games * Opportunity to attend USAB Technical Official Referee and Umpire courses * Opportunity to officiate USAB, Pan Am and BWF sanctioned events Current Increase Membership $ 30 $ 40 Club Memberships $ 50 $ 50 Club Liability Insurance $ 100 $ 200 Sanction Fees $ 250 ** $ 250++ ** Previously $100 was returned after completion of reports. ++ The full fee will be charged with no return fee with completion of reports Camp Fees to Sanction $ 30 $ 30 Camp Liability $ 60 $ 90 Bid Fees $1500 $ 1750 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:06:33 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=96#96 We are looking for line judges for the US Open, which is to be held July 19-24, 2010 in Orange, California. Applicant must have a proficient knowledge of badminton. Please apply to: Contact: Tom Wilmshurst Phone: 626-287-2546 Email: tw2photo@hotmail.com Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:03:34 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=95#95 The game of badminton has become more fast-paced with the adoption of a new scoring system that awards a point to the winner regardless of who serves. This change in pace requires players to minimize errors while increasing their speed and power. In response to this change, Yonex developed the ArcSaber Series line of rackets. Rackets within this series help players gain greater accuracy (control) without sacrificing smashing speed (power). Nano technology utilized in the ArcSaber Series rackets revolves around a new structural fabric, Cup-Stack Carbon Nanotube, which resembles multilayered cups uniformly stacked together to provide increased durability, more so than standard carbon nanotube technologies. It also has the added benefit of improved flexibility, allowing the frame to return back to its original shape more quickly. By positioning the Cup-Stack Carbon Nanotube technology on each side of the racket head, the frame's elasticity holds the shuttle on the string-bed for enhanced control at the point of impact. For the past three years, Yonex has developed several ArcSaber racquets to meet the individual needs of a wide range of badminton players. ArcSaber 7, the first racket of this series, enables intermediate-level players to gain smashing power as well as control without sacrificing playability and comfort. Next came the ArcSaber 10, which is a racket designed for top players looking for striking power and control while maintaining speed. The ArcSaber 9 is a racket designed for advanced female players seeking a combination of a lightweight feel with powerful repulsion. Next came the ArcSaber Z-Slash, a stunning racket that managed to break the record for smashing speed, taking badminton to a new level of power. The NEW ArcSaber 8DX racket has a higher durability frame and a new Nano Grommet System that allows players to have their racket strung with a much higher tension. With this advancement, players can gain 3% more speed on their drive shots. The NEW ArcSaber 5 racket has a similar feeling of comfort to the ArcSaber 7. Yonex has aimed to create a racket for players seeking more power without losing control. Players can take advantage of increased power with the snap-back feel the shaft of the racket has to offer. The New ArcSaber 008 introduces Yonex's exclusive NanoAir Spring Technology. This new technology binds the carbon fibers made of nanoscale air bubble materials that help the racket flex and bend, creating a spring effect. This results in a better transfer of energy from the string-bed to the shuttle, creating a more powerful hit. This will allow intermediate players to gain more power on their smash. [center]http://www.yonexusa.com/images ews/ARC8DX1_newstrings.gif http://www.yonexusa.com/images ews/Arc5_newstrings.gif http://www.yonexusa.com/images ews/saber008_newstrings.gif[/center] Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:19:04 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=94#94 Add color to your game with the new Limited Edition badminton shoes from Yonex. These models are available in bold new cosmetics, and they feature all of the premier performance technologies that players have come to expect from Yonex badminton shoes. The Power Cushion 101 LTD model, a top choice for badminton professionals around the world, is now available in an eye-catching Blue/Black cosmetic. This model is equipped with all of the bells and whistles, including Fit Support III™ technology for optimal comfort and performance. It also features the new Delta Support System™, which integrates the inside of the shoe with the laces to increase torsional stability and provide maximum support. The end result is a performance shoe that works in synergy with the player for quicker, more agile footwork. To complement the recent launch of the Power Cushion 85 badminton shoe, the 85 LTD model comes in a flashy Red/Black cosmetic, and it is packed with performance. It features Yonex's exclusive 3-Layer Power Cushion™, and it is perfect for beginning to advanced-level players. These models are only available for a limited time, so be sure to contact your local Yonex retailer to get yours before they are sold out. Put your game on display with the new Limited Edition badminton shoes from Yonex. Power Cushion 101 LTD Construction Color: Blue/Black Upper: Fit Support III, Double Russel Mesh, Tough Guard III Midsole: Elastic E.V.A., Power Cushion, T.P.U., Solid E.V.A., Graphite Sheet Outsole: Rubber Technologies 3-Layer Power Cushion Power Graphite Lite Power Cushion Insole MCF Double Russel Mesh Elastic E.V.A. Ergoshape Delta Support System Round Sole Hexagrip Sole Lateral Claw Power Cushion 85 LTD Construction Color: Red/Black Upper: Double Russel Mesh, Tough Guard III Midsole: Hyper msLite, Power Cushion, Solid E.V.A. Outsole: Rubber Technologies 3-Layer Power Cushion Power Cushion Insole CF Double Russel Mesh Hyper msLite Ergoshape Round Sole Hexagrip Sole http://www.yonexusa.com/images ews/powercushion101.jpg http://www.yonexusa.com/images ews/powercushion85.jpg http://www.yonexusa.com/images ews/powercushion85original.png Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:13:13 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=93#93 Date: Saturday, June 5, 2010 Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm Location: Monkie Jungle's San Gabriel, CA 91776 Hi All, It is time for another round of PHO!!! Please save the day!!! This time, I will have to arrange the guests to be grouped as following: If you are my badminton students: Please come from 5:30 PM to 6:30PM For others, please choose to come from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM or from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM You are more than welcome to bring your favorite drinks, salads, or your own favorite desserts $$Donations$$ will gladly be accepted. Please RSVP ASAP. **YOU DO NEED TO LET ME KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WILL BE AT THE PARTY BY POSTING THE TIME THAT YOU ARE COMING (5:30PM, 6:30PM, 7:30PM), THANKS!!!* you are more than welcome to bring one guest. If you have any :::Special requests::: please message me :) I will try to accommodate you Hope to see you all!!! Monkie :) http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/pho_dac_biet.jpg Tue, 25 May 2010 14:02:10 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=92#92 Yonex Euro Badminton Championship Videos are now available in the video Section. SEMI FINAL & FINAL Men's Single, Women's Single, Mixed and Double Matches. http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/images-20100512.jpg Wed, 12 May 2010 13:16:33 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73&limit=6&limitstart=12#91 It is our greatest honor to welcome all participants to this special badminton event. We hope everyone was exciting and enjoyed the challenges of each match against the opponent teams. The good news is nobody was injured during this event, so we hope we will see you again the upcoming event. We also like to congratulate the qualification teams who will play on May 8, 2010 for the semi-final and final rounds. The challenges to be a winner will be harder, because these teams are the survival from their respective groups. The six qualified teams are: Nova - 1 Nova - 2 Ronin Garuda New Skyline Stone Team Citrux Southern Crew There are a few notes which we like to mention for this coming final rounds: * Please be on time and arrive in the gym at 10:00AM, since each team will play 5 matches, instead of 3 matches during the qualification rounds. Therefore, we need quick responds from every team leaders to let the next pairs to be ready for the next matches. * We have reserved 10 courts for this final round, however if there is an availability we may extend to 12 courts. * Please advise your team members to use badminton shoes during play. It is for the safety of your players and durability of the courts mats. * Please do not double-parked your vehicle. If you cannot find parking space, there are parking available on the street sides or on the Esto Street. * Please do not leave your trash on the gym floors, especially left-over chewing gums, foods and other dirty items. There are many trash bins available inside the arena. * It will be the last day to take advantage of DNA shuttlecocks Special Offers. The DNA Black is $100.00 for 12 tubes ($8.34 per tube). The DNA Yellow is 150.00 for 11 tubes (13.64 per tube). We appreciate your corporations and looking forward to see you all on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 10:00AM. Thank you, Birdievent.com Wed, 05 May 2010 16:47:19 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=89#90 Yes, it was random draw on Wednesday evening. Thank you, Birdievent.com Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:38:02 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=89#89 Hey Rudy I was wondering, how did you come up with the brackets? Was it a random draw? Why no team leaders was involve in this process? Andy Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:04:53 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73&limit=6&limitstart=6#88 The form is up again until Friday, April 30, 2010 at 12:00PM. After the dateline, all submitted players names will be printed and listed on the tournament folder. No changes can be made after Friday, April 30, 2010 at 12:00 PM. Thank you, Birdievent.com Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:25:33 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73&limit=6&limitstart=6#87 I was searching for "Team Revision Form", but couldn't find it. I need to upload my team's logo (Team Citrux). Will you post the link again? Thanks. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:09:55 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73&limit=6&limitstart=6#86 Ah, found it, thanks! Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:59:04 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73&limit=6&limitstart=6#85 Officially, there are 12 teams will participate on this event. However, we are still receiving inquiries from some team leaders to extend the registration datelines in hope bring more players and create new team. By the way, you can see the list of the registered teams on the left bottom side of the registration page. Thank you, Birdievent.com Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:26:13 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73&limit=6&limitstart=6#84 How many teams are registered now? Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:27:44 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73&limit=6&limitstart=6#83 Dear Team Leaders & Players: The dateline to register your team(s) is Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 12:00PM. Please enroll your team(s) early to avoid waiting lists. Due to courts availability, we are only allowed to enroll 16 teams for this event. If you have questions, please email info@birdievent.com Thank you, Birdievent.com Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:20:46 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73#82 2 weeks to go to register your team. Please do so... Visit http://www.birdievent.com to complete your registration. Thank you, birdievent.com Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:56:18 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=12&id=81#81 I have a YONEX Nanospeed 8000 for sale. Virtually brand new, used for only about 5-10 minutes of rallying. BG-65 strings at 24 lb. Let me know if you are interested. $145 obo. Retails at $199 I want to sell it so I can purchase an RSL racket instead. Thanks for looking. Duy Yin http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/yonex_nanospeed_8000.jpg Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:59:37 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=80#80 Due to feedbacks from members, I decided to reface the layout of the site, so it will be easier to browse and manuver. The expectation is to make this site faster and easy to use. If you have comments or suggestions, please reply to this threat. Thank you, Birdievent.com Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:05:02 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=79#79 The T-shirt Datuk Lee Chong Wei wore in the All-England final last month has been auctioned off for US$437 (RM1,400). The world No. 1 defeated Kenichi Tago of Japan to emerge as the 100th All-England men’s singles champion. The auction was carried out by Solidarity Badminton Foundation (Solibad) and the money raised will be used to help under-privileged children. http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/shirt.jpg Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:21:21 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73#78 To encourage participation of all members, the 1st team champion will receive personalized trophies. Be the 1st to get the honor and the be the 1st to receive trophies from the prestigious LABC - Birdievent Team Badminton Tournament. http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/tp631.gif Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:45:41 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73#77 Dear Team Leaders & Members: During the last few days, I received numerous individual inquiries to participate on LABC - Birdievent Summer 2010 Tournament. Unfortunately, these individuals are 1st time participants and do not know the listed team leaders on the frontpage of this site. My suggestions are as followed: * If you are team leaders and need additional players, please post your inquires on the frontpage of this site (comment) of how many slots are still available. You may leave your contact info, so these individuals will be able to contact you. * If you are players and looking to participate on this event, please post your comment on the frontpage of this site or on Birdievent Forum, so team leaders will acknowledge your interests and may recruit you to participate on this event. The final arrangement on how to pairs the players and leveling will be decided by the team leaders and players themselves. If you have suggestions or comments, please send me a message through www.birdievent.com. Note: Be the 1st to hold a trophy of LABC - Birdievent Teams Tournament. Thank you, Rudy Pramana - Event Coordinator Biridevent.com Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:12:34 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=76#76 Hello Badminton Fans & Enthusiasts, I just want to let everyone aware if most of the FINAL and SEMI FINAL of 100th All England 2010 and SWISS OPEN 2010 are now available in video section of birdievent. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:59:17 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73#75 We appreciate the quick responds from many individuals who want to participate on this event. However, this is a team event which every player must become a member of a team to participate. If you know other people who like to play on this event, you may create a team within and register your team accordingly. Otherwise, you have to contact the respective team leaders and inform him if you are looking to play for his team. To protect spammer, you have to become Birdievent.com member to contact the team leader. In addition, if you are registering your team, you only can register it once within 24-hr. Otherwise, you IP address will be banned as spammer. Any changes/ updates can be made after 24-hour. New entry will overwrite the older entry (as long as the name of the team stay the same). Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:20:02 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73#74 !!!OH YES!!! Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:37:53 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=73#73 [center]http://www.birdievent.com/images/stories/affiliation/lalogo.png[/center] [center] LABC - BIRDIEVENT Teams Summer Competition 2010 [/center] Birdievent is proud to partner with Los Angeles Badminton Club (A state of the Badminton facility in Southern California) to host teams friendly badminton event for everyone. Details of the events: Location: Los Angeles Badminton Club (LABC) - 10410 Valley Blvd., El Monte, CA 91731 Date & Time: Qualification Round - May 1, 2010 at 10:00 AM - Finished Semi Final - Final Round - May 8, 2010 at 10:00AM - Finished The Event Rules & Guidelines: * The cost to participate on this tournament is FREE. However, non-LABC members have to pay entrance fees $10.00 per person to the Los Angeles Badminton Club (LABC). * The event is open to any groups as long as they have enough players to participate to the event. * Each team will select 10 top players from the team members (5 pairs). o The pair can be man-man, man-women, or women-women. o The team leader will decide who will be paired and/ or play on the 1st match, 2nd and so on. o One player cannot play twice or more against the same opponent team. If team does not have enough players, it will be called WO (walk-out) and the point will be rewarded to the opponent team. o In case the match is going to the 3d set, the final match point on the 3rd set is 15 instead of 21 (to shortening the time of the event). It will be sudden-death (no deuce). * The system is round-robin (a minimum of 2 matches per team). o Each brackets consists of 4 teams. o The top 2 teams will represent the bracket into the Semi-Final round. o The winner of Semi-Final round will compete in the Final round. * The match is based on the 21 points system. o Warm-Up time is 3 minutes max. o There is no break-time on 11 points mid-match on any sets. o Every time a pair win a match, the group will earn 1 point. o The winning team is the one which earn 3 points first against the other team. o Each team player must provide own birdie to the match (DNA Shuttlecock is proud to sponsor this event by giving special discounts to all participants. $100.00 will get 12 DNA Black Tubes. Basically it is $8.34 per tube Price includes Sales Tax). Prizes : The pride of your group Restrictions: * Due to courts availability, we may limit the numbers of teams participations. Currently we are expecting 14 teams. * All Teams must register their players profiles to www.birdievent.com site, so we can link and provide all the updates automatically to every participants. * This is a friendly event, therefore, we do not expect to see professional caliber players to participate on this event. * We will create Questions & Answer section in the BIRDIEVENT FORUM. Therefore, please post your questions in that section accordingly. * The last date to register your team is April 25, 2010 at 12:00PM. * Due to limited courts availability, we will reserve team participations as first comes, first serves rules. [center]Click HERE to REGISTER (https://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_rsform&Itemid=278)[/center] Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:00:59 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=72#72 Come out and have fun March 26-27! OCBC will be offering a special $6 guest fee Friday, March 26 and Saturday March 27. So come join us, hit some birdies and have some fun. Start Time: Friday, March 26, 2010 at 1:00pm End Time: Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 9:00pm Location: OCBC Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:45:29 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=71#71 OCBC has reduced membership fees by 25%, it is now only $60 per month for adults and members now gets 20% discounts in the Pro Shop, up from 10%. Detail can be accessed at www.ocbadmintonclub.com Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:39:36 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=70#70 Want to improve your badminton game? Come train with Monkie at Arcadia Badminton Club! There are 3 different sessions. Each session has 5 lessons. Each lesson, we'll focus on the different aspects of badminton in 2 hour-long lessons. In time, we'll cover footwork, all shot types, proper rotation, rules, advanced techniques, and much more. Beginners and advanced players alike will benefit from these wonderful classes. Where: Arcadia Badminton Club (ABC) Session #1: Every Sunday, 8PM to 10 PM(Intermediate Level/How to play doubles)March 14th, March 21st, March 28th, April 4th and April 11th, 2010 Session #2: Every Saturday, 2AM to 4PM (Novice to Beginner Level/Badminton 101)March 13th, March 20th, March 27th, April 3rd and April 10th, 2010 Session #3: Every Monday, 8PM to 10PM (Intermediate and Advanced/Doubles and Speed, Power, Consistent and Control - High Performance Training)March 15th, March 22nd, March 29th, April 5th and April 12th, 2010 Class Size:6 students each class Cost:Total $125 for 5 lessons of 2 hours (10 hours total, include court reservations) Dead Line:Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 Contact Info: Andy “Monkie” Tran 626 715 8662 or andytran1011@yahoo.com Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:37:07 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=69#69 Hello, Back in February of 2009, the www.BadmintonLadders.com site was set-up in an effort to help badminton players find one another and to promote the game in Canada and the United States. Due to the lack of support in this effort, the site will be taken down effective April 1st, 2010. Notices were sent out to a number of public and private badminton clubs and all provincial badminton associations in Canada throughout 2009 and 2010. The notices sent out requested that a link be made available to members. After one year, badminton Alberta was the only provincial organization that posted a temporary link on its site. National associations such as Badminton Canada and Badminton USA were contacted several times by e-mail and telephone over past year. Unfortunately, all requests made to provide a link to the www.BadmintonLadders.com site have been ignored. Thanks to all the users that provided feedback and used the site while it was available. Keep playing and have fun! Sincerely, www.BadmintonLadders.com Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:28:45 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=20&id=68#68 Start Time: Friday, April 16, 2010 at 6:30pm End Time: Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 7:00pm Location: Los Angeles Badminton Club (LABC) Street: 10410 Valley Blvd. City/Town: El Monte, CA Description First Los Angeles Badminton Club Tournament! (Guaranteed Min. $15,000 Cash prize purse!) Date: April 16th - 18th, 2010 Events: A(Mixed Doubles and Men's Doubles), B, C, D, Novice, and Senior Forms will be available in LABC and on the LABC website on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010. *Please stay updated!* if you have any questions about the tournament please post it on the event wall or on the LABC fan Page, we will try to reply to your questions as soon as possible. Invited your friends to this event too. Thank you Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:01:33 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=51&limit=6&limitstart=6#67 Grand Opening!!! We are proud to announce that the grand opening of Los Angeles Badminton Club will be Monday, March 1st, 2010!!! Bring your friends and come to play at the newest club! Come support your favorite sport, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:26:34 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=51&limit=6&limitstart=6#66 Los Angeles Badminton Club (LABC) is now hiring: Please submit your resume before 2/23/2010 ,Wednesday12pm to: application@labadmintonclub.com Also, check your e-mail for further information on the application process. Thank you Updates: Available positions are: Cashiers Customer Service - Strings installer Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:41:46 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=57#65 Congratulation to the Open Challenge Winners: #1 Place Winner(OPEN Challenge): Wei Hwa Chan(21-19);(21-15) against Andrew Susanto #2 Place Winner:Andrew Susanto #3 Place :Pow Hwa Prize:#1 Yonex AZ-Slash Racket + Trophy #2 place:Movie Ticket #3 place:Movie Ticket Congratulation to the D-Level Winners: #1 Place: Andrew Susanto(30-27);30-13 against Richard Leong #2 Place: Richard Leong #3 Place: Chris Cheng (15-10) vs. Sokneath Prak #1 Place: Trophy + $30 Cash #2 Place: Movie Ticket #3 Place: Movie Ticket Registered Players: (Players-$10 Entry)(Open to all Challengers) 1. Edward Lopez 2. Lu Do 3. Vincent Chau(sprain Knee) 4. Tuck Chan(no show) 5. Brian Cheng 6. Paul Koo(Achilles ligament injury-doing match) 7. Pow Hwa Chan 8. Wei Hwa Chan 9. Soneath Prak 10.William Trinh 11.Cindy Tam(no show) 12.Lee Chong Xhang(no show) 13.Vincent Tjoe 14.HO Ly 15.Andrew Susanto $5.00 Entry Players (Junior & D-Level) 1. Lu Do 2. Vinson Chiu(No show) 3. Phillip Jap(late) 4. Vincent Tjoe 5. Brian Cheng 6. Chris Cheng 7. Arnold Yung 8. Kevin Tjhan 9. Sokneath Prak 10. William Trinh 11. Richard Leong 12. Andrew Susanto 13. HO Ly 14. Lam Trang Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:35:47 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=6#64 Well, it has been months of testing and editing to fit the flash player into the frame, and now it is finally compromised. The good news is you can view the video without the hassle of stacking modules on top of main windows. The bad news is if you want to jump around the categories, you have to click back to the category tab. In addition, I added the Training Video category into the video section, so you can view some advices from experts and professional players on how to improve your badminton strokes. You can can add links of videos to the section, however there are only a few video sites are approved: 1. Blip.TV 2. Clipser.com 3. DailyMotion.com 4. Google Vidoes 5. Metacafe.com 6. Rewer.com 7. Vimeo.com 8. YouTube.com I am still learning if Facebook Video can also be added in the future. Thanks, rpramana Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:34:14 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=63#63 Well, I am not a marketing guru. However, I am very interested to learn human behaviors, especially to the concept of action and reaction. After reading SGVBC advertising for the new gym, I was triggered to give these comments. Membership for two gyms Like me and probably others, how many times do you switched around from one gym to others, because your membership is valid in multiple gyms? Alright, let's make it simpler, how many of you (Costco members) will drive around from one Costco to others to shop for the same products on the weekly basis? Remember, there is driving distance, you are going to meet unfamiliar people/ groups, different atmosphere, etc. It may sound good, but in real application, it is not a feature we will concern the most. Open 24-Hour How many of us will come at 2AM on weekdays to play? Remember, badminton is not one person game, you need partner(s) to play. Also, how is the safety... Lockers If a locker cannot fit badminton bag, so what is it for? Well..., What are important: 1. Type of flooring - Safety, Injuries, comfort 2. Lighting - Glaring, Playing 3. Bathrooms - After the game, we are going to take showers (hot water, scents). 4. Amenities - lounges, AC/ Heater 5. Safety - Security So, the features listed on the SGVBC flyer are not really enhancing the selling points, instead it is only telling something which do not mean much to us as prospective members. Opinions welcome... Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:46:39 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=62#62 GGBC PRESENTS Bob Malaythong and Raju Rai Badminton Academy @ GGBC!!! Dear all GG Members and Friends! GGBC FAMILY is SOO VERY EXCITED to INTRODUCE and WELCOME our TWO NEW COACHES whom are BOTH REKNOWNED OLYMPIANS! It is truly the MOST exciting news since GGBC's 2 GRAND OPENINGS! Raju Rai will start coaching in early March, 2010 and Bob Malaythong and Raju Rai's official program will commence at GGBC in April of 2010! Please see below for their full detailed Biographies and their programs and schedules. Please DO SIGN UP NOW and prepare for "THE ULTIMATE BADMINTON EXPERIENCE" in GGBC! We always strive for the BEST! PLEASE GIVE A HAND TO ... BOB AND RAJU! If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call G1 650.838.9318, G2 510.655.8989 and send all written queries to info@ggbadminton.com. Best regards, GG Management Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:58:49 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=57#61 Game on... Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:54:30 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=51#60 Los Angeles Badminton Club (LABC)Mark your calendars: $5 to play at LABC! Come play at LABC on Friday 2/19/2010 and Saturday 2/20/2010 (6:00pm to 2:00am). For only $5 entry fee, you can try out the state of the art new facility. And—Members play for free! Don’t miss your opportunity to be the first to play at LABC! (Members: please note that this is not the grand opening date; your membership will not be activated until the LABC officially opens.) Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:50:48 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=59#59 Birdievent is honored to be listed as links @ United States Badminton Site. http://unitedstatesbadminton.com/events/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:17:34 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=7&id=58#58 Capt. Carlo Jose L. Castellano, is a graduate of PMA Class ‘95 and is the brother of PBCA member Claire Castellano-Del Rosario. He excelled in many sports, especially in badminton. He was the Officers Singles Champion in the AFP Olympics and the undefeated champion in PAL Tournaments. One fateful day, on December 20, 2007, he was brutally murdered outside the Embassy Bar at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City while rescuing a friend who was being mauled by drug addicts. Although the seven suspects were apprehended and jailed, the fight for justice is still ongoing. Every year, to celebrate Carlo's birthday, the Villamor Air Base Badminton Club holds a tournament in his memory: CARLO’S CUP. As our way of showing support for a fellow member and in recognition of Carlo's selfless act that cost his life in trying to save another, PBCA will host a counter-part CARLO'S CUP here in LA. Location : Arcadia Badminton Club Contact : Jun Bautista - Coordinator http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/carlos_cup_LA.jpg Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:54:28 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=57#57 SuperBird New Year Singles Challenge: 1 Game Best out of 3 rounds 21 pts system: Only winners Advance to Next round. $10 entry fee + entrance fee(non-member) (note: Open to all Levels-Everyone welcome) contact:info@superbirdbadminton.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $5.00 entry fee SuperBird New Year Survival Singles: Only for Junior Levels & for Level D, players. This will give other players a chance at the prize Money. Thx. (1 round to 21pts ONLY)--Winner Advance. #1 Place:$30, #2 Place: Movie Ticket Sign-up:Sign up sheet will be ABC front desk or by email. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:49:10 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=51#56 There is strong possibility if on Saturday Feb, 6, 2010, LABC is not ready to be used to play badminton. The Yonex mats are not installed yet and there are still some installation and repairs needed to be done.Just be there to sign-up around 2 PM. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:52:26 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=51#55 The published rates are applied to weekdays only. If members are looking to play on weekends, there will be 15% additional charge. Also, during the sign-up members will be asked to sign either 1 or 2 years membership agreements. If members defaulted the agreements, there is $200.00 early contract termination fees. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:50:40 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=51#54 I heard the discount rate is only applied to Monday - Friday. If members want to play on Weekend, there is 15% additional charge. Is it true? Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:31:13 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=51#53 The recent announcement of LABC membership pricing is creating some debates and critiques comments from some badminton fans and enthusiasts. The general comment are: "Why LABC is discriminating the membership fees to people who may come late...?" "Where is the common sense to camp-out just to get "deal" while the low membership fees will only last for 1 or 2 years only?" "Being the 500th member, I may have to pay $100.00 sign-up fee, what kind of privilege will I get other than "silly?" Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:24:45 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=52#52 Badminton in USA is growing pretty rapidly, especially in the West Coast area. We are expecting to see the 12th professional public badminton gym to come in Northern California, which may have more than 20 courts in one roof. In Southern California, we may see a new facility to be opened in early February 2010. Of course, there are standard of expectation of each facility. Yet, as badminton players and fans, we like to see more and better facilities. Just for consensus, what do you all like to get of these facilities in addition to what they already provided to us? Please leave your suggestions and comments... Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:44:06 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=51#51 [center][img size=200px]http://www.birdievent.com/images/stories/affiliation/labc.jpg[/img][/center] Start Time: Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 2:00pm End Time: Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 6:00pm Location: Los Angeles Badminton Club (LABC) Street: 10410 Valley Blvd. City/Town: El Monte, CA The membership sign ups will begin on:SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2010 at 2PM and will end on : SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2010 at 6 PM _______________________________________________________ The earlier you sign up the cheaper the membership price will be =) 1st- 50 that sign up will get a 'special' discount 2nd- 50 that sign up the monthly fee will increase by $2 and the activation fee discount will decrease by 5%. and it will go on to a certain point. so make sure to sign up early! ** THERE WILL BE NO GROUP MEMBERSHIPS! ONLY INDIVIDUAL! ** ___________________________________________________ "the early birdies gets the good stuff" ^_^ so sign up ASAP! Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:09:26 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=47#50 By the way, he was using Yonex ArcSaber Z Slash racket. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:50:47 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=49#49 ** This thread discusses the content article: News & Updates (/index.php?option=com_content view=article id=44 catid=34 Itemid=53) ** Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:20:58 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=48#48 Quoted from Badzine (http://www.badzine.info/index.php/features/main-features/2215-taufik-unveils-new-collection.html) After the huge success of the first collection launched by Taufik Hidayat last year - THL - which sold out in just 5 days during his home Indonesia Open, the Indonesian wonder, together with his sponsor Yonex, is launching his second collection in Hong Kong. This time around, the idea in mind is to make it a more casual collection. “I wanted to create sports clothing that not only can be worn on court, but also for people to wear it in their daily activities: going to the cinema, hanging out, or just to grab a cup of coffee,” Taufik Hidayat commented. The event is being held currently in Hong Kong, from November 9th to 15th, and Taufik's hopes are high for good sales. “Well, of course, Yonex-Sunrise and I are hoping for the best, especially seeing the positive reaction during the Indonesia Open and World Championships in India. We’re hoping that this second collection could bring a lot more positive outcome than before.” Taufik left PBSI to become a professional player last March and has since re-entered the top 5 in the world. He was competing this week in Hong Kong and will be traveling next to Shanghai for the China Open. More information at : http://www.taufik-hidayat.com Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:49:52 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=47#47 Quoted from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/10/23/sports/4962759&sec=sports) : http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/images.jpgMALAYSIAN doubles shutter Tan Boon Heong was on a high after being hailed as the world’s hardest smasher. It was made official yesterday that Boon Heong now holds the fastest speed record for a smash at 421kph, which was recorded in the 2009 Japan Open in Tokyo. And buoyed with the acknowledgment, the 22-year-old Boon Heong is inspired to continue taking his game to a higher level. The two previous fastest speeds were 332kph (Fu Haifeng of China) and 414kph (Naoki Kawamae of Japan). “I feel proud of this recognition. It will certainly motivate me to do even better in this sport,” said Boon Heong. “People started to notice my smashing ability when I was 17-years-old. And aware that it is one of my strong points, I spent extra hours working on it. “It’s all about the timing in hitting a good smash. One does not have to be physically big to be a strong exponent in the stroke. “Having a strong smash alone is not enough. It is also important to have a good defense and to complement well with the partner. Kien Keat and I still have to work in these areas.” Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:45:20 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=17&id=46#46 Quoated from The Star (httphttp://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2010/1/25/sports/5539403&sec=sports), Malaysia Daily News: "NATIONAL doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky vent out his frustration and exposed a strain in his relationship with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after breaking down in tears following the sensational win of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the Malaysian Open yesterday. He hugged Kien Keat for a long time on court after the victory and at the press conference later, he broke down. Although he did not state exactly the reason behind his outburst, it was obvious that Rexy was defending his credibility as the country’s doubles chief coach. He felt that someone from the BAM had undermined his coaching function. Between sobs, he said: “No one knows the importance of this win. People do not believe in me. I have given my best to the country as a coach. “I will sit down and talk about this with the BAM management. I want to know whether they still believe in me or not. I will leave it all up to them. “I am happy to stay in Malaysia and coach the national team. No one knows how much I want to see an Olympic champion from Malaysia. “Our men’s doubles players have always struggled playing in this stadium (Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil) but today they won.” Kien Keat-Boon Heong had failed to win the world title at the same venue two years ago. Rexy also defended his move to delegate the job among his coaching staff. Currently, Rosman Razak has been put in charge of the elite team and followed by Pang Cheh Chang (back-up), Chang Kim Wai (women’s doubles) and Jeremy Gan (mixed doubles). “As the chief, I have to oversee everything. Rosman and Pang have the ability to coach and I trust them. I still help and coach the players in every department. I am still in control,” he said. When asked what triggered his outburst, Rexy said: “I hear talk and rumours.” He, however, denied that the rumours were related to BAM’s decision to appoint Tan Kim Her as a national coach or whether it was about BAM’s plan to remove him. “I have nothing against the decision of bringing in Kim Her. Please do not get me wrong here,” he added. This probably is the third big outburst by Rexy since he was appointed by the BAM in 2005. He dropped a bombshell by deciding to quit after the team event at the 2006 Doha Asian Games and pulled off a similar stunt when the players failed at the 2008 Malaysian Open. But on both occasions, he changed his mind." Any comments...? Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:15:39 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=43#45 I think it is not only the rackets, the Yonex shirts are also over-priced and not really as comfortable in comparison to Nike Dry-Fit or Tight-Fit design. Lately, I think Yonex is losing its grips. First, it lost its chunk of market to China, which holds huge market of badminton (Li-Ning took over the brands after 2008 Olympics). Second, it also got whacked from South Korea (Victor). Even though Indonesia is still supporting Yonex, but the supremacy of this country is on the downward, which in overall may indirectly affect Yonex images as the supplier. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:28:11 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=43#44 I've had alternative brand badminton racquets for years. From Yang-Yang to APACS to GENJI, I've played with these alongside or over the Yonex models that I had. A major downside is availability of those other brands. I was also lucky to have people around me who had these other brands for me to discover. Having a demo racquet to test in one's own hand is still the best way to give these brands a chance. Many of my alt-brand racquets had similar feel and playability as the Yonex ones, so I didn't feel compelled to buy such expensive models. I'm not saying that those models aren't worth their price, but with such advances in materials, design, and similar playability among the other brands in the market, why not try/get the alternative and save some money in the end? Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:13:49 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=43#43 Since late last year, Yonex USA decided to discontinue its replacement warranty of their rackets. That means, the $200 racket may become a piece of history, if you accidentally clash it to your partner or string it to much and crack it. Meanwhile, there are many generic brands pop-up in the market such as APACS, Pro-Tech, Impact, Yang-Yang, etc. The price is ranging from $29.99 and up to $125.00 a piece. Do you have any comments to these new brands? Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:53:21 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=28#42 You must have instinct and quickness to adapt on this game. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:01:57 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=36#41 Unfortunately, in badminton there is no exact repeated strokes like swimming or gymnastic to create perfect moves. So, I think "gifted" born-talent of the athlete is the foundation to create great shutter. Quoted from Philip Kothler book "Principle of Marketing", is a salesperson made or born? In other words, can we make anyone to become good salesperson (badminton player) by training him/ her hard or the inner child talent of the person will make him/ her to become great salesperson (badminton player). Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:57:51 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=40#40 Hello Everyone: It is very easy and convenience when you know someone and he/ she is willing to help all the best... (thank you, Ulli Storck)!!! Birdievent is proud to partner with Facebook & Twitter. Every time anyone post anything on this forum or write blog/ articles on Birdievent.com, the messages will be linked and posted automatically on Facebook & Twitter of Birdievent. It is flawless and done without additional clicks or scripts. We hope this feature will help us to gain more access to wider audiences and let your opinions, ideas and suggestion raise to the higher levels... Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:48:29 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=12&id=39#39 Birdievent is dedicated to serve all badminton freaks and enthusiasts. We developed special section on this website to promote and sell brand names badminton gears, which include Yonex, Yang Yang and Winners. All of the products are supplied by members of this site. Please check them out: http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_rokquickcart&view=rokquickcart&Itemid=216 Note: Birdievent is not responsible to the claims of products offered by the members. All questions and inquires will be submitted to the sellers directly. Thank you, Birdievent.com Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:47:17 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=38#38 As the sport of badminton become more popular than ever, more and more people are looking to buy a good racket in order to give themselves an edge during competition. When choosing a racket, people tend to look at the brand name, features, price, workmanship, quality, design, and aesthetics of a given racket. Afterward, the buyer will take into consideration of how much money he/she can spend and their skill level before making the final decision. The most important single factor in making a buying decision is undeniably the first impression. If a racket looks perfect at first glance, then all other factors can get thrown out of the window. After the first impression, word-of-mouth from fellow players and the brand name have the most influence on the decision. People are more likely to buy something if a lot of other people say that this thing is good. Finally people will look at the performance and features of the racket, and of course its price. The old saying "you get what you pay for" holds true for badminton rackets, but there are some good deals to be had if you spend the time and effort to shop around. Here is some basic racket knowledge for those who don't know: A badminton racket is split into three major sections: the head (hitting surface), the shaft, and the handle (grip). Older and really cheap rackets typically have two joints: one between the head and the shaft and another between the shaft and the handle. Most new rackets fuse the head and the shaft together and only have one joint, and there are even some single-piece rackets that don't have any externally recognizable joints. The "features" of a racket usually refers the strength of the racket (ex how much tension can the strings have), the weight, the balancing point, the overall balance, the resistance to twisting and the "power" (effort required to hit the bird a certain distance/at a certain speed) and more, but the listed attributes are the most important ones to consider. When you are in a store, holding a racket in your hands, you can't really accurately test the features and performance of racket, but you can get a good feel for the racket by just using your hands. Here are some simple tests you can perform when you are trying out a new racket: 1) The Balance Point: The balance point for a typical badminton racket lies on the shaft. The point is usually shifted towards the head on models that are designed for offense, due to the heavier head of these rackets. To obtain the balance point, just try to balance the racket on one of your index fingers. Hold your finger out straight and place the shaft of the racket on to the finger. Move the racket left and right until the racket balances or almost balances on your finger. (Note that the gripping material on the handle can shift the balance point.) 2) The Overall Balance: Because of the differences in manufacturing techniques, different rackets have a different overall balance. The balance of the racket affects its ability to control the direction and speed of the bird during a hit, so a racket with a bad balance may cause a lot more misplaced shots. It's easy to check a racket's overall balance. You need to find a flat surface, like a table, and press the handle of the racket on to the surface near the edge. The head and shaft of the racket should be hanging over the edge. Place the racket so that the head is parallel to the floor. Now push down lightly on the head of the racket and then immediately let go. This will cause the racket to vibrate in the air (keep holding down the handle). A racket with good balance will vibrate only up and down. If the racket wobbles sideways a bit, then its overall balance is not very good. 3) The Flexibility of the Shaft: Hold the handle of the racket in one hand and hold the tip of the head in the other hand. Now slowly and gently exert a force to bend the racket slightly. Some rackets have very flexible shafts which bend very easily, while other rackets have very rigid shafts that are hard to bend. It's usually best to get a racket that's not too flexible or rigid. 4) Resistance to Twisting. Place your hands at both ends of the racket and slowly try to twist the racket. If the head flexes easily, then the racket is not very resistant to twisting, and that might effect the direction of the shots produced by the racket. To determine the strength and weight of the racket, you can usually check the racket or on the web for the maximum tension that the racket can be strung. For other attributes such as power and ease of handling, you'll have to actually use the racket during a game or warm-up session in order to determine them. Overall, there are many things to consider and check when buying a badminton racket. If you know what to look for and how to determine the features of racket, then you shouldn't have a hard time finding one that's right for you. http://www.birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/racket.jpg Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:30:45 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=37#37 As an average badminton player myself, I want to ask all you badminton players out there an interesting question: Does higher tension in the string of the racket help a player produce more powerful hits? Is there a relationship between the amount of string tension put into a racket and the skill of the player using the racket? The one of the most basic skills in badminton is hitting clears. A player who can hit clears well while under pressure is usually very effective on the court. That's why a lot of novice players try to compensate for the fact that they lack the strength and/or proper technique to blast the shuttle to the opposing backcourt by screwing around with their equipment, namely their rackets. First, they buy really expensive rackets that are light and can take a lot of tension from the strings, and then they string the racket with very high tension (24-30lbs). The result: they still can't hit high quality and fast clears and they increase the chances of injuring themselves when they over-exert their muscles. Why do these things happen? These events happen mainly due a common misconception that a lot of people have: an expensive racket coupled with high tension string will enable a player to hit further and faster. The tension of the strings in the racket affects how the bird rebounds off the hitting surface. If one thinks that the higher the tension, the harder the rebound, then he/she is sadly mistaken. Every type of badminton string has its own maximum and tension and the tension that produces the best hits. According to my own experiences, the tension that produces the best hits is at around 18-20lbs. After that, the strength of the rebound doesn't increase as the tension becomes higher. With around 30lbs of tension, the hitting surface of the racket feels like a steel plate. Think about what would happen and how it would feel if you tried to clear the bird with a steel plate. I think a lot of players have experienced this feeling with their overly high-tensioned rackets. The racket vibrates when it hits the bird and no matter how hard you try, you still can't hit to the backcourt of your opponents. Eventually you might start wondering about the quality of your racket. All this can be caused by one common misconception. A good racket is an important factor in hitting clears, and so is setting the tension at an appropriate level. However, the most important factor in playing badminton is training: skills training, strength training, and timing training. As a novice player, if you feel that your hits lack power, I suggest you don't try to up the tension in your racket. When your skill has risen to such a level that what you lack is not power, but control, timing, and accuracy, then upping the tension in your racket may help in these regards. Based on the experiences, here is my point: if a person doesn't have the skill level yet, then using higher tension string won't help the person hit better at all. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:25:59 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=36#36 Currently official competitions use the 21 point rule. During a competition, how many times does a player's racket hit a shuttle? At the amateur skill level, it usually takes 4 or 5 returns to get a point, and at most around 10-15 hits per side. Then according to these numbers, each player probably swings his/her racket less than 100 times during an entire game; the number is probably closer to 60-70 times. Take a moment to think: out of all the strokes and swings taken in a game, how many of them were serves? How about for clears? What about smashes, drop shots, or drives? If you take the time to think about it, you'll notice that on average a player doesn't take many swings of the same type during a game. Therefore, the notion that a player can improve his/her skills and technique just by playing games is somewhat preposterous. As avid badminton players, we all know that in order to truly understand and master a skill and/or technique in badminton, we need to practice it hundreds and maybe thousands of times. This is to say that practice outside of playing competitively is very important for your badminton well-being. Unless you are extremely gifted, skimping on the practice off the court will probably mean that you can't perform as well on the court. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:21:55 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=35#35 In the sport of badminton, there isn't a skill as basic as hitting clears. Most novice badminton players usually start learning the sport by learning how to clear. One can often evaluate the skill level of another player by looking at how well he/she hit clears. From playing recreationally ourselves to watching high level badminton competitions, did anyone notice that there are two different swings for hitting the clear? Can anyone detect the minute differences between the two? For example, is the swings of the world's best female players the same or different than the swings of the best male players? There are two ways of hitting clear, which means they involve different swings. The first type involves a big swing, while the second type uses a smaller swing. Both have their unique characteristics. When hitting with the big swing, after the player has reached the best hitting position on the court, he/she will lift the upper part of his/her racket arm very high, with the elbow pointing upwards, wrist bent backwards and the head of the racket almost touching the lower back. Then the swing happens as the body, arm and wrist rotate, giving the swing a large arch. The distinguishing characteristic of this swing is the long preparation. When hitting with the smaller swing, the player won't lift his/her upper arm as high. The arm is about parallel to the ground, while the wrist is bent so that the palm is pointing straight up. When hitting, this type of swing uses mainly the power of the forearm and wrist in addition to the body rotation. Therefore, its distinguishing characteristic is the short preparation. In reality, female players and male players who lack the strength usually use the big swing to compensate. The big swing can be very effective when there is enough time for preparing the swing. In a real game, however, you usually don't have the luxury of time so therefore using a big swing would be ineffective, since you don't have enough time to complete the whole action. In these situations, it's usually better to use the smaller swing to hit clears. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:49:51 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=34#34 In the sport of badminton, rules dictate that serves can only be hit from below the waist and the head of the racket during service has to be lower than the wrist of the racket hand, so all serves are hit upwards in order to clear the net. This meant that all serves are defensive, not offensive. Current rules also state that only the serving side can earn points, so whether if it's singles or doubles, the serve plays an important part in the sport. Firstly, serves are split into forehand serves and backhand serves. Secondly, depending on the speed, trajectory and target of the serve, serves can be split into short serves, long serves and flat (flick) serves. The current trend is that short serves are becoming more and more popular, not only in doubles, but in world class singles competitions as well. If the serve is well executed, the opponent won't be able to attack right off the bat and the serving player will be able get on the offensive. To execute a short serve, the serving player stands right against his/her own short service line and tries to serve the bird so that it lands just barely past the opponent's short service line. The peak of the trajectory should be near the net, and the bird should not be much higher than the net. Right after the bird clears the net it should starts falling downwards towards its target, which is usually either the near or far front corners of the service area. Most people know that the best tactic for returning short serves is to swat it right back when the bird is at its highest point. A high quality short serve, however, can force the opponent to hit the bird into the net or make a less effective shot, which gives the serving side a better chance to defend and/or go on the offensive. After playing badminton for several years, I find that it's vital to control the trajectory and speed of the short serve, and the player should concentrate while serving but the arms and hands should be somewhat relaxed (not overly tense). Also try to read the opponent's move while serving (ex. If opponent leans forward too much, use the flick serve). I have compiled several pointers regarding the short serve. If you keep these points in mind and practice a bit, you should be able to execute high quality short serves. 1) The point of contact between the bird and racket during the serve should be as high as possible, but still within the allowable range stated in the rules. 2) Stand as close to the inner front corner of your service area as possible so that the bird travels the least possible distance. 3) The backhand short serve is usually more consistent and faster than the forehand short serve. For people who are right-handed, this means that your right foot should be in front, left foot a bit behind and your body should lean slightly forward. 4) With the backhand short serve, your palm should be empty. You only need your thumb and index finger to hold the racket. The other three fingers should be relaxed. 5) Orientate the racket so that the head is in front of your body. The racket should make a 60 degree angle with the ground. Place the head of the racket 3-5 cm below the birdie held by your other hand. 6) Keep your eyes on the receiver of the serve to determine which serve to use and where to serve to. 7) When you let go of the bird, use only the fingers and the wrist to power the serving stroke. (Hint: tighten the three relaxed fingers onto the grip and the racket will swing forward.) Your arm should be stationary and the hitting surface of the racket should hit the bird at an angle, so the bird will spin which improves flight path and accuracy. 8) Immediately after serving, squat down and hold your racket over your head to defend against quick returns. 9) If you want to do the flick serve, make sure your motions are similar to the short serve until the last moment, when you rotate the racket back so the head hits the shuttle straight on, to send it flying to the back corner or the service area. In world class doubles competitions, the failure rate for serves is around 15%, and may go up to as high as 30%. If you can't keep the right to serve, then you can't win. After watching many competitions, I think that Tony of the 2000 Olympic men's doubles champion from Indonesia has the best short serve in the world. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:47:45 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=33#33 In a game of badminton, when you are playing close to the net against your opponent and the opponent makes a beautiful drop shot, and raises his/her racket to block your return, what can you do? Because of the quality of the drop shot, you probably won't be able to clear the bird to the back court. You also can't swat it because the bird just grazes the net and you have no space or angle. It's also difficult to return the drop shot with a drop shot of your own, because the bird is so close to the net and touching the net with your racket results in a violation. A lot of players "freeze" when they encounter this kind of situation, thinking that there's no way to return the shot. Is this situation completely helpless? No, there are ways to handle these shots, and if you handle them correctly, your opponent now would have a hard time hitting the bird back to you. When your opponent makes a drop shot that drops right beside the net, you have three ways to return the birdie. 1) If the drop shot is going to land near the corners, you can make a drop shot to the diagonally opposite front corner. There are two ways to do this. a) Right after your opponent's drop shot crossed the net, immediately execute the diagonal drop shot. It's quite easy to touch the net this way, and most of people need a lot of practice and luck to be able to this correctly. b) Right after your opponent's drop shot crossed the net and is falling toward you forehand corner, immediately move towards the falling bird, but don't hit it yet. You should change your grip to a backhand grip, with the head of the racket pointing downwards, sort of like holding a shovel. Make sure the face of the racket is directly facing the bird and wait until the bird fall to below the net. At this moment, bend your wrist inwards, which will tilt the racket and make the birdie fly really close to the net, toward the diagonal corner. Of course, using the right amount of force and getting the timing right is very important for the success of this shot. (The trajectory is like a sine wave. Read here for more information.) You can also do a backhand version of this if the bird is going to land at your backhand corner. 2) If the bird is going to land in the middle or near the middle of the net, then you don't have room to hit diagonal drop shots. In this situation, you need lift the bird straight up. Wait until the bird falls past the net, and then hit it gently with the racket. The racket face should point straight up, and use only your fingers and wrist to power the hit. With the right amount of force, the bird will roll right across the top of the net, making it impossible for your opponent to attack it. This is also known as a hairpin drop shot. 3) This is similar to number 2, but instead of hitting the bird head on, you can "slice" (hit the bird with the racket at an angle) the bird which will make the bird go tumbling up. With the right amount of force, the bird will roll across the top of the net. All of the three techniques listed above are quite advanced, so you'll need a lot of practice before you can use them effectively in a real game of badminton. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:45:34 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=32#32 Blocking smashes is among the most important defensive skills in badminton. If you can't return your opponent's smashes, then your chances of winning the game is slim. In the NBA, there is a famous saying: Good defense equals good offense. This also applies to badminton. Everybody knows that the smash is an important offensive move in badminton. Smashes, especially jump smashes, are extremely fast and powerful and it is the main attraction for audiences watching a competition. Players and coaches spent years trying to perfect smashes and also smash blocking techniques. In the 80s, there was a famous match where Han Jian from China stopped around a dozen continuous attacks from Liem Swie King of Indonesia, one of the best offensive players in the world at the time, and went on the win the match. There are many other examples of great defense in high level competitions, and all of us recreational players wish that we had that level of defensive skill, so that winning a game becomes easier. The goal of smash blocking is to prevent the opponents from scoring points from their smashes, and also try to turn the tide of battle. There are many specific smash blocking techniques, but all of them fit into three general categories. Category 1: Power smash blocking. The defender swings the racket when blocking the smash, hitting the bird to the back of the opponent's side of the court. The faster the smash is, the faster the return will be. This kind of blocking can also be split into upper body blocking and lower body blocking. If the birdie flies above the waist level, then try to hold the racket with the head pointing up and drive the bird back to the opponent and force the opponent to defend. If the birdie flies below waist level, then there's no choice but to use an underhand swing to clear the bird to backcourt. In the first case where the bird is above waist level, sometimes it's more advantageous to use the backhand grip even if the bird is in the forehand part of the coverage. The backhand grip allows you to have a quicker swing and also you wouldn't have to change grips from backhand to forehand and vice versa. In the second case when you have to lift the bird, be ready for more smashes or other attacking shots, since your opponent is still in the position to attack. Category 2: Deflective smash blocking. The defender doesn't swing the racket and uses only the original force of the smash and the angle of the racket face to deflect the shuttlecock back into the opponent's court. This technique is most effective when the bird is deflected to an empty part of the opponent's court. If used well, this type of blocking is more effective than category 1, but it depends on the trajectory and target of the bird. This technique may not be very effective if the opponent follows the returns and gets closer and closer to the net. Because no swinging is involved, this blocking technique can cover a larger area than other techniques since the arm can be fully outstretched. It is commonly used in singles competition. Category 3: Drop return smash blocking. The goal of this technique is not to hit or deflect the bird, but rather using a flick of the wrist, to turn an oncoming smash into a drop shot that just passes the net and lands in the front corners. This makes sure that the opponent won't be able to continue the attack. This, of course, is the hardest block to execute but probably also the most effective. Note that in order to slow the momentum of an oncoming smash, the racket will sometimes sort of "carry" the bird. Carrying is a violation, so make sure the bird and racket don't make contact for too long. No matter which technique you use, all smash blocking require having quick reactions, racket control, muscular control and a clear head. Also try to lower your center of gravity as smashes almost always fly towards the ground and stand in the spot that will give you the best position to defend. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:44:10 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=31#31 Here's a common situation in a game of badminton: You are standing in the front half of the court when the opponent blasts the shuttle towards your back boundary. You don't react fast enough and the shuttle flies behind you. Even if you manage to hit the bird by stretching your body to its limits, all that results in is a high shot that doesn't fly past your opponent's mid-court, resulting in an easy kill shot. You might even hurt yourself if you are not careful. This scenario happens very often in a competitive badminton game, so what is the best way to for a player to handle this situation? The situation in the last paragraph happens most often when you go to the net to return a drop shot with a lifting shot. The opponent will hit an attacking clear to your back boundary. Even if you try your hardest, you are still about 1 -1.5 meters away from where the bird will land. At that point, the shuttle is falling close to vertically downwards. Even if you bend and stretch your body backwards, the bird is still too far back for you to produce a good hit. You can try a slice drop or a half-smash, but again you are not in the best position to hit those shots and will probably end up missing or hitting the bird into the net. This is a pretty tough situation to get out of, and there are currently no instruction material or badminton classes that teach people ways to handle something like this. So is there no way to make an effective return? No, there is an answer for this problem, and the answer is an unconventional and sometimes miraculous hitting technique that many players wouldn't even think of. I am sure a good number of you are familiar with the sport of basketball. If you are, then the concept of a hook shot should be nothing strange as it is a commonly used shot in basketball. A hook shot lets a player use his/her body width and arm length to create distance and prevent the defender from blocking the shot. Some people probably think that there is no relation between a basketball hook shot and a badminton backcourt shot, but there are many occasions where the principles of one sport can apply to another. So for the situation where you can't quite get back to the right position to hit the shuttle, you can use a similar motion to a hook shot to maximize your reach. Since you can't really hit a power shot then don't bother with a power shot. Instead, extend your racket arm and use a flick of your wrist to make an arcing drop shot. In doing this you avoid making a low quality return and deny your opponent a chance for the kill. This shot gives you an offensive opportunity in an unfavourable situation, and it usually works quite well. In most cases, the opponent will be surprised by shot and won't be able to come to the net quickly enough to keep up the offense. A famous user of this shot is Indonesia's Hidayat Taufik. Taufik isn't especially fast or powerful when compared to other world-class players, but he uses his sublime skills and quick thinking to produce unexpected and innovative shots (including the subject of this article) to gain the upper hand. So what is the name of this handy hitting technique? I call it the "backcourt hook drop shot". It's not difficult to learn this technique. During practice, you stand about 1.5 meters away from the back boundary and have your partner feed you high shots (ex, a high forehand serve). You should familiarize yourself with the stroke and posture first and then add some footwork into the mix so that you can actually use this shot in a game. Learning this technique will broaden your knowledge of badminton, and it will help you be a more competitive player as well. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:42:44 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=30#30 Here are two seemingly completely different subjects: cruise missiles and badminton. One is a modern military weapon, while the other is a popular recreational sport. The two don't seem to have anything to do with each other, but after recently witnessing my friend and mentor Mr. Su's underhand control shots, these two seemingly unrelated subjects came together and inspired me to write this article. A cruise missile fly along its programmed course, stays low to avoid detection, and strikes its intended target with great accuracy. It has a long range, high speed, low altitude, and high accuracy as its positives, plus it's fairly hard to detect. Usually it would be quite difficult to guard against such a weapon. In badminton, we can think of the shuttle as a missile flying in the court. If you can hit the bird so that it just clears the net and then descends as it homes in on an empty corner on the opposite court, then wouldn't that be analogous to a tiny cruise missile? Such a low-flying and accurate shot would be difficult for opponent to defend against. In terms of badminton skills, underhand shots usually don't get much discussion. Most people like to hit overhead shots and spend time practicing their clears and smashes. However, underhand shots are still a very important part of badminton. For example, you put forth a full-strength smash at your opponent. At the last possible moment, the opponent reaches the bird with an underhand stroke and the bird returns in a low and diagonal trajectory. Instead of getting a second chance to attack, you now have to sprint in order to reach the bird in time. In this situation, usually the bird would have fallen to the ground already, or the return would fly into the net. An underhand shot is where the head of the racket is pointing down or to the sides when you hit the bird. The grip on the racket is different depending whether it's a backhand or forehand shot. You should control the shot using your wrist or, for more precision, your fingers. The angle of the racket, the distance from the racket head to the ground and other such factors are different depending on the situation. The speed, angle, and target at the shuttle depend on the shot you are trying to return. Underhand shots are useful because they are hard to predict and have sudden attacking power. The target of the underhand shot should be out of the reach of the defender(s) and towards the front corners or the middle sidelines. This will make it a lot harder of the opponents to make a high quality return. In order to get the desired accuracy and the long and low trajectory, you must put the correct amount of power into the return instead of just blocking the shot. You want the bird to spin along its axis like a rifle round in order to get speed and stability. Have the bird fly diagonally in your court and target the opponent's front sideline areas. The bird should decelerate dramatically after crossing the net, which makes it a lot harder for opponent to predict its landing place. A lot of practice is needed in order to master underhand control shots. In order to fire these "cruise missiles" at will, you need get to a point where you will instinctively use these shots. Underhand control shots are a good way to get back on the offensive and to score points. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:41:58 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=29#29 There are many different strokes in the sport of badminton. Many of these strokes are covered as standard textbook material, but some of them are not. Many of these non-textbook skills can be seen in high-level competitions where players must use every trick they know to defeat their opponent. During a world-class badminton match, the players display many skills that we are familiar with, some skills that we are not so familiar with, and other skills that we never thought was possible to use on the court. This is one of the reasons why badminton is such a fun and addictive sport. Last time I wrote about "The Backhand Grip Forehand Shot" after watching some world-class competition. Recently I witnessed a former Chinese national women's team player Jiang Xuelian showing off her skills in the court, and her sublime performance has given me inspiration to write another article. Since there are "Backhand Grip Forehand Shots", logically there are also "Forehand Grip Backhand Shots". As the name indicates, these shots involve a player using a forehand stroke to return shots to the player's backhand side. The most common types of forehand grip backhand shots are tilting to the backhand side to hit overhead clears, smashes, and drops. However, I also watched Ms. Jiang using many other types of these strokes to defeat skilled male opponents. The forehand grip backhand shots used by this player are very useful and potent, and they show that Ms. Jiang is indeed a world class player. Below is a list of uncommon forehand grip backhand shots that I've compiled after watching matches between various advanced-level players. Tilt to backhand side overhead drive This move is very useful for answering quick drives to your backhand side, and the aim is to use even more velocity to overcome the velocity of your opponent's shot. The characteristics of this stroke is that it's fast, powerful, and flies straight at the opponent's chest, making this move an effective counter to fast drives to the high backhand side. Tilt to backhand side overhead smash block This is one of Ms. Jiang's signature moves. This stroke is to use to return relatively flat smashes to the backhand side. The characteristics of this block are that it can react very quickly and the power of the return shot can be adjusted. It's possible to clear to the opponent's backcourt or drop it into an empty corner, so this stroke can be used to turn the tides and start a counterattack. Behind the back, between the legs smash block In world-class competitions you can sometimes see players using this stroke to return smashes. The situation for using this stroke is that the opponent's smash is close to your body but your racket is not in front of you. In this situation you can put your racket behind your back and between your legs in an attempt to block the smash. Behind the back waist position smash block Another "trick shot" that's seen in world class competitions, this stroke involves putting your arm behind the back so that the racket head is on the waist of your backhand side. One of the most famous practitioners of this move is famous Indonesian player Taufik Hidayat, and belows are some videos of him using this amazing skill. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woSj8x3hx3k&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKZZDT5r4rY&feature=related Near-net forehand diagonal drop on the backhand side The signature move of famous Danish player Peter Gade, the net shot involves using a forehand stroke to return a drop shot to the backhand side. Instead of returning the shot with the backhand, you let the shuttle fall a little further and then swing backwards with a forehand stroke, thereby dropping the bird to the other corner. Here is a video of the move. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8hk1-fdmc&feature=related Turned-around baseline underhand drive When the opponent clears to your backhand baseline corner, there will be times when you won't be able to reach the optimum position for hitting the return clear. Instead of trying to hit the backhand clear, you take one more step towards the bird so that your back is facing the net. At that moment you can use a hard, underhand forehand swing to drive the shuttle back towards your opponent and catch them off guard. Turned-around baseline underhand cross-court drop Similar to the above technique, the only difference is that this stroke will attempt to drop the shuttle in the diagonally opposite corner near the net. My good friend Su Zhi often uses this stroke to surprise opponents and spectators alike. Baseline backwards between the legs drive The final trick shot technique in this article, this stroke is used when the shuttle is falling from high path towards the baseline. With your back turned towards the net, you run towards the shuttle and let it fall to your knees and then use a forehand stroke the drive the shuttle backwards through your legs and towards the opponent's court. As you can see from the list, forehand grip backhand shots can be separated into offensive and defensive categories. The offensive ones are more commonly used and are more likely to succeed. Using these techniques during a game requires fitness, speed, power, fast reaction, and some quick thinking. If you want to learn and master these techniques, the best way to do it is to consult professional badminton coaches and/or (former) professional players for their advice. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:40:27 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=28#28 Badminton is quite a unique sport. Even though there are similarities to sports such as tennis and ping-pong, badminton has its own set of skills such as clears, drives, half-smashes, smash blocks and net-plays that makes it a unique sport. However, a badminton player can still incorporate hitting skills from other racket sports and even non-racket sports. Using these techniques adds more variety to the game and can make you a more competitive player. Below is a list of shots that take inspirations from other sports. Sliding Stroke Drop In table tennis there is a sliding/slicing stroke where the players swings the paddle one way but the ball moves in different direction. The same principle can be used in badminton when the opponent clears to your backhand side. In that situation use the standard footwork to get into position to return the clear, and then swing your racket from right to left over your head in a sliding motion (assuming you are right-handed). The key is to keep your racket facing towards the net so that you like you are dropping the bird to the near corner, but in reality you are actually targeting the diagonal corner. In today’s badminton world, the members of the Chinese national team are especially skilled in using this technique. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDwkcurD3o8 Underhand Slice Shot The slice shot is an often-seen technique in table-tennis. The shot is characterized by its low trajectory so that the opponent can not smash it back. In badminton you can use a similar slicing stroke when handling underhand shots. The underhand slice shot actually a pretty common shot for controlling a rally. When the opponent hit to your front corners or the middle of the sidelines, you will probably be on the defensive if you return with a lift. If you don’t lift the bird high and far enough then the opponent may get an easy kill. If instead you use underhand slice shots then the bird will just clear the net and then drop to front corners or middle sidelines, leaving no opportunity for your opponents to press on with an attack. Tilt Downward Smash Block The most common shot seen in high-level table tennis competitions is the long arcing shot characterized by its fast speed and big swing from the player. The trajectory of the shot is not especially low, but it drops quickly after crossing the net so a skilled player can controls where the ball is going to land. The top badminton players of world utilize a shot with a similar trajectory when returning smashes. The key to the shot is tilting the face of the racket slightly downward when you are blocking the smash. As the opponents smash to your sides in the mid and back court areas, you can use this block to turn the tides and go on the offensive. Small-Swing Horizontal Drive As the name indicates, this technique is s horizontal drive characterized by its small swing, but the speed of the bird is still quite fast. Whether if it be table tennis or badminton, the small-swing horizontal drive can quite the deceptive shot. One of the most famous users of the shot is Chinese badminton star Lin Dan, and below is a video of him using one of these drives to win a point. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aDWoBR2Wcs&NR=1 Hook-shot Drop/Smash In basketball, the hook shot is used mainly for its high release which makes it difficult to block. In badminton, a player can use a similar motion in order to extend their reach for an overhead shot. During the shot your body should be perpendicular to the net so that you can you use all of your height and arm length to deliver either a drop or smash. The drops and smashes produced with a hook-shot motion is usually has a down-the-line direction, and the hook-shot drops are usually pretty high quality because of the high hitting point. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZIhOV7-_9g&NR=1 Bending Shot When it comes to bending shots, most people will think of English football (soccer) star David Beckham and his free kicks. Shots that curve in mid air are also possible in badminton. In the video below, the Malaysian doubles pair hit a down the line shot that appear to be out of bounds as it crossed the net, but to the surprise of the opponents and the umpires the bird actually bent back into the court and landed right in the back corner. Some people think that the bird was blown back in by wind inside the building, but if there were such winds present then the building would be inadequate for a badminton competition. The so-called bending shots are characterized by the fact that they bend a change direction in mid air, and this is usually caused by a spin in the flying projectile. In badminton this implies that the landing place for the bird will be different than expected. The most common occurrences of bending shots in badminton are from fast diagonal drops from the back corners. Initially the bird flies fast and looks like a half-smash, but the trajectory bends and the bird steeply drops off after it crosses the net. Bending shots are very deceptive because of its change in direction and therefore they are a very effective technique to use in a game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMr2V5Ge22Y&feature=related" target="_blank Bunt Opposite-Direction Shot This particular skill has some similarities to the bunt used in baseball. For those who don’t know, a bunt is when the hitter taps the baseball lightly with the bat so it rolls slowly in front of the infielders. In badminton, the high-level players use a similar shot to mislead their opponents. The key of doing an opposite direction shot is to get to the bird with enough time to spare for a fake. You swing the racket as if you are trying to hit the bird to one direction, but in reality you are moving the racket across and hitting the bird in the opposite direction with the other side of the racket. If you do it correctly then the opponent will be fooled into anticipating the wrong direction. Below are some videos of this excellent technique in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHEURiej5ko&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDwkcurD3o8&feature=related Hairpin Drop Shot In advanced table tennis we often see player hit the ball from below the table. The analogous shot in badminton is the hairpin near-net drop shot. Advanced players can hit the bird just before it hits the ground and drop it over the net. The shot involves both slicing and carrying the bird so that it rises almost completely vertically and tumbles over the net. Here’s an example video of a hairpin drop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EszBfSWdAys&feature=related Different sports have their own unique techniques, but they also share some common characteristics as well. Using techniques from different sports adds variety and fun to badminton. Event though they may be unorthodox, the skills can prove to be very useful during a game. Adding these unusual shots to your standard badminton techniques will make you a more competitive player and make the game of badminton even more enjoyable. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:33:20 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=16#27 Chances are this might be the next one I do. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:51:44 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=15#26 I had not tried them. Probably you can ask some Junior Team members in ABC to justify the quality. I think these birdies were used for their training. Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:14:56 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=15#25 I believe they also charge sales tax, right? So, that's $20.21 per tube (or $10.11 for a dozen). Have anyone used these birdie before? How are they? Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:58:51 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=15#24 Ludo: William is selling 24 birdies in 1 tube for $18.50. The link: Hi-Qua Team-24 Tube (http://www.hiquasports.com/badminton/shuttlecock/hi-qua-team24-shuttlecock.php) So, if we calculate the average price per tube is only $$9.25. He also has bulk pricing (purchased at 25 tubes or more). Probably you can get it at ABC directly to save shipping. Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:44:36 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=6&id=10#23 Registration is now closed. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:34:27 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=7#22 Hey Andy, I'm interested in training with you. However, probably wait until after the Holidays, since I'm broke from all these parties and gifts I still need to buy... :( Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:47:07 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=15#21 Thanks Rudy, I'll try to get a can and test it out first. Seems most are around $10-12 per can. I'm looking to break under $10.00 per can for acceptable birdies. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:44:14 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=20#20 I know the site is still slow , even though I had upgraded to better server (paid a little extra). However, there are some good news to the members: Blogging is available - If you have something to write and share with others, now you can write your stories from your profile windows. Photo tagging - You can write comments of your photos, which eventually will make the "search" function to find your pictures easier and the global search engine to find your images. Private Chat or Community Chat Box - You can chat with many people LIVE(login required) by using Community Chat Box or chat privately by using the chat bar on the bottom of your browser. All left over texts on the Community Chat Boxwill be archived upon backing up the system and deleted after a few days. Creating your group - any registered members now can create their own team. The access is available on your profile menu. However, if the contains are empty, they will be removed. (Please notify the Admin if you need assistance on creating groups). More features are pending... If you have comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reply this post. Thanks, Birdievent.com Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:40:46 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=15#19 Andy Monkie is selling reasonable shuttlecock (decent quality rated 7.5 of 10). I heard you purchased 10 tubes get 1 tube FREE. After all, the price will be around $10.00 each tube. Contact him from the member forum. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:20:11 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=16#18 Ah, makes sense. Most are busy during the Holidays, including myself. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:58:22 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=16#17 We just had Superbird single tournament a few months ago. Probably it will be a few months later due to coming holidays and new year :-) Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:02:57 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=5&id=16#16 Ok, when is the next Singles Tourney at ABC? Since the club is usually so crowded, it's hard to get a Singles game going. Figured a Singles Tourney is a good opportunity... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:53:03 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=15#15 Hello All, Anyone know where to get cheap birdies, but still decent to play with? I have used DHS BP306 and "Blacks" (not sure the brand), and they are both pretty decent for $10 per tube. Are there anything less than $10, but still can hold up in a game? Thanks for any input! Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:47:39 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=6&id=10#14 All team leaders are required to submit players' names by Saturday, November 28, 2009. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:24:50 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=11#13 Rudy, thanks for your suggestion. After comparing several models from both Yonex and Wilson brand, I decided to go for Wilson's Court Elite 800. I should receive the shoes within couple days and can't wait to try it on! Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:00:29 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=11#12 If you are looking for stater shoes, I may suggest you to get Wilson. It is currently on Sale at Badminton Alley http://www.badmintonalley.com/Wilson_EB_9_Men_Badminton_Shoes_p/shoes-wilson-eb9-men.htm The following is a review: Shoes July 25, 2006 Reviewer: James Cave from Hayward, CA United States This is a good shoe with fine lateral support and an excellent grip. The mid-shoe strap is not a gimmick: it actually helps in getting the right "feel." I begin lacing up from the second set of eyelets and adjust the strap for a great fit in the lower area. I rate it a 4 only because 5 is for perfection. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:15:01 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=15&id=11#11 I am looking for badminton shoes that would offer great cushioning and stability. I would like to keep my budget under $70. Any suggestions or comments? Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:49:33 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=6&id=10#10 [center] ABC Birdievent Team Winter Competition 2009 [/center] Date: December 6, 2009 Time: 11:00 AM - Finished Venue: 12336 Lower Azusa Rd, Arcadia, CA 91006-5872 (626)401-0088 Registered Teams/ Groups: * Superbird - Eddie Lopez (Team Leader) * Nova I - Lin Tao/ Jack (Team Leader) * Nova II - Megan Chiu/ Paul Wong (Team Leader) * LA Badminton - Johnny Liew (Team Leader) * LA Meet Up - Brian Hua (Team Leader) * Philippine Badminton Club of Arcadia - Benjie Baladad (Team Leader). * Flying Badminton Group - Gary Sun (Team Leader) * jangster - Andy Jang (Team Leader) The event rules & guidelines: * The cost to participate on this tournament is FREE. However, non ABC members have to play $7.00 entrance fees to Arcadia Badminton Club (Group Discounts). * The event is open to any groups as long as they have enough players to participate to the event. * Each team will select 10 top players from the members (5 pairs). o The pair can be man-man, man-women, or women-women. o The team leader will decide who will be paired and/ or play on the 1st match, 2nd and so on. o One player cannot play twice or more against the same opponent team. If team does not have enough players, it will be called WO (walk-out) and the point will be rewarded to the opponent team. o In case the match is going to the 3d set, the final match point on the 3rd set is 15 instead of 21 (to shortening the time of the event). * The system is round-robin (a minimum of 2 matches per team). o If there are more than 8 groups, we will split the groups into 2 brackets. o The top 2 groups will represent the brackets into the Semi-Final round. o The winner of Semi-Final round will compete in the Final round. * The match is based on the 21 points system. o Every time a pair win a match, the group will earn 1 point. o The winning group is the one which earn 3 points first against the other group. o Each team player must provide own birdie to the match. Prizes: The pride of your group. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:13:36 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=9#9 Hi All: If you are having difficulty to scroll the pages on this site, please unclick the "Smooth Scolling" feature of your browser. Internet Explorer: * Click the "Tools" tab from your top menu bar Internet Explorer browser. * On the drop-menu, click "Internet Options" * On the pop-menu, click the "Advanced" and find "Use Smooth Scrolling" within the Browser category. * Unclick the box of "Use Smooth Scrolling" followed by clicking the "OK" button. * Restart your browser and revisit www.birdievent.com /images/instructions/iescroll.jpg Firefox: * Click the "Tools" tab from your top menu bar Firefox browser. * On the drop-menu, click "Options" * On the pop-menu, click "Advanced" and find "Use Smooth Scrolling" box. * Unclick the box of "Use Smooth Scrolling" followed by clicking the "OK" button. * Restart your browser and revisit www.birdievent.com /images/instructions/ffscroll.jpg Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:03:54 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=8#8 [center]Arcadia Badminton Club Thanksgiving Party[/center] Arcadia Badminton Club is honored to invite everyone to our annual Thanksgiving Party. The event will be held on Thursday, November 26, 2009 from 6:00PM to 12:00AM. The event will include: * Charity Poker o $1.00 bet minimum. o Proceed wiil be donated to City of Hope Cancer Center. * Karaoke Night o Sing all night long to cherish and celebrate the party. * TV Games * Raffles Drawing * Exclusive Thanksgiving Dinner. Fees: * Member $10.00 per person * Non-Member $15.00 per person * Kids under 12 is 1/2 price. Registration is available at the front desk of Arcadia Badminton Center If you have further questions, please contact Arcadia Badminton Center Customer service at 1-626-401-0088 Location : 12336 Lower Azusa Road. Arcadia, CA 91006 Contact : Arcadia Badminton Club Front Desk Time: 6:00PM - 12:00AM. https://birdievent.com/images/fbfiles/images/tk8x11icon.jpg Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:26:55 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=16&id=7#7 Hi All: My name is Andy Jap. I am available to train anyone to play badminton confidently. If you are interested, please send me a message or call 626-646-8160 I have many references from my students in Arcadia Badminton Club. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:08:49 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=6#6 I had updated the "Event Video" section and linked it to Youtube. Unfortunately, I still have not linked all of the badminton videos to the site, since I do not have the time and human resources to capture them all At this moment, I disabled the upload video feature on the video section, due to maintain the stability of traffic networks on the site. Once I can justify the patterns of traffics (bandwidth), I may allow members to upload all hardcore badminton videos to the site. On the other hand, I still allow members/ groups to upload video and pictures on their profiles. The limit is set at 8Mb for photos and 8Mb for video. If you need more spaces, please let me know. Thank you, rpramana Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:16:44 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=7&id=5#5 PBCA Mixed Doubles Tournament November 7, 2009 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Deadline for Submission of Entries: November 2, 2009 Categories: A/B (Combination of A/A, B/B or A/B, C, D and E Entry Fee per Player: PBCA Members: $25.00* *(With paid PBCA Annual Membership Fee) Non-Member: $30.00** **($5 can be applied to the $20 Annual PBCA membership Fee) Entry Fee is inclusive: Lunch Ticket Hi-qua PBCA T-shirt Minimum of 3 games Prizes Trophies and Gift Certificates to the winning pair on each Category Notes: - Games will be scored using 21-point rally. - Matches are won by winning 2 out of 3 sets. - Third set will be decided by the team who first reaches 15 points. - Complete Tournament Rules and Guidelines will be posted next week. - Location : Arcadia Badminton Club, Arcadia, California - Contact : Jun Bautista (please review the member lists). Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:08:19 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=4#4 It brought to my attention if the site is kinda slow. The issue is I added some features to the site, which it initially loaded on the beginning of the landing page. So, I installed new cache system, which will "smartly" cache the site pages based on hit pages ranking. In addition, I also re-compressed the images and unloaded some scripts. I also like to suggest to users to update & install your Java module & flash player, which you can download from the following link: http://www.java.com/en/ http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ In addition, I suggest you to update the driver of your video card plus if you are using older computer, please set your video card property to the maximum of 16-bits color, instead of 32 or higher. If you have other suggestions, please reply to this post. Thanks, rpramana Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:18:57 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=3#3 I am very pleased to inform the activation of our secured domain service by Godaddy.com That means the site is secured for online transactions, information exchanges and other communication means media (except you link something from outsides). We appreciate all the supports from you all and see you in the game. Best Regards, rpramana Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:48:55 -0700 http://www.birdievent.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=194&func=view&catid=10&id=2#2 The BirdiEvent.com forums have grown over the past few months to become the source of badminton discussion, events & information and we thank all of you for being a part of this growing community. In order to keep the forums running well and to prevent problems, please follow these simple rules for the forums here. 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