15-17 YEARS OLD(TRAIN TO COMPETE)

At this age, most athletes should be post-growth spurt, meaning they are relatively stronger. However, it is still important to consider individual status at this stage (Côté, Baker, & Abernethy, 2003). They can tolerate greater loads as long as the training load is progressively built (Knight, Harwood, & Gould, 2018).

This is a brief example of what progressive overload looks like:

• Multi-shuttle drills:
  20 shuttles x 5 sets (Week 1)
  20 shuttles x 10 sets  (Week 3)
  20 shuttles x 8 sets x 2 rounds (Week 5)
  20 shuttles x 10 sets x 2 rounds. (Week 7)

Or

• Resistance training (ie: Front Squat)
  40kg 3 sets x 10 reps (Week 1)
    50kg 3 sets x 10 reps (Week3)
    55kg 4 sets x 8 reps (Week 5)
    60kg 2 sets x 6 reps. (Week 7)

At this age, the focus should shift to more badminton-specific conditioning, strength, and speed training (Sáenz-López, Júnior, & Gómez, 2021). However, teenagers may experience rebellion and an increased interest in romantic relationships (Knight, Harwood, & Gould, 2018).

Why?

• Higher intensity training as they prepare for U18 competition.

• A shift from parental influence to seeking recognition from peers and coaches, requiring coaches to show empathy and understanding (Côté, Baker, & Abernethy, 2003).

How should the training look like?

• Introduce badminton-specific conditioning.

• Begin increasing the number of strength and speed sessions.

• Monitor the total training volume and response of the athlete throughout the week to avoid overtraining.

• Educate and emphasize the importance of a strict routine and schedule (e.g., sleep and nutrition).

• The aim of this stage is to build a robust athlete with elite habits (Sáenz-López, Júnior, & Gómez, 2021).

Extra:

Athletes at this age greatly benefit from strict routines and schedules that balance both educational and training demands (Knight, Harwood, & Gould, 2018). Prioritizing sleep is crucial, and ideally, they should have consistent wake-up and bedtimes. Limiting screen time is also essential for healthy brain development, improving focus and engagement during training, discussions with coaches, and overall presence (Knight, Harwood, & Gould, 2018). This structured approach helps athletes maintain mental clarity and perform at their best in all areas of their lives. 

Reference: https://www.sportsmith.co/articles/developing-a-youth-athlete-development-roadmap/