Creativity is the greatest rebellion in existence. — OSHO

For the SAISA 2016 Badminton Team, I designed the Jerseys. In order to design the jerseys I had to learn how to use photoshop. This new challenge  gave me the opportunity to develop new skills. 

Girl's Jersey

Girl's Jersey Backside

Girl's shorts

Boy's Jersey

Boy's Shorts

Designing the Badminton jerseys for the SAISA Badminton Team of 2016 was extremely enojoyable. I was able to finally learn how to use photoshop which will help me in my future, in the field of Fashion Design. 

This was the first time that I had ever attempted at designing or creating both Sport Wear and Menswear. I had to keep in mind the different body shapes and sizes, along with how I can make it aesthetically appealing at the same time. Rather than write 'Geckos, which OSC's mascot, I decided to use minimalist techniques to say the same. I used the print of a Gecko and placed it on the side of the jersey, so that it goes around the bodice giving the illusion of a moving Gecko. 

Why are badminton players so loud? Because they are always making a RACKET

In the past two sessions of Badminton, I have been able to play matches with Rishika (coach). As an experienced player she has been teaching me ways to score and how I can improve on my stamina. Her careful monitoring has helped me develop new skills  such as smashing and fore-hand shots and work on my weaknesses such as long shots and long serve. 

 As I am shorter than her and my long shots are weaker, I usually covered the front half of the court. This gave us both an advantage as her long hand shots are very strong, and gave me the opportunity to utilise my reflex skills. It was extremely important for us to efficiently communicate with each other and evaluate my mistakes after every 2-3 points.

Travelling across the court and jumping to take a shot.

In conversation with Rishika and ducking while she takes a shot.

By playing with a player who is advanced in the sport, I had to ensure that I was keeping up my level up gameplay as well. This competition pushed me to undertake new challenges.  I had to  travel from one side of the court to the other swiftly and carefully without tripping or hurting my partner with my racket. 

Overall, I believe that I am showing signs of improvement in my gameplay. I am more aware of scoring techniques and how moving around the court in certain ways can help me to develop and polish my skills.  Working collaboratively with a partner gives me the opportunity to compete and further push my limits and stamina. My improvement in the sport keeps me committed to the activity and allows me to show perseverance and dedication to do better. 

The Course of Gameplay

The past couple of sessions of badminton have helped me to re-gain my stamina after the summer break. I was carefully coached by Rishika Narayanan (http://casrishikan16.wordpress.com/), as she is the captain of Girl's Badminton Team.

She has played both against me and as my partner in doubles, which has helped me to work collaboratively with others. I have been able to cover the front court properly without missing a large number of shots. However, as my back-court was weaker, I have decided to undertake new challenges, and learn and acquire new skills. 

As, improvement takes time and hard work, I am committed  to improve my gameplay and to become more acquainted with specific skills required to play matches. While, playing the terminology used for shots as well as the pattern of changing service was very confusing to me. This took me time to learn and become comfortable with. 

My semester started with learning new techniques of long serves and smashes, as these are my main weak points. Over the past 4 weeks,  I believe that I have improved on my smashes. Over the past few weeks, I have been successful in maintaining and hitting consecutive shots without feeling tired. 

I further hope to play single matches as it allows me to be independent and use more arm and leg strength. This will further develop my stamina. There are times when I feel extremely breathless and tired, but I still keep on playing. I am also slowly overcoming my asthmatic problems by doing this.  This is helping me to improve my overall game play along with my backhand and forehand shots. 

Badminton Update

Badminton allows me to indulge in an action sport that relieves my stress. Playing badminton on a weekly basis gives me the opportunity to learn and improve my gameplay. It requires me to show commitment and perseverance. My stamina has always been a weak point for me and has been affecting the way I play. Therefore this is a major area of my focus on this semester. 

My semester started with learning new techniques of long serves and smashes, as these are my main weak points. Over the past 4 weeks,  I believe that I have improved on my smashes. My aim is to be more informed of the various shot types and how the gameplay changes while playing singles or doubles. I hope to play single matches as it allows me to be independent and use more strength. This will further develop my stamina. There are times when I feel extremely breathless and tired, but I still keep on playing. This is helping me to improve my overall game play along with my backhand and forehand shots. 

Playing with Nandini against Anya and Sam

1. 1.             Increased their awareness of their strengths and areas for growth. –  Improve my gameplay.
   2.             Undertaken new challenges. – Push myself to take on more strain and learn new moves.
   3.             Worked collaboratively with others. – Play matches with a partner. Be in sync and understand how to utilise the court space.
   4.             Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities. – Attend every class and improve my stamina.
   5.             Considered the ethical implications of their actions. – Make sure not to throw around my racket or knowingly injure someone.