And do you know what I learned about badminton? It is a very quiet sport.
There are no buzzers, scoreboards, whistles, referees, umpires, coaches shouting plays, or cheering crowds in badminton. There aren't hoards of fans packing the gym and there isn't a band playing at a non-existent half-time. There aren't folks clapping or cheering and there aren't balls bouncing off the ground making bouncy noises. Nope. No sound whatsoever. It is even quieter than golf because after a good shot in that sport, the crowd is actually allowed to cheer. Not in badminton.
It is hilarious to go to a meet at another school and try to find the event. Sure, you sort of aim for the big tall building that looks like the gym, but there is no crowd to follow to find it. And once inside, there isn't any sign whatsoever that there are literally 12 very exciting games of badminton being played simultaneously in the gym. I'm almost whispering when I walk into the stands to watch....quietly.Now, if you know me, you know that being quiet for too long is just out of character. So, when I watch Em's matches, I have to be sure that I don't make my "ooohs" or "awwws" too loud. Even my gasps have to be toned down or I get the evil eye--from Em. It just isn't protocol to exhibit much more than a wee "Yes!" when the opponent whiffs the birdie.
So, while this sport is all new to me, I'm an avid follower. I go to the matches and support the team, albeit silently. I smile to Em on the outside, while I'm hootin' and hollerin' on the inside. I think sometimes I even start a mental wave in not-so-crowded stands. I like this sport, I just don't like that I have to be so darned non-emotional and quiet.
And my favorite player? This one.
21 comments:
Now that's my kind of sport! My middle kid played basketball this winter and the buzzer made my youngest kid flip out.
p.s. Sweep the Leg, I'm first!
I didn't know high schools had competitive badminton. Can you get badminton scholarships?
I love it-- a sport in which not only the athletes but also the fans must be disciplined!
Go, Em! And hold it down, Mom.
That requires more discipline that I want to exercise.
Go Em!
LOL! I took Badminton in college, and I LOVED it! It was so much fun. I don't think we followed the "shhhhh" tactic though. :)
So you succeeded in raising individuals - good for you! And such a pretty individual at that...
I liked badminton, but we didn't have it competitively. It's more aerobic than people think!
What a great photo of Em. I had no clue that high schools and college had badminton teams. I am certainly behind the times. Have a great weekend.
CG--Sweep the Leg! It took me a long time to figure out why the vibe was so....different at those matches. It is very strange to see such a quiet sport. Even the birdies are quiet.
Lifeshighway--I don't know if they do this in college or not. I know in Asia this is HUGE, especially for men. I'm not sure it has caught on to that extent here. Oh--I LOVE your blog! I don't know why I didn't go there until now--that is very unlike me. Either way, I'm hooked! :)
Vanilla--You do know this is killing me, Vanilla.
Chuck--Yeah, it's kinda like Julia Roberts hootin' and hollerin' at the polo match in 'Pretty Woman'. It's a "yeah/no".
Sherrie--I wonder if it is like that everywhere. So far, it is quiet at every meet, so I guess that is the norm???? It's very weird though.
Grace--And that is what makes great adults. I think being able to do things for you and not just going along with everyone else is a great attribute.
Sharky--Oh yeah! They have to take a break between games because they are so hot and sweaty! It is much more aggressive than folks think.
Jude--My high school had a team but all the girls on it were super prissy and I just didn't see myself with them. Now I wish I had sucked it up and played. Em loves it!!
Your Em is just lovely. A sport where you have to whisper? Mmhhmmm. That's not you.
Awww, that's a great photo!
GO EM! she whispers....
Oh no! I am going to have to bring duct tape to put over my mouth to keep it shut and on my bum to stay in my seat... I had no idea! I am such a hootin' band mom!
Em is just so darn pretty! I love the pic! Beautiful...beautiful...beautiful! And...a great kid too!
Wen
beautify young lady, and well worth cheering for.
Buggys--Is it ANYBODY???! It's crazy quiet. ;)
Pricilla--Look! She isn't mad at me here! ;) (You never know with teens)
Wen--Aw, Wen, you are so sweet! We are lucky to have some great kids, aren't we?? Yeah, get ready for playing it cool at the meet. It's very odd. Quiet, but odd.
LJ--Thanks, pally. She's a great kid and it's fun that I can share in all her activities--even if I have to be quiet. :(
I don't believe we had that when I was in school. That would be pure torture watching your kid and not being able to shout out.
Ann--Yeah, I initially did a few shouts of encouragement, but then I got "the eye". I quickly learned to just be a quiet supporter. We had badminton when I was in high school, but all the prissy girls were on the team. And that would not be me.
Pretty photo of Em!
Seems like badminton has the same protocol as golf as far as being quiet. I'm not sure I could contain spontaneous outbursts or clapping either.
Funny... as far as I know, badminton is a very noisy spectator sport! And I'm from one of the countries that competes on an international level in the sport, so many matches are televised, and lemmie tell ya, those are supporters not just spectators! So it's weird to read that you're supposed to keep as quiet as tennis or golf here.
Tennis is my preferred racquet sport, but I don't mind some badminton too: the challenge as always is to find a partner :p
What about grunting? I mean the players--not the spectators. I always hated watching tennis on TV, but there is something about Maria Sharapova grunting that...
Pride can be a silent emotion. :-)
Beaded Tail--The only way I contain myself is knowing that I would embarrass the kids. That keeps me in check. What I do for love!
lynne--I think that is the difference--your culture. Well, maybe other areas here are more vocal--it's just seems to be the way in our schools locally. It drives me crazy--I'm not going to lie!! I'm with you, I like badminton too.
Fish--EWwwwwww! TMI, Fish, TMI. I don't recall anyone grunting, but I will make note of that for the next meet. I'll get back to you.
Jodi--Yep, and support for your kids. It's amazing what we learn to do for them, isn't it??
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