Predictability and ability to change important for Doubles After the defeat of the Malaysian pairs KKK-TBH and LWW-CTF, it is clear that being a champion is only good till the next tournament. One the many things that can upset a doubles pair is the predictability in their play. When KKK-TBH won the Asian Games, the ALL-England and then the Swiss Open, their type of play was immediately studied by the coaches all over: they wanted to learn their style so that they can nullify it. One of the most striking features of KKK-TBH’s play is their attack: KKK is a master up the front and TBH is devastating at the back (his jump smash was lethal). The first thing to do to nullify them is obviously take away the smash opportunity of TBH and then force him to take the uncomfortable front shots rather than KKK. KKK’s smashes are not as great – so force him to take up the back role. Now for many people who have watched their recent plays, they floundered when the opposition applied their new strategies. People start to wonder why TBH is not getting the big smashes and why KKK is taking the smashes. Also, the drives by the opposition are straight into KKK’s body or face – he is forced to react but often returning back into the net. In other words, KKK-TBH have become predictable. The opposition coaches have nailed their play through the focused studies. Now it is not true that Rexy is not aware of all these. It is just that changes take time to improvise and often times, KKK-TBH are so used to their old ‘plays’, they get confused. They are varying their strokes and mixing it up --- TBH need to sharpen his techniques up-front and KKK will have reposition himself to play back (and revving up his jump smashing). All these experiments do not come overnight – going back to the old strategies will not work as the opponents have read them and are able to take advantage of their plays. KKK-TBH, unfortunately, have to struggle to be at their best whilst they experiment and learn to play differently. It is hard to change because it is like starting a partnership again. This is why YKH is saying he is not worried and will aim at the Beijing Olympics coz he knows the ‘repair’ will have to take time. There is now a longer term game plan whilst the shorter term is not looking too bright. And I think this is prevalent in most teams – look at the Indonesians, Markis-Kido were doing so well and then they were read and nullified (now I see a new revival with new style of play, maybe they are beginning to get it right again). Now with Tan Fook-Wan Wah, the two have been around for a long time. Somehow, the two ‘foxes’ are able to vary their plays better, and when they get it right on the day, they play extremely well (but other times, they are just woeful). It will take too long to teach them any new ‘plays’ – all Rexy would do is to advise them to move faster or play certain shots because he knows it will be too hard to get them to change – in any case, as I said, the two are wily and can change quite well sometimes. So expect brilliance and also disappointments from them. It is as best as you can get from them. Their predictability is not so pronounced as they both can play front and back, unlike KKK-TBH. Of course, they will change accordingly but if they get it wrong, it will be “omg, they have lost again!”.
Kinda similar to Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun when they first started out. Fu is lethal with his smashes at the back of the court, while Cai Yun with his net play. After their opponents figure out how to play against them, Fu/Cai begin to vary their tactic and have improved their defense a lot lately (esp this year). KKK/TBH have tasted success early in their career, which can make them lose directions, esp when they suffer losses after losses in the later half of this year. I agree that what is needed is a change in their playing style and most importantly improve their defense. Perhaps a break from international tourneys is good for them so that Rexy can figure out what modification he needs to make (esp for TBH).
U mentioned Kido/Hendra in your post. Indeed, when they play against top pairs recently, they have slightly changed their tactic from a pure all-out attack. Notice how they totally outplayed Jung/Lee in the WC Final with less smash winners and more net winners. Of course, Kido is the main man when it come to the big smashes, but, Hendra has certainly cut down on his unforced errors in front of the net. However, when playing against lesser opponents, there is no need to vary the tactics. Just hurl the attacks at them and they will wilt eventually Examples: in yesterday's match against Sudket/Phattapol, their smash winners account for a whooping 27 points in the 2 sets they won. However, when playing against their compatriot AG/Joko, their smashes account for only 19 pts in the 2 sets they won vs 9 net winners.
Contrast this with KKK/TBH vs Luluk/Alvent, with only 1 net winners and 32 smash winners and KKK/TBH vs TBS/OSH, with only 5 net winners and 26 smash winners.
Good analysis --- definitely doubles pairs need to be able to vary their tactics if they want to keep winning.
A lot of work for them....I just feel things have changed and KKK-TBH are no longer at the top. If they can change fast, then they can still come back. It is like technology today of which I am involved with : if one does not change with the technology then technology would leave you behind.
I think the problem of unpredictability is due to the scoring system. That has a bigger effect than the inconsistency of certain players.
Current Malaysia players in my opinion are good players but not tough in the mind. The moment they win a tournament their heads are in the cloud and think they are king of the world. The situation is made worse by interference from BAM management who lavish them with rewards before the job is done. KKK-TBH has big potential but unless they can forcus and listen to Rexy they will have not chance. Before Rexy, Malaysia has good coach such as Pak Joo Bong and even he was frustrated by the intereference on the BAM management. This may sound harsh but it is reality in Malaysia.
Gordo, it wasn't just Professor Park. Before him, there was Morten Frost Hansen. And being European (outspoken), he made his displeasure known. It was very big news then, the battle between Chief Coach and the rest of BAM.
To win that Olympic Gold takes more than those flashy bracelets and prima donna attitude. Olympic gold impossible. Bronze maybe can.
Back to the drawing board for Rexy. Perhaps can try mixing up the players again to differ the style a little to catch the opponents off guard. Motivates new pairing as well.
Spot on!!!! Its a Malaysian disease which many refused to admit and prefer to hope against all hopes. We get over excited when we win the Philippines Open, and when it comes to the real crunch in the WC, we fell flat. KKK/TBH, after the All England has lost it. They just dont have it in them to be true champions like Rexy/Ricky, LYB/TBY, Cai/Fu etc. Morten Frost, like Park Joo Bong have also packed it in because they just cannot train Msian shuttlers who are used to be pampered etc. And it wont be long before we see Rexy saying goodbye as well.
The drawing board is looking a bit worn out. Rexy can train, whip, mix and motivate his shuttlers till the cows comes home, he will still not achieve anything. Better for him to leave Msia for England/Korea/Denmark or even USA as the set up there is more professional.
If that's the situation, it'll be really sad.... Have we the Malaysians not learned from past mistakes ? Huh ? BAM ?
SOME of MAS supporters have started to blame Rexy for early exit of all MD pairs. They believe the MAS MD players will win all the time if under the charge of Rexy. It's really unfair to Rexy. I dunno how they will treat Misbun if LCW lose on tomorrow???
Tell that to Park Joo Bong and Morten Frost. Both legends, both got fed up with the Msian mentality thingy.
LEE TS shows the truth of BAM really got a poor management by winning two titles in a row.. Although its a smaller tournaments. I really doubts if the TOP MAS players able to win it there ! IMHO, players could not be blame by "PAMPERING", who is breastfeeding them at the first place? Of coz the BA rite...