Badminton Excitement
Date written:
Mar 25 2009
“You and her!” Coach D. commanded, pointing at us. I was instantly overwhelmed with excitement, yet with equal nervousness. I felt my stomach tightening.
The tournament was held on a Friday afternoon at Semiahmoo Secondary, where a million banners of sport team achievements hung in chronological order on the old, pale gym walls. There were banners of volleyball, basketball, rugby and of course badminton. I looked up toward the bright rectangular lights and scanned the badminton section. On the current row, side by side, were the two purple
He was the most valuable player on the team, and he was my partner. We were in an intense game of mixed badminton against Maple Ridge. As though this wasn’t enough pressure, looking at him or even thinking about the fact that he was my partner would automatically make me uneasy and self-conscious. In addition, being a mediocre player on the team, I was fearful that I would cost him the game, and therefore also jeopardize the team. Surrounding our court, seated on the bleachers was so many people that I started to slip into stage fright, or should I say “on-court” fright. The “shuttlecock” or “bird,” was tossed up and as if by fate, I was to serve for the game. I served it up – way too high –, and before I had the chance to step up to my position to cover up front, the bird was smacked down at us with monstrous vigor.
We were losing. This was definitely not the outcome he wanted. We were already halfway through the game and I just could not step up to the game. My job was to cover the front and get drop shots or smash high birds, but because of my constant assumption that our opponent will smash at us, I kept ducking and missing drop shots. Standing behind me, covering the back of the court, he seemed to be getting impatient. “It’s okay. Let’s go, let’s do this!” he exclaimed, in a desperate attempt to encourage me. I remained silent, afraid to respond, but inside, I was stuffed with butterflies. I served the bird and “Smacks,” the bird was flying toward the floor at lightning speed. He seized the chance and flew after the bird. His shoes screeched as he ran to it and he managed to catch it and dumped it just over the net. The score inched closer. It was now tied. The next point was crucial! We had to win it. He walked up to me smiling and whispered, “Common, it’s okay, we can do this!” and gave me a pat on the back with his racket. I was driven not to let him down. The bird was served and I hit it lightly over the net and the rally continued; when I accidentally hit it straight up the middle, I knew it was over…
He jumped up, high enough to almost reach twice his height. As if the instant was in slow motion, he extended himself in the air and swung an empty shot. Following it with his eyes, he plunged down, sliding across the old, faded gymnasium. With his stomach pressed to the floor, he swung his racket forward, determined to get the shot, and barely catching it, the shuttlecock landed over the net just two centimeters away from our opponents. “Yes!” he exclaimed and I laughed lightly. We saved our game, with only one point left until victory. I served the bird long, all the way back to the line and the girl hit it up high right in front of me. I hesitated, then stepped forward and swung my racket, smashing it down. It went down the middle and both of our opponents missed.
I high-fived him, and he politely said, “Thank you,” with a smile. I had never felt so good about winning one badminton game before.
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Badminton Excitement
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