Badminton Training / Coaching

I have been playing badminton for quite a while now - almost  years now. But not professionally - just some games with the friends. However, Satish, Sanket and I started with badminton training on 5th of Aug 2010.

We plan to get coaching on 2 days Thursdays and Tuesdays of the week.
Coach Gowerdhan.

Day 1: 5th Aug 2010 Thrusday.
           We did 1 drill for 1/2 hr all three of us - alternately.
           Drill: Coach threw the shuttle to
           1: Front right corner
           2: Back right
           3: Front left
           4: Back left
           Each player was given some 20-25 shuttle hits/misses 

Day 2: 9th Aug 2010 Monday
           Coach had a mood for training so we went for it.
           We did 2 drills - many joined looking at us.
           Drill: 1
           Hit the shuttle from close to the net - just tap it down
           Stand before the serve line and hit the shuttles. From left to right and then to left.
           Drill: 2
           Hit a parallel shuttle from mid left
           Hit a shot/smash from back left corner
           Hit a parallel from mid right
           Hit a shot/smash from back right

          Focus was to improve doubles game. Were intention was to keep the shuttle low to the net and not allow the opponent to get a chance to hit smash.

Day 3: 12th Aug 2010 Thrusday

         Coach was in some meeting so we started doing some practice ourselves.
         We were trying to move to the net using shuffle step.
         Looking at us practice P Manoj Kumar - first international player from AP offered to give us some hints.
         He currently has some knee injury. + we didnot know who he was or what his caliber was.
         But we thought we are new to the game and started taking advice.
         By the end of it I was wondering about the amazing skills of this guy.

         He was performing all the tricks I saw on the youtube videos, and that too with perfection.
         It was a nice session.
         He provided following coaching:
         1: Front shuffle steps
         2: advised us to do tossing from back corner to back corner at the start that will give stability and power.
         3: Highlighted the importance of keeping the shuttle behind the player all the time.
         4: Showed us how to hit a backhand shot easily. Idea is to use your thumb to get the power. Shuttle also needs to be hit at correct timing. How to improve: do lot of wall practice.
         5: Entire gamut of trick shots..