Information Processing Model

The information processing model is the process we go through every time we play a shot in badminton. 

                                                              INPUT

             FEEDBACK                                                     DECISION  MAKING

                                                            OUTPUT

During the input phase, lots of information comes to our brain from a variety of sources.  Some of this information is relevant to the shot selection process and some is irrelevant.  A skilled performer – one who is at the autonomous stage of learning – will very quickly and effectively focus on the relevant information and block out the irrelevant.  Examples of relevant information are the height of the shuttle in flight, the speed of the shuttle and the direction of the shuttle as well as the position of my opponent on the court and if they are moving in anticipation of the next shot.  Examples of irrelevant information are noise from spectators and movement of people at the side of the court. 

At the decision making phase, it is important that I focus solely on the relevant information.  A skilled performer will have good concentration and will not be distracted by factors such as spectator noise and movement of people off court.  I would consider all relevant factors when selecting which shot to play – my position on the court, my opponents’ position on the court, the height of the shuttle and the speed the shuttle is travelling at.

At the output phase I carry out the shot selected, having considered all relevant information.  In a situation where my opponent is positioned nearer the back of the court, I would play a net shot if the shuttle is close to the net on my side or a drop shot if the shuttle is at my back court.  When my opponent is near the front court I would play an underarm lift from my front court or an overhead clear from the back court to exploit the space on their court. Any shots my opponent played high and near the middle of my court I would play a smash to try and win the point.

After playing the shot I would receive feedback in a number of ways.  I would get visual feedback by seeing where the shuttle landed or where my opponent played the return from, kinaesthetic feedback from how the shot felt when I contacted the shuttle, knowledge of results, i.e. point won, point lost or rally continues and possibly verbal feedback form a coach or partner.  This feedback may affect my decision making process the next time I find myself in a similar situation.  For example, if I perform a shot successfully this will build my confidence and I am more likely to select this option again in a similar situation.  However if I perform a shot unsuccessfully, I may not select the shot in future situations meaning I pick the wrong option.  For example if I play lots of drop shots ineffectively and lose points because I keep putting it into the net, I might stop playing this shot in a situation where my opponent is back court.  I would start to play overhead clears in this situation to avoid losing the point as I do not have enough confidence in my drop shot which means my opponent will find it easier to anticipate which shot I am going to play.

A more skilful and experienced performer will make decisions quicker and make more correct decisions in pressure situations.  This is because the information processing occurs quicker and almost automatically.  They will have seen situations before and learned from mistakes so are more likely to make correct decisions based on information available.