Chinese New Badminton Coach Series: Zhang Jun

Four former national badminton players became new coaches of China. Do you know who they are? I will give a complete introduction of them.

The first one is Zhang Jun, who has scoped two Olympic titles in badminton Mixed Doubles with his teammate Gao Ling.

To the question what the feeling was transforming a player into a coach, Zhang replied that it’s just another form for him to take part in OG 2008. Although he wanted to play in the home event himself, it’s also joyful to help younger players to win gold medals with his rich experience. ##CONTINUE##

“Attention, please. Before giving out training proposal today, I officially declare that Zhang Jun becomes the new coach of women doubles”, said Mr. Tian Bingyi, the head coach of women doubles.

“And I hope you all coordinate with him well. Ok, let’s applause for him”, Tian added.

“You should come here earlier.” His teammate Gao Ling gave him a welcome.

“Thank you all”, Zhang Jun replied. With this short word, Z hang began his coach career. It was August 27th, 2007.

How to call him is a problem to women singles players

They all felt happy with Zhang Jun being their new coach for they were familiar and got well along with him when Zhang was a player. Because of knowing well, they didn’t know how to call him when he became their coach. So they made fun of the new badminton coach.

“It is too formal to call you Director Zhang. How about Director Jun?” Zhang Yawen asked Zhang Jun.

But this was negated by Gao Ling at once.

“I would never call him Director. I just call him Fat”, said Gao.

“Is Director Fat ok?” someone suggested.

They burst into a spasm of laughter.

Zhang Jun came over and told them to do the preparation well without any words.

“He is something like a coach”, someone continued.

Nevertheless, it’s just a joke. They all respected the new badminton coach on the court.

Learn to analyze the video tape of techniques

Being a badminton coach, Zhang Jun had to analyze the video tape of techniques for players. The differences between player and coach were showing here. When he was a player, it’s ok to know the main idea of the techniques. But as a coach, it’s essential for him to know the details. He preferred watch the video for more times to find out the opponent’s custom behavior and shortcomings. Then he was more confident to give the guidance to players.

Supervise the players’ sleep from being supervised

In Chinese badminton team, it is the coach’s duty to make players sleep on time. At 10:00 on the night, Zhang had to inspect the players door to door. As being a player, he often continued to use his computer after coach left. But now in order not to forget inspection, he reminds himself with an alarm clock.

Different from the two older coaches Tian Bingyi and Bing Jiande, Zhang Jun always walked around while directing the players training. He said that he was a little bit tired after a class of training. It came mentally, not physically.

As for Zhang Jun, the badminton shuttlecock has been changed into a notebook full of training proposal.

“Although I have no opportunity to play on Olympic court any more, I will try my best to help my players to score titles in the home event. Their champion dream is the same as my dream.” The former Olympic badminton mixed double winner gave a brief conclusion.