Culture of Playing Badminton as Symbol of Leadership Behavior in

Society

Amat Komari

, Lantip Diat Prasojo

Sport Education Department, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Jl. Colombo No.1 Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Faculty of Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Jl. Colombo No.1 Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Keywords: Culture, Badminton, Symbol of leadership

Abstract: As “homo ludens", someone does various games to meet the demands of life related to the harmony

between physical and spiritual. For people who are physically exhausted while playing music or

psychically weak doing sport games, they can play badminton. Nowadays, people play badminton for

getting: 1. achievement, 2. fitness, 3. socialization, and 4. environmental adaptation. Nobody has played

badminton for leadership. Thus, this research aims at discussing "Culture of Playing Badminton as a

Symbol of Leadership in Society". For people who has the culture in playing badminton, they are able to

create leadership values from the tools of badminton, such as: 1. knowing the boundaries of the area in

which he/ she is responsible, 2. having limit in the authority in governing, 3. building networks, 4.

obeying the norms, regulations and laws, 5. having depth scientific knowledge, 6. being able to keep the

subordinates’ or leaders’ secret, 7. making decisions using subtle ways, 8. being obedience to the

leaders, 9. directing the subordinates to use their heart.

1 INTRODUCTION

Culture is human reasoning. Therefore, culture is

created by humans for themselves and for the next

generation. Culture can educate the next generation

in the environment where they live. In general,

humans are happy with playing activities that can be

used as a harmony of life. For those who are

physically exhausted, playing music can restore their

physical fitness. On the other hand, for those who

are psychologically exhausted, they need to play

activities involving muscles so that they can move a

lot. Thus, the physical fitness will quickly be

recovered. Physical and mental stability need to be

balanced in creating the comfort life and being more

optimistic in looking at the more meaningful future.

There are some characteristics of the playing

activities: 1. It brings pleasure to the performer, 2. It

is performed in leisure time, 3. It is self-selected

activities, 4. Satisfaction is obtained in the process

of the ongoing activities, 5. There is no sanction if it

is not done, 6. It is done in unscheduled time, 7. It

has positive values.

Now, there are various playing activities

available such as: football, volleyball, basketball,

badminton, tennis, table tennis, handball, sepak

takraw, gymnastics, martial arts, futsal, jogging

running, cycling games and other traditional games

that contain seven kinds the characteristics of

playing as mentioned above.

From the various sports mentioned above, the

only high achievement that can be achieved by

Indonesian athletes in the international forum is

badminton. From this sport, Indonesia can obtain the

gold medal in Olympic. In this case, Indonesian

badminton athletes have several strengths over the

competitors, as they are able to: a. outperform the

competitors in a competition, b. lead the score until

the game ends, c. show intelligence in applying

tactics and competitive strategies, d. show the excess

ability of physical conditions, e. analyze the

strengths and weaknesses of the opponent's game,

and, f. show the spirit of never give up competing

like a warlord leader.

Many people, like the community, fans, parents

of the badminton athletes, some KKO (special sports

classes) athletes, and university students still do not

see the relation between the game and the leadership

value. Therefore, the researcher conducted this

scientific study entitled "Culture of Playing

658

Komari, A. and Prasojo, L.

Culture of Playing Badminton as Symbol of Leadership Behavior in Society.

DOI: 10.5220/0009800406580663

In Proceedings of the 3rd Yogyakarta International Seminar on Health, Physical Education, and Sport Science in conjunction with the 2nd Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach in Sports

(YISHPESS and CoIS 2019), pages 658-663

ISBN: 978-989-758-457-2

Badminton as A Symbol of Leadership Behavior in

Society".

How can the net, shuttlecock, and rackets as the

badminton elements contribute in building the

leadership value in a community?

There are interactions between individuals and

their environment in playing a game. According to

Sudira (2011: 3), the concept of Balinese special

values is that the balance between humans and the

environment is called palemahan. In this case,

humans must maintain the environment, for

example, if you find a snake, do not kill it because

the snake can reduce mice that act as the rice plant

pests. In puppet (wayang), according to

Nurgiyantoro (2011: 21), the principle of balance

emphasizes the balance between the microcosm and

the macrocosm, between those above (gods) and

those below (humans and other creatures). From this

statement, the balance can be also between the

subordinates and the superiors which is reflected in

daily interactions in an institution/ organization/

community.

When children play "Jejamuran", they move

hand in hand so that there is no distance between

one child and the other children. They have fun

playing Jejamuran accompanied by the song of

dolanan (Javanese traditional game). Kuswarno

(2011: 3) states that the language used by

anthropologists is "the conceptual code of

knowledge systems providing the ability of speakers

to produce and understand speech". Here, language

can reflect the ability of the human mind. Thus, it

can express the implicit symbols in the game, like

the values, norms, characters. Besides, it works as

guidelines for human life in organization. It is

similar in badminton games. Thus, it can be used as

a symbol of leadership in the society.

According to Sukamti (2007: 56), locomotor

ability is the ability to move the body from one place

to another such as walking, jumping, jumping,

gliding and so on. Running, jumping, gliding

activities actually have been done by our ancestors

in doing games in the past.

Badminton is part of Indonesian culture; thus,

many Indonesian people have good skill in playing

the game. They are enthusiastic when it comes to

badminton. Although they are not in a good

condition, they still play the game as the therapy to

make their body fresh. The values in badminton

have been integrated in the attitude of someone’s

personality and even in solving problems in life.

Therefore, badminton players have been ingrained

and become entrenched with the game.

According to Marzali (2007), a culture of

individual behavior is passed down from one

generation to the next. In line with this, it seems that

the culture in playing badminton needs to be

conveyed to the public, fans, spectators, supporters,

and players from beginner to veterans because there

are many people who still do not understand that

badminton game serves as leadership symbols.

According to Jumadi (2014: 108), the cultural

approach is informal, ‘bottom- up’ arising from the

awareness and commitment rooted in every citizen

that are permanent and requires a long time. This

opinion is in line with the experience in playing

badminton which is done voluntarily. Besides, it

obtains some benefits that can be felt, like the

convenient feeling. According to Kaplan (2002: 82),

cultural activities are functional when it contributes

to the adaptation or adjustment of certain systems.

This seems to be in line with the wishes of parents

whose children love to play badminton.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

According Sukmadinata (2010: 62), ethnographic

studies describe and interpret culture and social

groups or systems. Here, the focus of badminton

performance is the pride of the Indonesian people.

The culture of playing badminton is inherited from

their ancestors which is increasingly advanced.

Thus, it shows the quality improvement along with

the progress of human thought. It will not be wrong

if culture is related to human reasoning that can

bring something new. An example of human

creativity is in making sambal (traditional chili

sauce), with the ability to think if able to unite some

of God's creations such as chili, garlic, shallots, salt,

shrimp paste into sambal. Therefore, culture can take

the form of a combination of available material

(God's creation/ Allah) with the creativity of human

thought. Another example is the wood from the

forest which is created as pulpit in Friday Prayer.

Hence, the wood has a better shape, wider uses, a

higher value, and many benefits obtained by

humans. On this basis, culture is dynamic since it

always develops in accordance with the level of

progress of human thought.

The advances in technology have made the

human works easier, with various tools used to

fulfill the people’s daily needs. Likewise, the

badminton game of a champion's movements is

effective and efficient based on thought. A

champion's thoughts are reflected in the performance

of the tactics exhibited in the hall. For example,

Culture of Playing Badminton as Symbol of Leadership Behavior in Society

659

Indonesian badminton players who proclaimed

jumping smash is Liem Swie King.

Indeed, at that time, there were no badminton

players who smashed while jumping. Having good

physical condition elements and having a

shuttlecock hitting technique that is near perfect,

Liem Swie King was able to combine several

elements of leg muscle strength, back muscle

strength, arm muscle strength, swinging speed of the

hand, and taking the right time (timing) to touch the

shuttlecock to make new technique, the jumping

smash. This kind of creativity can create a culture of

Jumping Smash. The speed of the shuttlecock of the

players when doing smash while jumping is getting

faster because the power of hitting the shuttlecock is

still coupled with body weight floating in the air

which adds the power of shuttlecock collision when

leaving the racket.

Coaches and tacticians around the world

certainly pay attention to the new phenomena that

are so horrendous, so they think to solve them. By

watching the jumping smash video, the competitors

can imitate the jumping smash movement that is the

main important aspect in defeating the opponents.

Thus, the activity in analyzing the Liem Swie King

technique proves that there is development in the

civilized human thought.

Gradually, through human thought, the culture of

playing badminton can be renewed by humans/ the

performers. These changes can be in several aspects;

they are (1) physical ability, (2) technical ability, (3)

tactic ability, (4) mental attitude of personality, (5)

playing maturity or playing maturity, (6) evaluation

of badminton games, and (7) values contained in

badminton games.

In general, the cultural heritage of playing

badminton exists in wide areas of the country and it

is lasted enough to form a culture of its own.

According to Gazalba in Siswoyo (2014: 19), culture

is a way of thinking and feeling that includes oneself

in all aspects of life from a group of people who

form social unity in one space and time. According

to Joesoef in Siswoyo (2014: 19), culture is a living

value system. In harmony with that, the badminton

contains social values as well as religious and health

aspects. For example, when playing badminton, the

focus is to gain victory (champion), health, fitness,

and friends. In subsequent developments according

to Komari (2015), along with the development of

tactics, strategies and skills to play badminton, wider

appreciation can also be taken from badminton. In

line with the statement, badminton is now growing

and can function as follows.

2.1 Playing Badminton to Turn

Opponents into Friends

Playing badminton needs at least two people. Thus,

there must be friends who accompany to play. When

playing this game, what comes in mind is how to

defeat the opponent. If the opponents are very

strong, then sometimes there is a feeling of being

defeated before competing. Therefore, a player

needs to change the view. If a player meets a new

friend having good badminton playing skills, he/ she

must be happy. The higher the opponent’s skill

level, the tighter the relationship of the players.

Therefore, in a competition against an opponent

whose skills far exceed the player’s skills, the player

is happier because he/ she is not afraid to lose.

By knowing the skills of the new friend in facing

competition, someone can learn. With enthusiasm

for learning, the player needs to always chase where

the shuttlecock is directed by the playmate. In the

middle of the game, the player continues to think if

he/ she is defeated by just four blows, then in the

next game try not to lose four hits. Although being

defeated in the match, but the player gains some

progress. Therefore, by changing the mindset of the

opponent as the playmate, the player may not be

afraid of losing and be brave in facing the opponent.

2.2 Playing Badminton Can Be Used as

a Medium of Worship

When a badminton player fails to return the

shuttlecock, he/ she spontaneously says

"Astaghfirullah"; on the contrary, the opponent says

"Alhamdulillah". Thus, when playing badminton, it

is like a person who is solemnly performing

worship. Conversely, when the player fails to return

the shuttlecock across the net, he/ she asks for

forgiveness from the Almighty by saying

"astaghfirullah". Thus, the badminton hall for

someone whose culture of playing badminton has

advanced can be utilized for the means of worship.

2.3 The Game of Badminton as a

Powerful Tool for Children's

Behavior Therapy

One example of a true story about a teenage girl who

won second place in the O2SN (Student Olympics

Game) 2012 junior high school badminton. She

wanted to take part in the O2SN 2013 championship.

Thus, one week before the championship, her

parents intensively accompanied and continuously

YISHPESS and CoIS 2019 - The 3rd Yogyakarta International Seminar on Health, Physical Education, and Sport Science (YISHPESS

2019) in conjunction with The 2nd Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach in Sports (CoIS 2019)

660

conditioned her so that her mind was clear, behaving

in a good personality. She won the semi-finals and

continued to the final round.

However, as the nature of a teenager, on the

night before the finals, due to certain circumstances

and conditions, she had uncontrolled temper

tantrums when arguing with her mother and closed

the car by slamming the door hard (the father felt

something like it could affect the final match

tomorrow morning). Unfortunately, the final was

only attended by his mother. Before competing, the

player warmed up and prayed as usual. Her mother

also prayed and her father asked for forgiveness to

the Almighty for the behavior of the teenager on the

night before the finals.

The father prayed by doing 6 rokaat sunnah

prayers before the final match began. In the final

match, the mother reported that the teenager did

many mistakes and she lost the game; her father

accepted gracefully without any critic. In the

evening after dinner, her father just asked the

teenager, “how was the final match?”. She answered

that the shuttlecock came out inaccurately as usual.

Her father asked whether she and her mother prayed

or not. She answered that they prayed. The father

even though he did not watch the match, he also

prayed. The big question was why we have prayed

but why it was not blessed by God the Almighty.

The child was just silent. The father asked her last

night, “why were you angry at your mother?”. He

also said that things like this should not be done to a

mother, then the prayer of the mother and father was

not granted. Therefore, the hand's blow was not

tolerated by Allah, so many shuttlecocks came out of

the field. He added that to be granted Allah, a

champion must have good behavior, not like what

you showed last night. The child was silent without

words, only her eyes filled with glass "Can you

understand the mistakes you made? There was no

verbal answer, only the movement of the chin

approaching the chest as the answer.

2.4 Have the Philosophy Value Needed

by All Human Beings

According to Komari (2008: 98), when playing

badminton in doubles, a player should not make the

partner having difficulty in returning the opponent's

stroke. This case can be implemented in a family

life. A father does not complicate his wife nor does

the wife. She will not make a difficult situation for

her husband. If family members can behave like the

cooperation of two badminton players, then this

philosophical value will become the desire of all

humanity.

3 BADMINTON CAN BE USED

TO DETERMINE THE

CRITERIA FOR A LEADER

As a person who likes playing badminton, someone

can see badminton game so deeply that he/she can

adopt badminton into his/ her life; one of which is

leadership. According to Gibson (1997: 2) there is

no factor that provides more benefits to an

organization than effective leadership. Given the

importance of leadership in an organization in

society, it will not be excessive if badminton can be

used for leadership approaches.

Badminton needs net, shuttlecock and racket

tools. Surely, the three tools can be used to explain

the similarity to leadership behavior. The three

badminton game tools will be discussed one by one

below. Related to the net in badminton game, people

may think that it is only to limit the players, but for

players implementing the culture in playing

badminton (won, being trained, being coached,

researched and helped making children keen on

badminton), badminton net can give a deeper

philosophical understanding. The detailed

description can be seen below.

3.1 The First Meaning of the Net is to

Understand Boundaries of the Area

for Which it is Responsible

Hall/ field as the place to play badminton in

badminton game which is from the net to the

boundary line, is the area that must be controlled by

a badminton player. The analogy for this in real life,

a leader must know how wide the boundaries and the

areas of his responsibility must be secured so that he

can provide security and comfort for all his citizens.

3.2 The Second Meaning of the Net is

as the Authority Limit of a Leader

All badminton players must realize that the front line

of the game area is the net. In making an attack, a

player may do it from the back of the field, the

middle or the front, but may not cross the net. If the

players move forward and touch the net, it will be

declared as a foul (the game is considered off).

Culture of Playing Badminton as Symbol of Leadership Behavior in Society

661

A player who swings a racket/ hits the

shuttlecock over the net is considered over net (the

stroke is considered wrong). Equivalent with the

statement, a leader in working must know how the

limits of his authority as crossing the net is someone

else's authority.

3.3 The Third Meaning of Net is

Building a Network (Networking)

In the modern era like today, someone is always

bound to network. In this case a leader must build a

network (networking), establish partnerships, and

cooperate with external parties. By building

togetherness with partners, we can smile where the

partners are. With many partners who put sympathy

on us, it will add the strength of the legitimacy of the

leadership.

3.4 The Fourth Meaning of the Net is

to Protect Themselves from Enemy

Attacks

For common people, the badminton net functions as

a divider between the two players. For those whose

culture of playing badminton is high, the net is used

to protect themselves from attacks (hard smashes

from opponents). When facing an opponent whose

smashes are very hard, a player needs to implement

tactics to avoid the excess strength by making a rule

by "not allowing to raise or tossing the shuttlecock"

so that the opponent cannot attack. The rule must be

obeyed. If it is not obeyed, the opponent can

certainly attack. In leadership, to make the leader

does not get attacked, he/ she must run the agreed

rules, including the laws/ regulations.

3.5 The Fifth Interpretation of the Net

Shows the Quality of a Leader's

Scientific Depth

The closer the shuttlecock is placed, the more

difficult it is to return. Thus, a badminton player

who is able to put/ direct the shuttlecock closer to

the net in the rally stage shows better quality skills.

Corresponding to the above explanation, a leader in

his/ her area of authority has the highest position,

thus, it is appropriate if he has high qualifications as

well. In leading an institution to be able to have high

quality of thought, a leader must always explore, do

research, serve and have a spirit of renewal. This

reflects the quality of the depth knowledge of a

leader.

3.6 The Meaning of the Net is to Hide

Secret Weapons

At the top of the badminton net, there is a 4 cm thick

white ribbon. For common people, this ribbon is

only seen to strengthen the net and clarify the height

of the net being. However, for those having deep

understanding in playing badminton, the white

ribbon can be used to hide their opponents' view of

the racket when it is moved. Thus, the net band can

be used to store weapons. As a leader, someone must

be able to keep the secrets of his/ her subordinates,

institutions and state secrets.

3.7 The Seventh Net Interpretation of

the Net Game is the Subtle Strength

In various sports, if someone wants to beat an

opponent, to add the acquisition of the score or to

win the game, he/ she usually uses maximum

strength, for example: 1). In the high jump and long

jump, to win the game, an athlete must use

maximum strength. Therefore, the player can reach

his/ her highest or farthest jump. 2). In football, to

make the penalty kick is hard to be caught by the

goalkeeper, then a kicker needs to use his/ her

maximum power.

In badminton, it is difficult to beat the opponent

when a player wants to end a rally using hard smash

(a lot of energy expended), especially in a double

play. It is because the opponents can easily return a

hard smash. However, if they use the minimum

power using soft netting, the shuttlecock can roll on

the edge of the opponent's net and the opponents

may find it difficult to return it. According to

Komari (2018: 60), the players who are able to

master the netting game are more likely to win the

match. This can be understood if the netting game

performed can make the shuttlecock roll above the

net surface, it will certainly end a rally being played.

When a leader in the meetings/ dialogues uses

violence, the leader may find it difficult to make

decisions (many opposing). However, if the leader

uses subtle ways (like in the netting game) by

touching the heart and not offending the feelings, the

decision will be easier to make (stop the dialogue

politely).

3.8 Shuttlecock Describes Someone's

Obedience to the Superiors

The next tool used in badminton as an object being

hit by a racket is the shuttlecock. The nature of the

YISHPESS and CoIS 2019 - The 3rd Yogyakarta International Seminar on Health, Physical Education, and Sport Science (YISHPESS

2019) in conjunction with The 2nd Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach in Sports (CoIS 2019)

662

shuttlecock is following the will of the batter. If it is

ordered to be at the corner of the field, then the

shuttlecock will go to the corner of the field. If it is

ordered to be close to the net, it will be near the net.

The smarter someone is in playing badminton, of

course, the better someone is in directing the

shuttlecock. Thus, the shuttlecock can be directed in

the direction that is empty.

A leader who has a trait like a shuttlecock is

obedient to the orders of the superiors or leaders.

The analogy of the nature of shuttlecocks means that

a leader has high obedience towards the orders of

his/her superiors. To make the institution runs well,

a leader indeed wants obedient subordinates.

3.9 The Third Equipment is a Racket

Describing the Heart of a Leader

A good badminton player uses a racket to hit the

shuttlecock from various positions and does not feel

significant difficulties. A skillful player in using a

racket is able to take a hit from various positions,

situations and conditions but the direction of the

shuttlecock remains under control. Movement to hit

the shuttlecock is symbolized by the player’s heart,

so that the player feels "relieved" if the hit is in

accordance with the direction or will.

Based on experience in the match, if someone

hits or directs the shuttlecock, it does not only rely

on the skill of the hand itself, but it symbolizes the

heart as a controller. Therefore, directed shuttlecock

seems having a spirit or soul. The moving

shuttlecock seems to have an eye towards the target

that makes the opponent difficult to return it and not

to complicate the players themselves. With a good

racket, you can direct the shuttlecock carefully. A

good heart can lead to the enlightenment of

Almighty God. The racket of a leader is a heart

because this heart never lies to its master.

4 CONCLUSIONS

Based on the description of the three types of

equipment used to play badminton, it can be

concluded that a leader has the following criteria: 1).

knowing the boundaries of the area in which he/ she

is responsible, 2). having limit of authority in

governing, 3). building network or networking, 4).

obeying the norms, regulations and laws, 5). having

depth scientific knowledge, 6). being able to keep

secret of institution colleagues and even the state, 7).

making decisions using a subtle way, 8). being

obedience to the leaders, 9). directing subordinates

to use their heart.

REFERENCES

Amat Komari, (2003), Keuntungan Pemain Berpostur

Tubuh Pendek dalam Permainan bulutangkis. Majalah

Olahraga, Edisi Desember: Fakultas Ilmu

Keolahragaan, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

Amat Komari, (2004) Manajemen Strategis Dalam

Sebuah Klub Olahraga di Tingkat Pengcab: Jurnal

Nasional Pendidikan Jasmani dan Ilmu Keolahragaan,

ProyekPengembangan Keserasian Kebijakan Olahraga

Direktorat Jenderal Pendidikan Olahraga Departemen

Pendidikan Nasional

Amat Komari, (2015) Budaya Bermain Bulutangkis

Mengilhami Kepemimpinan di Perguruan Tinggi:

Proseding Seminar Nasional LPTK CUP VII, Fakultas

Ilmu Keolahragaan Universitas Negeri Makassar

Amat Komari, (2018) Tujuh Sasaran Semes Bulutangkis:

Yogyakarta Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta Press

Amri Marzali, (2007) Antropologi dan Pembangunan

Indonesia, Jakarta: Kencana

Burhan Nurgiyantoro (2011) Wayang Dan Pengembangan

Karakter Bangsa: Jurnal Pendidikan Karakter,

Lembaga Pengembangan dan Penjaminan Mutu

Pendidikan Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

David Kaplan, Robert A Manner (2007) Teori Budaya,

Yogyakarta: Penerbit Pustaka Pelajar

Dwi Siswoyo, (2014) Pendidikan Karakter dalm

Tantangan Pusaran Arus Benturan Krisis

Kebudayaan: Yogyakarta UNY Pres.

Endang Rini Sukamti, (2007) Perkembangan Motorik:

Pendidikan Kepelatihan Olahraga Fakultas Ilmu

Keolahragaan Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta.

Engkus Kuswarno (2011) Metode Penelitian Komunikasi

Etnografi Komunikasi, Bandung: Penerbit Widya

Padjadjaran

Jumadi, (2014) Implementasi Pendidikan Karakter melalui

Pendekatan Kultural: Jurnal Pendidikan Karakter,

Lembaga Pengembangan dan Penjaminan Mutu

Pendidikan Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

Nana Saodih Sukmadinata (2010) Metode Penelitian

Pendidikan, Bandung Penerbit PT Remaja Rosdakarya

Putu Sudira, (2011) Praksis Ideologi Tri Karna Dalam

Struktur Dan Kultur Pendidikan Karakter Kejuruan

Pada SMK Di Bali; Jurnal Pendidikan

Karakter,Lembaga Pengembangan dan Penjaminan

Mutu Pendidikan Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

Culture of Playing Badminton as Symbol of Leadership Behavior in Society

663