🏸

Lesson 6 - Tournament Play and Assessment

Strategic Play Development

•

Year 3

•

Badminton

•

45 min

Big Question

How can I demonstrate tactical awareness and fair play when competing in badminton tournaments?

Learning Objectives

To demonstrate tactical awareness during competitive badminton play
To umpire and keep score accurately in badminton games
To embody school games values during tournament play

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate specific tactical awareness during competitive play
Students will accurately keep score and officiate badminton games
Students will display passion, respect, honesty, determination, self-belief and teamwork

Equipment & Resources Required

Badminton Rackets

4-6 nets for multiple courts

Check strings are intact and grips are secure before lesson

Alternative: Shorter junior rackets for students struggling with standard length

Balls

55 (mix of feather and plastic)

Keep extras available as shuttlecocks may be damaged during intense play

Alternative: Foam shuttles for beginners, slower shuttles for control practice

Markers Cones

32 cones (8 per court)

Use different colours for service courts and boundaries

Alternative: Chalk lines on suitable surfaces, tape for indoor courts

Coloured Cones

4 different colours

Place in corners for self-assessment activity

Alternative: Coloured bibs or markers

Stopwatch

2-3 timers

For timing game rotations and warm-up activities

Alternative: Smartphone timer apps

Hoops

7 hoops

Large enough to hold multiple shuttlecocks

Alternative: Marked circles on floor using cones

Video Device

Tablet or camera

For capturing student performance for assessment evidence

Alternative: Smartphone for video recording

Key Vocabulary

Tactical awareness

The ability to make smart decisions about shot selection and court positioning based on the game situation

Umpire

The official who makes decisions about rules and keeps score during a match

Tournament

A competition format where multiple players or teams compete to find an overall winner

Service court

The specific diagonal area where the shuttlecock must land when serving

Underarm serve

A badminton serve hit below waist height with racket head pointing downward

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic badminton strokes (forehand, backhand, serve)
Understanding of court layout and basic rules
Experience playing cooperative rallies and mini-games

Current Skills

Tournament play with tactical decision-making
Accurate scorekeeping and officiating
Demonstrating sportsmanship under competitive pressure

Next Steps

Advanced tactical play including deception
Coaching and mentoring younger students
Participation in inter-school competitions

Milestone Indicators

Consistently makes tactical shot choices during rallies

Accurately keeps score throughout entire games

Demonstrates all school games values during competitive play

Key Teaching Points

Tactical awareness is demonstrated through shot selection based on opponent position and game situation
Accurate scoring requires calling server's score first, followed by receiver's score
School games values should be evident throughout competitive play, not just when winning
Officiating builds confidence and rule understanding - encourage honest, fair decisions
Tournament format should emphasise improvement and participation over just winning
Self-assessment helps students understand their own learning journey and set future goals
Connection to community clubs provides pathway for continued participation beyond school

Common Misconceptions

Students think tactical awareness only means hitting hard - emphasise placement and variety
Belief that only winners demonstrate good play - highlight effort and improvement throughout
Assumption that officiating is easy - help students understand the skill and responsibility involved
Thinking that school games values only matter when someone is watching - embed throughout play
Misconception that competitive play reduces fun - show how fair competition enhances enjoyment

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Frequent position changes in tournament, clear boundaries, immediate positive feedback for good choices

dyspraxia

Simplified scoring systems, larger targets, more time for rule processing, peer support partnerships

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure, visual schedule of tournament progression, quiet space available for breaks

visual impairment

Use bright, high-contrast shuttlecocks, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, audio signals for game boundaries

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for start/stop, hand signals for scoring, written rule summaries available

physical disability

Adapted rackets with larger grips, shorter court dimensions, seated play options, modified scoring systems

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication during officiating, explaining rules and tactics to others, vocabulary development

Maths

Scorekeeping and addition, tournament bracket organisation, timing and measuring court dimensions

Science

Forces and motion in shuttlecock flight, reaction times in competitive play, energy systems during exercise

Geography

Court layout and spatial awareness, understanding directions for tactical play

PSHE

Competition pressure management, fair play and respect, celebrating success and handling disappointment

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central location during tournament with clear sight lines to all courts, mobile during practice phases

Observation Focus

Tactical decision-making during rallies, demonstration of school games values, rule understanding and application

Intervention Points

Step in for unsafe play, mediate rule disputes, provide tactical coaching during natural breaks

Demonstration Notes

Use slow-motion demonstrations for complex rules, emphasise tactical examples during live play, model positive sportsmanship

Verbal Cues

•'Think about your shot choice!'
•'Where is your opponent standing?'
•'Great tactical thinking!'
•'Remember our school games values!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor hall or outdoor courts with minimum 12m x 8m per court, adequate ceiling height for high shots

Surface Check

Non-slip surface free from water, debris or damaged areas that could cause falls

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Inspect racket strings for breaks that could cause injury
•Check racket grips are secure and not slippery
•Ensure shuttlecocks are in good condition without sharp or broken parts
•Verify net height and stability before use

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Racket collisions during energetic play
•Trips or falls during rapid direction changes
•Eye injuries from shuttlecock contact
•Overexertion during competitive tournament play

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries prevent collisions between games
•Controlled warm-up prepares muscles for activity
•Emphasis on controlled movement rather than maximum speed
•Regular breaks during tournament to prevent fatigue

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to observe multiple courts during tournament
•Monitor for signs of fatigue or emotional distress
•Ensure safe equipment handling throughout lesson

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess injury severity, apply appropriate first aid, seek additional support if needed