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Lesson 3 - Rally Skills and Tactical Awareness

Skills & Tactics Progression

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Year 4

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Badminton

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Big Question

How can we use different shot types and court positioning to win rallies in badminton?

Learning Objectives

To develop quick movement to position effectively for shuttle returns
To demonstrate overhead, forehand and backhand shots during rally play
To understand the difference between active and passive rallies and apply tactical awareness

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate improved positioning and shot variety in rally situations
Students will distinguish between active and passive rally strategies
Students will show tactical awareness through court positioning and shot selection

Equipment & Resources Required

Badminton Rackets

4-6 courts

Check strings are intact and grips are secure before distribution

Alternative: Short tennis rackets, table tennis bats for modified play

Balls

50+ (plastic preferred for durability)

Place in central collection hoops for easy access

Alternative: Foam balls, balloons for beginners

Hoops

10 (for nests in warm-up)

Space evenly around activity area for team bases

Alternative: Cones, markers, designated zones

Cones

20 (various colours)

Use for court boundaries and target areas

Alternative: Markers, spots, boundaries

Key Vocabulary

Rally

A sequence of shots played by both players until one player fails to return the shuttle or hits it into the net/out of court

Active Rally

A rally where players try to hit the shuttle to the ground to win a point through attacking shots

Passive Rally

A rally where players focus on keeping the shuttlecock airborne and maintaining the rally

Overhead Shot

A shot played above head height, typically used for clearing or smashing

Forehand

A shot played with the palm of the racket hand facing the direction of the shot

Backhand

A shot played with the back of the racket hand facing the direction of the shot

Tactical Awareness

Understanding when and where to hit shots to gain advantage over your opponent

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic racket grip and control
Simple shuttle hitting techniques
Understanding of court boundaries

Current Skills

Quick movement to shuttle position
Overhead, forehand and backhand shot execution
Rally maintenance and tactical awareness

Next Steps

Advanced shot placement and strategy
Complex rally patterns and game tactics
Competitive match play application

Milestone Indicators

Consistent shuttle contact in different positions

Sustained rallies of 5+ shots

Evidence of tactical shot selection

Key Teaching Points

Emphasise the difference between cooperative passive rallies and competitive active rallies
Develop tactical awareness through varied shot placement and court positioning
Build rally skills progressively from hand-feeding to competitive game application
Focus on decision-making and strategic thinking rather than just technique
Encourage peer observation and feedback to develop analytical skills
Balance individual skill development with partner cooperation
Use self-assessment to develop reflective learning habits

Common Misconceptions

Thinking rallies always require maximum power - correct with emphasis on control and placement
Believing active rallies mean hitting as hard as possible - teach tactical shot selection instead
Assuming good players never make mistakes - highlight learning from errors and continuous improvement
Thinking tactical awareness is too advanced for Year 4 - demonstrate through simple decision-making examples

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity segments with regular changes, clear boundaries and movement patterns, frequent positive feedback

dyspraxia

Larger/slower shuttles for easier tracking, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time for coordination development

autism spectrum

Provide clear routine structure, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet zones available if needed

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured shuttles and rackets, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, implement buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Use clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for communication during play

physical disability

Modify court size for wheelchair access, adapt racket grip if needed, allow seated play variations

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting rally shots, measuring court distances, calculating angles of shot placement and geometry of court positioning

Science

Forces and motion in shuttle flight paths, gravity effects on shuttle trajectory, energy transfer in racket to shuttle contact

Geography

Spatial awareness and court positioning, directions and angles of shot placement, mapping movement patterns around court

PSHE

Partnership cooperation, fair play and sportsmanship, resilience when facing challenges, managing competitive emotions

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around court perimeters for optimal viewing of all pairs, avoid standing in playing areas

Observation Focus

Watch for tactical decision-making evidence, shot variety usage, and cooperative/competitive balance

Intervention Points

Step in when safety concerns arise, when students struggle with concept understanding, or when pairs need technique guidance

Demonstration Notes

Use skilled student pairs for peer demonstrations, show clear contrast between active and passive rallies, emphasise decision-making process

Verbal Cues

•'High and gentle for passive rallies!'
•'Look for the space!'
•'Where's the best place to hit it?'
•'Think tactically!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m hall space, multiple court areas with nets at appropriate height

Surface Check

Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and debris

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all racket strings are intact and handles secure
•Ensure shuttlecocks are in good condition without broken feathers
•Verify net heights are appropriate and nets are stable
•Confirm hoops and cones are positioned safely

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Racket collisions during enthusiastic play
•Slips when moving quickly to return shots
•Eye injuries from shuttlecocks at close range
•Trips over nets or court markers

Risk Mitigation

•Adequate spacing between courts to prevent racket contact
•Clear boundaries and safe movement patterns established
•Emphasis on controlled movement rather than maximum speed
•Progressive skill building from cooperative to competitive

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility across all court areas
•Monitor competitive intensity to ensure safety remains priority
•Watch for signs of fatigue affecting technique and safety
•Ensure fair play and appropriate challenge levels

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid support, contact emergency services if required