🏸

Lesson 3 - Tactical Serving & Positioning

Fundamentals to Competition Tactics

•

Year 5

•

Badminton

•

1h 2min

Big Question

How can I use different serves and court positioning to outsmart my opponent in badminton?

Learning Objectives

To move quickly into position to consistently return shuttles
To serve with accuracy using long and short serves
To demonstrate specific tactical awareness in game situations

Key Outcomes

Students will be able to use chassé movements to move efficiently around the court
Students will demonstrate tactical serving by varying length and placement
Students will show awareness of space and positioning during rallies

Equipment & Resources Required

Badminton Rackets

4-6

Check all rackets for string tension and handle grip

Alternative: Tennis rackets or short tennis rackets if badminton rackets unavailable

Balls

8-10 per team (60 total)

Test shuttles for flight consistency, replace damaged ones

Alternative: Foam shuttles for beginners, plastic shuttles for outdoor use

Cones

Use bright colours for clear visibility

Alternative: Bean bags or markers for court boundaries

Benches

4-6

Position at net height (1.5m) for practice courts

Alternative: Rope or elastic bands for makeshift nets

Key Vocabulary

Chassé movement

A sliding step movement where one foot leads and the other follows, maintaining court balance

Tactical awareness

Understanding where to place shots and position yourself to gain advantage over opponent

Ready position

Balanced stance with weight on balls of feet, racket up, ready to move in any direction

Long serve

A high, deep serve that lands near the back boundary line

Short serve

A low serve that just clears the net and lands near the front service line

Overhead clear

A high defensive shot hit above the head to the back of the opponent's court

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic badminton grip and stance
Simple forehand striking
Understanding of court boundaries

Current Skills

Chassé movement technique
Long and short serving accuracy
Tactical awareness and positioning

Next Steps

Advanced shot selection
Defensive positioning strategies
Competition game play

Milestone Indicators

Consistent shuttle contact with racket

Deliberate serve placement to different court areas

Quick recovery to ready position after shots

Key Teaching Points

Tactical awareness develops through varied serve placement and reading opponent positioning
Chassé movements provide efficient, balanced court coverage for consistent shuttle returns
Ready position with weight on balls of feet enables quick movement in any direction
Long serves create opportunities by forcing opponents to back boundary line
Short serves can catch opponents off-guard when mixed with long serve tactics
Partnership cooperation and coaching accelerates individual skill development
Self-assessment and reflection consolidate tactical learning and identify improvement areas

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'Power is more important than placement in badminton' - Correct: Tactical placement and accuracy are more effective than raw power
Misconception: 'Always use the same serve that works' - Correct: Serve variation prevents opponents from anticipating and countering effectively
Misconception: 'Ready position means standing still' - Correct: Ready position involves active balance with weight on balls of feet, ready to move dynamically
Misconception: 'Overhead clear should be hit downward' - Correct: Overhead clear requires high arc trajectory to reach back court effectively
Misconception: 'Good badminton players don't need to move their feet' - Correct: Efficient footwork and court positioning are fundamental to consistent play

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Frequent activity changes, clear short instructions, movement breaks built in, positive behaviour reinforcement, defined personal space

dyspraxia

Larger equipment where helpful, reduced complexity of movements initially, extra practice time, clear step-by-step demonstrations, celebrating small improvements

autism spectrum

Clear lesson structure explained at start, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available for breaks, consistent routines and expectations

visual impairment

Use bright coloured shuttles and cones, clear verbal descriptions of court layout, tactile court boundary markers, buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations prioritised, hand signals for game rules, written instruction cards, visual cues for scoring and rotation

physical disability

Seated badminton variations, adapted racket handles, larger/slower shuttles, modified court sizes and rules as appropriate

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting rally totals, measuring serve distances, calculating success percentages, angles of shuttle flight and court geometry

Science

Forces in badminton - gravity affecting shuttle flight, air resistance on shuttle, biomechanics of serving action, heart rate during exercise

Geography

Court directions and spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns around court, understanding angles and positioning

PSHE

Partnership cooperation and communication, dealing with competitive pressure, celebrating others' success, honest self-assessment

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around perimeter for visibility of all pairs, position centrally during demonstrations, close observation during competitive phases

Observation Focus

Watch for tactical decision making, serve accuracy development, safe movement patterns, positive partnership behaviour

Intervention Points

Step in if students struggling with tactical concepts, unsafe racket work, or partnership difficulties

Demonstration Notes

Exaggerate serve actions for clear visibility, use students as examples when demonstrating excellent technique, show tactical placement clearly

Verbal Cues

•'Racket high, strike up!'
•'Ready position - bouncy feet!'
•'Vary your serves - keep them guessing!'
•'Move to the shuttle, don't let it come to you!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 15m sports hall or large gymnasium space with 3m minimum ceiling height

Surface Check

Non-slip surface, free from obstacles, adequate grip for quick movements

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all racket strings for tension and safety
•Inspect racket handles for grip security
•Ensure shuttlecocks are in good condition for flight safety
•Cone placement secure and visible

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collision between students during movement activities
•Racket contact with other students during swings
•Slips and falls during quick direction changes
•Eye injury from shuttle impact

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries and adequate spacing established throughout
•Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
•Constant awareness of other students' positions
•Emphasis on controlled movements before speed

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all students during activities
•Monitor high-activity areas during competitive games
•Ensure students maintain safe spacing during overhead shots

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess injury appropriately, apply first aid as trained, contact school procedures for significant injuries