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Lesson 5 - Controlling the Game from the Serve

Shot Technique & Strategy

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Year 5

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Badminton

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1h 2min

Big Question

How can we use the serve as a tactical weapon to control the game and create opportunities to win points?

Learning Objectives

Develop accurate and consistent underarm serving technique in badminton
Understand how serve placement can create tactical advantages
Apply serving strategies to control the game from the beginning of each rally

Key Outcomes

Students will serve accurately to diagonal service courts with consistency
Students will demonstrate understanding of how serve placement creates space for subsequent shots
Students will apply tactical serving in game situations to gain advantage over opponents

Equipment & Resources Required

Badminton Rackets

1 per student (30)

Check rackets for damage, ensure appropriate size for Year 5 students

Alternative: Tennis rackets, table tennis bats for initial practice

Balls

7 per court pair

Use plastic shuttlecocks for outdoor play, feather for indoor

Alternative: Foam balls or bean bags for beginners

Cones

Use bright coloured cones for clear court boundaries

Alternative: Markers or chalk for court lines

Hoops

8-12

Place as targets in service courts for accuracy practice

Alternative: Target mats or chalk circles

Scorecards

1 per pair

Laminated cards with dry wipe markers for reuse

Alternative: Clipboards with paper

Key Vocabulary

Serve

The shot that starts each rally, hit underarm diagonally across the court

Service Court

The diagonal area where the serve must land - front or back service box

Tactical Serving

Deliberately placing the serve to create advantages and make it difficult for the opponent

Ready Position

Balanced stance in centre of court, prepared to move in any direction

V Grip

Holding the racket handle like shaking hands, creating a V between thumb and forefinger

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic racket grip and stance
Simple shuttlecock control
Understanding of court boundaries
Basic rally play

Current Skills

Diagonal serving technique
Tactical serve placement
Court positioning after serving
Strategic thinking in games

Next Steps

Advanced serving variations
Return of serve techniques
Complex rally strategies
Tournament play

Milestone Indicators

Serves land in correct service court 7/10 times

Can explain tactical reasoning for serve placement

Demonstrates quick recovery to ready position

Shows improvement in game scores through tactical serving

Key Teaching Points

Serves must always be hit underarm and below waist height in badminton
Diagonal serving creates the foundation of tactical court control
Serve placement (short/deep) determines opponent positioning and next shot opportunities
Proper grip and stance are essential for consistent, accurate serving
Recovery to centre court position after serving maintains tactical advantage
Serving is the only shot in badminton where you have complete control
Tactical thinking begins before the shuttlecock is even hit on serve

Common Misconceptions

Thinking serves can go anywhere - must explain diagonal rule clearly
Believing power is more important than placement - emphasise accuracy over force
Assuming serving is just to start the rally - teach it as tactical weapon
Thinking overarm serves are allowed - reinforce underarm rule consistently
Not understanding why court position matters after serving - demonstrate space creation
Believing all serves should be the same - show variety in placement
Assuming serving rules are the same as tennis - highlight badminton-specific rules

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity bursts with frequent changes, clear boundaries and rules, immediate positive feedback for effort

dyspraxia

Larger, slower shuttlecocks, simplified serving technique initially, extra practice time, peer support

autism spectrum

Clear routines and predictable structure, visual schedule of lesson activities, quiet zones available during breaks

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured shuttlecocks, provide verbal descriptions of court areas, buddy system for court positioning guidance

hearing impairment

Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, written instruction cards, ensure student can see teacher clearly

physical disability

Shorter rackets if needed, seated serving options, modified court sizes, adapted scoring systems

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Calculating scores and percentages, measuring court dimensions, angles of serve placement, data collection on accuracy rates

Science

Forces and motion in shuttlecock flight, trajectory and gravity effects, energy transfer in racket swing, air resistance principles

Geography

Understanding spatial awareness and court positioning, mapping movement patterns, direction and orientation concepts

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions during competition, resilience when skills don't work immediately, respect for opponents

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position with clear sight lines to all courts, move around to provide individual feedback

Observation Focus

Watch for correct serving technique, tactical understanding, and safety awareness

Intervention Points

Step in if serving technique becomes unsafe, if students show frustration, or when rules disputes arise

Demonstration Notes

Use slow-motion demonstrations for technique, exaggerate key teaching points, demonstrate both correct and incorrect examples

Verbal Cues

•'Contact below waist height'
•'Smooth swing like scooping ice cream'
•'Think where you want the shuttlecock to land'
•'Return to centre after serving'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 6m x 13m per court, clear overhead space minimum 9m high

Surface Check

Non-slip surface, free from moisture, even flooring without trip hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check racket strings are secure and not frayed
•Ensure shuttlecocks are not damaged or split
•Inspect cones for sharp edges or cracks
•Verify net height and stability

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Racket collision between students
•Shuttlecock impact to face/eyes
•Slips during rapid direction changes
•Overreaching causing muscle strain

Risk Mitigation

•Maintain adequate spacing between courts (minimum 2m)
•Emphasise controlled movements and awareness of others
•Teach proper stopping and turning techniques
•Progressive skill building from simple to complex

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to oversee all courts simultaneously
•Monitor high-activity areas during games
•Watch for fatigue and overexertion
•Ensure safe equipment handling

Emergency Procedures

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