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Lesson 5 - Court Movement and Recovery

Tactical Play & Tournament Prep

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Year 5

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Badminton

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45 min

Big Question

How can efficient footwork and court positioning make you a more successful badminton player?

Learning Objectives

Experience short, intense periods of exercise during warm-up activities
Attempt a variety of movement techniques around the badminton court
Select appropriate court movement techniques in game situations

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate improved footwork patterns for court coverage
Students will show efficient recovery techniques after lunging movements
Students will apply movement skills effectively in competitive game play

Equipment & Resources Required

Badminton Rackets

1 per student (30)

Distributed around court perimeters before lesson start

Alternative: Tennis racquets, table tennis bats for modified practice

Balls

2 per court (12 total)

Extra shuttles available courtside for continuous play

Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags for movement practice

Badminton Court

6 courts

Service lines clearly marked, numbered positions 1-8 around each court

Alternative: Tennis courts with adjusted nets, marked hall areas

Cards

8-10 cards

Laminated cards placed around hall perimeter with associated exercise equipment

Alternative: Simple instruction cards with exercises

Cones

48 (8 per court)

Positioned to mark numbered zones 1-8 around each court area

Alternative: Chalk marks, tape markers on floor

Score Sheets

6 copies

Laminated sheets positioned around courts for umpire reference

Alternative: Projected rules on screen

Key Vocabulary

Footwork

The coordinated movement of feet to position the body effectively for shot making

Ready Position

Balanced stance with knees bent, weight on toes, facing the net, prepared to move in any direction

Lunging

A large step forward or sideways to reach a distant shuttlecock while maintaining balance

Recovery

The movement back to a central court position after playing a shot

Chasse

A sideways movement where feet come together then step apart again

Court Coverage

The ability to reach all areas of the court efficiently using appropriate footwork

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic ready position in badminton
Understanding of court areas and boundaries
Simple forehand and backhand strokes
Basic rules of badminton scoring

Current Skills

Efficient footwork patterns around the court
Starting and stopping with balance and control
Lunging techniques for reaching distant shuttles
Recovery movements after playing shots

Next Steps

Advanced footwork combinations in rally situations
Anticipation and court positioning strategies
Movement integration with shot selection
Doubles movement and court coverage patterns

Milestone Indicators

Student moves efficiently to all court areas within 3 steps

Demonstrates balanced stopping position ready for next shot

Shows smooth recovery to centre court position after lunging

Applies footwork skills successfully in competitive games

Key Teaching Points

Footwork is the foundation of all successful badminton shots - position creates possibility
Ready position (knees bent, on toes) enables quick movement in any direction
Racquet leg leads in lunging - same side as racquet hand for balance and power
Recovery to centre court is equally important as reaching the shuttle
Controlled stopping creates stable platform for accurate shot-making
Efficient movement conserves energy for longer rallies and matches
Practice movement patterns slowly first, then increase speed while maintaining technique

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'Only shot technique matters in badminton' - Correction: Footwork enables good shots by creating optimal positioning
Misconception: 'Longer steps are always better' - Correction: Quick, controlled steps are more efficient than long strides
Misconception: 'Any leg can lead in lunging' - Correction: Racquet leg must lead for balance and effective shot-making
Misconception: 'Recovery can be slow if you've played a good shot' - Correction: Immediate recovery is essential for the next rally
Misconception: 'Standing flat-footed is more stable' - Correction: Weight on toes enables rapid movement in any direction

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short, focused activity segments with clear transitions, regular movement opportunities, clear boundaries and expectations, frequent positive reinforcement

dyspraxia

Slower demonstration pace with repeated modelling, larger target areas initially, additional practice time for coordination, partner support for complex movements

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure with visual schedule, quiet zones available if needed, consistent position numbering system, advance warning of activity changes

visual impairment

Use bright coloured cones for court markings, provide verbal descriptions of all movements, buddy system for spatial guidance, tactile markers for court positions

hearing impairment

Clear visual demonstrations of all techniques, written instruction cards as backup, hand signals for position calling, ensure face-to-face communication

physical disability

Seated versions of upper body movements, adapted lunging using support equipment, modified court sizes for accessibility, wheelchair-accessible court layouts

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Measuring court distances for lunge depth, calculating movement angles around numbered positions, timing movements in seconds, geometry of court positioning

Science

Forces in starting and stopping movements, momentum and energy transfer during lunging, balance and centre of gravity concepts, muscle groups used in different movements

Geography

Spatial awareness and direction concepts, mapping movement patterns around court areas, coordinates and positioning terminology

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation during pair activities, resilience when learning challenging new skills, leadership opportunities during group management, constructive feedback and communication skills

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position during demonstrations, circulation between courts during activities, corner positioning during games for optimal viewing angles

Observation Focus

Monitor footwork technique quality, balance and control during movements, application of skills in game situations, safety during dynamic activities

Intervention Points

Step in for unsafe movements, provide immediate technique corrections, support struggling students with balance, manage competitive intensity appropriately

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for clear visibility, contrast good vs poor technique examples, demonstrate from multiple angles, involve students in demonstrations where appropriate

Verbal Cues

•'Quick feet, light steps!'
•'Ready position - knees bent, toes ready!'
•'Racquet leg leads the lunge!'
•'Push off and recover!'
•'Stop like a statue - perfect balance!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 6 badminton courts or equivalent marked areas (14m x 6m each), clear boundaries with 2m safety margin around each court

Surface Check

Non-slip indoor surface, free from moisture and debris, appropriate for dynamic movements and lunging

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Racquets inspected for damaged strings or loose grips before use
•Shuttlecocks checked for damaged feathers that could affect flight
•Cones positioned safely away from movement areas when not in use
•Activity cards laminated to prevent tearing and sharp edges

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students during dynamic movements
•Falls during lunging or rapid direction changes
•Overexertion during high-intensity warm-up activities
•Racquet contact during close proximity activities

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries established with adequate spacing between courts
•Progressive skill building from static to dynamic movements
•Maximum 8 students per court to ensure adequate space
•Rotation system prevents overcrowding in any area
•Emphasis on controlled movements rather than maximum speed

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position at centre of hall for maximum court visibility
•Circulate during games to monitor technique and competitive intensity
•Pay particular attention during lunging practice for balance issues
•Monitor heart rates during high-intensity activities
•Watch for signs of fatigue affecting movement control

Emergency Procedures

Stop signal established for immediate activity cessation, first aid kit accessible, clear pathway to exits maintained, incident reporting procedures followed