Lesson 1 - Smash Shot Basics & Doubles
Advanced Shot Tactics
•Year 6
•Badminton
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we use power and precision together to win points in badminton?
Learning Objectives
- Learn the smash shot technique and understand when to use it effectively
- Demonstrate a range of shots during doubles play scenarios
- Develop teamwork skills to defend and attack as a partnership
Key Outcomes
- Students will attempt the smash shot with correct body positioning and timing
- Students will work cooperatively with a partner to score and defend points
- Students will demonstrate improved tactical awareness in doubles play
Equipment & Resources Required
Check string tension and grip comfort before lesson
Alternative: Tennis racquets for beginners, table tennis bats for modified games
Mix of speeds - slower shuttles for skill practice
Alternative: Foam shuttles for beginners, balloon for practice
Mark service lines and court boundaries clearly
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, or tape for boundaries
Queue up smash technique video for skill introduction
Alternative: Printed technique images, demonstration posters
Key Vocabulary
An aggressive overhead shot hit downwards with power to finish a rally
The path the shuttlecock travels through the air
A game format with two players on each side working as partners
The exchange of shots between opponents until a point is won
The optimal position to hit the shuttlecock - high and in front
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic racquet grip and control
- Underarm serving technique
- Clear and drop shot execution
- Court awareness and boundaries
Current Skills
- Smash shot technique and application
- Doubles positioning and teamwork
- Aggressive attacking play
- Tactical shot selection
Next Steps
- Advanced smash variations
- Complex doubles strategies
- Competitive tournament play
- Coaching and leadership roles
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Smash shot is played from mid to fore court position
- Create steep trajectory by hitting high and in front of body
- Contact point must be above and in front for maximum power
- Use whipping action for acceleration through contact
- Move feet to position under shuttlecock for optimal technique
- In doubles, work as partnership for court coverage and tactics
- Feeding quality determines hitting success in practice
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking smash is only about power - actually trajectory and timing are more important
- Hitting from behind the body instead of in front reduces effectiveness significantly
- Believing smash can be used from any court position - mid to fore court is optimal
- Assuming doubles players should stay in fixed positions - movement and communication are key
- Thinking feeding is easy - quality feeds are essential for successful smash practice
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, regular movement breaks, clear individual goals
dyspraxia
- Larger shuttlecocks initially, simplified technique focus, extra practice time with adult support
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule cards, quiet practice spaces available
visual impairment
- Bright coloured shuttlecocks, verbal cues for court positioning, tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written technique cards
physical disability
- Seated badminton version, adapted racquets, modified court sizes and heights
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Forces and motion in shuttlecock flight, gravity effects on trajectory, biomechanics of overhead striking
Geography
Spatial awareness and court positioning, directional movement and orientation
PSHE
Partnership cooperation, fair play and sportsmanship, resilience when learning difficult skills
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between courts for maximum visibility, move to individuals for specific feedback
Observation Focus
Watch for smash technique development, doubles cooperation, and safe play practices
Intervention Points
Step in when technique is unsafe, partnerships not working, or rules being forgotten
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Exaggerate smash technique for visibility, show both correct and incorrect examples for comparison
Verbal Cues
- •'High contact point!'
- •'Move your feet to position!'
- •'Steep trajectory down!'
- •'Work together as partners!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 4 badminton courts (13.4m x 6.1m each) with adequate run-off areas
Surface Check
Non-slip court surface, dry conditions, clear of equipment debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racquet strings for loose or broken strands
- •Ensure shuttlecocks are not damaged or split
- •Verify net height and stability
- •Court boundaries clearly marked
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collision between students during movement
- •Racquet contact with other players
- •Slips and falls during dynamic movement
- •Eye injury from shuttlecock impact
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear spacing rules between courts and pairs
- •Controlled swinging action emphasised
- •Progressive skill building from shadow practice to live shots
- •Immediate stop commands when necessary
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor high-activity areas during warm-up and games
- •Active intervention for safety rule reminders
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact medical support if required