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Lesson 5 - Doubles Tactics & Competition

Doubles Strategy Mastery

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Year 6

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Badminton

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1h 13min

Big Question

How can we use tactical thinking and communication to dominate in doubles badminton?

Learning Objectives

To apply tactical thinking when selecting shots during doubles play
To demonstrate effective communication and positioning with a partner
To compete fairly and evaluate performance in a round robin tournament

Key Outcomes

Students will execute tactical shot selection based on court positioning and partner communication
Students will demonstrate consistent serving accuracy and rally skills in doubles format
Students will participate fairly in competition while evaluating their own and others' performance

Equipment & Resources Required

Badminton Rackets

4-6 (courts depending on hall size)

Check all racquets for broken strings before lesson

Alternative: Tennis racquets or table tennis bats for modified play

Balls

12-15 (mix of feather and plastic)

Have extras ready as shuttlecocks break frequently

Alternative: Foam balls or bean bags for beginners

Markers Cones

24-32 cones

Mark service boxes clearly for accurate serving practice

Alternative: Chalk lines or tape for permanent courts

Score Sheets

8-10 clipboards with score sheets

Assign umpires with clear scoring instructions

Alternative: Whiteboards or students' notebooks

Tournament Brackets

1 large display board

Visible to all students showing game schedule and results

Alternative: Flip chart paper or whiteboard section

Key Vocabulary

Doubles

A badminton game played with two players on each side of the net

Round Robin

A competition format where every team plays every other team once

Tactical Shot Selection

Choosing which type of shot to play based on the game situation and opponent position

Court Coverage

How partners position themselves to cover all areas of their court effectively

Communication

Calling shots and coordinating with your partner during play

Ready Position

Balanced stance between shots, ready to move in any direction

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic forehand and backhand stroke techniques
Understanding of serving rules and court areas
Experience playing singles badminton games

Current Skills

Tactical shot selection in doubles play
Partner communication and positioning
Tournament competition and fair play

Next Steps

Advanced doubles strategies and formations
Leadership roles in competitive tournaments
Cross-curricular applications of tactical thinking

Milestone Indicators

Consistent accurate serving under pressure

Clear communication with partner during rallies

Tactical awareness of space creation and exploitation

Key Teaching Points

Tactical shot selection based on opponent positioning is more effective than power
Communication between partners prevents confusion and creates tactical opportunities
Doubles positioning must adapt fluidly between attack (side-by-side) and defence (front-back)
Mixed ability partnerships develop leadership and mentoring skills in stronger players
Tournament competition provides authentic context for applying tactical learning
Fair play and sportsmanship are as important as winning in competitive situations
Self-evaluation and reflection enhance tactical learning and future performance

Common Misconceptions

That hitting harder automatically creates better shots - emphasise placement and tactics over power
That one formation works for all situations - teach adaptive positioning based on game state
That stronger players should dominate weaker partners - emphasise coaching and development roles
That winning is more important than tactical development - focus on process over outcome
That communication is only needed during problems - establish continuous communication habits
That tactics are too complex for this age - demonstrate how simple concepts create big improvements

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Clear, concise instructions, regular movement breaks, partner support system, defined roles in tournament

dyspraxia

Simplified tactical concepts initially, extra practice time, larger target areas, supportive partner pairing

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure, visual tournament bracket, predictable game format, quiet zones available if needed

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured shuttlecocks, clear verbal descriptions of court positioning, partner guidance system for court navigation

hearing impairment

Visual hand signals for communication, written tactical instructions, clear visual demonstrations of positioning

physical disability

Modified court size and net height, seated play variations, adapted racquets or equipment as needed

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Tournament brackets and round robin calculations, scoring systems, geometric understanding of court angles and shot placement

Science

Forces and angles in shuttlecock flight, physics of racquet acceleration, biomechanics of badminton movements

Geography

Spatial awareness and court coverage, tactical positioning concepts, understanding of space and movement patterns

PSHE

Partnership skills, leadership development, resilience in competition, fair play and sportsmanship values

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move constantly between courts during tournament to observe tactics and provide encouragement

Observation Focus

Watch for tactical application, communication quality, fair play, and partner cooperation

Intervention Points

Step in if competitive intensity becomes unsafe, if rule disputes arise, or if students need tactical guidance

Demonstration Notes

Use ongoing games as teaching moments, highlighting good tactical examples for whole class learning

Verbal Cues

•'Look for the gaps in their court coverage!'
•'Communicate with your partner before the shot!'
•'Think tactically - where is the space?'
•'Support your partner regardless of the score!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Sports hall minimum 18m x 9m per court, with 2m safety margins between courts

Surface Check

Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from obstructions and equipment

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all racquet strings for fraying or breakage before use
•Ensure nets are secure and at correct height
•Inspect shuttlecocks for damage that could affect flight
•Verify court markers are secure and won't cause trips

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Racquet collisions during enthusiastic play
•Slips and falls during quick directional changes
•Shuttlecock strikes to face or eyes
•Overexertion during competitive tournament

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries established and maintained throughout
•Adequate spacing between courts to prevent interference
•Progressive skill building before competitive application
•Regular hydration breaks during tournament play
•Controlled competitive intensity with teacher monitoring

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all courts during tournament
•Monitor competitive intensity and emotional responses
•Ensure fair play and rule adherence throughout games
•Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration affecting safety

Emergency Procedures

Stop all play immediately if injury occurs, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact school medical support if needed