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Lesson 1 - Ready Position & Coordination

Shot Development & Tactics

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Year 8

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Badminton

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1h 7min

Big Question

How can mastering the ready position and shuttle coordination lay the foundation for all badminton skills?

Learning Objectives

To link basic skills to perform actions and sequences of movement in badminton
To demonstrate correct ready position and shuttle coordination
To develop tactical awareness through competitive activities

Key Outcomes

Students will consistently assume correct ready position and move efficiently around the court
Students will demonstrate improved shuttle coordination and catching skills
Students will show tactical awareness in game-like situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Balls

20-30 (mix of feather and plastic)

Store in containers around court perimeter for easy access

Alternative: Foam balls or bean bags for coordination practice

Badminton Rackets

15-20 (half class set initially)

Check strings are intact and grips are secure

Alternative: Tennis rackets or wooden bats for beginners

Cones

12-16 various colours

Mark court boundaries and target areas clearly

Alternative: Chalk lines or tape markers

SAQ Ladders

2-3 ladders

Position at sides of courts for warm-up circuits

Alternative: Rope ladders or chalk squares on ground

Goals

7 small goals or hoops

Position at court ends, ensure they're stable and safe

Alternative: Cones arranged in goal shape or wall targets

Key Vocabulary

Ready Position

Standing position with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, weight on balls of feet, racket held up ready to react

Sachet Movement

Side-to-side sliding movement without crossing feet, used to maintain balance and court position

Shuttle Coordination

The ability to track, predict and accurately intercept the shuttlecock during play

Racket Grip

Holding the racket handle as if shaking hands, with thumb, index and middle finger controlling, last two fingers for balance

Court Coverage

Moving efficiently around the badminton court to reach all areas quickly and return to optimal position

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic throwing and catching skills from primary PE
Understanding of game rules and fair play
Basic spatial awareness and movement patterns

Current Skills

Ready position and court positioning
Shuttle coordination and catching
Basic racket grip and blocking
Movement patterns specific to badminton

Next Steps

Overhead clear and drop shots
Serving techniques and tactics
Advanced footwork and court coverage
Competitive game play with full rules

Milestone Indicators

Student maintains ready position throughout activity

Quick recovery to centre after each movement

Accurate catching with minimal fumbles

Correct racket grip demonstrated consistently

Key Teaching Points

Ready position is the foundation of all badminton skills - emphasise its importance consistently
Maintain technique quality over speed or power throughout all activities
Use positive reinforcement to build confidence in coordination skills
Connect warm-up movements directly to game skills for better understanding
Encourage honest self-assessment and peer support throughout the lesson
Progressive challenge introduction keeps all students engaged at appropriate levels
Safety through controlled movements and appropriate equipment use is paramount

Common Misconceptions

Students think ready position is just standing still - emphasise the active, alert nature
Belief that gripping racket tightly gives more control - teach loose grip for flexibility
Assumption that catching is easy - highlight the skill development required for consistency
Thinking that winning is more important than technique - reinforce skill development focus
Misconception that badminton is just 'easy tennis' - establish unique movement patterns and skills

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break activities into shorter segments, provide frequent movement opportunities, use clear boundaries and expectations

dyspraxia

Use larger shuttlecocks initially, reduce complexity of movements, provide extra practice time for coordination skills

autism spectrum

Provide clear routine structure, use visual timetables for lesson sections, offer quiet space for breaks if needed

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured shuttlecocks, provide clear verbal descriptions of demonstrations, assign sighted partner for guidance

hearing impairment

Use visual signals and demonstrations, provide written instruction cards, ensure clear line of sight for lip reading

physical disability

Offer seated ready position options, use lighter equipment, modify catching to include other body parts

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Following instructions accurately, giving clear feedback to partners, building subject-specific vocabulary

Maths

Counting scores accurately, measuring court distances, calculating improvement percentages, timing activities

Science

Understanding forces in shuttle flight, balance and centre of gravity in ready position, reaction times and reflexes

Geography

Spatial awareness and court mapping, understanding of movement patterns and directions

PSHE

Developing resilience through challenge, building confidence, working cooperatively with different partners

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move constantly around the space, positioning for maximum visibility of current activity

Observation Focus

Watch for ready position technique, safe racket handling, positive sporting behaviour

Intervention Points

Step in immediately for unsafe equipment use, poor sportsmanship, or students struggling with coordination

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for key techniques, demonstrate with student volunteers when possible, show both correct and incorrect examples for clarity

Verbal Cues

•'Ready position!'
•'Eyes on the shuttle!'
•'Back to centre!'
•'Soft grip, flexible wrist!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full badminton court or gymnasium minimum 20m x 13m, clear height minimum 5m

Surface Check

Non-slip surface, dry conditions, free from obstacles and hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check racket strings are intact and handles secure
•Ensure shuttlecocks are not damaged with sharp edges
•Verify cones are stable and visible
•Check SAQ ladders lie flat and are secure

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Racket collisions between students
•Slips and falls during rapid movement
•Shuttle strikes to face or eyes
•Overexertion during competitive activities

Risk Mitigation

•Establish clear boundaries and personal space rules
•Teach controlled racket movement, not wild swinging
•Emphasise throwing accuracy, not power
•Monitor competitive intensity and intervene if necessary
•Ensure adequate rest periods between high-intensity activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all students
•Focus attention on racket activities and competitive games
•Monitor students showing signs of fatigue or frustration

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately for any injury, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, seek additional support if required