Ayrton Oneill
Badminton is a fast-paced racket sport that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels. Teaching beginners can be a challenging task as it is important to create experiences that link to specific badminton skills. Basic badminton skills and drills can help new students become confident badminton players. This can be done by focusing on the fundamentals of the game, such as grip, footwork, and the ready position. It is also important to keep in mind that beginners should have a fun and engaging experience, so it is beneficial to incorporate games and exercises into their learning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First 6-12 months | Critical for player development |
| Coaching focus | Technical skills, player experience, challenges, and emotional feelings |
| Basic skills | Racket grip, ready position, footwork |
| Racket grip | Forehand and backhand grip |
| Ready position | Athletic stance with feet shoulder-width apart, slightly bent knees, weight on balls of feet, and a slight torso lean |
| Footwork | Moving forward, backward, and side to side from the ready position |
| Hand-eye coordination | Juggling shuttles in the air |
| Backhand serve | Underhand and overhead shots |
| Forehand shots | Clears, net shots |
| Drills | Bean bag/birdie tossing, backhand shot practice, forehand shot aiming, bucket drill, shuttle tube drill |
| Game variations | Singles, doubles, half-court games |
| Practice considerations | Timing of shots, defense, calling out shots, footwork over smashing |
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What You'll Learn
Grips and footwork
Grips
There are four basic grips in badminton: the forehand, the backhand, the bevel grip and the panhandle grip. Each of these grips is used for different shots and it's important to learn and practice each of them so that they become second nature in a match. The forehand grip is the easiest to learn, as it's similar to shaking someone's hand, with a 'V shape' made by your index finger and thumb. Your fingers should be loose around the grip, and this is important for all four grips. The backhand grip is also easy to learn: set up with your thumb on top of the wider section of the grip, with your strings facing the floor and ceiling. Your fingers should be relaxed around the side. The bevel grip is a variation of the backhand grip, with the racket head moved so that the strings face diagonally. The panhandle grip is the most natural for beginners, as it's easy to hit overhead shots with, but it is used for late backhand rear-court shots, retrieving a net cord on the backhand side, and some net kills or drives.
Footwork
Footwork is incredibly important in badminton and can be the difference between winning and losing a rally. You need to be active and ready to move, with lightning-fast feet. Stay on your toes and move your feet back and forth and side to side in tiny motions to position yourself to return shots. You can improve your footwork with agility ladder exercises, lunges, and shadow footwork drills, which will improve your reaction time and muscle memory.
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Basic serves
Serving is considered the most important shot in badminton, as it is the shot selected to begin each point and must be used in every single rally. It is important to consistently get the shuttle into the opponent's court on a serve.
There are three basic types of serve: the high serve, the low serve, and the flick serve. The high serve is sometimes referred to as a long serve and is often used in singles matches. It is an underhand/forehand serve that arcs high and lands deep in the back of the opponent's court. This serve is a good idea for beginners because it gives them time to get ready for the next shot as their opponent races back to the rear of their court. To do a high serve, hold the shuttle in the non-racket hand such that the feathers face the top of the net. Bring the racket high over your shoulder, then drop it down toward your knees as you swing forward and bring it up to meet the shuttle.
The low serve, sometimes called a short serve, is a little trickier than the high serve. This underarm backhand serve is executed with a flick of the wrist and sets the shuttle on a path to travel just over the net and the front service line of the opponent's court. This serve is not always recommended for beginners because of the number of ways it can go wrong. For example, sending the shuttle too low could tangle it in the net, and sending it too high over the net could give your opponent the perfect setup to smash it back at you.
The flick serve is used unexpectedly to reduce the receiver's thinking time. It is most commonly used in doubles matches. To do a flick serve, start in the same position as a low serve. The shuttle should be held at waist height and body weight placed on the dominant foot. Take the racket arm into the backswing position and cock the wrist. Then, shift your body weight onto the non-dominant foot and use your wrist and forearm to snap the wrist and lift the shuttle above the opponent.
Some general tips for serving include keeping at least some part of both feet on the ground while serving, as per badminton rules. You can pivot your feet, but you should not drag your foot along the ground. Additionally, stand inside a service court without touching any boundary lines, or your serve will not count. The service court you use will depend on whether you are playing singles or doubles and the side of the court will depend on your score. If your score is an even number, serve from the right service court and hit the shuttle toward your left. If your score is an odd number, serve from the left service court.
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Forehand clears
The forehand clear is the first and most essential skill for novices to learn in badminton. It is a basic skill that every beginner should incorporate into their play. Most beginners start by practising rallies—hitting the shuttlecock high up in the air back and forth for as long as possible. This is similar to a forehand clear, which is employed as either an attacking or defensive shot, with the aim of driving your opponent to the rear court.
To execute a forehand clear, start by adopting a forehand grip and turning sideways with your non-racket foot forward. With your racket hand up, prepare for the incoming shuttle by drawing your hand back behind your shoulder. When the shuttle is at around 12 to 1 o'clock, hit it by turning your body and transferring your weight to the non-racket foot, finishing the stroke with a follow-through. It is important to generate power in your shot to obtain a good clear. However, this is not just about muscle strength but also proper technique. With practice, you will be able to perfect your timing and exert less energy with each clear.
The difference between clears and smashes lies in the point of contact. Clears are hit with the shuttle directly above the right shoulder, whereas smashes are hit when the contact point is slightly in front of the body. This is because smashes are hit in a downward direction, whereas clears are hit upwards.
When teaching beginners, it is important to first ensure they know how to hold the racket properly. Teach them the "handshake grip"—as if they are shaking someone's hand. The hand should create a V shape around the racket, with space between the index finger and middle finger. It is important to have a loose grip, which will give flexibility and mobility as players hit different shots.
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Net shots
To execute a basic net shot, extend your racket arm, keeping the racket head parallel to the ground or slightly downward. Let the shuttlecock bounce off the racket strings with a straight arm and a loose, flexible wrist. Ensure you don't use too much power, as this will cause the shuttlecock to go too high. Immediately return to a 'ready' position after hitting the shuttlecock.
Net play can be a mind game, with players trying to get into each other's heads. It requires intense focus and can be frustrating if you lose several points in a row. Practicing footwork drills can help you improve your net play by allowing you to reach the shuttlecock quicker and return to the middle of the court faster.
As a beginner, it's important to understand the different types of net shots and practice them diligently to improve your technique and diversify your playing style. With time and practice, you can master the art of net shots and use them effectively in your badminton matches.
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Backhand shots
Before practising backhand shots, it's important to get comfortable with the backhand grip. This is used for backhand underhand and overhead shots. Hold the racket like you're shaking someone's hand, with your hand creating a V shape around it. Create space between your index and middle fingers, and keep a loose grip. For the backhand, your thumb should be on top, with the racket facing parallel to the ground.
When playing a backhand shot, start by performing a split step. Then, chassé towards the corner and pivot so you are facing backwards. Change to a bevel grip, keeping your elbow low in preparation. Lunge just before you hit the shuttle, and make sure you have enough room to rotate. Keep your shoulders relaxed, and bring your arm through, using your wrist and forearm rotation to create power and control.
Practising backhand shots regularly is important, as they can get rusty if not used often. It's also a good idea to practice anticipating where to send the shuttle after hitting the stroke, so it becomes a winning shot. If you struggle to generate enough power for backhand drop shots, you can try changing your gear. A racket with more head weight or strings with more repulsion can help, as can restringing at a higher tension. However, more powerful rackets can also lead to slower defence and less control on softer shots.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many fun badminton drills that beginners can do to improve their skills. Some examples include:
- Shuttle Juggling: Grab two or three shuttles and juggle them in the air with your racket for as long as possible.
- Net Singles: A one-on-one game where players can only use underhand net shots to surprise their opponent.
- Bucket Drill: Place a bucket across the net and try to hit shuttlecocks into it.
- Bean Bag Toss: Toss a bean bag and make your partner miss catching it.
- Backhand Shot: Students can practice their backhand shot and then rally with a partner in the gym.
It is important to teach beginners the fundamentals of the game, such as the ready position, footwork, and racket grip. It is also important to teach them how to hold the racket properly, including the forehand and backhand grip. Additionally, beginners should learn how to serve, as well as the difference between forehand and backhand shots.
It is important to assume that beginners know less than you think and to start with the basics. Make sure to leave time for games so that beginners can have fun and engaging experiences. It is also helpful to incorporate a mix of practical and hands-on activities.
