- Check the space and the kit.
- Get your child's attention first.
- Show it from two sides.
- Say one thing only.
- End on one that works.
Put the phone down where you can see it. Tap Next with your thumb, or use the arrow keys.
Is the space marked?
- The net line across the middle of the strip
- A service line on each side, 2 m from the net
- A circle about 1 m wide in each far corner (chalk or tape)
A rope or net at the child's chest height. You stand on one side and the child on the other, each about 1.5 m from the rope. A cone 2 m behind the child marks the middle. A racket and shuttles.
Three minutes to get warm.
Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.
- Net shot: hold the racket up in front of you, strings facing the rope.
- Let the shuttle come onto the strings and push it softly up and over, with almost no swing.
- Lunge: one long step forward with the racket leg, heel first, knee above the toes.
- Push off that foot back to the cone.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- The child stands close to the rope, racket up in front, strings facing the rope.
- You throw; the shuttle drops just over the rope.
- The child meets it before it falls below the rope and pushes it gently back over. 6 on the backhand side, then 6 on the forehand side.
- Now the child starts at the cone. As you throw, they lunge forward with the racket leg, play the net shot and push back to the cone.
- After 12 shuttles, swap: you play and the child throws.
How much: 4 rounds of 12 shuttles
Push, do not swing
Lunge and return
The rules
Count net shots that go over, each with a lunge and a return to the cone, in 30 seconds.
- The child starts at the cone; you hold 10 shuttles at the rope
- Say "Go" and start 30 seconds
- Throw a shuttle each time the child is back at the cone
- The child lunges, plays the net shot and pushes back to touch the cone
Fair play: Throw slower for a younger child.
- Points
- 1 point for each shuttle that goes back over the rope when the child also gets back to touch the cone.
- Fouls
- No point for that shuttle: the shuttle goes back higher than your head (an easy one for the other side to hit down); the child runs in instead of lunging; the child does not touch the cone before the next throw
- Win
- Beat your best from last time. Two children: the best of 3 turns each wins.
- 3
- 5
- 7
7 of 10 net shots go over and drop below net height.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
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