Wall self-feed
Ready when: Two grips and the switch (b2) done.
What you are learning
To hit the shuttle with the middle of the strings, on both sides of the body, with nobody throwing for you. The wall sends it back, so you get many hits in a few minutes.
Words on this card Shuttle, Forehand, Backhand, Grip, Feed, Frame
- Shuttle
- The "ball" in badminton: a cork with feathers or a plastic skirt. It flies fast, slows down quickly and falls almost straight down. A foam shuttle is softer and good for learning.
- Forehand
- A shot on the side of the body that holds the racket, with the palm of the hand facing where the shuttle goes.
- Backhand
- A shot on the other side of the body, with the back of the hand facing where the shuttle goes.
- Grip
- The way the hand holds the racket handle.
- Feed
- To throw or hit the shuttle to the player so they can practise one shot. The feeder is the person doing it.
- Frame
- The hard edge around the strings. A shuttle hit off the frame flies anywhere.
Set up
A wall with nothing breakable on or near it; a tape line on the wall at about head height; a racket and 5 shuttles or a foam ball.
Weather: any weather indoors
Show it first for the one teaching
- Forehand grip. Hold a shuttle by its feathers in front of you at waist height, on the racket side.
- Drop it and hit it at the wall above the tape, with the middle of the strings.
- Let the racket keep going until it points at the wall.
- Do the same with the backhand grip on the other side.
Your part while they practise
Watch the hand: the strings meet the shuttle in the middle and the racket ends pointing at the wall. After each round, tell the child which of the two happened.
Step by step
- Stand 2 m from the wall, with 5 shuttles at your feet.
- Forehand grip. Drop a shuttle in front of you, on the racket side.
- Hit it at the wall above the tape. The racket ends pointing at the wall.
- 10 forehand hits. Pick each shuttle up by hand.
- Change to the backhand grip and do 10 on the other side.
How much: 4 rounds of 10 hits each side 6 min a session 3 days a week On your own: the whole drill works alone
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Best score
Hits above the tape in 30 seconds; write it down and beat it next week.
Who plays: one child, with a grown-up timing and counting, or two children taking turns.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- 5 shuttles at your feet, 2 m from the wall
- The grown-up says "Go" and starts 30 seconds
- Drop and hit, forehand or backhand, as many as you can above the tape
- Pick the shuttles up by hand, never with the racket
- Fair play
- A younger child stands closer to the wall and uses a foam ball.
- Points
- 1 point for each hit above the tape. 2 points if the shuttle comes back off the wall and you hit it again before it lands.
- Fouls
- No point for that hit
- It hits the wall below the tape
- It comes off the frame instead of the strings
- A shuttle is flicked up from the floor with the racket
- Winning
- Beat your own best score. Write it down and try to beat it next week.
- 4 points for 1 star
- 7 points for 2 stars
- 10 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A shorter racket or a bat; a balloon.
Two hits in a row off the wall.
What you will see, and what to say
- the shuttle comes off the frame
Watch it onto the strings
Eyes on the shuttle until it touches the strings. - the racket stops short
Point at the wall after
Let the racket keep going until it points at the wall.
Self-check
8 of 10 hits above the tape on each side.
Stop and get a coach when
The wrist or elbow aches after practice.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains contact, both sides of the racket.
awiseathlete.com/sports/badminton/badminton-b6