Overhead throw, side on
Ready when: Balloon taps and relay (b1) done.
What you are learning
The overhead action, by throwing. The big shots from the back of the court, the clear and the smash, use the same body movement as an overhead throw: stand side-on, arm up, step, then turn and throw. A throw is easier to learn first, without a racket.
Words on this card Shuttle, Lift, Clear, Smash, Side-on
- 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.
- Lift
- A shot hit upward from low down near the net, so the shuttle goes high and deep to the back of the other side.
- Clear
- A high, deep shot hit overhead from the back of your side to the back of theirs.
- Smash
- A fast hit from above the head that sends the shuttle steeply down.
- Side-on
- Standing with one shoulder, not the chest, pointing at where you aim.
Set up
A large sheet of paper taped to a wall at head height; a line 3 m from the wall and another at 4 m; 10 shuttles or soft balls.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Stand side-on to the wall: the shoulder of your other arm points at the paper.
- Lift the throwing hand up behind your head, elbow bent and up at shoulder height.
- Step toward the wall with the front foot and turn your chest to the wall.
- Throw overhead, letting go just past your head.
Your part while they practise
Watch the order: side-on, throwing arm up with the elbow bent, step, then throw. After each throw, name the one part that was missing.
Step by step
- Stand at the 3 m line, side-on to the paper.
- The foot opposite the throwing hand goes forward.
- The throwing hand goes up behind the head, elbow up.
- Step, turn the chest to the wall and throw, letting go just past the head.
- 10 throws, then collect. One round with the other hand.
How much: 3 rounds of 10 throws 6 min a session 3 days a week On your own: throw and count your own hits
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Paper points
A hit scores 1; a hit from a step farther back scores 2.
Who plays: the child against you, or two children, taking turns.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Each player has 5 shuttles or soft balls
- Take turns: one throw each
- Before each throw, choose the 3 m line or the 4 m line
- 5 throws each make a round. Play 3 rounds
- Fair play
- The grown-up throws with the other hand.
- Points
- A hit on the paper from the 3 m line scores 1; from the 4 m line it scores 2.
- Fouls
- No point for that throw
- Starting square-on, chest facing the wall
- An underarm or side-arm throw
- Stepping over the line before letting go
- Winning
- After 3 rounds, the player with more points wins.
- 3 points in a round for 1 star
- 5 points in a round for 2 stars
- 7 points in a round for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A soft ball first.
Step back to 4 m.
What you will see, and what to say
- elbow below the shoulder
Elbow up, then throw
The elbow comes up to shoulder height before the throw. - facing the wall square-on
Side-on first, then turn
Start with the shoulder to the wall, then turn as you throw.
Self-check
5 of 10 overhead shuttle throws hit the paper from 3 m.
Stop and get a coach when
The shoulder hurts while throwing.
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 the overhead pattern used later for the clear and smash.
Basic is done when the child can do the self-check on cards b2, b3, b4 and b6 on two different days.
awiseathlete.com/sports/badminton/badminton-b8