Smash and block
Ready when: Overhead clear (i2) and Drop and get back (i3) done, and the player has no shoulder pain.
What you are learning
The smash and the block. A smash is a fast hit from above the head that sends the shuttle steeply down: the clear, but hit farther in front with a snap of the wrist. A block is the answer to a smash: hold the racket still in front of you and let the shuttle bounce softly back over the net.
Words on this card Shuttle, Clear, Smash, Block, Feed
- 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.
- 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.
- Block
- Holding the racket still in front of you so a smash bounces softly back over the net.
- Feed
- To throw or hit the shuttle to the player so they can practise one shot. The feeder is the person doing it.
Set up
A net or rope; a target box chalked on the floor in the middle of the far side. A foam shuttle first, then feather or plastic. Always aim at the box on the floor, never at a person.
Weather: no wind
Show it first for the one teaching
- Smash: the clear action, but meet the shuttle farther in front of you.
- Snap the wrist forward so the strings point down at the hit.
- Block: stand back from the net, racket in front of the body, strings facing the net.
- Hold it firm and do not swing.
Your part while they practise
Send a gentle, high shuttle. When the player smashes, stand back with the racket held in front to block.
Step by step
- You send a high shuttle; the player smashes it down into the box.
- 8 smashes, then swap: the player blocks while you smash gently at the box.
- To block: stand back, racket in front, strings facing the net, and hold still.
How much: 8 smashes and 8 blocks, 3 rounds 8 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Smash against block
The smasher scores for a landing in the box; the blocker scores for any block that crosses the net.
Who plays: two players: one smashes and one blocks. Swap after 8 shuttles.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- The blocker sends a high shuttle to the smasher
- The smasher smashes at the box on the blocker's side
- The blocker blocks it back over the net
- Both can score on the same shuttle
- Fair play
- The grown-up smashes at half speed.
- Points
- The smasher scores 1 point for a smash that lands in the box. The blocker scores 1 point for a block that goes back over the net.
- Fouls
-
- A smash aimed at the body or the head: 2 points to the other player
- A smash into the net: no point
- A block with a swing: no point
- Winning
- After 8 smashes each, the player with more points wins.
- 2 smash points for 1 star
- 4 smash points for 2 stars
- 6 smash points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A slower feed, a lower target.
A narrower box, a faster feed.
What you will see, and what to say
- the smash goes into the net
Hit it at the top
Reach up and hit it at the highest point, in front. - the block flies long
Hold, do not swing
Hold the racket still and let the shuttle bounce off.
Self-check
4 of 10 smashes in the box and 6 of 10 blocks over the net.
Stop and get a coach when
Pain in the shoulder; no jump smash yet.
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 power, defence, control.
awiseathlete.com/sports/badminton/badminton-i4