Badminton Alternating-Hit Doubles
Doubles game in which both partners must hit in turn, so neither player hits twice in a row. Students work on partner communication, moving to make room for a partner, and court positioning.
How to play
- Form pairs and match them up on doubles courts; each pair wears pinnies of the same color so teams are easy to tell apart (2 min).
- 3-min practice rally: both pairs keep the shuttle in play, alternating hits within each pair.
- Game to 15 with rally scoring: if one player hits their team's shuttle twice in a row, the team loses the point.
- After hitting, the player moves to the side or back and calls 'yours' to their partner.
- Games last about 6 min; afterward, winning pairs move up a court and others move down; play 2 games (12 min).
- Wrap-up: each pair agrees on a signal or word that worked for them (3 min).
Rules
- Either partner may serve, and the return is hit by the player standing in the receiving service court.
- After the return, that team's next shot is hit by the partner.
- Call the score out loud before every serve.
- Safety: never swing at a shuttle next to your partner's head; call it and let it go.
Variations
Easier
Allow the shuttle to bounce once on the floor before each hit.
Standard
Doubles to 15 with mandatory alternating hits within each pair.
Harder
Alternating hits must involve movement: whoever hits at the net must go to the back.
Adaptations
- For students with limited mobility, their partner covers the back while they cover the front court.
- For shy students, agree on racket signals as well as verbal calls.
- For lower-skill students, play on a doubles court without the back alley.
Learning goals
- Communicate with your partner before every shot.
- Move to make space for your partner after hitting.
- Adjust team positioning based on the opponents' shot.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rackets: 26
- shuttlecocks: 30
- nets: 4
- pinnies: 26
Teacher tip
The common problem is that both players freeze and watch; ask them to take two steps back or to the side after hitting. This is good preparation for doubles rotation games.
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