Badminton Backhand Bonus Game
Singles game in which a point won with a backhand counts double, with a backhand zone marked by cones. Students work on the backhand grip, backhand shots at the net and from the back, and deciding when to use them.
How to play
- Technique review in pairs: switch to the backhand grip with the thumb on the wide part of the handle and rally soft backhands at the net for 4 min.
- Use cones on each court to mark the alley on the player's backhand side as a backhand zone, where players must hit backhand.
- Singles game to 11 with rally scoring: a point won with a backhand is worth 2.
- If the shuttle lands in the player's own backhand zone after they hit a forehand earlier in that point, the point is worth just 1.
- After each game (about 5 min), players rotate courts clockwise; play 2 or 3 games (12 min).
- Wrap-up: share whether the backhand came up more at the net or in the back court (2 min).
Rules
- Players call out 'backhand' when they win a point with that shot.
- Play on the singles half of the court only.
- If in doubt, replay the point.
- Safety: do not hit backhands with the elbow tucked against the body, and stay out of neighboring courts.
Variations
Easier
Play a cooperative game where the pair counts backhands in a row.
Standard
Game to 11 with backhand points counting double.
Harder
A backhand point only counts double if it is won from the back court.
Adaptations
- For students with limited mobility, shrink the court to the front and midcourt.
- For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, signal a backhand point by raising the racket.
- For lower-skill students, allow one bounce before hitting a backhand.
Learning goals
- Switch quickly to the backhand grip.
- Hit controlled backhands at the net and from the back court.
- Decide when a backhand is the safest or most effective option.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rackets: 26
- shuttlecocks: 30
- nets: 4
- cones: 16
Teacher tip
Many students run around their backhand to hit a forehand; the double-points rule gets them to try it. Check that the thumb rests flat on the handle instead of wrapping around it.
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