Badminton Bonus Zone Singles
Badminton singles where a rally is worth double if the shuttle lands in a back corner or in the strip next to the net. Students learn to move their opponent to all four corners and sharpen the accuracy of clears and drop shots.
How to play
- Use flat disc cones to mark two 3 x 3 ft back corners and a 3 ft strip along the net on each side. Pair students by ability; extra students keep score and rotate in next round (2 min).
- Play to 11 with the serve switching every two points: a normal point is worth 1 and a point won in a marked zone is worth 2 (6 min).
- 1-minute break: the scorekeeper tells each player how many double points they earned and with which shot.
- Ladder rotation: winners move up a court, losers move down, and the scorekeeper replaces the loser. Second game to 11 (6 min).
- Final game: a zone point only counts double if the player's previous two shots alternated deep and short (5 min).
Rules
- A shuttle touching a disc cone counts as in the zone.
- The scorekeeper calls the score after every rally and settles close calls.
- Never step onto the next court for a shuttle until that rally ends, and never swing overhead with someone nearby.
Variations
Easier
Back zones grow to 6 x 6 ft and every serve is short.
Standard
Games to 11 with back corners and the net strip worth double.
Harder
A zone point counts double only if the player recovered to center before the opponent's shot.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: play a narrow half court with the opponent hitting to one half only.
- Shy or autistic students: keep the same partner for two rotations and use a visual score card.
- Advanced players: serve with the non-dominant hand or win by two.
Learning goals
- Place the shuttle into open space to move the opponent.
- Combine deep clears and short drops with tactical purpose.
- Analyze which shots earn the most points in real game play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rackets: 25
- shuttlecocks: 15
- nets: 5
- flat disc cones: 30
Teacher tip
Students often aim for the corner every time and hit it out; remind them the zone is a bonus, not a requirement. Set out the disc cones before class.
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