Badminton Court Ladder
Timed singles badminton games on courts ranked from 1 to last: winners move up a court and losers move down. Students apply their shots tactically in game play, manage their own score, and play fair against opponents of similar level.
How to play
- Number the courts or half courts 1 to 6 with cones; two students play on each and the rest wait at the entry court, which is the last one.
- Play 3-minute games timed by the teacher; every rally starts with an underhand serve and the score is called out loud.
- On the final whistle, whoever is ahead moves up one court and whoever is behind moves down; if tied, play one deciding rally.
- On court 1 the winner stays; on the last court the loser goes to the waiting line and the first student in line steps in.
- Play six 3-minute rounds with 30 seconds to switch between rounds.
- Finish with 2 minutes: each student shares which court they ended on and which shot worked best against players at their level.
Rules
- Each player calls shuttles that land on their own side; if in doubt, replay the point.
- Walk along the sideline when changing courts, never across courts in play.
- Shake hands or bump rackets with your opponent before and after each game.
- No arguing results; the ladder evens out in the next round.
Variations
Easier
Play doubles on the same ladder with a shorter court.
Standard
3-minute singles games with moving up and down courts.
Harder
A rally counts only if won with a deep shot or a drop shot, not from an opponent's error.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student plays on a narrow half court and the opponent must also play inside it.
- Shyness or autism: explain the ladder with a drawing on the whiteboard and let the student always start on the same court.
- Lower fitness: allow a student to sit out one round as a court referee.
Learning goals
- Apply clears, drop shots, and serves in game situations.
- Manage the score and line calls honestly.
- Adjust play to the opponent's level.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rackets: 25
- shuttlecocks: 12
- net: 3
- cones: 24
- stopwatch: 1
Teacher tip
The ladder sorts students by ability in just a few rounds, so games get closer. Use one whistle for all courts and keep the 30-second switch so nobody runs across courts.
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