Badminton: Jump Smash with a Balanced Landing

A jump smash progression focused on the takeoff, contact at the highest point and a controlled two-footed landing to protect knees and ankles. Students work in groups of three: a feeder, a smasher and a landing observer.

How to play

1. Demonstration: scissor step, two-footed takeoff, contact up and in front, and a soft landing with bent knees (3 min).
2. Without a shuttle: 3 sets of 5 jumps with the smash motion, landing inside a hoop; the partner checks that the knees do not cave in (5 min).
3. In groups of three: the feeder sends high shuttles to mid-court, the smasher jumps and hits, and the third student watches the landing; rotate every 6 shuttles (9 min).
4. Target smash: two hoops on the far side along the sidelines; each shuttle landing in a hoop is worth 2 points (5 min).
5. Quick calf and quad stretch and rating of effort on the Borg scale (3 min).

Rules

• Maximum of 6 smashes in a row per person to avoid overloading the shoulder and knees.
• Always land on both feet, inside or close to the hoop.
• Nobody steps onto the far side while smashers are hitting.
• If the knee or ankle hurts, switch to the standing smash.

Variations

Adaptations

• Overweight students or sensitive joints: smash with one foot grounded, no jump.
• Partial visual impairment: bright-colored shuttles and higher, slower lifts.
• Autism: a fixed order for the three roles, explained beforehand and always the same.

Learning goals

• Perform the jump smash with a coordinated takeoff and contact.
• Use a safe landing technique that prevents injuries.
• Aim the smash at areas that are hard for the defender.

Equipment for a class of 25

• badminton rackets: 28
• shuttlecocks: 42
• badminton nets: 7
• hoops: 14

Teacher tip

Watch the landing more than the hit: knees caving in are your cue to slow down. Nylon shuttles hold up better to repeated smashing.

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