Badminton Long-and-Narrow Singles
A singles game in a long, narrow lane taped inside the court, so players cannot use width at all. Students learn to move the opponent up and back by mixing clears and drop shots, and to recover to the middle after each shot.
How to play
- Setup: split each court lengthwise with tape into two lanes about 2.5 m (8 ft) wide; two games fit on one court (2 min).
- Pairs in each lane and 2 minutes of free rallying to adjust.
- Play to 11 points, switching servers every two points; a shuttle landing outside the lane is a point for the opponent.
- Double points for a winner that lands in the last meter (deep) or the first meter past the net (drop).
- Games last 4 minutes: the winner moves up one lane and the other player down one, like a ladder (3 games, 12 min). At the end, each player shares which combination earned the most double points (2 min).
Rules
- Always hit straight down the lane, never toward the next lane.
- If a shuttle goes into the next lane, replay the point.
- Each player makes honest line calls on their side.
- Wait until the next lane is not hitting before getting a stray shuttle.
Variations
Easier
Play the first game cooperatively, counting only shuttles that land deep or short.
Standard
Game to 11 with double points deep and short.
Harder
Only double-point shots score, and the player who loses a point touches the back line before serving.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a shorter lane with no deep zone, and the opponent plays only soft drops.
- Visual impairment: mark lines with high-contrast tape.
- Fitness level: the ladder matches by ability, with 1 minute of rest between games.
Learning goals
- Move the opponent up and back with clears and drop shots.
- Recover to the center after every shot.
- Choose a shot based on the opponent's position.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rackets: 26
- shuttlecocks: 20
- nets: 4
- masking tape rolls: 4
Teacher tip
With two games per court there are many shuttles nearby, so insist on staying out of the next lane. Ask often, "Where was your opponent when you hit that drop?"
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