Badminton Mixed Doubles: Net and Back Formation

Students work on the classic mixed doubles formation: one player staying at the net to intercept and another at the back covering the whole rear court. Mixed pairs try both roles and record which one suits them best, without assigning positions by sex.

How to play

1. Explain the formation, areas of responsibility and the net player's rule: stay in front of the short service line and do not drop back (3 min).
2. Guided 2 vs 2: the net player, wearing a pinnie, hits only in the front zone; the back player covers the sides and back and looks for opponents' lifts to smash (7 min).
3. Games to 11 with the formation fixed; halfway through the pair swaps roles (10 min).
4. Each pair fills in the worksheet: points won in each role and communication errors (4 min).
5. Final game with the role split each pair has chosen and new opponents (6 min).

Rules

• The net player does not turn around to watch the partner hit, to avoid taking a shuttle in the face.
• Pairs are mixed and both members try both roles.
• Shuttles down the middle are claimed out loud with “mine” before hitting.
• Serve and return follow official doubles rules.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: always plays the net role with a slightly narrower front zone.
• Hearing impairment: the pair agrees on hand signals instead of voice calls.
• Social anxiety: students may choose a familiar partner for the first round.

Learning goals

• Apply the net-and-back formation of mixed doubles.
• Communicate with the partner to share court space.
• Assign roles based on each player's abilities rather than stereotypes.

Equipment for a class of 25

• badminton rackets: 28
• shuttlecocks: 28
• badminton nets: 7
• pinnies: 14
• worksheets: 7

Teacher tip

Use this to point out that at elite level the net role was traditionally assigned by sex; here the worksheet evidence decides. Put pairs of similar level on the same court.

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