Badminton Short and Long Serve Targets
In groups of three, students practice the short backhand serve and the long forehand serve, aiming to land the shuttle in hoops on the other side. The activity builds serving accuracy, power control, and the tactical value of the serve at the start of a rally.
How to play
- Set up groups of three on each half court: server, retriever, and scorekeeper; on the receiving side place two hoops near the short service line and two near the back line.
- For 3 minutes, demonstrate both serves: the short backhand serve with the shuttle in front of the waist and a gentle push, and the long forehand serve with a full low-to-high swing.
- For 5 minutes, each server hits sets of 6 short serves; the retriever returns shuttles and the scorekeeper awards 3 points per hoop, 1 point in the short zone, and 0 if it doesn't clear the net; rotate after each set.
- For 5 minutes, repeat with 6 long serves toward the back hoops, using the same scoring.
- For 4 minutes, the server calls 'short' or 'long' before each serve and scores only if the serve matches the call.
- Finish with 1 minute: each group says which serve they would use against an opponent standing far from the net.
Rules
- Serve from below the waist and diagonally across to the other court.
- The retriever goes after shuttles only when the server has finished the set.
- Nobody stands within 6 ft behind the server.
Variations
Easier
Use large hoops and let students serve from 3 ft closer to the net.
Standard
Sets of 6 short and 6 long serves scored with hoops.
Harder
Use small hoops or disc cones and count only shuttles that land inside.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student serves seated or from a wheelchair with a short-handled racket, and the hoops move closer.
- Visual impairment: use high-contrast hoops and have the scorekeeper call out where the shuttle landed.
- Lower skill level: start by dropping the shuttle from the hand onto the racket to find the contact point.
Learning goals
- Perform the short backhand serve and the long forehand serve.
- Control power to send the shuttle to a specific area.
- Recognize when each type of serve is the better choice.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rackets: 25
- shuttlecocks: 50
- net: 4
- hoops: 16
Teacher tip
Short serves usually miss because students hit too hard; tell them to imagine they are only pushing the shuttle. Keep spare shuttles handy because this drill wears out feathers faster.
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