Badminton Singles: Attack the Backhand Rear Corner
Badminton singles games with a marked zone in each player's backhand rear corner. Students work on the tactic of pushing the opponent into their weakest shot, then punishing the short return by attacking the open space.
How to play
- Use masking tape to mark a 3-foot rectangle in each player's backhand rear corner. Groups of 4 per court: two play, one tracks stats, one referees (3 min).
- Demo: the teacher shows that a clear to the backhand corner forces a high backhand or a round-the-head shot, and the return usually lands short in the middle (2 min).
- Guided drill: one player clears into the zone and the other returns however they can; if the return is short, the first player smashes or drops. Switch every 2 minutes (4 min).
- Game to 11: a shuttle landing in the zone scores 2 points; winning the rally on the shot right after a zone hit scores 3 (8 min).
- Group wrap-up: what return did your opponent give from the backhand corner, and how did you take advantage? (3 min).
Rules
- Serve below the waist and crosscourt, as in the official rules.
- The referee calls double and triple points out loud before the serve.
- Safety: the waiting player stays off the court, 6 feet outside the sidelines.
Variations
Easier
The zone grows to the whole back third on the backhand side and players may serve long to start the attack.
Standard
Game to 11 with a 3-foot zone, 2 points for landing in it and 3 for winning right after.
Harder
Add a second zone at the forehand net; double points only count when alternating backhand corner and net.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility or wheelchair users: half-width court, and the opponent plays only half of their side.
- Low vision: high-contrast shuttles and a zone marked with wide tape plus cones.
- Lower skill: use a slow plastic shuttle and the opponent cannot smash.
Learning goals
- Recognize the high backhand corner as a common weak spot.
- Build the rally by sending the shuttle deep first and then attacking the short return.
- Evaluate the tactic's success using the stat tracker's data.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Rackets: 25
- Shuttlecocks: 30
- Nets: 6
- Masking tape (rolls): 2
Teacher tip
The zone flips sides for left-handers, so have each pair check before they start. Praise the intent even if the shot misses; players should only go for the smash after a short return.
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