Badminton Tic-Tac-Toe
Two teams take turns serving at a grid of nine hoops on the opposite court, trying to get three in a row. Students work on serving accuracy, team planning, and taking turns.
How to play
- Set up a 3x3 grid of hoops on each opposite half court between the short service line and the baseline; form teams of 4 with two pinnie colors (3 min).
- Two teams share a court and line up behind the service line on their side.
- Teams take turns, one server at a time: if the shuttle lands inside an empty hoop, the team places a pinnie on that hoop.
- If the shuttle lands in a taken hoop or misses, nothing is marked and the turn passes to the other team.
- The first team to claim three hoops in a line wins the round; play rounds of about 3 min and then clear the pinnies (12 min).
- Before each turn, the team has 10 seconds to choose a target hoop and tell the server (3 min wrap-up discussing strategies).
Rules
- Each player serves only one shuttle per turn and goes to the back of the line.
- The serve must be legal: contact below the waist.
- Only the player who just served may go place the pinnie.
- Safety: nobody steps into the grid while the other team is serving.
Variations
Easier
Place the hoops closer to the net and let students serve from midcourt.
Standard
3x3 grid in the back court with a legal serve from the service area.
Harder
A team can steal an opponent's hoop by hitting it twice in a row.
Adaptations
- For students with limited mobility, serve from a closer fixed spot while a teammate places the pinnie.
- For students with autism, draw the grid on a whiteboard and mark each play on it.
- Require stronger players to use a long forehand serve and allow beginners a short backhand serve.
Learning goals
- Adjust serve power to reach specific zones.
- Plan hoop choices as a team to block the other team.
- Respect turns and group decisions.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rackets: 25
- shuttlecocks: 30
- hoops: 36
- pinnies: 26
Teacher tip
If rounds drag on, move the hoops closer or add a fourth player per team. It is a great way to practice the long serve with students who get bored in isolated drills.
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