Court Ladder: Move Up and Down, Nobody Sits Out

A rotating singles mini-tournament on numbered courts: winners move up one court, losers move down. Nobody is knocked out and everyone ends up playing someone at their level.

How to play

1. Number the courts from 1 (top court) down. Random pairs on each court; any extra player waits on the lowest court and steps in next round (3 min).
2. 4-minute rounds with a start and stop whistle; whoever is ahead at the whistle wins, and a tie goes to a golden point (12 min).
3. After each round, a 30-second changeover: winners move up a court and losers down. Keep playing rounds (10 min).
4. Final round with a prize: on each court, the winner picks which shot counts double next lesson (5 min).
5. Group handshake and talk about the best rallies (5 min).

Rules

• Nobody announces which court they're on or brags about the top court.
• Call the score every rally.
• Walk to your new court around the outside of the nets.

Variations

Adaptations

• Low vision: always plays on the court nearest a plain wall, with a bright shuttle.
• Wheelchair users: whichever court they reach becomes a smaller court for both players.
• Very low skill level: may play with a helper on their side for the first rounds.

Learning goals

• Play singles against similar-level opponents.
• Handle moving up and down without frustration.
• Sustain high effort in short rounds.

Equipment for a class of 25

• badminton rackets: 30
• shuttlecocks: 15
• badminton nets: 7
• cones: 14

Teacher tip

Use a big, visible timer. If you have fewer nets than courts, rig the last ones with rope between chairs. The ladder sorts levels out within a few rounds.

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