Doubles Mixer: New Partner Every Round

A round-based doubles mini-tournament where everyone changes partner and opponents each round and points are individual. Students play with everyone and learn to adapt to different partners.

How to play

1. Each student gets a numbered card. The whiteboard shows a round chart mixing coed pairs (4 min).
2. Round 1: 5-minute doubles games. Each player writes the points their pair won on their card (6 min).
3. Rounds 2 and 3 with new partners and opponents from the chart (12 min).
4. Round 4: on top of points, add 3 if your partner says you communicated well (6 min).
5. Individual tally with no public ranking, and a thank-you to every partner you had (7 min).

Rules

• Before each round, the new pair decides who serves first and how they will call shots.
• Celebrate with your partner, never at your opponents.
• Results are shared privately; only the top communication scorer is named out loud.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: each pair agrees on hand signals first.
• Limited mobility: the partner covers the back while they cover the net, swapping if they want.
• Students with social anxiety: first round with a trusted classmate.

Learning goals

• Play doubles with different partners.
• Communicate and share court space.
• Value cooperation over the result.

Equipment for a class of 25

• badminton rackets: 28
• shuttlecocks: 14
• badminton nets: 7
• cards: 28
• whiteboard: 1

Teacher tip

Prepare the round chart before class; with 28 students and 7 courts, run four rounds. A mixed chart stops the same friends always teaming up.

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