Serve and Third Shot: Opening a Singles Rally

Pairs rehearse the first three shots of a singles rally: long or short serve, return and third shot. Students make tactical choices based on how the opponent returns.

How to play

1. Review the forehand high serve (high and deep) and the backhand short serve (skimming the tape, near the short service line) (4 min).
2. Pattern 1: high serve, opponent clears, server answers with a drop. Ten reps and switch (6 min).
3. Pattern 2: short serve, opponent lifts, server attacks or clears depending on height. Ten reps and switch (6 min).
4. Conditioned game: the server picks the serve and the rally is played out; it counts double if won on the third shot (7 min).
5. Each pair shares which serve won them the most points and why (2 min).

Rules

• The server quietly tells their group, not the opponent, which serve is coming.
• Official service faults apply.
• Wait for the next court to stop before collecting shuttles.

Variations

Adaptations

• Low vision: bright shuttles and only high serves, which are slower and easier to track.
• Limited mobility: narrower half-width singles court to cut down on movement.
• Beginners: the third shot can be a hand throw to a zone.

Learning goals

• Know when to use the high and short serve.
• Choose the third shot based on the return.
• Recover position after serving.

Equipment for a class of 25

• badminton rackets: 28
• shuttlecocks: 30
• badminton nets: 5
• cones: 10

Teacher tip

With 25 students on five courts, use trios with an observer who counts third-shot winners. The usual mistake is admiring the serve and not getting back to base.

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