Universal Grip: Switch Your Hold on the Move

A warm-up that gets the whole body going while locking in the universal grip and the thumb-up backhand switch. Students bounce a shuttle on the strings while moving lightly.

How to play

1. Each student holds the racket like shaking hands with the handle, the V between thumb and index finger on the edge (1 min).
2. Walk around the gym bouncing the shuttle up with the forehand face; on the whistle, rotate the racket and switch to the backhand face with the thumb behind (3 min).
3. Easy jog alternating one forehand touch and one backhand touch without letting the shuttle drop (3 min).
4. In pairs: one points in a direction and the other moves that way while keeping the touches going (2 min).
5. Wrist, shoulder and ankle mobility with the racket in hand (1 min).

Rules

• Hold the racket loosely, never in a tight fist.
• If the shuttle drops, pick it up and keep moving.
• Keep an arm's length from anyone passing so rackets don't clash.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with low vision: use a brightly colored shuttle or a large foam ball that is easier to see.
• Limited mobility: do the touches seated or in place, with the same grip change.
• Sore wrist: choke up on the racket near the head to shorten the lever.

Learning goals

• Set the universal grip and the backhand grip.
• Raise heart rate and warm up joints gradually.
• Control the shuttle while walking or jogging.

Equipment for a class of 25

• badminton rackets: 30
• shuttlecocks: 30

Teacher tip

The typical mistake is the frying-pan grip, with the racket face pointing at the ceiling: fix it one by one in the first two minutes. If you are short on shuttles, a crumpled paper ball works.

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