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Year 6

Controlling the game from the serve in badminton

I can control the game from the start of the game by thinking about how and where to serve.

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New
New
Year 6

Controlling the game from the serve in badminton

I can control the game from the start of the game by thinking about how and where to serve.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: when serving high or low, adopt a wide stance with a V grip and opposite foot forward to the hand the racket is in
  2. Move: varying the power of serves so our opponent has to move forwards or backwards creates space for our next shot.
  3. Think: evaluating our serve helps identify strengths and weaknesses so we can improve and score more points.
  4. Feel: striving to be self disciplined is important when trying to win points in a game situation even if we are losing.
  5. Connect: it is important to encourage others and help suggest ways in which we can improve our performance.

Keywords

  • Serve - a player hits the ball towards the opponent to start a rally

  • Aim - pointing or looking at something you want to hit or reach

  • Score - the number of points, goals, runs, etc., that each player or team has in a game

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to make contact with the shuttlecock when serving. Pupils may struggle to serve to the back of the court. Pupils may struggle to serve diagonally across the court or over the net.

Pupils could revert to serving by throwing the shuttlecock. Remind pupils to be side on with a wide stance to help generate more power. Make sure pupils feet are positioned correctly to serve diagonally. You can lower the net or use cones.


To help you plan your year 6 physical education lesson on: Controlling the game from the serve in badminton, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Alternative rackets with shorter handles may help pupils who are struggling to serve. You could allow pupils to serve from closer to the net until they are able to generate more power on the serve or make the courts smaller and the nets lower/use cones.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

1 badminton racket per pupil, 1 shuttlecock between two, 30+ cones

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Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

4 Questions

Q1.
To which area of the court should we return, in between each shot, to prepare for the next shot?
the net
the sides
Correct answer: the middle
Q2.
When you work with a partner, what can you discuss and use to improve your performance?
Correct answer: tactics
topspin
training
Q3.
If we have one foot in front of the other when we hit the shuttlecock what does this give us?
more time
more confidence
Correct answer: more power
Q4.
How can you demonstrate self-discipline in a game?
Correct answer: manage emotions
manage others
manage equipment

4 Questions

Q1.
Which serve would you use to push your opponent to the back of the court immediately from the serve?
Correct Answer: a high serve, high serve, high
Q2.
If you want to create a balanced base when serving, what should your stance be like?
narrow
Correct answer: wide
crossed
Q3.
If you start the rally with a low serve, where on the court should you be planning to hit your next shot?
Correct Answer: the back, back
Q4.
If you are not playing well but you still always try your best, what skill are you showing?
Correct Answer: self-discipline, self discipline