Footwork and Grip Key Teaching Points
Footwork:
Scissor Kick
This type of step formation can be used to deliver a powerful shot from the back of the court. In this shot the legs switch position in mid air resembling the closing and then opening of scissors. It is often proceeded by a chasses step, so the player will find they are still moving backwards when the jump is started. Stage one is to jump straight off the ground, then swap your dominant foot with your non dominant foot in mid air with the non dominant foot landing momentarily before the other.
Lunge
The lunge is frequently used in badminton. For the purpose of the drill start in the ready position and then stretch the racket foot out. Making sure that the heel touches the floor first place the racket foot on the ground, then move to the toes. Bend the knee of the racket foot taking care to keep the shoulders back and balanced above the hips. Use the none racket arm behind the body to balance the move.
Side Step (Chasse)
This type of step formation can be used to move to any corner of the court, and does allow players to move further and faster, especially towards the net. The next phase is to move the non-dominant foot up behind and slightly closer to the corner, so the back leg is slightly crossed behind the front leg. Then once again move the racket leg forward in the direction of the shuttle, and extend the racket arm out in front of the body.
Cross Over Step
This step is used for travelling quickly across the court. The step-close step footwork uses the non-dominant foot (left foot for a right handed player) as a pivot and the dominant foot as the leading foot. The non-dominant foot is the one that also closes the body away from the shuttle hence the name step-close step.
3 Step Return to Mid Court
This type of step formation can be used to move to any corner of the court, and does allow players to move further and faster, especially towards the net.
Ready Position
Being in the ready position allows players to move sharply in the direction that the shuttle is traveling. In the ready position a players feet should be square, or slightly staggered depending on the player and how they feel most comfortable.
Scissor Kick
This type of step formation can be used to deliver a powerful shot from the back of the court. In this shot the legs switch position in mid air resembling the closing and then opening of scissors. It is often proceeded by a chasses step, so the player will find they are still moving backwards when the jump is started. Stage one is to jump straight off the ground, then swap your dominant foot with your non dominant foot in mid air with the non dominant foot landing momentarily before the other.
Lunge
The lunge is frequently used in badminton. For the purpose of the drill start in the ready position and then stretch the racket foot out. Making sure that the heel touches the floor first place the racket foot on the ground, then move to the toes. Bend the knee of the racket foot taking care to keep the shoulders back and balanced above the hips. Use the none racket arm behind the body to balance the move.
Side Step (Chasse)
This type of step formation can be used to move to any corner of the court, and does allow players to move further and faster, especially towards the net. The next phase is to move the non-dominant foot up behind and slightly closer to the corner, so the back leg is slightly crossed behind the front leg. Then once again move the racket leg forward in the direction of the shuttle, and extend the racket arm out in front of the body.
Cross Over Step
This step is used for travelling quickly across the court. The step-close step footwork uses the non-dominant foot (left foot for a right handed player) as a pivot and the dominant foot as the leading foot. The non-dominant foot is the one that also closes the body away from the shuttle hence the name step-close step.
3 Step Return to Mid Court
This type of step formation can be used to move to any corner of the court, and does allow players to move further and faster, especially towards the net.
Ready Position
Being in the ready position allows players to move sharply in the direction that the shuttle is traveling. In the ready position a players feet should be square, or slightly staggered depending on the player and how they feel most comfortable.
Grip:
Handshake Grip
Explanation : This is the most basic grip and used by the majority of players, possibly because it is known as the most comfortable and easiest to use. Another advantage of this grip is that it is very versatile as it can be used for any shot.
How: For the handshake grip players hold the racket out in front of them in the non-playing hand (left hand for a right handed player) and make sure the racket face (strings) is sideways, not facing the sky or floor.
Once in this position players can then place the playing hand (right hand for a right handed player), on the racket face, with the palm against the strings. The next stage is to slide the playing hand down the racket shaft all the way to the bottom of the handle, then wrap the thumb and fingers around the racket making sure the forefinger is slightly apart from the others.
To ensure players are doing it correctly the forefinger and thumb should form a V shape on top of the handle, which in turn should point all the way up the arm to the same shoulder.
Backhand Thumb Grip
Explanation : This is the most basic grip used in backhand shots which are played in front of the body, possibly because it is known as the most comfortable and easiest to use. Examples of when this grip would be used include the backhand lob ; backhand serves and kill and defence shots.
Another advantage of this grip is that it is very versatile as it can be used for any shot. It should however, not be used for behind the body backhand smashes.
How: The backhand grip it is much the same as the handshake grip, but instead of wrapping the thumb round the handle, place it on top of the grip as it is held sideways. This slight change is mainly for added leverage and support, but along with a tighter grip it can also add power, and lessen stress on the hand, wrist, and elbow.
(Teach PE, 2017)
Handshake Grip
Explanation : This is the most basic grip and used by the majority of players, possibly because it is known as the most comfortable and easiest to use. Another advantage of this grip is that it is very versatile as it can be used for any shot.
How: For the handshake grip players hold the racket out in front of them in the non-playing hand (left hand for a right handed player) and make sure the racket face (strings) is sideways, not facing the sky or floor.
Once in this position players can then place the playing hand (right hand for a right handed player), on the racket face, with the palm against the strings. The next stage is to slide the playing hand down the racket shaft all the way to the bottom of the handle, then wrap the thumb and fingers around the racket making sure the forefinger is slightly apart from the others.
To ensure players are doing it correctly the forefinger and thumb should form a V shape on top of the handle, which in turn should point all the way up the arm to the same shoulder.
Backhand Thumb Grip
Explanation : This is the most basic grip used in backhand shots which are played in front of the body, possibly because it is known as the most comfortable and easiest to use. Examples of when this grip would be used include the backhand lob ; backhand serves and kill and defence shots.
Another advantage of this grip is that it is very versatile as it can be used for any shot. It should however, not be used for behind the body backhand smashes.
How: The backhand grip it is much the same as the handshake grip, but instead of wrapping the thumb round the handle, place it on top of the grip as it is held sideways. This slight change is mainly for added leverage and support, but along with a tighter grip it can also add power, and lessen stress on the hand, wrist, and elbow.
(Teach PE, 2017)