Higher StillPhysical Education

BADMINTON

Footwork

The importance of footwork

Badminton is a fast game; you have little time to respond after each shot. A second’s delay often turns a winning situation into a losing one.

You should play your shots from the highest point you can. Don’t allow the shuttlecock to drop!

At the front of the court, taking the shuttlecock early has an especially

At the back of the court, you want to hit the shuttlecock overhead at full relaxed reach.

Good footwork allows you

To hit shuttle from a balanced position Not to allow the shuttlecock to drop! To be quicker to recover for the next shot To remain balanced while you hit the

shuttlecock To prevention from injuries

The Ready Position

Stance - you should be ready with a somewhat wide stance: your feet a little more than shoulder-width apart

Racket carriage - Bring your racket up! Your left arm - your left arm should be used to

balance your right arm and racket. In the ready position, this generally means holding it in front of your body and slightly out to the side.

Never leave your left arm dangling at your side!

Movements - Steps

Steps are the most natural element of badminton movement. Everyone knows how to put one foot in front of the other!

But in badminton, you need to be comfortable stepping in all directions: forwards, backwards, sideways, and diagonally.

Movements - Chassés

A chassé is an alternative movement to a step. Which is better? Well, they are different movements, and all good players will use both; to compare their virtues, read about steps vs. chassés.

Link: steps vs. chassés. http://www.badmintonbible.com/articles/footwork/movem

ent-elements/steps-or-chasses.php

Additional Activities

Watch DVD ‘Basic Footwork’ Watch DVD ‘Basic Strokes’ Watch DVD ‘Play to win’ – to generate

discussions about improving badminton techniques.