Badminton Birdies Junior Badminton Program Guide


Introduction


This guide outlines Birdie Boppers core fundamentals and the technical aspects of badminton that are taught to youth in our programs. 


What is Badminton?


Badminton is a dynamic racket sport played with a shuttlecock (birdie) over a net. Originating from ancient civilizations, it evolved into a popular recreational and competitive sport worldwide. Players use lightweight rackets to hit the shuttlecock back and forth, aiming to score points by landing it in the opponent's court.


Benefits of Playing Badminton


Playing badminton offers numerous benefits for youth, including improved cardiovascular fitness, agility, hand-eye coordination, and reflexes. It promotes social interaction, teamwork (in doubles play), and develops mental focus and strategic thinking skills.


Getting Started


Basic Rules and Court Setup


Badminton can be played in singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side) formats. The court is rectangular, divided by a net, and the objective is to score points by landing the shuttlecock within the opponent's court boundaries. Points are scored on every rally, with matches typically played to the best of three games.


Scoring


The rally point system is used in badminton, meaning points can be scored on every serve. The first side to score 21 points wins a game, and a match is typically the best of three games. A point is scored each time the shuttlecock lands in the opponent's side of the court.


Faults


Common faults in badminton include the shuttlecock landing outside the court boundaries, the shuttlecock not crossing the net, or touching the net with the racket.


Understanding Equipment


Rackets


There are different types of badminton rackets, from lightweight to flexible shafts, each designed to suit different styles of play. In general, beginners may benefit from using a racket with a more flexible shaft, as it can be easier to control.


Shuttlecocks


There are two main types of shuttlecocks: feather and nylon. Feather shuttlecocks are used in competitive play for their flight characteristics and speed, while nylon shuttlecocks are more durable and suitable for recreational play or beginners.


Footwear


Non-marking indoor court shoes are recommended for badminton to provide good grip, support, and stability while moving on the court. This helps prevent injuries and maintains the condition of the court surface.


Fundamental Techniques:  Grip and Stance


Grip:


Proper grip is crucial in badminton for control and power. The most common grips include:

  • Forehand Grip   Similar to shaking hands with the racket, ideal for forehand shots.

  • Backhand Grip:   Use a "panhandle" grip for backhand shots, where the thumb is placed on the wider part of the handle.


Stance


A balanced and ready stance is essential for quick movement and readiness to respond to shots. Beginners should start with a square stance (feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent) to facilitate easy movement in all directions.


Basic Strokes


  • Forehand Stroke


    • Begin with the racket back and swing forward, contacting the shuttlecock in front of the body.


  • Backhand Stroke


    • Position the racket shoulder-high for backhand shots, swinging across the body towards the shuttlecock.


Serving


  • Underhand Serve


    • Suitable for beginners, start with the shuttlecock held in the non-racket hand, serving underhand to the opponent's court diagonally.


  • Overhead Serve


    • More advanced, involves a full swing and aiming to serve deep into the opponent's court.


Playing the Game


Court Movement and Footwork


Basics of footwork:

Our Instructors demonstrate essential movement patterns like side-to-side shuffling and forward-backward movement. We emphasize the importance of maintaining balance and being ready to react quickly to opponent shots.


Positioning:

We teach beginners to anticipate opponent shots and position themselves effectively to retrieve and return shots from all areas of the court.


Net Play and Shots


During class instruction, we describe techniques for executing net shots (gentle taps over the net) to gain an advantage in rallies. Our program aims teach each youth the importance soft hands and precision in net play, especially in doubles games.


Fun Drills & Warm-Up Exercises


Dynamic Warm-Up


Included are exercises such as jogging, high knees, and arm circles meant to increase heart rate and warm up muscles before practice or a match.


Stretching


Stretching gets our muscles ready to play. Coaches lead each class through a demonstration of static stretches targeting major muscle groups to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury during play.


Skill Development Drills


Footwork Drills


Following the 'group stretch', each class begins with a series of drills such as ladder drills and cone drills to improve agility and quickness on the court.


Stroke Practice


Set up drills focus on forehand and backhand strokes, encouraging consistency and accuracy in shot placement.


Game Strategies and Tactics


Singles Strategies


Baseline Play


We teach beginners to maintain control from the baseline, using deep clears and drop shots to move opponents.


Attacking Opportunities


Learn to focus intensity with smashes and net play when the opportunity arises.


Doubles Strategies


Communication


We stress the importance of communication between partners to cover the court effectively and avoid collisions.


Rotation


Our coaches explain rotational strategies to maintain court coverage and maximize opportunities for attacking shots.


Match Scenarios


Adapting Strategies


Instructors will discuss how to adapt strategies during matches based on opponent strengths and weaknesses while encouraging players to remain flexible and adjust tactics as needed to gain an advantage.


Sportsmanship and Etiquette


Respect for Opponents


At Badminton Birdies, we emphasize the importance of fair play, respecting opponents, and adhering to rules to create a positive playing environment.


Learning from Wins and Losses


We encourage a growth mindset, focusing on learning from both victories and defeats to improve skills and sportsmanship.


Fun Challenges and Games


Badminton Challenges


Include creative challenges and games (e.g., target practice, mini-tournaments) to make learning and practicing badminton enjoyable and competitive among youth players.


Team Building Activities


Players will benefit from team-building exercises and group activities (e.g., relay races, cooperative drills) to foster camaraderie and teamwork among players.


Encouragement


Our overall goal is to inspire young players to continue developing their skills, staying active, and having fun while participating in the sport of badminton.

Coaches are always happy to answer common questions beginners may have about badminton equipment, rules, and techniques for improving their game.



Conclusion


Our program aims to provide a solid jumping off point for beginner youth to learn and master the fundamentals of badminton.

Each class includes detailed instructions, tips, and exercises to help young players develop their skills and enjoy the game.

Please take a moment to reach out with any feedback you have that could help us improve our class instruction.

We always value feedback from parents of students regarding how we can make our program better.