The backhand
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the correct backhand technique and understand when to use this shot in a rally.
Key learning points
- Move: to perform a backhand shot, hit the shuttlecock with the centre of the racket, pointing the racket at the target.
- Move: hitting a backhand shot into space, with accuracy and control, helps improve our chances of winning the point.
- Think: evaluating our backhand technique helps to identify strengths and weaknesses to improve our performance.
- Feel: continuing to try our best when we find tasks difficult shows that we can be resilient and self-disciplined.
- Connect: striving to help others to improve their performance shows excellent team work and cooperation.
Keywords
Backhand - a shot that is played in badminton from the midcourt and is hit with the back of the hand leading (like hitting with the knuckles)
Technique - the way in which a skill is performed
Accuracy - the ability to control where we hit an object
Common misconception
Pupils avoid hitting a backhand if they find it too difficult which disrupts their balance and positioning. Pupils may face the net rather than rotating their body when hitting the shuttlecock.
Spend time focusing on just the backhand shot to develop pupils' confidence so they will use the shot in a rally. Remind pupils to shift from the ready position, to then rotate their body to hit the shuttlecock so they can generate more power.
Teacher tip
Provide different sized rackets to help pupils develop their control and accuracy. For pupils who struggle to make contact with the shuttlecock on their backhand side, practise self feeding the shuttlecock against a wall individually so pupils have more attempts before working with a partner.
Equipment
1 badminton racket per pupil, 1 shuttlecock between two, 30+ cones, 15 hoops
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where should your racket face towards when you have hit the shuttlecock?
Q2.On to which foot should we step forwards to get more power behind our forehand shot?
Q3.What can partners give us to help improve our forehand technique?
Q4.What are we looking for when scanning the court before hitting a forehand shot?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When working well with your partner, encouraging them and being a good teammate, what skill are you showing?
Q2.When you always try your best to hit an accurate backhand, even when you are finding it hard, what are you showing?
Q3.Which area of the court should we avoid hitting the shuttlecock into so we can move our opponent and create space?
Q4.When hitting a backhand, where should the racket foot be in relation to the non-racket foot when you hit the shuttlecock?
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: The backhand, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: The backhand, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Net and wall games: tactics to overcome an opponent through badminton unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.