Drop shots and net play
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use drop shots and net play to open up the front of the court.
Key learning points
- Move: getting your racket as close to the net to intercept, rather than swing at the shuttle, ensures a soft net shot.
- Move: drop shots from the back require very little follow through in the swing.
- Feel: hitting shots softly requires self-discipline and composure.
- Connect: feeding the shuttle to put just enough pressure on your teammates maximises the benefits of training.
Keywords
Touch shot - hitting the shuttle softly with a stationary racket to use the shuttle's momentum to propel it back
Arc - moving with a curving trajectory
Carry - an illegal tactic where the shuttle is held on the racket head and slung back over the net
Common misconception
Pupils swing when hitting drop shots and net shots.
By reducing your backswing and almost eliminating your follow through, you will be able to perform more successful drop shots and net shots that trickle just over the net and put your opponent under more pressure.
Teacher tip
Working in pairs or small groups of similar ability helps develop confidence. It is important to remind pupils that working in their stretch zone of 50-80% success will result in the most progress. For some, that means adding extra restrictions, such as only hitting backhand.
Equipment
1 badminton racket per pupil, at least 1 shuttlecock between 2, posts and nets
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which shot requires a big snap of the wrist?
Q2.Which side should you start serving from when the score is 0-0?
Q3.Whose score is called first?
Q4.What shouldn’t you do if you think the shuttle lands on the line but you are not sure?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which shot is hit with your racket up close and almost touching the net?
Q2.What should you do with your backswing and follow through when hitting drop shots and net shots?
Q3.What is it called if the shuttle is moving in a curved trajectory?
Q4.What type of shuttle feed should you use to help a partner make maximum progress?
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Drop shots and net play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Drop shots and net play, 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 3 physical education lessons from the Net and wall games: understand effective performance in badminton unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.