Forehand shots
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can hit forehand serves, clears, drives, smashes and drop shots with consistency.
Key learning points
- Move: adjusting footwork relative to the shuttle flight enables space to swing and a clean contact.
- Move: a well timed 'whip' to swing is achieved with a snap of the wrist to apply power and direction.
- Think: to attack the shuttle you need to be behind and underneath it, with a wrist snap to angle the shuttle down.
- Feel: confidence is required to adjust early to hit underarm rather than overarm.
- Connect: if your partner is struggling, hitting the shuttle up for an overhead forehand clear shot shows kindness.
Keywords
Clear - a shot played from the back of the court up high and deep into your opponent's half
Drive - fast attacking shots where the shuttle is kept low over the net
Open face - angling the racket strings slightly upwards to play defensive rallying shots
Common misconception
Hitting it hard and fast is the highest priority.
It is more effective to vary the pace, angle and positioning of where you hit the shuttle to create opportunities to win the point.
Teacher tip
Remember to watch out for and correct the grip for anyone still holding their index finger up the shaft of the racket.
Equipment
1 badminton racket per pupil, at least 1 shuttlecock between 2 and the additional materials to support with technique.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which component of fitness is most important in performing a lunge?
Q2.When should you perform a split step?
Q3.What position should you be in to ensure you can hit the shuttlecock before it touches the floor?
Q4.If your opponent moves towards the net, where would you typically aim your next shot?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which part of the court should we aim for to create space early in a rally to win more points?
Q2.What is the most important technical point when performing a smash compared to other shots?
Q3.When playing defensively and lofting the shuttle what should you do with the racket face?
Q4.What is the shape of the shuttlecock trajectory when hitting a drive shot?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Forehand shots, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Forehand shots, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Non-examined assessment: badminton practical unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.