Serving long and short
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can accurately perform long and short serves with variety and deception.
Key learning points
- Move: the serve requires a solid stance with dominant foot forwards and weight transfer to apply power.
- Move: releasing the shuttle with good timing, as the racket hand wrist flicks to apply speed, maximises consistency.
- Think: analysing serves with a focus on keeping them low over the net prevents interceptions and reduces response time.
- Feel: focus and composure before every serve helps improve accuracy.
- Connect: providing a target for others to aim their serve at and counting successful attempts will motivate performance.
Keywords
Forehand - a shot made by swinging on the same side of your body as your dominant hand; the right side for right-handed players
Backhand - a shot made by swinging the racket across your body; for right-handed players this means swinging on the left side
Tramlines - the areas at the side and back of the court that are used for doubles
Common misconception
Having index finger up the back of the racket to try to control the racket in a pan handled grip.
Ensure all fingers are wrapped in a shake hands grip to unlock the ability to hit with more power even if it feels harder initially. Watch out for others making this mistake with their grip and correct them when you see it.
Teacher tip
Establishing courts of similar ability in this first lesson enables learners to be challenged at an appropriate level and small groups to be responsible for court set up and tidy up. If your group size is too big for 4 per court, additional pupils can officiate/coach and rotate.
Equipment
1 badminton racket each, at least a shuttlecock between 2 but ideally more, hoops for targets.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.If the shuttle hits the line as it lands in badminton, what does this mean?
Q2.Serving in singles in badminton uses which tramlines?
Q3.If you win the point in singles, who serves next?
Q4.Hitting the shuttle on which side of the body describes a forehand for a right handed player?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What shot is your opponent likely to play if you serve high and close to the net?
Q2.Why should you pause just prior to serving?
Q3.If you start the rally with a low serve, where on the court should you be planning to hit your next shot?
Q4.What happens if you make contact with the shuttle above your waist on the serve?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Serving long and short, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Serving long and short, 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.