Equipment

The equipment used to teach badminton in schools can impact on the level of success achieved by pupils in a lesson. Below is a guide to the various types of equipment and adaptations that can be made to support the teaching of badminton in schools.

The size and weight of a badminton racket can greatly influence the ability of a child to successfully strike an object. It is important that badminton rackets being used in schools are light enough for pupils to hold and swing, yet durable enough to withstand general ‘wear and tear’.

 

Shortened badminton rackets can help pupils to better co-ordinate the hitting of an object. It is possible to shorten a standard badminton racket by encouraging pupils to hold the racket near the “T” piece of the racket.

When teaching badminton to school pupils it is advised to use synthetic shuttles. Synthetic shuttles are more durable than feather ones and come in a variety of colors. Colored shuttles can be used to aid younger pupils or individuals with visual impairments.

Badminton-book

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The height of a badminton net should be 1.55 metres (5 ft. 1 inch) high at the edges and 1.524 metres (5 ft.) high in the centre. To assist pupils it may be possible to reduce the height of the net or remove the net entirely. When lowering or removing the net it is important to re-inforce safety to pupils.

Schools that do not have badminton nets can use rope or tape as a substitute.



Balloons can be used as a replacement for Shuttles in many activities in the Shuttle Time programme. Pupils may find it easier to successfully strike a balloon, due to its larger size and slower trajectory.

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Targets are an excellent way to motivate and maintain the interest of pupils. Targets can be made using hoops, cones, boxes, baskets and other materials to mark out an area for pupils to aim for.