Badminton Training Games

Badminton became an Olympic sport more than a decade ago, and its athletes take the sport very seriously. You too can train to improve your badminton skills by playing several games. The games should be appropriate for the ages of the players, the playing conditions, and skill level of each player as well as offer the participants an element of enjoyment.

  1. The Shuttle Placement Game

    • The placement game will increase player shuttle control.

      This game requires a playing space that is 10 to 22 feet long so that players have room to hit the shuttle. Place in a line horizontal to the players a series of boxes or circles on the floor or surface. These can be marked indoors with floor safe tape or outdoors with spray paint. On the opposite end of the space draw a line for players to stand behind. Keep the distance between the two lines appropriate for the age and strength of the players. Line each player up across from a box and have the player hit up to 20 shuttles trying to get them inside of the box. As the accuracy level increases, have the player move to spots that are diagonal to their box. This will allow a player to learn more about shuttle control and flight. Nets placed between the players and the boxes or the use of boxes that are less than three feet square will make this drill more challenging

    Round the Clock

    • Round the clock games aid in teaching continuous shuttle control.

      Place players in a large circle with a radius of at least 15 feet. Place one player on each side to mimic clock settings of high noon and 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour. Dictate a pattern for the players to keep a shuttle in continuous motion for at least one minute. Designated patterns can include cross circle shots only. Time and distance can increase for more advanced players. If you are playing this game with young children, the group that can keep the shuttle in play for the longest period of time might be awarded some sort of privilege or prize appropriate to the game.

    Endurance Games

    • Have multiple players keep the shuttle in play while on the court.

      Pick a time limit that is appropriate for the age and skill levels of the players and set a stop watch to reflect that time. Put on some age appropriate music with a beat that will encourage some rhythmic timing for each player to hit the shuttle. Tell the players when to start the game and have them attempt to keep a volley going during the set period of time. This game should be played on a legal court with the net in place and is appropriate for singles and doubles practice. You do not want to score this play as a regular game, but want to increase the players' ability to play a full-length game and keep the shuttle in play.