BADMINTON Special Olympics Sports Skills Program

Tips for Coaching Technical Skills
• Arrange the athletes in a semicircle in front of you.
• As you speak, make eye contact with all athletes.
• Speak simply and clearly. Do not give long demonstrations
and explanations.
• Encourage athletes to imitate your technique.
• Keep everyone moving.
• Ask questions to ensure that everyone knows what to do.
• Keep the “FUN” in “FUNdamentals.”
• Watch for fa t i g u e .
Emphasize “doing” rather than “watching.” Athletes will
learn best by participating.
Warming Up
Badminton is a power game requiring quick and powerful
movements in all directions to return the shuttlecock to the
opponents’ side of the court. A good warm-up should consist
of the following three phases:
1. A physiological warm-up (easy hitting solo or with a
partner, jogging, jump rope, etc.): This is intended to
increase the overall body temperature prior to stretching.
2. A stretching session (static stretches of major muscle
groups): Do stretches that are held for 10-30 seconds
in a position where a mild stretch is placed on the
muscle.
3. Return to a more physiological warm-up (more hitting
on court solo or with a partner): This warm-up segment
should occur in the early portion of the practice session
that begins to work on skill drills and/or movement
drills. It should start at a low to moderate intensity
and work toward higher intensity throughout the
practice session.
Stretching
Stretching is part of a sound warm-up routine, and it is
intended to help increase the range of movement for both
muscles and joints. Coaches should encourage and monitor
static stretching activities after the body has been warmed up
for a 5-10 minute warm-up period. Stretching should include
all major muscle groups with special emphasis on the arm
and shoulder, trunk, buttocks, and calves. Stretches should be
held "pain free" for 10-30 seconds.
Special Olympics Badminton Sports Skills Program
Upper Body Stretches
Wrist Stretch (up) Figure 1
• Place the finger pads of one hand in the palm of the
other hand.
• Gently push the fingers backward to point of stretch
and hold.
Wrist Stretch (down)
• Place the backside of the finger pads in the palm of the
other hand.
• Gently push the fingers backward to the point of stretch
and hold.
Triceps Stretch Figure 2
Figure 1
• Sit or stand upright and place one arm in a bent position
with the hand resting on the shoulder blade.
• Take hold of your elbow with the opposite hand.
• Pull your elbow behind your head and hold this stretch.
Figure 2
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