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BADMINTON Special Olympics Sports Skills Program

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Basic Skill #2<br />

Basic Underhand Stroke (Ups to Self)<br />

The underhand stroke is vital to the game of badminton<br />

because all rallies begin with an underhand motion. In many<br />

instances, it is easier to learn the underhand motion before<br />

teaching the athletes how to serve.<br />

Assessment of Each Athlete’s Skill Level<br />

Beginners have difficulty judging where the shuttle is relative<br />

to the face of the racket. Intermediate players will be<br />

relatively successful hitting consistently to themselves.<br />

Underhand Forehand Stroke (Ups to Self)<br />

• Place shuttle on the racket to get a feel for how far<br />

out from the body the hitting position is located.<br />

• With the racket leg forward, toss the shuttle up. Keep the<br />

racket leg forward to simulate correct foot position with<br />

underhand strokes during game play. The opposite foot<br />

forward position is, of course, correct for forehand<br />

underhand serving technique.<br />

• Swing the racket back behind your body and then<br />

forward to a flat contact position.<br />

• Follow through so the racket hand finishes up by the<br />

opposite ear and the racket head points straight behind<br />

you. Try and make the racket swish (Figures 3-4).<br />

Figure 3 Figure 4<br />

The Underhand Backhand Stroke (Ups to Self)<br />

• Place shuttle on the racket to get a feel for how far<br />

out from the body the hitting position is located.<br />

• With the racket leg forward, toss the shuttle up.<br />

• Swing the racket back behind the opposite side of your<br />

body and then forward to a flat contact position.<br />

• Follow through so the racket hand finishes on the racket<br />

hand side with the racket pointing upward. Try and make<br />

the racket swish (Figures 5-6).<br />

<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Olympics</strong> Badminton <strong>Sports</strong> <strong>Skills</strong> <strong>Program</strong><br />

Drills<br />

1. Solo Ups<br />

• Place a shuttle on the strings of the racket and hit it<br />

straight up repeatedly.<br />

• Start low, and gradually increase the height of the hits.<br />

• Try to perform on the forehand side and the backhand<br />

side of the racket.<br />

• Attempt to get 10 ups in a row from each side of the<br />

racket.<br />

• Attempt to get 10 ups in a row while alternating<br />

forehand and backhand hits.<br />

2. Partner Ups<br />

• While facing a part n e r, 3-5 meters (10-16 feet) apart, one<br />

partner starts hitting the shuttle up.<br />

• Alternately, both partners hit ups trying to achieve as<br />

many consecutive hits as possible.<br />

• An excellent partner challenge is 25 consecutive hits.<br />

Start with 10 as a goal and work up from there.<br />

Cue Words<br />

Figure 5 Figure 6<br />

• Watch the shuttle<br />

• Relaxed swing<br />

• Rotate forearm<br />

• Follow through opposite side with a swish sound<br />

Suggestions for the Te a c h e r / C o a c h<br />

Athletes should be reminded to watch the shuttle all<br />

the way into the racket and use a smooth relaxed<br />

swing motion. For both the forehand and backhand<br />

underhand stroke, the follow-through should end on<br />

the opposite side from where the stroke began.<br />

2 9

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