Badminton: Underarm Forehand Clear


Badminton: Underarm Forehand Clear


Skill Analysis
Preparatory:
· Stand square to the net
· Knees bent, shoulder width apart, weight on balls of feet (athletic stance)
· Hold racquet with a forehand grip
Execution:
· Begin to approach the shuttlecock
· Extend and put your racquet up for the shot
· Lunge forward with the same leg you hold your racquet with
· Swing racquet upwards as the shuttle drops into the hitting area
· Contact the shuttle out in front of your body, as high as possible
· Flick your wrist as you contact the shuttle (whip action)
Follow Through:
· After contact, follow through with racquet in the direction of the shuttle’s trajectory
· Push back with both legs
· Return to base position

Teaching Cues
Elementary:
· Ready! (square to net, “on your toes”)
· Attack! (lunge forward, swing through shuttle)
· Retreat! (return to ready position)

Secondary:
· Athletic Stance
· Lunge Forward
· Swing Through
· Return

Lead-up Tasks
Elementary:
· Students will break into groups and will be assigned to nets. One group will have the racquets and shuttles while the other group stands on the other side of the net with their racquets. Students will alternate by servicing their teammates the shuttle while the others are waiting to return the shuttle using the underarm forehand clear. This will give the students a controlled environment and allow them to have ample opportunities to see how and why this is an effective clear shot. Once the student “clears” the shuttle back to the serving partner, they will catch the shuttle and repeat 5 times. They will then switch roles, having the server become the returnee and vice versa.



Secondary:
· The secondary lead-up task will be a lot like the elementary task. Both students will have racquets, one the server, the other the return player. The server will alternate sides to which they hit the shuttle. This will help the older students become more familiar with using the underarm forehand clear while on the move. This will be a more game-like situation that is more developmentally appropriate for the older, more skilled students.