Birdies Squad, badminton
It all starts with the serve
Learn
Short lessons to try with a partner, written for players of every level.
- Getting started
- Strokes
- Footwork
- Tactics
- Fitness
- Mental game
- Drills by level
- Training plans
- Rules and umpiring
- Coaches’ corner
- Glossary
Pattaya · 19:00–21:00
The club
Doubles rotation, all levels together, feather shuttles provided.
Enter → The clubAt the net, it gets quick
Getting started
Your first rallies, a short serve, a calm return.
- Your first badminton rallies
- Learn a short backhand serve
- Return a short serve without rushing
- Move towards the net and get ready again
From the serve to the smash
Strokes
Clear, drop, drive, smash: one stroke at a time, with the usual mistake to fix.
- Play a gentle forehand net shot
- Lift the shuttle from your backhand at the net
- Holding the racket: forehand grip and backhand grip
- The overhead forehand clear: stance, contact point and follow-through
Choose well
Gear
Rackets, strings, shuttles, shoes: guides with no price written, matched to your level.
Enter → GearBadminton words
Glossary
The words of badminton sorted by theme, each with a short explanation.
Enter → GlossaryPlay it right
Rules
Scoring, service, faults and umpiring, in plain words.
- The badminton court: lines, net and what counts as "in"
- Winning a point, a game and a match: toss, rally scoring and change of ends
- The serve: what makes it legal
- The 3x15 format: what changes in the laws of badminton
Get there in time
Footwork
Steps, lunges and recovery to the centre to cover the whole court.
- Move sideways with small chassé steps
- Find the rhythm of a small split step
- The lunge and the basic steps: run, chassé, cross-behind, pivot
- The split-step: the small jump that gets you moving faster
Play smart
Tactics
Where to aim, when to attack, how to defend in singles and doubles.
- Reading the situation: attacking, neutral, defensive, and hitting early
- Doubles: understand front and back in attack
- Doubles: get ready side by side
- Mixed doubles: agree on a shuttle between you
Stay clear-headed
Mental
Handle pressure, tight points and the hard moments of a match.
- Why you play: enjoyment, motivation and a good practice group
- Separate your action from the result you hope for
- Ask your partner for specific feedback
- Choose one cue for the next rally
To try with a partner
Drills
Drills by level, from the first rally to confident play.
- Beginner: adjust a throw towards a target
- Choose the target your partner calls
- Hand feeding: safe, useful practice shuttles
- Intermediate exercise: alternate between two familiar targets
Last the match
Fitness
Warm-up, strength and injury prevention, by age.
- Warm-up and cool-down for badminton: a simple plan from the BWF manual
- Warming up by age: children, adults and older players
- Strength, endurance and flexibility: what suits each age
- What fitness does a badminton player need? Nine components
Week after week
Plans
Ready-made training plans to improve step by step.
- Adapt a session when you have less time
- Share a session with two personal goals
- Badminton for children and juniors
- Stages of a player's development: what to emphasise and when
Latest lessons
- Singles neutral play: straight or cross-court, and moving your opponentWhat to do when neither player is attacking in singles: why straight shots keep you in control, when a cross-court shot is worth it, and three games to test them.Level : Amateur
- Singles defence: from the rearcourt, the midcourt and the forecourtWhat to play when you are under pressure in singles, depending on where the shuttle is, and three short games to practise the choices.Level : Amateur
- Singles attack: move your opponent away, then hit the weak spotHow to build an attack in singles by moving your opponent away from an area of weakness and then playing into it, and where to stand while you do it.Level : Amateur