Shuttle balance and tap-ups

Setup

1. Each player has a short, light racket and one shuttle.
2. Players line up along the back line with at least two racket lengths between them.
3. Check the court is clear of bags, bottles and stray shuttles before anyone starts walking.

How it runs

1. Balance: lay the shuttle on its side on the strings and hold the racket flat and still for a count of five.
2. Walk: carry it to the net and back without it falling off, then try it on the other face of the racket.
3. Tap-ups: hit the shuttle gently straight up to about head height and count the hits in a row.
4. Tap-up walk: keep tapping while walking back to the start line.
5. Finish with a one-minute best-streak challenge and let each player share their number.

Coaching points

• Hold the racket like shaking hands with it: relaxed, not squeezed.
• Keep the racket face flat and watch the shuttle all the way onto the strings.
• Small, soft taps from the forearm; the shuttle should rise, not fly away.
• Move the feet to stay under the shuttle instead of stretching the arm.

Common mistakes

• Gripping tightly, so the racket wobbles and the shuttle bounces off.
• Hitting too hard and chasing the shuttle into someone else's space.
• The frying-pan grip: hand on top of the handle with the face pointing at the ceiling all the time.