Just Step Up Level 2 from the Badminton Malta Step Up Awards Scheme. Content below is taken from the original level PDF.
About the Scheme
What is the Scheme?
The Badminton Malta Step Up Scheme is available to provide a staged learning approach to developing various technical, tactical and physical attributes needed to improve your skills as a badminton player.
Who are they aimed towards?
The scheme has been developed and is accessible for anyone who wishes to learn and test themselves against each of the scheme levels from a complete beginner through to a regular club or competitive player.
What are the levels of awards?
Currently there are six scheme levels, these are aligned roughly with both the Badminton Malta Player Concept model as well as the Badminton Malta Academy groups. They roughly support 2 scheme levels for each stage of the Academy in Foundations, Cadets and Development. This scheme level is not an overall level of play but a guideline of the skills you should develop at various levels.
How are they run and assessed?
The scheme will be run by Badminton Malta Academy Coaches over two assessment days per year. When these are announced your coach can advise you as to whether you are at a level to attempt any of the scheme levels for the upcoming event. The Level 1 Scheme will also be offered as part of the Just Hit It schools projects.
What are the costs / What do you receive?
The cost of the scheme assessment day will be €10 per assessment day. This cost will go towards the assessment day, coaches for assessments, a certificate of achievement and a level specific Badminton Malta Step Up Scheme keychain of which there will be 6 to collect. The scheme prizes will be distributed at the Badminton Malta Awards Night.
Skill 1 — Forward & Backwards Chassis
The chassis is a vital movement in badminton footwork and is part of the approach and recovery phases, it allows a player to move sideways at a quick speed and due to the size of the court is very commonly used to move into all areas of the court in different situations.
How It Should Look
The chassis step should show one foot chasing the other without quite catching up, these can be done with feet parallel to each other or even at a 90* angle. The player should look like they just skim across the surface. Players should have bent knees while staying on the balls of their feet. In this skill players need to show the ability to chassis effectively at angles in relation to the main corners of the court from the base position.
Assessment Procedure 1 - Forward & Backwards
Chassis
The player will complete 2 lengths of a court chassising forwards while alternating two steps right and two steps left . The player will then complete another two lengths of the court in a backwards motion of two steps left and two steps right. If the player is travelling more forwards than side to side then get the players to use the centre line and tramlines as boundaries to touch on the left and right as they make their way down the court.
The player starts in the centre of the court and demonstrates a split step with feet facing towards a specified corner, they then chassis to the corner and return to the base, this is repeated 3 times on each of the forehand corners. For the backhand net players can split step or pivot in a way that allows them to have their racket foot in front. For the backhand rear court player will chassis back as if playing an overhead stroke.
Skill 2 — Split Step & Change Direction
The split step is the most important part of badminton footwork and is the starting phase of all movement patterns. The split step allows a player to link movements together, change direction and move off quickly in response to an opponent's stroke. Here we will focus on the ability to quickly change direction.
How It Should Look
The split step should look like a small jump just before your opponent hits their stroke. A widening of the base and bending of the knees will create balance and allow for a powerful first step. The upper body will be relaxed and central between the feet with a slight forward bend at the hips, this provides body control and power to move fast in every direction. The split step and position of the feet and body can be adjusted to the direction the player needs to move if possible.
Assessment Procedure 2 - Split Step & Change Direction
Players stand in the centre of the court and perform a split step and short 1 step chassis movement in the direction the coach points, for the first exercise the coach will only use side to side changes, there is no need to move all the way to the corners . Players perform 8 movements in any order for 3 attempts,
Assessment 2 is the same as the first exercise although now the coach can point to any of the 6 corners, players are encouraged if possible to split steps in the desired direction of travel, there is no need to move all the way to the corners. Players perform 8 movements in any order for 3 attempts,
Skill 3 — Fast Feet Exercises
Fast Feet exercises are an essential part of a badminton player's training. With the rapid movement, change of direction and agility needed to play badminton, being able to make quick feet adjustments as well as a short ground contact time will enable players to become more agile and efficient moving around the court.
How It Should Look
The players will complete a number of basic fast feet exercises, showing good feet-eye coordination as well as fast movement of the feet. Here players should be on the balls of their feet at all times with knees bent and show good control of their body while performing the exercises.
Assessment Procedure 3 - Fast Feet Exercises
Pattering - Players will perform 2 x 10’s bursts of patterning where they aim to do as many toe touches to the ground as possible.
Two Feet Forwards & Backwards - Players will perform 2 x 10’s bursts of two feet forwards & backwards where they aim to move both feet at the same time in front and behind a line as many times as possible.
Alternating Forwards & Backwards - Players will perform 2 x 10’s bursts of alternating forwards & backwards where they aim to move feet in front and behind a line as many times as possible one after the other.
Splits - Players will perform 2 x 10’s bursts of splits where they aim to do as many side to side splits as possible. Here you can also use two lines to move the feet inside and outside of the lines.
Skill 4 — Forehand Net Shot
The Forehand Net shot is played in the forecourt area and on the forehand side. The aim is to get the shuttle to travel from forecourt to the opponent forecourt as close to the net cord as possible.
How It Should Look
The forehand net shot should be played with a basic grip and the racket held out in front of the body. Here the arm is rotated to present the racket head and strings to the shuttle. The shot should be played just before the lunging foot touches the floor and therefore using momentum and a small pushing action to hit the shuttle. The racket head then moves upwards to prepare for the potential reply.
Coaching Notes
- Relaxed Basic Grip
- Racket head turns open and around shoulder height
- Stroke is played with little racket head movement, using momentum and the fingers to push.
- Follow through ensures that the racket is up for the next stroke.
- Solid lunge with toes pointing in direction to the shuttle.
Assessment Procedure 4 - Forehand Net Shot
Assessment of the forehand net shot will be based on two exercises . Firstly, from a standing position just one lunge away from the net and the second with the full movement from a base position behind the service line using either a chassis or running steps. Task Repetitions Assessment Qualities Single Step Lunge Players can start roughly on the service line where they are able to reach in just one lunge step 6 / 10 Successful repetitions
- Basic Grip
- Relaxed reach
- Landing heel toe with foot pointing Base Movement Players start in a base position behind the service line, using a split step, chassis/running steps and lunge 6 / 10 Successful repetitions
- Good body balance during footwork
- Soft hands to control momentum and power of stroke
Skill 5 — Backhand Net Shot
The Backhand Net shot is played in the forecourt area and on the backhand side. The aim is to get the shuttle to travel from forecourt to the opponent forecourt as close to the net cord as possible.
How It Should Look
The backhand net shot should be played with a thumb grip and the racket held out in front of the body. Here the arm is rotated to present the racket head and strings to the shuttle with the knuckles facing upwards. The shot should be played just before the lunging foot touches the floor and therefore using momentum and a small pushing action to hit the shuttle. The racket head then moves upwards to prepare for the potential reply.
Coaching Notes
- Relaxed Thumb Grip
- Racket head turns closed and around shoulder height
- Stroke is played with little racket head movement, using momentum and the thumb to push.
- Follow through ensures that the racket is up for the next stroke.
- Solid lunge with toes pointing in direction to the shuttle.
Assessment Procedure 5 - Backhand Net Shot
Assessment of the backhand net shot will be based on two exercises . Firstly, from a standing position just one lunge away from the net and the second with the full movement from a base position behind the service line using either a chassis or running steps. Task Repetitions Assessment Qualities Single Step Lunge Players can start roughly on the service line where they are able to reach in just one lunge step in an attacking position. 6 / 10 Successful repetitions
- Thumb Grip
- Relaxed reach
- Landing heel toe with foot pointing Base Movement Players start in a base position behind the service line, using a split step, chassis/running steps and lunge 6 / 10 Successful repetitions
- Good body balance during footwork
- Soft hands to control momentum and power of stroke
Skill 6 — Backhand Short Serve
The Backhand Short Serve is mainly a Doubles serve that is now very commonly used in Men’s SIngles. The serve is from a defensive/neutral position and aims to travel diagonally into the front of the opponent's service court while being as close as possible to the net cord as it passes.
How It Should Look
The Backhand Short Serve is played using a thumb grip, generally shorter on the handle in doubles. The stance is most commonly with the racket foot forwards. The racket head is presented out in front of the body with the shuttle placed on the strings with the feathers between the fingers. The serve has to be one fluid motion and so a short backswing is used before the racket head is pushed through the shuttle, striking the shuttle out of the hand. The racket head is followed through in an upwards direction in anticipation of the reply.
Coaching Notes
- Relaxed Thumb Grips
- Racket head presented and reached out in front of the body
- Shuttle held by the feathers and between the fingers
- Backswing and forward swing are short and a pushing action
- Racket strings to face parallel to the net or slightly up to gain the desired trajectory
- Encourage a good follow through to anticipate the 3rd stroke.
Assessment Procedure 6 - Backhand Short Serve
Assessment of the Backhand Short Serve will require players to serve shuttles into a target area . Task Repetitions Assessment Qualities Backhand Short Serve 6 / 10 Successful Repetitions
- Required success rate
- Thumb Grip
- Short Action