Badminton is a sport that requires excellent stamina, quickness and hand-eye coordination. But it is also a popular backyard sport that can be enjoyed after learning the fundamentals. Ideally, the best way to work on beginning drills is with another player. However, many of the best drills for beginners can be done alone with the use of a wall. Hitting a shuttle against a wall allows a player to work on a number of different skills.
Grip
A proper grip is the key to hitting good shots. The forehand grip is similar to shaking hands with the racket handle. The thumb and forefinger form a V when gripping the racket. A backhand grip is different in that the V is moved to the left and the thumb supports the back of the handle. Hitting a shuttle back and forth with another player is a great way to work on proper grip.
Footwork
Badminton players try to get to the shuttlecock at its highest point in order to hit a good return shot. Footwork and court coverage are important to getting to the shuttle quickly. Place a shuttlecock in each corner and on the side and end line of a court. Standing in the middle, practice moving quickly and touching each shuttlecock. Shuffle your feet and keep your knees bent for better balance.
Strokes
Players use a forehand stroke to return a shuttle hit to the racket side of the body. A backhand stroke is used when the shuttle is on the non-racket side. An easy drill for working on these two strokes is to hit a shuttle against a wall, working on each stroke as it comes back to you. Two players can also practice together by hitting the shuttlecock back and fourth without a net between them.
Overhead Shot
An overhead shot occurs when a player hits a shuttlecock that is above his head. The overhead shot can be practiced against a wall by hitting the shuttle underhand so that it returns at a high arc. Partners can also practice an overhead shot. One player can throw or hit a shuttlecock, so that the other player has to return it with an overhead shot.
Serve
A good serve can give the server an immediate advantage. One way to work on serving accuracy is to place buckets towards the back of the other side of the court. See how many shuttlecocks you can serve into the buckets. If buckets aren't available, you can also use rackets or shuttlecocks placed deep in the opposing end. Working on serving as close to the end line as possible.
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