-Objective:

All players must make a successful pass to a different player

• ​A badminton racquet for each player and 1 bird per group of 4-6 players

-Equipment Link:

• Players stand around the edge of half a badminton court

• Player needs to pass the bird to someone not immediately beside them

• When a player has received and passed the bird they put their racquet in the air to indicate that they have received a pass.

• If successful the player who made the first pass will receive the last pass.

• Have players try and go around 2 or more times but hitting it to a different player each time it comes to them–play till a pass is not successful or the bird is passed a second time to a player from a same player before the bird is passed to every player at least once.

• Instructional tips:

  • Communication, racquet control, and placement and observation are important in this drill.

• Variations:

  • Two-Bird Thread-the-needle: Played the same as Thread-the-needle but using 2 birds at the same time. It is important for players to communicate and be aware of the other bird while playing their bird.

  • Button-hole: Have a player in the middle of the other players. This player passes a bird out to a player on the outside, who passes it back to the middle player, who passes it back to the next player and so on till everyone has successfully passed the bird. Following one complete circle switch the middle player so every one gets a turn.

  • Broken Button-hole: Put someone in the middle. The players on the outside pass the bird to each other. The player in the middle tries to intercept the bird or wait for an incomplete pass at which time the last player to contact the bird switches with the player in the middle. Watch people do not hit each other with a racquet (maybe use a pool noodle instead for the player in the middle).

  • Button-hole Sit-up: Played as with Button-hole except that all players are in a seated position. Once a player on the outside passes the bird to the player in the middle all players do a quick sit-up. See how many consecutive sit-ups can be done before someone makes an errant pass.

• As a cool-down:

  • Will work well as a cool-down except for the more active variations (Two-bird Thread-the-needle, Broken Button-hole, and Button-hole Sit-up).