Badminton Footwork for Beginners: How to Move Around the Court

Good badminton footwork helps you reach the shuttle earlier, stay balanced while hitting, and recover quickly for the next shot.

Beginners often focus almost entirely on the racket. But if you arrive late, off balance, or too close to the shuttle, even a good swing becomes difficult to use.

The good news is that beginner footwork does not need to be complicated.

The BWF Shuttle Time programme identifies three movement skills as the foundation of correct badminton footwork:

split steps, chasse steps, and lunges.

This guide explains those movements in simple terms, shows you how to combine them, and gives you beginner drills you can practise even without hitting a shuttle.

If you are following our badminton learning path in order, the previous lesson is Badminton Service Rules Explained: Singles, Doubles, and Common Faults. This lesson moves from the serving rules to the footwork you need once a rally begins.

Quick answer: Start from a balanced ready position. As your opponent hits, use a small split step so you can react. Move toward the shuttle with short steps, running steps, or chasse steps. Finish with a controlled lunge when appropriate, hit while balanced, then recover toward a useful base position for the next shot.

Why Badminton Footwork Matters

Badminton is a fast game.

The shuttle can move:

• to the front court
• to either side of the midcourt
• deep into the rear court
• quickly from one corner to another

You cannot simply stand in one place and reach every shot with your arm.

Good footwork helps you:

• arrive at the shuttle sooner
• create space for your swing
• keep your body balanced
• use better racket technique
• recover after each shot
• cover more of the court with less wasted movement
• reduce awkward reaching and twisting

Footwork is not just about being fast.

It is about moving efficiently and under control. As you practise moving to the front, sides, and back of the playing area, our Badminton Court Dimensions and Lines guide can help you recognize the singles and doubles boundaries.

The Three Foundation Footwork Skills

The BWF Shuttle Time Schools Badminton Teachers’ Manual identifies three basic movement skills for beginners:

1. Split step
2. Chasse step
3. Lunge

These movements appear again and again in badminton.

You do not use them in exactly the same way for every shot, but learning them gives you a strong movement foundation.

1. The Split Step

The split step is a small preparation movement used just before you move toward the shuttle.

The purpose is to help you react quickly in any direction.

How to Do a Basic Split Step

Start in a balanced ready position.

Keep your knees slightly bent and your weight active rather than resting heavily on your heels.

As your opponent is about to strike the shuttle:

1. make a small hop or light adjustment
2. land with your feet ready to push
3. identify where the shuttle is going
4. push immediately in that direction

The split step should be small.

You are not trying to jump high.

You are preparing your legs so they can move quickly.

When Should You Split Step?

Try to time the landing around the moment your opponent strikes the shuttle.

If you land too early, you may become flat-footed before you know the direction.

If you land too late, the shuttle may already be travelling while you are still in the air.

For beginners, perfect timing is not necessary at first.

Start by learning the habit:

opponent prepares to hit → split step → react

2. The Chasse Step

A chasse step is a basic badminton movement used to travel sideways or diagonally while staying balanced.

The BWF beginner guidance describes it simply:

one foot chases the other, but never quite catches up.

How to Do a Chasse Step

Suppose you need to move to your right.

1. push with the left leg
2. move the right foot toward the shuttle
3. let the left foot follow
4. keep some distance between the feet
5. continue as needed

Do not cross your feet over each other during a basic chasse.

Try to maintain a relatively low centre of gravity.

The movement should feel light and controlled.

Why Use Chasse Steps?

Chasse steps can help you:

• move laterally without losing balance
• approach the front court
• prepare for a lunge
• adjust your distance to the shuttle
• recover after some shots

You will not use chasse steps for every movement on court.

Sometimes a normal running step or another movement is faster.

But the chasse is an important beginner skill because it teaches you to move while staying prepared to hit.

3. The Lunge

A lunge is a large reaching stride.

It is especially important when you need to reach a shuttle in front of you or to the side while keeping your upper body controlled.

The BWF manual notes that most badminton lunges are made with the racket leg (the leg on the same side as the hand holding your racket), although non-racket-leg lunges also occur.

How to Lunge Correctly

Move toward the shuttle and take a long final step with the lead foot.

Important beginner points from the BWF teaching guidance include:

Point the lead foot toward the shuttle.

Your foot should point generally toward the direction you are moving.

Let the heel contact first.

The BWF beginner guidance teaches first contact with the heel, followed by rolling through the foot.

Keep the knee and foot aligned.

Your lead knee and lead foot should point in the same direction.

Avoid letting the knee twist inward or outward while the foot points somewhere else.

Turn the rear foot outward.

This can help your balance and range of movement.

Keep a slight bend in the rear knee.

Do not lock the back leg rigidly.

Use the free arm for balance.

Your non-racket arm can act as a counterbalance.

The goal is to reach the shuttle without collapsing forward.

Practice safely: Warm up before faster movement, start with a lunge depth you can control, and practise on a clean, non-slip surface. If a movement causes pain, stop rather than forcing a deeper reach.

The Beginner Footwork Sequence

One of the easiest ways to understand badminton movement is to think of it as a sequence.

A common beginner pattern is:

Ready → Split → Move → Lunge or Hit → Recover

The BWF beginner progression for net movement develops from:

lunge

to:

chasse + lunge

and finally:

split step + chasse + lunge

This shows why it is better to learn the pieces first instead of trying to memorize complicated court patterns immediately.

Start From a Balanced Ready Position

Before your opponent hits, avoid standing completely upright with your legs straight.

A simple ready position is:

• feet comfortably apart
• knees slightly bent
• body balanced
• weight ready to move
• racket prepared in front of you
• attention on your opponent and the shuttle

Your exact stance will change depending on the rally.

There is no single position that is perfect for every situation.

The important idea is that you should be able to move quickly in more than one direction.

What Is the Badminton Base Position?

Beginners often hear coaches say, “return to base.”

A base position is the area you recover toward after hitting so you are prepared for your opponent’s next shot.

For basic singles practice, this is often somewhere around the central area of the court.

But it is important not to treat the centre as a fixed dot that you must touch after every shot.

Your best recovery position depends on:

• where you played the shuttle
• where your opponent is
• whether you are attacking or defending
• whether you are playing singles or doubles

For beginners, think:

hit → recover toward a balanced central position → prepare again

As your tactical understanding improves, your recovery position becomes more specific. In doubles, partners also adjust their positions together; see Badminton Doubles Rules for Beginners: Serving, Rotation, and Court Positions for the difference between legal service positions and tactical rally formations.

Moving to the Front Court

The front court is where beginners first learn to combine footwork and racket technique.

A simple movement to the net may look like:

1. split step
2. chasse or step forward
3. lunge with the racket leg
4. hit the shuttle
5. push back from the lunge
6. recover

Do not sprint all the way into the net.

You want to arrive under control.

If you get too close to the shuttle, your arm may become cramped and you may lose balance.

Moving to the Side of the Court

When the shuttle goes to your side in the midcourt, you may use:

• a chasse step
• a running step
• a side step
• a lunge as the final reaching movement

The exact pattern depends on how far away the shuttle is and how much time you have.

The beginner goal is not to force the same footwork pattern every time.

The goal is to reach the shuttle efficiently while keeping enough balance to hit and recover.

Moving to the Rear Court

Rear-court movement is more complex than basic net movement.

Beginners may use combinations of:

• split steps
• turning
• running or chasse steps
• a scissor action
• recovery steps

You do not need to master advanced rear-court footwork before learning the basic foundation movements.

First become comfortable with:

split → move → hit → recover

Later, you can add more specialized rear-court movement as you learn overhead clears, drops, and smashes. These strokes are introduced in Basic Badminton Shots Every Beginner Should Learn.

Why You Should Avoid Running Straight Through the Shuttle

One common beginner mistake is running directly toward the shuttle and then having no space to swing.

Good footwork should bring you to a useful hitting position.

You want enough distance so that:

• your racket arm can extend
• your body remains balanced
• you can contact the shuttle in front or beside you as appropriate
• you can recover after the shot

Try to think:

move to the hitting position, not just to the shuttle.

How to Recover After a Lunge

After a front-court lunge:

1. stay balanced through the shot
2. use the lead leg to push back
3. bring the body upright under control
4. use small recovery steps
5. return toward your base position
6. prepare for the next split step

Do not stay at the net admiring your shot.

The rally continues.

Recovery is part of the footwork pattern.

Common Badminton Footwork Mistakes

The problems below are especially useful to check when your movement feels rushed. For more fixes across your whole game, see Common Badminton Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Fix Them).

Mistake 1: Standing Flat-Footed

If your weight is heavy on your heels, your first movement becomes slow.

Fix: Stay active and use a small split step as the opponent hits.

Mistake 2: Taking Too Many Tiny Steps

Very small steps can waste time when you need to cover distance.

Fix: Use an appropriate chasse, running step, or larger movement when the shuttle is farther away.

Mistake 3: Taking Steps That Are Too Large Too Early

Huge early steps can destroy balance.

Fix: Use controlled movement and save the long reaching step for the final lunge when appropriate.

Mistake 4: Crossing the Feet During a Basic Chasse

A basic chasse works because one foot follows the other without passing it.

Fix: Practise slowly without a shuttle until the rhythm feels natural.

Mistake 5: Twisting the Lead Knee During a Lunge

Poor knee-foot alignment can make the movement unstable.

Fix: Point the lead foot and knee in the same direction.

Mistake 6: Lunging With the Body Collapsing Forward

A lunge should help you reach while staying controlled.

Fix: Keep your torso balanced and use the non-racket arm as a counterbalance.

Mistake 7: Forgetting to Recover

Beginners often reach the shuttle successfully but remain where they hit it.

Fix: Treat recovery as part of every drill.

Mistake 8: Looking at Your Feet

Watching your feet makes it harder to track the shuttle.

Fix: Learn movement patterns slowly, then practise them while keeping your head up.

Beginner Badminton Footwork Drills

You can improve footwork without hitting hard or even without using a shuttle. Start with the movement drills below, then use Badminton Drills for Beginners: Simple Drills to Build Your Skills to combine movement with other beginner skills.

Drill 1: Split-Step Practice

Stand in a ready position.

Have a partner point left, right, forward, or backward.

As the partner gives the signal:

1. make a small split step
2. push in the indicated direction
3. take one or two controlled steps
4. return to the start

Repeat slowly, then increase the pace.

Drill 2: Chasse Mirror Drill

Work with a partner.

One person moves sideways using chasse steps.

The other mirrors the movement.

Remember the BWF beginner cue:

one foot chases the other but does not catch it.

Keep your body low and balanced.

Drill 3: Lunge and Recover

Start a few steps from the net.

Move forward and lunge with the racket leg.

Pause briefly to check:

• lead foot direction
• knee alignment
• balance
• rear-leg position

Then push back and recover.

Do the movement without a shuttle first.

Drill 4: Split–Chasse–Lunge

Combine the three foundation skills.

1. start ready
2. split step
3. chasse forward
4. lunge
5. touch or shadow a net shot
6. recover

The BWF beginner progression uses this same idea: first lunge, then chasse and lunge, then split step, chasse, and lunge.

Drill 5: Four-Corner Shadow Footwork

Stand near the middle of the court.

Imagine a shuttle going to:

• front right
• front left
• rear right
• rear left

Move toward each corner without hitting a shuttle, then recover.

Start slowly.

Your goal is:

balance and movement quality, not maximum speed.

Drill 6: Six-Point Shadow Footwork

When four corners feel comfortable, add the two side areas in the midcourt.

Move to:

• front forehand
• front backhand
• midcourt forehand
• midcourt backhand
• rear forehand
• rear backhand

Return toward your base after each movement.

Keep the session short enough that technique does not fall apart from fatigue.

How Fast Should Beginners Practise Footwork?

Start slower than you think you need to.

Poor movement practised at full speed simply becomes faster poor movement.

A useful progression is:

learn the movement → repeat slowly → add direction changes → add a shuttle → increase speed

Once your feet understand the pattern, you can move faster without thinking about every step.

Can You Practise Badminton Footwork at Home?

Yes, if you have enough clear space and a safe floor.

You can practise:

• ready position
• split steps
• short chasse steps
• shadow lunges
• recovery steps

Do not practise long lunges on a slippery surface.

Make sure there are no objects nearby that you can hit with your racket or feet.

If your home space is small, focus on the movement pattern rather than full court distance. For more solo-friendly ideas, see How to Practice Badminton Alone: Solo Drills Without a Partner.

How Often Should Beginners Practise Footwork?

You do not need a long footwork session every day.

Short, focused practice is often more useful.

For example:

• 5 minutes of split-step timing
• 5 minutes of chasse movement
• 5 minutes of lunges and recovery

can be enough for a beginner technique session.

Quality matters more than doing hundreds of repetitions with poor balance.

Footwork and Court Shoes

Good footwork also depends on suitable footwear.

Badminton includes repeated:

• lunges
• changes of direction
• push-offs
• lateral movements

Use shoes with good indoor-court grip and lateral stability.

If you need help choosing basic gear, see:

Badminton Equipment for Beginners: What You Need to Start

Badminton Footwork FAQ

What footwork should a badminton beginner learn first?

Start with the split step, chasse step, and lunge. The BWF Shuttle Time programme identifies these as foundation movement skills for beginner badminton.

What is a split step in badminton?

A split step is a small preparation movement that helps you react to the opponent’s shot and push quickly in the needed direction.

What is a chasse step?

A chasse is a movement where one foot follows or “chases” the other without fully passing it. It is commonly used for controlled sideways or diagonal movement.

Which leg should I lunge with?

Many badminton lunges use the racket leg, although situations also occur where the non-racket leg is used.

Should my heel or toe land first in a badminton lunge?

The BWF beginner guidance teaches the lead foot contacting the floor with the heel first, then rolling across the foot.

Should I always return to the exact center of the court?

No. Recover toward a useful base position. The exact position depends on the shot, your opponent’s position, and whether you are attacking or defending.

Do I need to be fast to have good badminton footwork?

No. Beginners should first learn efficient, balanced movement. Speed develops once the technique becomes more automatic.

Can I practise footwork without a shuttle?

Yes. Shadow footwork is one of the simplest ways to practise movement patterns without worrying about hitting.

Final Takeaway

Good badminton footwork starts with a few simple movement skills.

Learn to:

split step before reacting

use chasse steps to move under control

lunge toward the shuttle with good balance

hit from a stable position

recover after every shot

You do not need complicated patterns on your first day.

Build the foundations first.

The BWF beginner progression itself moves from a simple lunge to chasse + lunge, then to split step + chasse + lunge.

Once those movements feel natural, learning court coverage and more advanced badminton technique becomes much easier.

Your Next Lesson

Now that you can split step, chasse, lunge, and recover, continue with the next article in the Sports Made Clear badminton learning path:

Basic Badminton Shots Every Beginner Should Learn

That lesson introduces the shots you will combine with these movement patterns.

To revisit your earlier lessons, see Badminton Service Rules Explained and Badminton Equipment for Beginners. For more practice ideas, visit Badminton Drills for Beginners or How to Practice Badminton Alone.

Or return to the Badminton Learning Hub to follow the full beginner learning path.

Technique Source

The beginner movement guidance in this article follows the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Shuttle Time Schools Badminton Teachers’ Manual.

The manual identifies split steps, chasse steps, and lunges as foundation skills for correct badminton footwork. It also provides beginner teaching points for the chasse and lunge, including low centre of gravity, lead-foot direction, heel-first lunge contact, knee-foot alignment, rear-foot position, and balance.

BWF Shuttle Time Schools Badminton Teachers’ Manual

Last reviewed: October 6, 2026