It’s summertime (or it will be soon, anyway)! Time to get out of town, away from the oven-hot city, and head for the beach.
If you’ve ever taken kids to the beach, you know that it can be a daunting experience. There are so many things happening at once—sand in your hair, salt water in your eyes, waves crashing over your feet.
Plus all the beach gear you have to lug around or keep track of—everything from beach chairs and umbrellas to beach board games and beach tents.
But there are ways for busy parents to take some of the stress out of their day at the beach with just a little preparation. One way is by stocking up on some fun beach games that require almost no set-up time at all.
One of our favorites is Jazzminton!
Jazzminton is a sport that combines the elements of both badminton and tennis. A line is drawn in the middle of the playing field, and players take turns throwing their Jazzminton shuttlecock at their opponent’s side.
If it lands on your side of the court, your opponent must retrieve it and throw it back. If it lands in the other person’s court, they lose a point. The first player to reach 11 points wins the game.
If you want to try something a bit different, check out BucketBall, another great beach game!
How to Play
Step 1
Place the net at a height of 1.5 meters, and spread out the court as wide as you want it to be. There must always be enough room for players to move around freely, and the court’s surface should not be cluttered with equipment or furniture.
Step 2
Place two pegs on each side of the net — one at the front and one at the back. These will act as markers for the serve.
Step 3
Divide the players into two teams of equal numbers. The players in each team should take up positions on opposite sides of the net, behind their respective service lines.
Step 4
The game begins with a serve. One player from Team A (the server) will stand behind the service line and hit the shuttlecock over the net to their teammate on Team B.
The person who catches the shuttlecock (the receiver) then hits it back to the server. This process continues until one team fails to return the shuttlecock, or it goes out of bounds.
Step 5
The player who fails to return the shuttlecock is out, and the other players on their team take their places. The process then starts over again with a new server. The first team to lose all of its players is the loser.
Rules
- There are a few basic rules that every player should know before playing Jazzminton. These include
- The shuttlecock cannot touch the floor, except when it lands. In that case, a player from Team A has one bounce to return it before it can be considered out of bounds. [In some games you could let the server hit the shuttlecock for this serve].
- Every player must sing whenever the shuttlecock is hit to them. This makes it harder for opponents to know which way they are going to move, and it also prevents any time from being wasted due to silence.
- If a player hits the shuttlecock out of bounds they have one chance to return it before it is considered out of bounds. If it lands in the net and can still be played, then that player has two chances to return it before it is considered out of bounds.
- If a player hits the shuttlecock into the net, their team loses a point.
- The game is over when one team either has no more players left or when the other team reaches 21 points.
Strategy
1. Use the net to your advantage.
The net can be used as a tool to obstruct opponents and force them into making mistakes. If you can position yourself near the net, you can prevent your opponents from hitting the shuttlecock over it.
You can also use the net to your advantage by hitting the shuttlecock over it yourself. This can often result in an easy point.
2. Keep your eye on the shuttlecock at all times.
When you are playing Jazzminton, it is important to be aware of where the shuttlecock is at all times. This will help you to make better decisions about which direction to move in, and it will also prevent you from making mistakes.
3. Keep yourself in good shape.
You do not want to get tired out too quickly when playing Jazzminton, so make sure that you drink plenty of water or sports drinks during the game. You should also take a break now and then to rest and give your opponent a chance to catch up.
4. Play to your strengths.
You must play to your own unique set of skills when playing Jazzminton. Make sure that you are familiar with your strengths, weaknesses, and the basic skills required for the game. Once you have mastered these things, you will be able to capitalize on them whenever possible.
5. Play with a good attitude.
No one likes to play against someone negative or uncooperative. Make sure that you are always playing with a positive attitude, and be respectful of your opponents at all times. This will make the game more enjoyable for everyone involved.
6. Strike a balance between offense and defense.
It is important to be both offensive and defensive when playing Jazzminton. You should not focus too much on one or the other, as this will leave you vulnerable to your opponent’s attacks.
Strike a balance between the two, and make sure that you are always ready to switch from one to the other at a moment’s notice.
7. Use the environment to your advantage.
The Jazzminton court is only limited by your imagination, so make sure that you take full advantage of everything within reach. You can use things like trees and lamp posts to obstruct your opponent’s path, or you can even use a net that you find in a park to set up your court.
8. Wear proper clothing.
Jazzminton can be played in a variety of weather conditions, but you should always wear the right type of clothing for any specific situation. This will help to ensure that you are comfortable while playing, and it may also keep you safe in some circumstances.
For example, if you find yourself playing during an intense thunderstorm, it is a good idea to wear rubber-soled shoes to avoid being electrocuted.
9. Use the wind to your advantage.
If you are playing Jazzminton in an area with a lot of open space, it may be advantageous for you to position yourself downwind of your opponent.
This will make it more difficult for them to keep their footing when hitting the shuttlecock over the net, and it could result in several easy points for you.
In Summary
These are the main points that you should keep in mind when you are playing Jazzminton. Make sure that you consider them, and always try to stay one step ahead of your opponent during the game.
This will help ensure that everyone enjoys themselves while playing this great sport.
Hi, I’m Ryan Nelson! I live in the Hamptons, out on Long Island, near Ponquogue Beach. The beach is a place where I can find peace and serenity. It’s a place where I can sit and clear my head. The waves crashing on the shore somehow helps me to relax, while also reminding me that I am far from the stressors of daily life.
