What are the para-badminton sport classes?

There are six: WH 1 and WH 2 for wheelchair players, SL 3, SL 4 and SU 5 for standing players, and one class for short stature. Para-badminton once had twelve classes.

What does the number in a para-badminton class mean?

A higher number means less impairment. WH 2 players, for example, usually have more trunk control than WH 1 players.

How is a para-badminton player classified?

Through a medical check and on-court badminton activities, before their first international tournament. Classes group players by type of impairment so that skill and tactics decide results.

Why do badminton wheelchairs have a small wheel at the back?

It stops the chair tipping over backwards. The main wheels are angled for stability and quick turns.

How should a coach communicate with deaf badminton players?

Speak normally while facing them in good light so they can lip read, use clear visual signals to start and stop drills, and demonstrate. Deaf players also miss the sound of the shuttle off the racket.

Which court is used for SL 3 singles?

A narrower adapted court. It often leads to longer rallies built on clears, drops and net shots.

Where do athletes with intellectual disabilities compete?

Their sport is run by Virtus, formerly INAS. Separate competitions give fair play for each kind of impairment, and inclusion in mainstream club sessions is also encouraged.

Badminton · Level 8: Expert · Sub-level 8.4

Coaching Players with Disabilities

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown

The BWF manual's key message is that good disability coaching is good badminton coaching: the same principles, benefits and coaching process apply, and coaches of all levels can do it, starting by collecting information, observing and asking players about their needs. Disability badminton covers three groups: para-badminton for physical disabilities, players with intellectual disabilities, whose sport is run by Virtus, formerly INAS, and deaf badminton, with its own competition at the Deaflympics.

Para players are classified before their first international tournament, through a medical check and on-court activities. The six sport classes, reduced from twelve, are two wheelchair classes (WH 1 and WH 2), three standing classes (SL 3, SL 4 and SU 5) and one for short stature; a higher number means less impairment. Wheelchair players drive strokes from the shoulder, which puts the shoulder at risk, and move the chair with the racket in hand, using angled wheels for stability and a small rear wheel against tipping. SL 3 singles is played on a narrower court.

Deaf players need to see the coach's face to lip read, along with visual signals and demonstrations. Players with intellectual disabilities learn best from short, simple instructions, routines and small steps. The facts below cover these groups, classification, chair skills, prosthetics and inclusive club sessions.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Disability badminton is badmintonTake a test

The same principles apply.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Same principles.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Same benefits.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
The usual process.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
All coaches can.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Ask and adapt.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Inclusive by design.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
The same process.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Inclusion first.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Inclusion.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied

Test 2The groups disability badminton coversTake a test

Three groups.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Physical disability.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Deaf sport.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Virtus, formerly INAS.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Fair competition.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Deaf sport.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
Inclusion.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
As in the module.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
1995, 2009, 2011.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Physical disability.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied

Test 3ClassificationTake a test

Fair groups.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Before international play.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Medical and on-court.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Higher number, less impairment.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Fairness.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Two wheelchair, three standing, one short stature.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Reduced from twelve to six.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
WH, then SL/SU, then short stature.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Higher number, less impairment.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Placing the player in a class.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied

Test 4Coaching wheelchair playersTake a test

Wheelchair classes.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Higher number, less impairment.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Limited rotation.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Shoulder load.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Balance.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
More trunk control.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Protect the shoulder.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Higher number, less impairment.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Move, lean, hit, recover.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Balance.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied

Test 5Chair skillsTake a test

Chair handling is movement.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Chair movement.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Racket and wheel together.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Stability.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Anti-tip wheel.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Chair movement.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Length is a weapon.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Forward, hit, back, base.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Backwards is hardest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Anti-tip.
Source: General badminton reference · applied

Test 6Coaching standing classesTake a test

Standing lower.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Adapted court.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Fewer gaps.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Standing upper.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Higher number.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Adapt technique.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Balance.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
SL 3, SL 4, SU 5.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Patience, length, movement, attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
SL 3 singles court.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied

Test 7Prosthetics and balanceTake a test

The manual's issues.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Over-dependence.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Manage load.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Balance needs.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Depends on the prosthetic.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
A developing field.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Ask the expert.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Ask, plan, watch, adjust.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Increasing challenge.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 9 · recall
Prosthetic care.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied

Test 8Coaching deaf playersTake a test

Visible speech.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Visual communication.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Visual learning.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Visual signals.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Inner ear and balance.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Visibility.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · applied
Sound cues.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
See, face, show, check.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Visual first.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Visual communication.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · applied

Test 9Players with intellectual disabilitiesTake a test

Simplicity.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Structure helps.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Show and do.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Encouragement.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Chaining small steps.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Patience.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Check understanding.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Small steps.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Short and simple first.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Step by step.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied

Test 10Inclusive sessionsTake a test

Playing together.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Adapt.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · applied
Shared learning.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Ask the player.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Access.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Access.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · applied
Everyone benefits.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Access, ask, adapt, review.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Join in.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 13 · recall
Access.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · applied

Questions people ask

What are the para-badminton sport classes?: There are six: WH 1 and WH 2 for wheelchair players, SL 3, SL 4 and SU 5 for standing players, and one class for short stature. Para-badminton once had twelve classes.
What does the number in a para-badminton class mean?: A higher number means less impairment. WH 2 players, for example, usually have more trunk control than WH 1 players.
How is a para-badminton player classified?: Through a medical check and on-court badminton activities, before their first international tournament. Classes group players by type of impairment so that skill and tactics decide results.
Why do badminton wheelchairs have a small wheel at the back?: It stops the chair tipping over backwards. The main wheels are angled for stability and quick turns.
How should a coach communicate with deaf badminton players?: Speak normally while facing them in good light so they can lip read, use clear visual signals to start and stop drills, and demonstrate. Deaf players also miss the sound of the shuttle off the racket.
Which court is used for SL 3 singles?: A narrower adapted court. It often leads to longer rallies built on clears, drops and net shots.
Where do athletes with intellectual disabilities compete?: Their sport is run by Virtus, formerly INAS. Separate competitions give fair play for each kind of impairment, and inclusion in mainstream club sessions is also encouraged.

Sources

BWF Coaches' Manual Level 1 (2017), BWF regulations and history, Olympedia; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category (Badminton - Laws of Badminton).

BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1374
BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 315
General badminton reference10
BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 91