Amanda Knapp
Badminton is a high-intensity sport that requires agility, speed, and endurance. One of the most important aspects of playing badminton is having a good grip on your racquet. The right grip can improve your control and power, while the wrong grip can hinder your performance and even lead to injury. There are several types of grips, including full grip, towel grip, and overgrip, and choosing the right one depends on factors such as hand size, playing style, and personal preference. In addition to choosing the right type of grip, learning the correct grip techniques for different shots is crucial for mastering the game. This includes the forehand grip, backhand grip, bevel grip, and panhandle grip. With practice, players can improve their grip strength and technique, enhancing their overall performance in the sport.
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What You'll Learn
- Forehand grip: Form a 'V shape' with your index and middle fingers, leaving a small gap between them
- Backhand grip: Place your thumb on the wider section of the grip, with strings facing the floor and ceiling
- Bevel grip: Start with a backhand grip, then move the racket head so strings are diagonal and thumb is on the ridge
- Panhandle grip: Thumb on the side of the racket, pinching the sides with your thumb and fingers
- Grip size: A small grip provides greater control, while a bigger grip allows for more power
Forehand grip: Form a 'V shape' with your index and middle fingers, leaving a small gap between them
The forehand grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton, and it is important to learn and practice it so that it becomes second nature in a match. This grip is also known as the "power grip" or "strict/true forehand". Tennis players refer to it as the "continental grip".
To achieve the forehand grip, pretend you are shaking someone's hand. Form a 'V' shape with your hand, with your index finger and middle finger slightly apart. Your fingers should be relaxed and loose around the grip. This is important for all four grips. If you grip the racquet too tightly, it becomes difficult to change between grips during a rally. A tight grip will also limit your ability to generate control and power in your shots.
The forehand grip is used for easy shots that are low and in front, such as lifting, pushing, and driving. For overhead shots, you should use the "continental grip", which is the tennis players' service grip.
To practice the forehand grip, start with a conditioned routine where you switch grips after every shot. For example, practice a backhand defensive shot followed by a forehand defensive shot, or a backhand drive followed by a forehand drive. You can do these against a wall if you don't have anyone to practice with. As you advance, try not to anticipate which side the shot is coming from. This will help you make quick grip changes and decide when you need to change your grip.
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Backhand grip: Place your thumb on the wider section of the grip, with strings facing the floor and ceiling
To execute a backhand grip, place your thumb on the wider section of the grip, with the strings facing the floor and the ceiling. Your fingers should be relaxed and loosely wrapped around the side of the grip. This is the easiest way to learn the backhand grip.
The backhand grip should not be used when playing backhand shots in the rear court. Instead, you should use the bevel grip, which involves moving your racket head so that the strings are facing diagonally, and your thumb is on the ridge or bevel. If you are right-handed, move the racket anti-clockwise from your backhand grip position. If you are left-handed, move the racket clockwise.
The type of grip you use depends on where you are making contact with the shuttle on your backhand side. If the shuttle is level with you or in front, use a standard backhand grip with your thumb on top. If the shuttle is behind you, as it should be when taking a rear-court backhand shot, use a bevel grip with your thumb further around the grip. This allows you to play an accurate and powerful shot from this position.
When learning how to grip a badminton racket, it is important to practice changing between different grips. Start by getting comfortable changing grips without a shuttle. Visualise certain shots and the grip you should use for each one. Then, add movement to your practice without hitting a shuttle. Finally, move on to practices with a shuttle.
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Bevel grip: Start with a backhand grip, then move the racket head so strings are diagonal and thumb is on the ridge
The bevel grip is one of the four essential badminton grips that can help boost your control, precision, and overall performance on the court. It is an important grip to learn as using the wrong grip can reduce your power, minimise the control of your shots, and increase the risk of injury.
To learn the bevel grip, start with a backhand grip. The backhand grip is achieved by pretending you are shaking someone's hand. You want to have a 'V shape' formed by your index finger and middle finger, with a little space between them. Your fingers should be loosely around the grip. If you are right-handed, move the racket anti-clockwise from the backhand grip position. If you are left-handed, move the racket in a clockwise direction.
Move the racket head so that the strings are diagonal and your thumb is on the ridge. This is the bevel grip. The bevel grip is used when the shuttlecock is behind you, as it should be when taking a rear-court backhand shot. This grip allows you to play an accurate and powerful shot from this position.
You can practice this grip by starting with a conditioned routine where you are switching grips after every shot. For example, you can practice a backhand defensive shot followed by a forehand defensive shot, or a backhand drive followed by a forehand drive. You can do these routines against a wall if you don't have anyone to practice with.
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Panhandle grip: Thumb on the side of the racket, pinching the sides with your thumb and fingers
The panhandle grip is one of the four essential grips in badminton, each of which is used for different shots. It is the most natural grip for beginners as it is easy to hit overhead shots with. However, it is only useful in certain situations, such as when playing close to the net or for late backhand rear-court shots.
To execute the panhandle grip, place your thumb on the side of the badminton racket and pinch the sides with your thumb and fingers. This is in contrast to the backhand grip, where the thumb is placed on top of the wider section of the grip with the strings facing the floor and ceiling, and the bevel grip, where the thumb is on the ridge and the strings face diagonally.
The panhandle grip is not suitable for generating power in your shots as it does not emphasise forearm rotation. Instead, the wrist motion in this grip is similar to a karate chop, which limits the power and quality of your shots. Therefore, it is recommended to learn a proper forehand grip to generate more power.
When deciding which grip to use, it is important to consider your shot selection and the position of the shuttle. The panhandle grip is most effective when the shuttle is far behind you, whereas the backhand grip is used when the shuttle is level with or in front of you, and the bevel grip is used when the shuttle is behind you.
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Grip size: A small grip provides greater control, while a bigger grip allows for more power
When it comes to badminton, grip size can impact your control and power. A thin grip provides greater control, while a thick grip allows for more power. This is because a thin grip enables quick changes in the racket's head position and facilitates faster grip changes from forehand to backhand. It also allows players to utilise the weight of the racket to generate power, employing large swinging motions.
However, grip size is subjective and depends on the size of the player's hand. Some players with thicker grips exhibit excellent control, while others with smaller hands may prefer thinner grips for better manoeuvrability. Ultimately, grip size is a personal preference, and players should experiment to find their ideal grip size.
Additionally, there are different types of grips, such as the full grip, towel grip, and overgrip. The towel grip is designed for sweaty hands, while the overgrip is thinner and used either on its own for a smaller racket grip or over another grip to increase thickness.
The bevel grip is another important variation, used when the shuttle is behind the player. This grip allows for accurate and powerful shots. The panhandle grip is also worth mentioning, as it is natural for beginners due to its ease of use for overhead shots.
Choosing the right grip is crucial, as an incorrect grip can reduce power, minimise control, and increase the risk of injury. Practising grip changes without a shuttlecock can help players become comfortable with different grips and understand which grip suits each shot.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three main types of grip for a badminton racquet: full grip, towel grip, and overgrip.
The right grip for you depends on your playing style and personal preference. For example, if you have sweaty hands, you might prefer a towel grip, whereas if you prioritise racquet manoeuvrability, you might prefer an overgrip.
To hold the racquet with a forehand grip, pretend you are shaking someone's hand. You should have a ''V shape' between your index finger and middle finger, with your fingers loosely around the grip.
To hold the racquet with a backhand grip, place your thumb on top of the wider section of the grip, with your strings facing the floor and ceiling. Your fingers should be relaxed around the side.
Transitioning between grips during a game will come with practice. To start, get comfortable changing grips without a shuttle by visualising certain shots and the grip you would use. Then, add movement without hitting a shuttle. Finally, practice with a shuttle.
