Ayrton Oneill
Holding a badminton racket correctly is an important basic step in playing badminton. A good grip can reduce injuries, increase the range of shots, and produce more efficient hits. There are several types of grips, including the bevel grip, thumb grip, forehand grip, hammer grip, and backhand grip. For example, the hammer grip is useful when executing jumping smashes, while the bevel grip is more suitable for applying deceptive shots. When holding the racket, it should be done loosely, almost as if one is shaking someone's hand. The palm of the hand should not make contact with the handle, and the ring and last finger should prevent the racket from slipping.
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What You'll Learn
The 'handshake' grip
When holding a badminton racket for a backhand shot using the handshake grip, also known as the continental grip, the racket handle should be gripped as if shaking hands with the racket. This means that the base knuckle of the index finger should be placed at the bottom of the grip, with the rest of the fingers wrapped around the handle. The thumb should be positioned opposite the index finger, forming a 'V' shape with the index finger, and the thumb pad should be placed on the top bevel of the grip. The thumb and forefinger should be doing most of the work when holding the racket, with the other fingers providing support and stability. The grip should be firm but relaxed, allowing for flexibility and quick movement.
For the continental grip, the V formed by the thumb and forefinger should be aligned with the middle of the body, pointing towards the opposite shoulder. This grip is suitable for a wide range of shots, including backhand clears, drops, and smashes. It allows for quick transitions between different types of shots and is therefore a versatile grip to master.
To execute a backhand clear using the handshake grip, start by holding the racket in the continental position. As the shuttlecock approaches, turn the body sideways, with the racket-arm shoulder pointing towards the net. Bend the knees and use a smooth, controlled arm swing to hit the shuttlecock, aiming for a point slightly in front of the body. The wrist should be firm but relaxed, and the follow-through should be smooth and continuous.
For a backhand drop shot, the continental grip remains the same, but the body position and swing are adjusted. Face the racket arm towards the net, with the non-racket arm extended for balance. Use a
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Thumb and finger placement
Holding a badminton racket correctly is the most important basic step in the game. A good grip can reduce injuries, increase the range of shots, and produce more efficient hits.
When holding a badminton racket for a backhand shot, the thumb and index finger should form a V-shape. The thumb should be supporting the racket during a backhand. The ring and little fingers should be placed at the bottom of the handle to prevent the racket from slipping out of the hand. The palm of the hand should not make contact with the handle.
The racket should be held very loosely, and only in the fingers, allowing for flexible wrist movement. The player should be able to twist the racket fast enough to change and use a different grip for backhand shots.
A backhand thumb grip makes it easier to make a shot across the court. The front of the racket head must constantly be facing the incoming shuttlecock for a successful return to the opponent’s court.
It is worth noting that a player may need to change from short grips to long grips from backhand to forehand grips, especially for clear and drive shots.
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Bevel grip
The bevel grip is a halfway house between the forehand and backhand grips. This is because your finger is placed on the bevel (or ridge) of the grip, causing the racket face to twist halfway between the forehand and backhand grips. This grip is used for backhand shots from the back of the court, where the shuttle is usually behind you.
If you are using the backhand grip in this situation, it is not possible to bend your wrist enough to successfully play the shuttle from behind you with the appropriate amount of accuracy and power. By switching to the bevel grip, the racket head is brought further around, back towards the court, making it easier to play the backhand shot from behind you.
To learn the bevel grip, start in a backhand grip and move your racket head around so that your strings are now facing diagonally, and your thumb is on the ridge/bevel. Your thumb should be on the edge of the racket handle, and if you look straight down at your thumb in this position, your racket face should be tilted at a 45-degree angle.
The bevel grip is very similar to the backhand grip. You use it when the shuttle flies towards your non-dominant side. The only difference is that you use the bevel grip when the shuttle flies over your head. So, for shorter shots that land in front of you, use the backhand grip, and for longer shots that require you to turn your body, use the bevel grip.
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Forehand grip
The forehand grip is the most basic grip in badminton and is the grip that players should learn first. It is also known as the "handshake grip" because it is similar to performing a handshake. To achieve this grip, turn the racket so the racket head is at 90 degrees to the floor. Grab the racket as if performing a handshake, with your pointer finger on top to give your wrist flexibility and power. You can also snap your wrist to generate more power. This grip is used for any shot on your forehand side.
When holding the racket, your thumb should wrap along the edge of your grip, not flat, with your other four fingers wrapping upwards. Your index finger should be slightly higher than the rest of your fingers, with a little space between them. This space between your thumb and index finger should form a 'V' shape.
The panhandle grip is a variation of the forehand grip. To achieve this grip, start with your hand in the classic forehand grip. Keep your hand in position and rotate the handle until the racket face is parallel to the floor. Your fingers and thumb should be wrapped around the sides of the handle, forming a V-shape. There should be a small amount of space between your pointer finger and other fingers.
It is important to keep a loose grip on the racket, allowing for flexible wrist movement. Only clench your hand when hitting the shuttlecock. The ring and little fingers are there to prevent the racket from slipping out of your hand. This grip method is safe to use in almost all forehand shots.
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Short and long grips
Holding a badminton racket correctly is essential for playing efficiently and avoiding injuries. The four basic grips in badminton are the forehand grip, the backhand grip, the bevel grip, and the panhandle grip. Each grip is used for specific shots and can significantly affect a player's performance.
The forehand grip is the most basic grip and the one that all players should learn first. To execute this grip, turn the racket so that the racket head is at a 90-degree angle to the floor. Grab the racket as if performing a handshake, with your pointer finger on top to provide more flexibility and power. This grip is ideal for forehand overhead shots like clears, smashes, and drop shots.
The backhand grip is used when a shot is played on your backhand side or non-dominant side. Place your thumb on the wider section of the grip, with your strings facing the floor or ceiling. Your thumb should be on the edge of the racket handle, resulting in a 45-degree angle tilt of the racket face. This grip is useful for late backhand shots but may not be effective if the shuttle is too low.
The bevel grip is a variation of the backhand grip, used when the shuttle is behind you. It serves as a halfway point between the forehand and backhand grips. To achieve this grip, start with a backhand grip and rotate the racket head so that your strings are diagonal, and your thumb is on the ridge or bevel. This grip allows for powerful and accurate shots from the rear court.
The panhandle grip is commonly used by beginners as it is similar to the forehand grip and easier to hit overhead shots. This grip is formed by placing your thumb on the side of the racket, with your fingers wrapped around the handle, pinching the sides. The panhandle grip is useful for late backhand shots, retrieving net cords, and front court net kills. It is important to note that this grip limits forearm rotation, reducing power generation.
When it comes to grip length, the short grip involves holding the racket at the middle part of the shaft, while the long grip is achieved by gripping the lower part of the racket shaft. A short grip allows for more powerful backhand strokes from the back court, while a long grip provides better reach for forehand strokes. Adjusting between short and long grips is crucial for clear and drive shots.
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Frequently asked questions
The correct grip for a backhand shot is known as a backhand thumb grip. Hold the racket VERY loosely, only in the fingers, with the palm of your hand not touching the handle. Your thumb should support the racket during a backhand.
The backhand thumb grip differs from the bevel grip, which is used for defensive and deceptive shots, and the hammer grip, which is used for jumping smashes.
A good grip on a badminton racket can reduce injuries, increase the range of shots, and produce more efficient hits.
A quick tip is to ensure your racket is held in a handshake grip, with your palm not touching the handle and your ring and last finger preventing the racket from slipping.
