Amanda Knapp
There are several ways to hold a badminton racquet, depending on the type of shot and game you are playing. For example, in doubles, holding the racquet near the cone is advisable, whereas, in singles, a middle grip is preferable to balance control and reach. The middle grip is also a good starting point for beginners, as it offers a good balance between control and reach (power). Holding the racquet at the bottom provides more leverage for harder shots, while holding it closer to the top gives more control. The grip also depends on the player's comfort and preference. For instance, some players might experience pain when holding the racquet too close to the bottom. In terms of technique, the racquet should be held between the palms, with the head perpendicular to the ground, and the fingers gently hugging the handle. The grip should be tightened only when making shuttlecock strokes.
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What You'll Learn
Handshake grip
Holding a badminton racquet with the handshake grip is one of the most basic ways of holding a badminton racquet. It is also known as the forehand grip. To start, hold your racquet as if you are shaking someone's hand, with your fingers pointed straight ahead. Your thumb should wrap along the edge of the grip, not flat against it, with your other four fingers wrapping upwards. Your index finger should be slightly higher than the other fingers, and there should be a bit of space between your fingers. This space is important for all grip types and will make it easier to change between grips during a rally. The space between your thumb and index finger should form a V-shape. When looking directly down at the V-shape, your racquet face should be parallel to the wall.
The handshake grip is a good starting point for other grips. It is the go-to grip for forehand overhead shots, such as forehand clears, smashes, and drop shots. It is also the grip to use when on the defensive, guessing the direction of the shuttlecock to counterattack with smashes or cicadas.
When holding the racquet, you should not hold it too tight. You should only tighten your grip when making shuttlecock strokes. Holding the racquet too tightly will prevent you from changing your grip.
The handshake grip is also the first step in executing a hammer grip. To do this, start with the handshake grip and then, while swinging your arm and jumping up, rotate the racquet handle to form a hammer grip. Finally, tighten your grip when making the shuttlecock stroke.
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V-grip
The V-grip, also known as the forehand grip, is one of the most basic ways of holding a badminton racquet. It is called the V-grip because, when executed correctly, a V shape is formed between the player's thumb and index finger.
To achieve the V-grip, first, hold your dominant hand in a position as if you are about to shake hands with someone. Your fingers should be pointed straight ahead. Then, place the racquet between your palms so that the racquet head is perpendicular to the ground. Gently squeeze the fingers, ensuring that the racquet handle is gripped loosely enough to allow flexible movement of the wrist. The ring and little fingers will help to prevent the racquet from slipping out of your hand. The V-grip should feel comfortable and is the easiest grip to learn.
The V-grip is used for many kinds of strokes and is a good grip to start with when learning how to play badminton. It is also useful to know that, when playing doubles, you should hold the racquet near the cone when serving or receiving. For singles, the grip should be in the middle of the racquet for a good balance between control and reach.
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Hammer grip
Holding a badminton racquet correctly is essential for a good game of badminton. The hammer grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton and is useful when executing jumping smashes.
To start, position your dominant hand as if you are about to shake hands, with your fingers pointed straight ahead. Then, place the racquet between your palms so that the racquet head is perpendicular to the ground. Gently squeeze the fingers, ensuring that you do not hold the racquet too tight. Your ring and little fingers will help prevent the racquet from slipping out of your hand. When held correctly, your thumb and index finger will form a V-shape.
To transition into the hammer grip, rotate the racquet handle swiftly while swinging your arm during the jump. This movement starts with a forehand grip, also known as the handshake grip. During the jump, your grip should be loose, and you should only tighten your grip when it is time to hit the shuttlecock. When you swing, use your wrist, forearm, and thumb to generate power behind your shot.
It is important to practice the correct grip techniques to improve your shot power and accuracy on the court.
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Pan-handle grip
The panhandle grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton and is the most natural grip for beginners. It is used to hit a push or a kill shot in the front court when the shuttle is far behind you.
To hold the badminton racquet with a panhandle grip, place your thumb on the side of the racquet, pinching the sides with your thumb and fingers. The racquet should be directly parallel to the net, unlike the slanted forehand grip. The power in this grip is generated from your full wrist pushing down on the shuttle.
It is important to use the correct technique to avoid injury. A correct grip can prevent badminton injuries such as hand and wrist strain, tennis elbow, and shoulder pain, which are common among badminton players who grip the racquet too tightly.
When serving with a panhandle grip, you can practice your net kill until you are comfortable. This grip is great for late backhand shots, but there are times when the shuttle might be too late and low for this technique.
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Thumb placement
The role of the thumb in the V-grip, also known as the basic grip, is to form a "V" shape with the index finger. To achieve this, place your dominant hand in a handshake position with your fingers pointing straight ahead. Then, gently grasp the racquet handle so that your thumb and index finger form the aforementioned "V." This grip allows for flexible wrist movement and should be comfortably loose, except when making shuttlecock strokes, which require a tighter grip.
For a forehand grip, the thumb plays a crucial role in creating the necessary force for powerful shots like the jump smash. When executing this shot, the thumb needs to be positioned to maximize smashing force and firmly hold the racquet body.
Additionally, the thumb placement for a backhand grip is slightly different. When holding the racquet for a backhand shot, ensure that your thumb is placed exactly on the edge of the grip, parallel to the racquet face, and not in the same direction as the frame and rubber. This thumb position aids in executing effective backhand shots without damaging the shuttlecock.
The thumb's placement can also vary depending on the game format and your role. For example, in doubles, holding the racquet near the cone is recommended for serving or receiving. In mixed doubles, a man might hold the racquet towards the end of the grip to achieve more extensive coverage. Meanwhile, in singles, a middle grip is generally preferred to balance control and reach.
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Frequently asked questions
The most basic way to hold a badminton racket is to first position your dominant hand as if you are about to shake hands with your fingers pointed straight ahead. Then, place the racket between your palms so that the racquet head is perpendicular to the ground. Gently squeeze the handle with your fingers, ensuring that your thumb is placed on the edge of the grip, parallel to the racquet.
Your thumb and index finger should form a V shape, with your ring and little fingers helping to prevent the racket from slipping out of your hand. Ensure that your grip is not too tight so that you can move your wrist flexibly. Only tighten your grip when making shuttlecock strokes.
Generally, the middle of the grip is a good starting point, offering a balance between control and reach. When playing doubles, holding the racket near the cone is recommended, while for mixed doubles, men may want to hold the racket towards the end of the grip for increased reach. For singles, a middle grip is ideal, but you can adjust depending on your needs and the specific shot you are playing.
