
In badminton, the way a player holds the racket is known as a grip. There are four basic types of grips: forehand, backhand, panhandle, and neutral. The forehand grip is the most basic grip and is usually learned first. It is similar to performing a handshake, with the index finger leveraged on top to provide more flexibility and power. The backhand grip, on the other hand, is similar to holding a frying pan, with the thumb placed on the flat side of the racket grip. This allows for more leverage and the generation of more power. The panhandle grip is often the most natural grip for beginners, as it is easy to hit overhead shots. The neutral grip is used in between shots to help players transition quickly between other grips. While the forehand grip is the most commonly used, players typically change grips during a rally depending on whether they are hitting a forehand or backhand shot.
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What You'll Learn
- The backhand grip is used for shots played to your non-dominant side
- The forehand grip is the most basic grip and is used for most general shots
- The panhandle grip is similar to the forehand grip and is used for hitting kills in the front court
- The bevel grip is used for backhand rear-court shots, some net shots, and singles defence
- The thumb grip is like a backhand grip and is used for backhand shots where the shuttle is in front

The backhand grip is used for shots played to your non-dominant side
The backhand grip is particularly useful when the shuttlecock is in front of you, making it ideal for many backhand shots in the midcourt or at the net. It is not typically used for backhand shots in the rear-court. Instead, the bevel grip, a variation of the backhand grip, is used for rear-court shots. To perform the bevel grip, move the racket head so that the strings are facing diagonally, and place your thumb on the ridge or bevel. If the shuttlecock is level with you or in front, you can use the standard backhand grip with your thumb on top. However, if the shuttlecock is behind you, as in a rear-court backhand shot, you should use the bevel grip with your thumb positioned further around the handle.
The panhandle grip is another variation of the backhand grip and is similar to the forehand grip. It is commonly used by beginners for overhead shots and front-court shots. The main difference is that the racket is held directly parallel to the net for panhandle shots, whereas, for forehand shots, the racket is slanted. The panhandle grip is useful for late backhand rear-court shots, retrieving a net cord on the backhand side, and some net kills or drives.
It is important to be able to quickly change between grips during a rally, depending on whether you are playing a forehand or backhand shot. Practising grip changes is crucial to developing this skill. One way to do this is by starting with a conditioned routine where you switch grips after every shot, such as playing a backhand defensive shot followed by a forehand defensive shot. As you advance, you can introduce unpredictability by not knowing which side the shot will come from, challenging you to make quicker grip changes.
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The forehand grip is the most basic grip and is used for most general shots
The forehand grip is the most basic grip in badminton and is used for most general shots. It is the most commonly used grip and is essential for players to master. The forehand grip is used for a variety of strokes, including drives, smashes, net shots, and clears. It is also used for defensive shots to the player's racket side and flat drives. The grip allows players to execute shots quickly and accurately, helping them to control the game's tempo and apply pressure to their opponents.
To perform the forehand grip, players should hold the badminton handle as if they are lightly shaking hands with it. For right-handed players, the right bottom side of the thumb should touch the third bevel, while the left side of the index finger rests on the seventh bevel. The index finger is shaped like a hook and holds onto the handle near the top section, with the other fingers wrapped around the lower sections of the handle. It is important to have a loose grip to facilitate quick changes between different grips during a rally.
The forehand grip is often compared to the backhand grip, which is used for backhand strokes like smashes, drops, and clears. The backhand grip allows players to defend their forehand side effectively. It provides control and stability when making backhand strokes, with force generated through a combination of wrist and forearm rotation. The backhand grip is similar to the forehand grip, but with the complete bottom of the thumb in contact with the third bevel and the index finger lowered down below the thumb.
While the forehand grip is the most basic and commonly used grip, players should also be proficient in other grips, such as the panhandle grip, thumb grip, and bevel grip. The panhandle grip is used for late backhand rear-court shots and some net kills or drives, depending on the player's position and preference. The thumb grip, or backhand grip, is used for backhands where the shuttle is in front of the player. The bevel grip is used for backhand rear-court shots and some forehand and backhand net shots, depending on the player's positioning.
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The panhandle grip is similar to the forehand grip and is used for hitting kills in the front court
The panhandle grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton, along with the forehand, backhand, and neutral grips. It is called the panhandle grip because it is similar to holding a frying pan. This grip is used for forehand shots in front of the body, making it useful for forehands in the midcourt or at the net. It is not typically used in the rear court.
The panhandle grip is similar to the forehand grip, which is performed by holding the racket as if shaking someone's hand, forming a "V shape" between the index finger and middle finger. The panhandle grip is also used for hitting kills in the front court, specifically for forehand net kills. A net kill is a shot executed to take advantage of an opponent's weak return. To perform a net kill, it is important to maintain proper footwork and positioning, allowing enough room between the body and the shuttle to strike it above the height of the net and play it in a downward direction.
The panhandle grip is a natural grip for beginners because it is easy to hit overhead shots with. However, it is important to note that grip choice can significantly impact a player's success. Using the wrong grip can reduce power, minimize control, and increase the risk of injury. Therefore, it is crucial to learn and practice the different grips to improve performance on the court.
To execute a panhandle grip, place the racket flat on the ground and pick it up without turning the handle. Wrap your fingers around the racket, and if you are right-handed, rotate the racket to the left. This grip is used for late backhand rear-court shots, retrieving a net cord on the backhand side, and some net kills or drives, depending on the player's position and preference.
The panhandle grip can be very useful for beginners and experienced players alike, providing an easy way to hit overhead shots and allowing for quick grip changes during gameplay. With practice, players can master the panhandle grip along with the other basic grips, improving their control, precision, and overall performance in badminton.
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The bevel grip is used for backhand rear-court shots, some net shots, and singles defence
The bevel grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton. It is a variation of the backhand grip, where the racket head is moved in an anti-clockwise direction if you are right-handed, and clockwise if you are left-handed. This movement changes the orientation of the strings, from facing the floor or ceiling to facing diagonally.
The bevel grip is used for backhand rear-court shots, such as clears, drops and smashes. It is also useful for some net shots, depending on your positioning. The bevel grip is employed when the shuttle is behind you, which is the ideal position when taking a rear-court backhand shot. This grip allows you to play an accurate and powerful shot.
Additionally, the bevel grip is handy for some singles defence situations when you are stretched. It is important to note that the thumb position varies depending on where you make contact with the shuttle on your backhand side. If the shuttle is level with or in front of you, the standard backhand grip is used, with the thumb on top.
The bevel grip is an advanced technique, as beginners tend to have more power with a standard backhand grip, where the thumb can apply more force. However, with practice, players can master the bevel grip and use it effectively in their game.
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The thumb grip is like a backhand grip and is used for backhand shots where the shuttle is in front
The thumb grip, also known as the backhand grip, is one of the four basic grips in badminton. It is similar to the panhandle grip, which is the most natural grip for beginners, but it is used for backhand shots where the shuttle is in front of the player. This means it is useful for many backhand shots in the midcourt or at the net but not in the rear court.
To execute the thumb grip, the player should place their thumb on the flat side of the racket grip, similar to how one might hold a frying pan. The racket head should be turned so that it is parallel to the floor. The thumb grip allows players to generate more power by pressing down on the racket grip and "pushing through" the racket. It is also useful for defending the forehand side, which is not possible with a forehand grip.
The forehand grip is the most basic grip in badminton and is the grip that all players should learn first. It is performed by holding the racket as if one were lightly shaking hands with it. The pointer finger is leveraged on top to give the wrist more flexibility and power, allowing players to snap their wrist to generate power. The forehand grip is used for most general shots and is the grip used for the strongest hits, including clears, smashes, drops, slices, and defensive shots.
It is important to be able to transition quickly between grips during a rally, depending on whether it is a forehand or backhand shot. Practicing grip changes is crucial to developing this skill.
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Frequently asked questions
The forehand grip is the most basic grip in badminton and is the grip that all players should learn first. The back of the racket is perpendicular to the floor and the grip is held like a handshake, with the index finger on top to allow the wrist to generate power. The backhand grip is used when a shot is played on the backhand side. The racket is held with the head parallel to the floor and the thumb on the flat side of the grip, similar to holding a frying pan. The thumb generates most of the power in this shot.
Most players change their grip during a rally depending on whether they are playing a forehand or backhand shot. The right grip method significantly increases the power that can be generated with each shot.
The forehand grip is used for most general shots, while the backhand grip is used when a player does not want to twist their body to play a backhand shot. The backhand grip is also useful for defending the forehand side.
The easiest way to learn the backhand grip is to set up with your thumb on top of the wider section of the grip, with your strings facing the floor and the ceiling. Your fingers should be relaxed around the side.
Loosen the grip of your fingers while maintaining a secure hold on the racket.











































