Amanda Knapp
Choosing the right grip is essential for badminton players to improve their performance and avoid injuries. While there are four basic grips in badminton, namely forehand, backhand, panhandle, and neutral, the choice of grip depends on the player's preference and playing style. A small grip provides greater control, while a bigger grip allows for more power. Additionally, grip thickness and material can impact a player's performance, with thicker grips offering more power and comfort, and thinner grips providing more control and precision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of grips | 4 |
| Grips used by pro players | Neutral with a slight backhand grip |
| Panhandle grip used for | Late backhand rear-court shots, retrieving a net cord on the backhand side, some net kills or drives |
| Forehand grip | Shaking someone's hand with a 'V shape' formed by the index and middle fingers |
| Grip size | Depends on the player's hand size, play style, and shot type; G4 and G5 are commonly used |
| Grip type | Full grip, towel grip, overgrip |
| Grip material | PU or Polyurethane |
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What You'll Learn
Forehand grip
The forehand grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton, along with the backhand grip, overhead grip, and serve grip. It is a fundamental skill that even beginners should master, as it is used for a variety of strokes, including drives, net shots, and clears.
To execute the forehand grip, hold the badminton racket as if you are shaking someone's hand. This will create a 'V shape' between your index finger and middle finger, with a little space between them. Your thumb should be on the wider, flat side of the racket handle, and your fingers should be loosely wrapped around the grip. This grip allows for quick changes in the direction and angle of the racket, making it suitable for both attacking and defensive plays.
Some players may find the forehand grip unnatural or uncomfortable, especially if they are used to the pan handle grip, which comes more naturally to beginners. However, it is important to persist with the forehand grip and avoid developing bad habits, as it will become more comfortable with practice. One tip to help you get used to the forehand grip is to point at the feather of the shuttlecock with your non-racket hand, which will turn your body sideways to the net and make the forehand grip feel more natural.
While the forehand grip is essential to master, it is worth noting that pro players often hold their rackets with a neutral or slightly backhanded grip as the default. This is because, with a backhand grip, you can defend both your forehand and backhand sides, whereas with a forehand grip, you cannot defend your backhand. Being able to switch between grips depending on the situation is crucial, and the best players can do this without even realising it.
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Backhand grip
The backhand grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton. It is distinct from the panhandle grip, bevel grip, and forehand grip. The backhand grip is considered the standard grip and is the grip that most naturally comes to beginners.
To form the backhand grip, the thumb is placed on top of the wider section of the grip, with the strings facing the floor and ceiling. The fingers should be relaxed around the side of the racket. The thumb position is similar to that of a frying pan, rather than a 'V'. The thumb placement allows the player to generate more power in their shots.
The backhand grip is used in a variety of shots, including backhand defensive shots, backhand drives, late backhand rear-court shots, and net kills or drives. It is also used when retrieving a net cord on the backhand side.
Some players opt for a bevel grip or panhandle grip for certain backhand shots. For instance, the bevel grip is sometimes preferred when the shuttle is to the side, and the panhandle grip is used when the player is late on a backhand overhead.
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Panhandle grip
The panhandle grip is one of the four essential badminton grips. It is the grip that comes most naturally to beginners as it is easy to hit overhead shots with. However, it is actually 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.
To execute the panhandle grip, the thumb should be on the side of the racket, pinching the sides with the thumb and fingers. It is a useful grip for many forehands in the midcourt or at the net, but not in the rearcourt. It is about a 90-degree turn from a forehand grip. The thumb should not go straight up the side of the handle when hitting a forehand.
The panhandle grip is not suitable for generating power as it does not emphasise forearm rotation. A forhand grip is needed for that. The panhandle grip is only useful when playing very close to the net, either by killing the shuttle or by playing some soft net shot, which are more advanced than standard strokes.
While the panhandle grip is useful in some situations, it is important to learn and practice all four essential grips so that they become ingrained in a player's game and are easy to perform in a match.
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Grip size
When it comes to grip size, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, grip size is subjective and depends on the size of the player's hand. A general rule of thumb is that a thicker grip helps generate more power in shots, whereas a thinner grip provides greater control. This is because a small grip allows for more manoeuvrability of the racket, which can lead to more accurate and controlled shots.
However, this is not always the case, and some players find that they have more control with a thicker grip. It is important to try out different options to see what works best for you. The grip size can also be customised by layering up the handle with grip cushioning or an overgrip to achieve the desired thickness. For example, some players may tweak the end of their grip to be wider for extra power and control with the little finger.
The size of the grip can also depend on the playing style and the weight of the racket. Singles players tend to use heavier rackets, which provide more power when reaching for shots in the deep corners. Doubles players, on the other hand, favour lighter rackets for speed and defence. UK and European badminton players are also said to prefer smaller grip sizes.
When choosing a grip size, it is recommended to wrap your hand around the handle and ensure there is a finger's width of space between your thumb and fingers. This will help you determine the right grip size for your hand. Additionally, remember that grips need regular replacement, so consider setting up a grip system that allows for easy replacement of only the outer layer.
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Grip type
The grip type that badminton players use is an important aspect of the game. The grip impacts a player's success on the court, influencing their power, control, and injury risk. There are four basic grips in badminton: the forehand grip, the backhand grip, the panhandle grip, and the neutral grip. Each of these grips is used for different types of shots and techniques.
The forehand grip is used for powerful shots like clears, smashes, drops, slices, and defensive shots to the racket side. To achieve this grip, one must pretend they are shaking someone's hand, forming a 'V shape' between the index finger and middle finger. This grip provides more control and precision.
The backhand grip, on the other hand, is used for serves and basic defensive shots like lifts. This grip allows players to defend their forehand side effectively. It is commonly used by pro players as it provides more time to change grips during play.
The panhandle grip is often the first grip beginners learn as it is easy to hit overhead shots with. However, it is also used by advanced players for late backhand rear-court shots, retrieving net cords on the backhand side, and certain net kills or drives.
The neutral grip is a combination of the forehand and backhand grips, allowing players to transition between the two seamlessly. It provides a balance between power and control.
In addition to the type of grip, the size of the grip is also important. The grip size can impact a player's performance, comfort, and injury risk. Taller and older players tend to have larger hands, requiring a larger grip size. However, grip size is also dependent on play style. Power-focused players may prefer a smaller grip size, while those relying on controlled shots might opt for a larger grip.
Players can also choose from different grip types, such as full grip/replacement grip, towel grip, and overgrip. The towel grip is thicker and absorbs sweat, making it popular among top players. The overgrip is placed on top of the original grip to improve the feel and connection between the palm and the racket.
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Frequently asked questions
The four basic grips in badminton are the forehand grip, the backhand grip, the panhandle grip, and the neutral grip.
The forehand grip is used for the strongest hits, such as clears, smashes, drops, slices, and defensive shots to your racket side. The backhand grip is used for serves and basic defensive shots. The panhandle grip is used for late backhand rear-court shots, retrieving a net cord on the backhand side, and some net kills or drives. The neutral grip is used when players are unsure of which grip to use and want to be able to quickly switch between the other grips.
The right grip for you depends on your play style and the type of shots you play most often. If you are a power player, you may want to use a thicker grip that provides more power and comfort. If you are a control player, you may want to use a thinner grip that provides more control and precision. You should also consider the size of your hand and whether you tend to sweat a lot during play, as this will affect the grip size and material that you choose.
