Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a sport that requires a great deal of precision and skill. One of the fundamentals of the game is learning the correct grip. There are four basic grips in badminton, and choosing the right one is essential for success on the court. The wrong grip can reduce power, minimize control, and increase the risk of injury. One of the four grips is the forehand grip, which is mainly used for forehand overhead shots. It is considered an easy grip to learn and is a useful reference point for learning the other grips.
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What You'll Learn
Forehand grip vs panhandle grip
The forehand grip and the panhandle grip are two of the four essential badminton grips. Each grip is used for different types of shots, and it is important to learn and practice all four so that they become second nature in a match.
The easiest way to learn the forehand grip is to hold the racket as if you are shaking someone's hand. This creates a ''V shape' between the thumb and index finger, with a little space between the index finger and the middle finger. The racket should rest loosely in the fingers, enabling greater flexibility and making it easier to change grips during a rally. The forehand grip is used for the majority of shots, including clears, smashes, drops, slices, flat drives, and defensive shots to the player's racket side. It is also used for stick smashes, which require forearm rotation, and overhead shots.
The panhandle grip is the grip that comes most naturally to beginners, as it is easy to hit overhead shots with. However, it is only useful for a limited range of shots, including late backhand rear-court shots, retrieving a net cord on the backhand side, and some net kills and drives. It is also used for playing close to the net, either by killing the shuttle or playing a soft net shot. The panhandle grip does not generate power as it does not allow for forearm rotation, and it can be dangerous to use for stick smashes as it can lead to a broken wrist.
While some sources recommend using a backhand grip as the default, as it allows players to defend their forehand side, others suggest that the forehand grip should be the default as it is more powerful and allows for a greater range of shots. It is important for players to practice switching between grips to improve their control, precision, and overall performance on the court.
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How to hold a racket with a forehand grip
Holding a badminton racket with a forehand grip is easy to learn and useful for developing other grips. It is also essential for certain shots, such as the stick smash.
To start, hold the racket in front of you as if it is an axe that you are about to chop with—but keep your grip relaxed, not tight. The racket face should be perpendicular to the floor. Now, place your playing hand on the handle as if you are shaking hands with it. There should be a V-shape between your thumb and index finger, with a little space between your index finger and middle finger. Your thumb should be against the back bevel of the handle for greater leverage and power. The racket handle should rest loosely in your fingers for greater flexibility.
If you are right-handed, you can get into this grip from a backhand grip by turning the racket counter-clockwise so that the V-shape moves leftwards. If you are left-handed, move the racket clockwise.
To practice, start with a conditioned routine where you switch between a backhand and forehand grip with each shot. You can do this against a wall if you don't have a partner. As you advance, vary the types of shots in your routine to make quick grip changes and learn when you need to switch grips.
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The four essential badminton grips
Badminton is a fast-paced game that demands precision, agility, and strategy. One of the fundamentals of excelling in this game is mastering the various grips that control the racket. The way a player holds the racket influences their ability to execute different shots, from delicate drop shots to powerful smashes.
The forehand grip, also known as the V-grip or handshake grip, is the most fundamental grip in badminton. It is used for the majority of shots, including forehand smashes, clears, drop shots, drives, lifts, and serves. To achieve this grip, hold the racket as if you are shaking hands with it, forming a V-shape between your thumb and index finger. The racket handle should rest comfortably in your hand, with your thumb on the wider, flat side of the handle. This grip is the foundation for power, control, and accuracy in badminton strokes.
The backhand grip is vital for returning shots to your non-dominant side and executing precise and powerful backhand strokes. It allows players to handle shots on their non-dominant side with ease, especially when they don't have time to rotate their body for a forehand stroke. The thumb placement for this grip is on the rear of the handle, which is different from the forehand grip where the thumb rests along the side. This grip is particularly useful for backhand smashes and backhand drops, allowing players to generate sufficient power and angle using wrist and forearm rotation.
The overhead grip is used for powerful overhead shots, such as smashes and clears. This grip provides a strong foundation for these shots, allowing players to generate the necessary power and accuracy.
The serve grip is used specifically for serving the shuttlecock. It involves a slightly different hand placement on the racket to generate more spin and control during the serve. This grip is important for achieving accurate and consistent serves.
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The bevel grip
To execute the bevel grip, start by holding the racket in a backhand grip, with your thumb on the flat side of the grip, similar to holding a frying pan. Then, move the racket head so that the strings are facing diagonally, and your thumb is on the ridge or bevel of the racket. If you are right-handed, move the racket anti-clockwise from the backhand grip position. If you are left-handed, move the racket clockwise. This grip allows you to play powerful and accurate shots when the shuttle is behind you or flying over your head.
It is important to learn the correct grip techniques in badminton as they can significantly impact a player's performance and success on the court. Using the wrong grip can reduce power, minimise control, and increase the risk of injury. Additionally, the correct grip allows for a greater range of shots and more efficient hits.
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How to practice switching grips
To perform a forehand grip, hold the badminton racket as if you are shaking hands with it. There should be a V-shape between your thumb and index finger, with a little space between your index finger and middle finger. The racket handle should rest loosely in your fingers to allow for greater flexibility and control.
Now, to practice switching grips, it is recommended to start with a conditioned routine where you switch grips after every shot. For instance, you can start with a backhand defensive shot followed by a forehand defensive shot, or a backhand drive followed by a forehand drive. You can even do these against a wall if you don't have a partner to practice with.
Once you get comfortable with the basics, advance to the next level where you don't know which side the shot is coming from. This will help you make quick grip changes and also decide when you need to change your grip. For example, your partner can feed shots to different areas of the court, forcing you to switch grips. Another drill is to practice hitting down shots from the net while your partner moves you from side to side, again requiring you to change grips frequently.
Remember, grip changes need to be quick and accurate, and they should be coordinated with the movements of your arm and wrist. It is important to learn and practice all four basic grips in badminton so that you can adapt to different situations in a rally and improve your overall performance on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
The forehand grip is one of the four essential grips in badminton. It is mainly used for forehand overhead shots and is considered an easy grip to learn. To execute it, hold the racket as if you are shaking someone's hand, with a V-shape between your thumb and index finger.
Hold the racket as you would for a forehand grip. Turn the racket counter-clockwise so that the V-shape moves leftwards. Place your thumb against the back bevel of the handle for greater leverage and power. Ensure the racket handle rests loosely in your fingers.
The forehand grip is important as it provides a reference point for learning other grips. It is also useful for generating power when performing overhead shots from the front court. Additionally, it is essential for executing certain shots like stick smashes, where forearm rotation is required.
Start with a conditioned routine where you switch between a forehand and backhand grip after each shot. Advance by making the grip changes unpredictable, such as having a partner feed shots to different areas of the court. This helps improve your grip changes and decision-making.
