Amanda Knapp
Badminton is a sport that requires both mental and physical prowess, with the fundamentals of the game helping players develop their own playing style and strategy. One of the most important fundamentals is learning how to grip the badminton racket correctly. The grip is the way a player holds the racket to hit shots during a match, and there are many types, including the forehand grip, the backhand grip, the bevel grip, and the panhandle grip. The backhand grip is used when a shot is played on a player's backhand side or non-dominant side. This grip is also known as the thumb grip because the thumb is positioned like a frying pan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Backhand grip, thumb grip, bevel grip, panhandle grip, Eastern backhand grip |
| Thumb position | On top of the wider section of the grip, with the strings facing the floor and ceiling; for right-handed players, the right bottom side of the thumb touches the 3rd bevel |
| Index finger position | Lowered down to a position below the thumb; for right-handed players, the left side of the index finger rests on the 7th bevel |
| Other fingers | Wrapped around the lower sections of the handle |
| Use case | Used for backhand shots when the shuttle is in front or level with the player, or for backhand clears |
| Advantages | Can be useful for many kinds of strokes, allows for quick grip changes, prepares a perfect angle for executing the backhand clear |
| Disadvantages | Should not be used for backhand shots in the rear court |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Thumb grip
The thumb grip, also known as the backhand grip, is one of the four essential grips in badminton. It is similar to the forehand grip, but with a 90-degree turn, and the thumb placed behind on the widest racket bevel. The index finger should be lowered down to a position below the thumb for better leverage. The thumb grip is like the backhand version of the panhandle grip and is mainly used for backhands where the shuttle is in front of the player. It is useful for many backhands in the midcourt or at the net but not in the rearcourt.
To learn the thumb grip, start by holding the racket as if you are shaking hands with it. The bottom side of the thumb should be touching the third bevel, while the left side of the index finger should rest on the seventh bevel. The index finger should be shaped like a hook and hold onto the handle near the top section. The other fingers are wrapped around the lower sections of the handle. For the thumb grip, the complete bottom of the thumb should be in contact with the third bevel, and the index finger should be lowered down.
It is important to learn the correct grips in badminton as the wrong grip can reduce power, minimise control of shots, and increase the risk of injury. The four basic grips are used for different shots, and it is recommended to practice each of them so that they become second nature in a match. One way to practice is to start 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, forcing you to make quick grip changes.
The bevel grip is another important grip to learn. It is used when the shuttle is behind you, such as when taking a rear-court backhand shot. The bevel grip allows for accurate and powerful shots. To transition from the backhand grip to the bevel grip, move the racket anti-clockwise if you are right-handed or clockwise if you are left-handed.
High School Basketball: Radio Stations to Tune Into
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$9.99
Bevel grip
The bevel grip is a type of grip used in badminton to hit defensive and deceptive shots. It is one of the four basic grips in badminton, the others being the orthodox forehand grip, the backhand grip (or thumb grip), and the panhandle grip. The bevel grip is a variation of the backhand grip, and is used when the shuttlecock is behind the player, allowing for more powerful and accurate shots from this position.
To perform the bevel grip, the player starts in the backhand grip position, with their thumb on top of the wider section of the grip and their strings facing the floor and ceiling. They then move the racket head so that the strings are facing diagonally, and the thumb is on the ridge, or bevel, of the racket. For right-handed players, this involves moving the racket anti-clockwise from the backhand grip position, and for left-handed players, it involves moving the racket clockwise.
The bevel grip is particularly useful for executing backhand clears. It allows the player to achieve the perfect angle for this type of shot. The bevel grip can also be used in combination with other grips, such as the hammer grip, which is useful for executing jumping smashes.
The name "bevel grip" comes from the octagonal shape of the badminton racket handle, which consists of eight sides called bevels. These bevels are numbered from 1 to 8, and the player's thumb placement on a particular bevel determines the type of grip. For example, the Eastern Backhand grip is achieved when the base knuckle of the index finger and the heel of the hand are placed on the 1st bevel.
Where to Watch Bryant Basketball Tonight
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Panhandle grip
The panhandle grip is one of the four essential grips in badminton, along with the forehand grip, backhand grip, and bevel grip. It is primarily used for forehand shots in front of the body, making it useful for midcourt or net play but not for rearcourt shots.
To execute the panhandle grip, the thumb is placed on the side of the racket, with the thumb and fingers pinching the sides of the handle. This grip is very intuitive for beginners because it makes it easier to hit overhead shots. However, it is not ideal for generating power since the wrist motion does not contribute to shot strength. The panhandle grip is best suited for playing close to the net, such as performing net kills or soft net shots.
The panhandle grip is often compared to the forehand grip, which is the more common choice for generating power. The forehand grip involves holding the racket as if shaking hands with it, with a "'V-shape' formed between the thumb and index finger. This grip allows for forearm rotation, resulting in more powerful shots.
In badminton, the choice of grip is crucial as it can impact a player's success on the court. Different grips are used for different shots, and learning the correct grips is essential for improving control, precision, and performance. It is recommended to practice changing grips during rallies to become comfortable and proficient in using the appropriate grip for each shot.
Basketball Night: USA Games On Tonight
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Waved grip
The waved badminton grip is a type of grip that has foam strips in the centre of the grip wrap. Once the grip is applied, there will be 'grooves' on the grip that can help increase friction and comfort when holding the racquet. The waved grip is slightly heavier than flat grips due to the excess foam used to create the grooves.
The handle of a badminton racquet has eight sides, giving it an octagonal shape. This shape is designed to provide enough friction for a firm grip. The eight sides of the handle are called bevels and can be numbered from 1 to 8, with the racquet surface perpendicular to the ground, the bevels are numbered from the top anti-clockwise. The bevels are important to understand when learning the different grips.
The Eastern Backhand grip, for example, is obtained when placing the hand so that the base knuckle of the index finger and heel of the hand are on the 1st bevel. The bevels allow for different grips to be used depending on the shot being played.
The waved grip is a unique grip due to its foam strips, which create grooves for increased friction and comfort. This grip is slightly heavier than other grips but offers improved grip and comfort for players.
Miami's Basketball Wives: Who Started It All?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Eastern backhand grip
The Eastern backhand grip is a commonly used grip in badminton that allows players to hit both flatter drives and high, looping clears. It is the most common grip used to hit one-handed backhands.
To find the Eastern backhand grip, hold the racquet by the throat with your non-dominant hand, with the racquet head on the left and the handle on the right. Extend your non-dominant arm away from your body and keep the handle in front of your other arm. Then, extend your arm and grip the racquet handle. You will likely be holding the racquet with an Eastern one-handed backhand grip. The racquet should be pointed at a 45-degree angle towards the ground, and your hand should be in a fist.
When using this grip, you can decide whether you prefer to spread your hand further up the length of the grip or keep it in a closed fist. This is a matter of personal preference.
It is important to be able to switch between different grips quickly and efficiently during a game. One way to practice this is to start with a conditioned routine where you switch grips after every shot. For example, you could practice a backhand defensive shot followed by a forehand defensive shot, or a backhand drive followed by a forehand drive.
Try on Basketball Shoes: In-Store or Online?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The backhand grip is used when any shot is played to your non-dominant hand side. 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.
The bevel grip is used for backhand shots in the rear court. Starting in a backhand grip, the racket head is moved so that the strings are diagonal and the thumb is on the bevel/ridge.
The panhandle grip is used for backhands where the shuttlecock is behind you. The thumb is placed on the side of the racket, pinching the sides with the thumb and fingers.
The forehand grip is the most basic grip and is used for shots on the dominant side. The back of the hand faces the net, with the index finger on top. The backhand grip is used for shots on the non-dominant side, with the thumb on top.
The Eastern Backhand grip is obtained when the base knuckle of the index finger and heel of the hand are placed on the 1st bevel.
