
Holding a badminton racket correctly is essential to playing the game well. The correct grip will increase the range of shots, make for more efficient hits, and reduce injuries. There are four basic grips in badminton: the forehand grip, the backhand grip, the bevel grip, and the panhandle grip. Each of these grips is used for different shots, and it's important to learn and practice each of them so that they become second nature in a match.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grip | Forehand grip, Backhand grip, Bevel grip, Panhandle grip, Hammer grip |
| Handshake grip | Thumb on the edge of the racket handle, forming a V-shape |
| Backhand grip | Thumb on top of the wider section of the grip, with strings facing the floor and ceiling |
| Panhandle grip | Thumb on the side of the racket, pinching the sides with the thumb and fingers |
| Bevel grip | Thumb on the ridge/bevel of the racket |
| Holding position | Hold the racket loosely, as if shaking someone's hand |
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What You'll Learn
- Forehand grip: Hold like shaking hands, with a V shape between index and middle fingers
- Backhand grip: Thumb on top of the wider grip section, strings facing floor and ceiling
- Bevel grip: Start in a backhand grip, move the racket head so strings are diagonal
- Hammer grip: Hold like a hammer, useful for executing jumping smashes
- Panhandle grip: Thumb on racket side, pinching sides with thumb and fingers

Forehand grip: Hold like shaking hands, with a V shape between index and middle fingers
Holding a badminton racket correctly is essential to performing well in the game. The correct grip is necessary to develop and improve all sorts of strokes in the game. It is also important to learn the correct grips as the wrong grip can reduce your power, minimise control of your shots, and increase the risk of injury.
The forehand grip, sometimes called the "handshake grip", is one of the four essential grips that every badminton player should master. To do the forehand grip, start with your hand in a "'handshake' position on the racket handle. Your hand should be positioned as if you are shaking someone's hand, with your palm a little lower than the centre of the handle. This grip can be used as a starting point for other grips, such as the backhand, panhandle, and bevel grips.
To achieve the correct forehand grip, it is important to create a 'V shape' with your hand. This means having a little space between your index finger and middle finger, with your fingers loosely around the grip. If you end up with a U-shaped grip, this implies that you are holding the racket too tightly and will reduce flexibility. Your fingers should be relaxed and cradling the racket handle subtly.
The forehand grip is particularly useful for forehand overhead shots, such as forehand clears, smashes, and drop shots. It is also important to note that the forehand grip should not be used for smashes as it triggers shuttle slicing. Instead, a smash grip, with the racket head mildly angled about 10 degrees, should be used to hit the shuttle with a flat face and generate maximum power.
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Backhand grip: Thumb on top of the wider grip section, strings facing floor and ceiling
Holding a badminton racket correctly is an essential basic step to improving your game. The correct grip will increase the range of shots, produce more efficient hits, and reduce the risk of injury.
The backhand grip is a core technique that every new badminton player should practice. It is most helpful for hitting backhand shots in front of your body. To perform the backhand grip, place your thumb on top of the wider grip section with your strings facing the floor and ceiling. Your fingers should be relaxed around the side of the grip. This grip will also rely on power from your thumb, so be sure to support the racket with your thumb during a backhand.
The backhand grip is different from the forehand grip, which uses a lot of power from your wrist. The backhand grip is also not suitable for late backhand shots. For these shots, you can use the panhandle grip, which gets its name from its similarity to holding a frying pan or cooking pan. To perform the panhandle grip, wrap your thumb and fingers around the sides of the racket handle, forming a V-shape.
It is important to learn the correct grips as they will become ingrained into your game and make it easier to perform in a match. The longer you play with an improper grip, the harder it will be to learn the right grip, so always practice the correct technique.
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Bevel grip: Start in a backhand grip, move the racket head so strings are diagonal
Holding a badminton racket the right way is the most important basic step in the game. The wrong grip can reduce your power, minimise control of your shots, and increase the risk of injury.
The bevel grip is one of the four essential badminton grips. To learn the bevel grip, start in a backhand grip, with your thumb on top of the wider section of the grip, and the strings facing the floor and ceiling. Then, move the racket head so the strings are diagonal, and your thumb is on the ridge or bevel. If you are right-handed, move the racket anti-clockwise from your backhand grip. If you are left-handed, move the racket in a clockwise direction.
The bevel grip is useful for applying defensive and deceptive shots. It is also used for backhand defensive shots, serves, and to some degree, forehand shots. The bevel grip is a good option when the shuttle is to the side and not high. It is also useful for executing the backhand clear.
It is important to learn the correct grip for each shot, and to practice moving between them, so that it becomes easy to perform in a match.
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Hammer grip: Hold like a hammer, useful for executing jumping smashes
Holding a badminton racket correctly is essential to playing the game well. The correct grip is necessary to improve all sorts of strokes in the game, and it is important to learn and practice each of them so that they become second nature in a match.
The hammer grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton. This grip is useful for executing jumping smashes. To hold the racket with a hammer grip, you should hold it like you are holding a hammer. This grip differs from the basic forehand grip, which is also sometimes called the "handshake grip". The hammer grip is used for smash shots, whereas the forehand grip is used for forehand overhead shots, like forehand clears, smashes, and drop shots. When using a forehand grip, the racket head is vertical to the ground, whereas in the hammer grip, the racket head is angled by about 10 degrees.
The hammer grip is also different from the backhand grip, which is another core technique that every new badminton player should practice. The backhand grip is most helpful for hitting backhand shots in front of your body. The backhand grip is also not used when playing backhand shots in the rear court. The backhand grip is achieved by placing your thumb on the flat side of the handle so that it's in line with the racket face. Your hand should be positioned so that pushing your thumb would directly push the racket forward at a flat angle.
It is important to learn the correct grips as the wrong grip can reduce your power, minimize the control of your shots, and increase the risk of injury. The longer you play with an improper grip, the harder it will be to learn the right grip, so always practice the correct technique!
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Panhandle grip: Thumb on racket side, pinching sides with thumb and fingers
Holding a badminton racket correctly is an essential basic technique to master. The correct grip will improve your game and reduce the risk of injury. The panhandle grip is a useful technique for beginners to learn as it is easy to hit overhead shots with, and it is particularly effective for late backhand rear-court shots and frontcourt net shots.
To use the panhandle grip, start with your hand in the classic forehand grip, as if you are shaking someone's hand. Keep your hand in position and rotate the handle until your racket face is parallel to the floor. Your thumb should be on the side of the racket handle, with your fingers and thumb wrapped around the sides, forming a V-shape. Your thumb and fingers should be pinching the sides of the racket handle. This grip should be loose, with your fingers relaxed and cradling the handle.
The panhandle grip is a good starting point for beginners, but it is important to learn and practice the other three basic grips as well: the forehand grip, the backhand grip, and the bevel grip. Each grip is used for different shots, and being able to switch between them quickly will improve your game.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four basic grips that every badminton player should master. The first is the forehand or "handshake" grip, which is a good starting point for other grips. The second is the backhand grip, which is useful for hitting shots in front of your body. The third is the bevel grip, which is good for defensive and deceptive shots. The fourth is the panhandle grip, which is useful for late backhand shots and front-court net shots.
Hold the racket as if you are shaking someone's hand. Your palm should be lower than the centre of the handle and your thumb should be on the edge of the handle (the bevel). When looking down at your hand, your thumb and fingers should form a 'V' shape, not a 'U' shape, as this implies the grip is too tight.
Start with a forehand grip and rotate the racket handle so that the racket face is parallel to the floor. Then, place your thumb on the flat side of the handle so that it is in line with the racket face. Your thumb should support the racket during the backhand.
Practice is key. Try a wall exercise where you switch between grips as quickly as possible.











































