How to Grip the Racket in Badminton

Before you begin using the proper badminton swings, follow these steps to learn how to hold your racket. Using both the forehand and backhand grips, and being able to switch easily from one to the other, are some of the most valuable skills you'll need.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Badminton Nets
• Badminton Posts
• Badminton Rackets
• Badminton Set
• Badminton Shuttlecocks

The Forehand Grip: used to make most overhead shots and shots on the same side of your body as the racket.

1. 

   Hold the neck of the racket in your left hand (reverse all instructions if you are left-handed).

2. 

   Hold the racket face perpendicular to the ground.

3. 

   "Shake hands" with the racket, placing your right hand in the middle of the grip.

4. 

   Wrap your fingers around the grip, with your thumb on the side of the handle pointing forward toward the head of the racket.

5. 

   Allow your forefinger and third finger to spread as much as feels comfortable on the grip.

6. 

   Check to see that the "V" of your thumb and forefinger is on the top notch of your eight-sided handle.

The Backhand Grip: used for shots on the non-racket side of your body.

7. Start with your hand in the proper forehand grip position (see Section 1), with the racket face perpendicular to the ground and the "V" of your thumb and forefinger on the top of the eight-sided handle.

8. Slide your hand counter-clockwise on the grip, so the "V" of your thumb and forefinger is over the top-left bevel of the eight-sided grip.

9. Place the pad of your thumb against the side bevel of the grip, still pointing forward.

10. Use your thumb to support the racket during your quick drives and deep clears.

Tips & Warnings

• This grip should be comfortable, not awkward.
• Practice switching quickly from the forehand to the backhand grip. The adjustment is minor and should be done as you swing the racket back across your body.

Who Can Help:

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[MikeHopley]

on 1/24/2008 This article is not quite accurate.

For the "forehand grip", the V shape between thumb and index finger should not rest directly over the "top" bevel: instead, it should be aligned towards the diagonal bevel on the left (for right-handers).

The "backhand grip" is only effective when you are taking the shuttle in front of you. This is a specialised grip for strokes such as net kills and serves. For other strokes such as drives and clears, you will need a grip much like the "forehand grip".

See my comprehensive grips guide for farther instruction:
http://www.badmintonbible.com/articles/grips-guide/

[DavePrior]

on 9/2/2007 There are 5 basic grips in badminton.
1. Forehand Grip
2. Backhand Grip
3. Panhandle Grip
4. Relaxed Thumb Grip
5. Alternative Backhand grip

Forehand grip is best achieved by:
- hold racquet between big toes
- place hand on grip of racquet so that it is held in the fingers.....Do not allow the thumb to touch the racquet yet.
- raise the racquet, allowing the thumb to drop naturally onto the grip.
- turn the racquet slightly so that the bevel of the racquet grip goes between the V formed between thumb and forefinger
Backhand Grip is similar, except the thumb is allowed to drop further round. Under no circumstances is it allowed to rest on the flat of the racquet grip.
Relaxed Thumb grip - the racquet is held loosely in the fingers, the weight supported by the thumb.
Panhandle - the racquet is rotated so that it is at 90 deg to you.

on 11/22/2005 If you have played tennis before, use the same grip style that you are already comfortable with in tennis. However, unlike tennis, rotate your racket around using your wrist to get warmed up before a game. Just imagine that the racket is a "whip" and use the same motion.