How to Grip a Racket in Badminton

Part of learning how to play badminton is learning how to grip the racket in the proper manner. Beginners need the basics, so use the following as your basic guide to learn how to grip a racket in badminton.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Basic Forehand Badminton Racket Grip

1. Hold the badminton racket in your left hand if you are right handed. Point the racket straight out in front of you with the face of the racket vertical to the ground.
2. Open your right hand with all five fingers spread on the face of the racket. Move or pull your right hand back towards your body along the shaft of the racket as you grasp the grip area in a "hand shake" grip.
3. Spread your fingers slightly so that your right index finger wraps around the grip area to the right and wrap your thumb around the grip area to your left. This should feel comfortable, not tight. You want to have flexibility in your wrist area, so that when you swing the badminton racket, it feels like an extension of your arm.
4. Change the movements described in the previous steps from the right hand to the left hand if you are left handed.

Basic Backhand Badminton Racket Grip

5. Repeat steps 1 through 3 above.
6. Pull your right arm across the front of your body by bending at your right elbow.
7. Twist your right wrist back towards your body to turn the right hand grasped on the grip. This position gives you the angle to hit or swing in a backhanded motion.
8. Change the movements described in the previous steps from the right hand to the left hand if you are left handed.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many techniques to gripping a badminton racket depending on your level of experience and what swing you are attempting. Practice these two basic grips and then you'll be ready to move on to more advanced grips.