By Justin Ma, 7x US Junior National Badminton Champion.
Last updated July 20, 2021
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4 min read
Acing your badminton grip techniques can give you a massive advantage on the court —because in every shot, your grip determines the speed and accuracy of your shuttle’s path.
But it can be hard to figure out how to position your hands and fingers properly, and when to use which grips.
This post covers everything you need to know about badminton grip techniques, including four main grips and the best times to use them.
First things first, you’ll want to hold your racket loosely throughout the game and only tighten your grip when you hit the shuttle. The right amount of grip tape can help you pull this off.Â
If you overwrap your racket, you could end up grasping too tightly. A thickly wrapped grip can also hide the edges of your racket handle, so you won’t be able to feel your hand position as well.
On the flip side, a thinner racket grip helps keep your hand loose and relaxed, making it easier to switch to the correct hand position on the spot.
Side note: You don’t want to give yourself tennis elbow, so keep your hand grip loose unless you hit the shuttle.
A proper forehand grip is an effective way to maximize wrist mobility because it prevents the racket from blocking your movement. On top of that, this hold gives you full rotation of your arm shots.
To achieve the forehand grip, place the palm of your racket-holding hand on the racket face while holding the grip with your other hand. Then, slide the palm of your racket-holding hand down the shaft and grip with your bottom three fingers. Â
Close your thumb above your middle finger and keep your pointer finger aimed forward around the racket grip. Your thumb and pointer finger should make a “V” shape once they’re in position.Â
There should also be a small space between your pointer finger and middle finger because of your thumb placement.
You can quickly set up the forehand grip by facing the side of your racket head down. Then, pretend you’re shaking someone’s hand when you grab the racket grip, placing your fingers in the positions noted above.
Use the forehand grip for the following shots:
To quickly switch to a backhand grip, wrap your pointer finger down around the grip on top of your middle finger. After that, place your thumb on the flat edge of the racket grip. Â
With your thumb pointing forward, the racket’s face should be parallel to the ground. When you take shots with this grip, you’ll want to push down with your thumb for ultimate power.
The backhand grip can limit your arm rotation a bit, but it’ll give you a significant advantage in the right circumstances.
Use the backhand grip for the following shots:
The bevel grip is when your racket face is twisted halfway between the forehand grip and backhand grip positions.
To switch into a bevel grip, start with a backhand grip, then twist your racket so the outside edge turns up at about a 45-degree angle.
Your thumb will be pressed onto the smallest edge of the racket, between the larger two flat edges (aka the beveled part.)
Depending on your position on the court, use the bevel grip for:
The panhandle grip makes it easy to hit powerful shots with short movements.
With the face of your racket parallel to the floor, hold the racket grip, palm up, with your bottom three fingers wrapped around the shaft. Then, pinch the sides of the racket grip with your thumb and pointer fingers.Â
Keep in mind that this hold can limit your forearm rotation a bit. That said, other grips might be a better choice when you need to hit longer strokes with more force.
This grip is best for:
Holding your grip towards the bottom can help you extend your racket further and generate more power. A bottom hold can be beneficial when you’re playing in the back-court area.
On the other hand, holding towards the bottom of your racket can cause you to take more time to switch hand positions and take a full swing.
If you hold your racket handle higher up, you’ll be able to change hand positions much more quickly — but you’ll lose some power in your shots.
The first tip for switching grip positions is to keep your hold loose. An excessively tight grip will prevent you from moving your muscles swiftly.
With that in mind, here’s an easy way to practice switching hand positions:
There’s no right way to change your hand positions, so just remember to practice, practice, practice. The good news is that you can practice at any time — even while you’re sitting on the couch relaxing at home.
Understanding badminton grips will help you achieve better shuttle placement during every match. So, don’t be afraid to practice switching your hand position during training sessions.Â
When you know how to rotate between grips efficiently, you’ll boost your overall performance on the court.
Try the techniques in this article the next time you get a chance. You’ll be surprised at just how much the right grip can change your game!
If you’re interested in learning more badminton tips and techniques, be sure to checkout our YouTube channel as well!
