How to hold a badminton racket: The ultimate guide
Do you want to know how to hold a badminton racket? If you’re just starting out, it’s important to learn how to best hold the racket. This will improve your accuracy and power when hitting the shuttle. In this guide we teach you the four different grips you use in badminton.
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Why is the grip so important
Mastering the correct grip is critical, as a wrong grip can reduce your strength, decrease your control and increase the risk of injury. Applying the wrong grip is unfortunately one of the most common mistakes on the court. That is why it is important that you know the different grips and can apply them. Ultimately, you want to be able to switch grips in a millisecond so that you are always ready for your shot.
4 different grips in badminton
There are four main grips that you can use when playing badminton. These are the forehand grip, the backhand grip, the panhandle grip and the bevel grip. There are several names for these four handles, but for the purpose of this overview we will call them that.
De forehand grip
The forehand grip is the most commonly used grip in badminton and known as the basic grip. This is the hold you see when you play a forehand smash, clear or drop shot. This grip is often referred to as the handshake grip, where it looks like you’re greeting your racket with a handshake.
When do you use the forehand grip
You use the forehand grip for a:
- Forehand clear
- Forehand smash
- Forehand dropshot
- Forehand drive
- Forehand lift
- Just passing forehand
- Forehand service
How to use the forehand grip
- Step 1: Place your hand in the V-shape
Hold your racket so that a V-shape is formed by your thumb and index finger. This grip is therefore also called the V-grip. The other fingers should be wrapped around the handle of the racket. Keep a little space between your index and middle fingers.
- Step 2: Relax your hand
Make sure your hand is relaxed and your arm is bent at a 90-degree angle. This is the basics. Holding the racket too tightly makes it difficult to quickly change grips when needed during a rally. A firm grip also limits your capacity for control and power in your strokes.
- Step 3: Tense on impact
By tightening your hand at the moment of impact, you will derive more power from your grip. In addition, this also gives you more control over the shuttle.
De backhand grip
The opposite of the forehand grip is the backhand grip, also known as the thumb grip. This hold is applied when you get the shuttlecock played on your non-racquet side. This grip allows you to use your thumb. You can’t generate as much force as with the regular V-grip, but you can still use rotation to hit the shuttle.
When do you use the backhand grip?
You use the backhand grip for a:
- Backhand clear
- Backhand smash
- Backhand dropshot
- Backhand drive
- Backhand lift
- Backhand just hitting
- Backhand service
Pay attention: This hold is not used for a late backhand from the back line. For this you use de panhandle grip, because otherwise you will hit the shuttle. It is impossible to point the racket blade in the backhand grip towards the field if you are late.
How to use the backhand grip
The backhand grip is easiest to grip if you position yourself with your thumb on top of the wider part of the grip. The racket head is flat and your strings point towards the floor and ceiling. With your thumb behind your grip, you want to place your other fingers relaxed to the side.
You can increase the amount of force produced by your grip by squeezing it together at the moment of the strike. In addition, you generate more control and power. If you want to play a hard backhand shot in the back you also need a lot of power, you can also make extra rotation with this grip.
Pro tip: even if you can play a strong backhand it is still recommended to use the forehand as much as possible. For example, play an overhead forehand whenever possible. The overhead forehand is often preferred, because it gives just a little more power and control than the backhand.
De panhandle grip
The panhandle grip – also known as the rush grip or hammer grip. A lot of beginners use this grip for almost every shot because it is very easy to hit the shuttle. But it is also very difficult to generate power. The problem lies in the fact that we can’t apply enough forearm rotation to generate power. The panhandle grip is therefore more often used when you need a special grip for difficult strokes or when you want to react quickly.
When to use the panhandle grip
The panhandle grip is especially effective when you want to generate power with your fingertips on the forehand side. We can’t use our thumb on the back when we’re on the forehand side, but it’s still very easy to create power with a short movement, making this grip ideal for a drive or net strikes. For the backhand, this hold is used to hit a late backhand.
You use the panhandle grip for a:
- Late backhand shot from the backfield (dropshot or clear)
- Fast forehand drive
- Finishing at the net (depending on position and preference)
How to use the panhandle grip
You grab your racket like you hold a frying pan. The racket head is horizontal with the blade pointed towards the ground. Place your thumb on the side of your racket and squeeze your racket with your finger and thumb. Place your remaining fingers on the side of your racket.
Your grip should be loose as you prepare for impact. Strengthen your grip and apply power at the moment of impact. This way you create more power and control on your stroke.
The command grip
The bevel grip – also known as the neutral grip – makes it easy for you to quickly switch between the forehand and backhand grip. This is important because you often have little time and you want to be able to switch quickly from forehand and backhand.
When to use the command grip
This is the grip you’ll want to use if you don’t know where the shuttle is going. It is a good idea to train yourself to use the bevel grip as a neutral grip so that you are better prepared for the return. In addition, you also use this grip for some forehand and backhand net shots.
You use the command grip for:
- Neutral position in preparation for a return
- Finishing at the net (depending on position and preference)
How to use the command grip
When you’re holding your racket, put your other hand on the racket and hold it like you would shake someone’s hand. The grip should be relaxed. There should be a gap between your thumb and index finger, and between your middle and ring fingers. This is a bit like the forehand grip, but in the forehand grip the V-shape is right between the thumb and index finger, and the other fingers rest.
Also for the bevel grip you want to hold your racket loosely in the preparation phase. You will soon have the choice whether to quickly switch to another grip, or make a quick shot in command grip.
Hit the shuttle in command grip or quickly switch to another grip. To switch to the forehand grip, turn the racket toward your forehand and form a V with your thumb and index finger. For the backhand, turn your racket towards your backhand and use your thumb.
General tips
- Always use a loose grip for each stroke and tighten at the moment of impact. This way you create extra power and control in your stroke.
- Make sure to hold the handle of your racket at a height that your palm doesn’t extend below it. Hold the racket just above center.
- If you are not sure where the shuttle is going, it is always good to keep your racket in the neutral command grip.
- To practice the speed of changing the grips, we recommend that you first practice without a shuttle. Visualize the strokes you want to play and which grip you need to be in to play them best. Once you’ve done this, add some movement to your exercise. This will help you get used to changing your grip quickly and comfortably. Finally, move on to practice with a shuttle.
Resume
The forehand grip is used when you hit the shuttle with the front of your racket. The backhand grip is used to hit the shuttle with the back of the racket. The panhandle grip is similar to how you hold a frying pan, and is used for net strikes and late strikes. The bevel grip is also known as the neutral grip, and is mainly used for quickly switching between the forehand and backhand. The following applies to every grip: use a loose grip and only apply force at the moment of impact. Practice switching between the different grips as this will greatly improve your game. Good luck!
Tip: also watch the video of Badminton Insight
Frequently Asked Questions
There are different grips that you can use when playing badminton. The most famous grip is de forehand grip† The opposite of this is de backhand grip† The neutral grip in badminton is the command grip† Beginners often use unconsciously de panhandle grip.
You can hold a badminton racket in different ways. The most commonly used form is de forehand grip, which is also known as the V-grip. Your hand shakes the racket, as it were, using a V-shape. You can also hold a racket in de backhandgrip, the neutral command gripon de panhandle grip.
