How to Grip a Badminton Racket

When playing badminton, it is essential to ensure your racket grip is on point; otherwise, the game will be challenging. If you’re not sure how to go about it, this article will give you some helpful tips on how to grip a badminton racket.

How to Grip a Badminton Racket

There are many different variations of gripping the badminton racket. Some of them include:

Forehand Grip – The forehand grip in badminton is the most commonly used.

Reverse Forehand Grip – The reverse forehand grip is convenient for players who have difficulties gripping their racket on the forehand side.

Squash Grip – The squash grip in badminton can only be used with a specific type of racket called the Squash Racket.

Shake Hand Grip – The shake-hand grip in badminton is used by about half of all players around the world.

Penhold Grip – In badminton, the penhold grip is usually used by players who like to play close to the net and rely on sharp-angled shots.

Badminton is the number one fastest racquet sport globally. Therefore learning how to hold your racket is most important if you want to master this game. Let’s dive into more details of the two types of grips.

What Is a Forehand Grip

A forehand grip is like a backhand grip. The only difference is in the backhand grip, the second finger of your dominant hand comes over the top of, not underneath, the handle. This is very similar to an overhead squash grip and produces more power at the expense of control.

The forehand grip is popular among advanced players who need extra power.

How to Use a Forehand Grip

• The grip starts with the left thumb on top of the handle and your fingers clasping it tightly.

• The racket head then faces downwards a few degrees away from your shoulder, which is the natural position to hit a forehand shot with this grip.

• Again, just like when you are gripping it for a backhand shot, do not move the racket more than a few degrees either way.

• Hold it firmly with enough strength not to cause pain after barely four hours of play.

Advantage of Forehand Grip

• It offers a bit more power which is helpful for advance players who need a little extra pop behind their shots to keep up with other opponents.

• It can be helpful for those who struggle with racquet head speed. A forehand grip can help solve this issue as it allows for more friction which keeps the racquet head speed up.

• Because the grip is more tiring, it can help to strengthen your arm, shoulder, and back muscles.

Disadvantages of a Forehand Grip

• It’s a challenging grip for beginners to use correctly. Having enough practice gets you used to grip the racket tightly enough.

• Without the arm strength to handle this grip, you won’t get the speed out of your shots.

• Since it’s more tiring, it can cause an increase in fatigue while playing, especially if you don’t have a very high level of endurance.

What Is a Backhand Bevel Thumb Grip?

This grip is similar to a regular backhand grip. Instead of resting your thumb on the racket handle, you can place it between one side and the middle parts of the handle. This grip is a good option for those who have small hands or whose thumb doesn’t reach around their racket’s handle.

How to Use a Backhand Bevel Thumb Grip?

• The grip begins with your right thumb placed on top of the racket handle. Next, curve it around until it meets with your index finger at about the middle of the handle.

• Next, your remaining three fingers should grip the end of the racket with enough room for it to be able to turn freely.

• The final step is to tighten your thumb and forefinger around the end of the grip. The pressure from your thumb and forefinger should be light enough to hold the racket securely. You should never feel as if your grip is forcing it to turn.

Advantages of a Backhand Bevel Thumb Grip?

• It can make it easier for those who don’t have a firm grip to maintain control of the racket. It allows your hand to have more strength behind it. However, it reduces the pressure exerted for this grip.

• This is also a good option for those who are still relatively new with badminton, as you can hold onto the racket easier without having to support your thumb and fingers around the racket fully.

• It can also help to improve accuracy and precision for those who use it. You will have more control over your shots since the grip allows for a better energy flow from your wrist.

• The added support makes it possible for players to make more delicate shots that require a high level of accuracy.

Disadvantages of a Badminton Backhand Bevel Grip?

• It can cause some wear and tear to the skin on your thumb as it rubs against the racket handle. While the damage isn’t necessarily severe, it can become a hindrance to your game if you don’t wear a thumb grip during play.

• It can be more difficult for players who prefer using other grips since it isn’t popular among top-level players. It’s not necessarily a disadvantage, although it can make transitioning to this grip difficult for those using the back handshake or pinch grips.

• This grip can also be slightly more tiring on your hands as you will have to hold onto the racket tighter than other types of grips. This is only an issue if you are prone to having weak grip strength.

Furthermore, it can become an issue if you don’t have a high endurance level.

Related Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about gripping a badminton racket.

What Is the Easiest Grip for Badminton?

The easiest grip in badminton is considered to be the penhold grip. This one comes naturally to all players and it is very easy to get used to. Even though it has some technicalities, they are manageable.

Which Is the Best Badminton Grip for Beginners?

The best badminton grip for new players is the panhandle grip. This grip allows beginners to hit overhead, and backhand shots more comfortably. Also, it is very simple and easy to learn.

Which Is the Best Badminton Grip for Professionals?

The badminton grip that most professional players use is the forehand grip. This allows you to maneuver the racket and hit effective shots. However, it requires a lot of strength and endurance.

Conclusion

It’s essential to use the proper grip for your badminton game to avoid extreme fatigue during matches. A forehand grip can be a good option if you happen to master it. You can also consider trying out either the pinch or backhand grips.