All about the Grips

There are various Grip techniques using which the athlete can manoeuvre the badminton racquet to generate power and accuracy required for different strokes. The basic principle of a grip is to create a comfortable position to hit the desired strokes using optimal power and positioning.

Good badminton player will be able to change from one grip to another depending on the shot and situation. With a correct grip you will be able to generate enough power on your shots.

The shape of each racquet handle is octagonal, the 8 sides of the handle are called Bevels. These bevels allow you to correctly grip the racket.

Never hold your grip too tightly if you hold it too tightly you won't be able to change it fluently. During the game it's only when you are about to strike a shuttle you should tighten it and that will create power and punch in your stroke.

There are 5 types of grips we use in badminton

1. Forehand grip
2. Backhand grip
3. panhandle grip
4. Partial Pan handle grip
5. Bevel grip

1. Forehand grip 

Forehand grip is as simple as a friendly handshake.

Imagine the grip of the racket as someone approaches you to shake your hand.

Thumb should be pressing against one of the widest surfaces of the racket grip while the rest of the hand holds the racket as if you are shaking a person's hand.

In order to execute strong badminton shots or strokes with high accuracy the wrist needs to be flexible.

Do not grip the racket too tightly this will make the wrist less flexible in rotating and flickering.

Use only the thumb index and middle finger to control the Racket, the last ring and little fingers should rest comfortably on the racket handle to balance the weight of the racket; this will help the wrist to be more flexible and move freely.

2. Thumb grip

The thumb grip is used to play basic backhand strokes in front of the body.

Examples include net shots, net lifts, net kills, backhand serves and backhand drives.

The thumb is placed at the back of the racket handle with a slight gap between the hand and the racket handle.

• Start with the forehand grip. 
• Turn the racket about 90° making the string face the floor.
• Place the thumb onto the racket handle on the widest bevel.
• Bring your hand up and bend back your wrist the strings will face forwards.

Additional tips for this Grip

• Since this grip is normally used for backhands the pad of the thumb is placed directly onto the racquet handle this allows the thumb to support the racquet from behind providing stability.
• However the thumb should not be pressed flat and tight against the handle; there should be a gap between the handle and the lower part of the thumb.
• The thumb should also be placed at a slight diagonal angle rather than pointing straight up the handle.
• As always the grip should be relaxed and cradled lightly in the fingers; it should not be held tightly in the palm.

Try bringing the index finger lower so that it's closer to the other fingers; this means the index finger is placed lower on the handle than the thumb.

3. Panhandle grip

 The panhandle grip is used for backhand strokes when the shuttle is well behind the player. example backhand drop shot, forehand strokes when the shutter is well in front of the player example net kills/ forehand taps.

Its called a pan handle grip because it's similar to how you might pick up a frying pan.

• Start with the forehand grip.
• Turn the racket about 90° making the strings face the floor.
• Place the thumb onto the racket handle on the widest bevel.
• Bring your hand up and bend back your wrist the strings will face forward.

Additional tips for this Grip

 Make sure that your thumb does not go straight up the side of the handle instead the thumb should be relaxed on the pad of the thumb area of the handle.

4. Partial Pan handle grip

 The partial Pan handle grip is between the forehand and pan handle grip, it is also called moderate panhandle as opposed to a full or extreme panhandle.

• Start with a forehand grip.
• Turn the racket about 45 degrees.
• Place the thumb onto the racket handle on the widest Bevel.
• Bring your hand up and bend back your wrist the strings will face forwards.

45° is a useful starting point however this is not an exact number because you will need to use more or less panhandle depending on the rally.

5. Bevel Grip

 The bevel grip is mainly used for backhand strokes in the rear court such as clear or dropshots.

• Start with the neutral grip.
• Place the bed of the thumb onto the diagonal bevel.
• Now lock the wrist into the thumb up position.

• Ensure that the thumb is not placed tight and flat against the handle there should be a gap between the handle and the lower part of the thumb.

This grip is used when hitting a backhand in the rear court, it provides good leverage by rotating the forearm.

 Length of Grips

In badminton holding position is also a critical aspect depending upon the shot selection, game type (singles or doubles) comfort grip length can be optimised to generate the required outcome.

1. Long Grip

Position of the hand is towards the end of the racquet handle and away from the racket head.

This will help you to make more powerful strokes provided that you have time to make a long enough swing.

This position of grip will give you a slightly longer reach,

Which will help you to take the shuttlecock earlier or higher.

• Use the long grip for smashes and clears(toss) because long grip gives you more power.
• Generally, professional singles players will use a long grip for in all parts of the game.

2.  Mid grip

In this grip style the position of the hand is in the middle of the racket handle.

This will Improve the transition of grips from one grip to another more quickly.

And therefore its Very useful for defence.

• You can use mid grip mainly for defence
•  And for neutral position in the center

    3. Short grip

In this grip style Position of the hand is closer to racket head, which will give you Improved control of the stroke and assist quick responses.

If you have time for short swing then a short grip will give you more power than a long grip.

Short grip is more useful for Backhand serves.

• Short grips are useful in the front court and mid court
• Short grips are mainly used in doubles especially by the player standing at the net when pair is attacking.

So these are few tips in which I tried to explain the different types of grips with the use of images but end of the day practicing is the best way to get better at this and enhance your speed of grip changing.

Wall practice is one of the ways you can practice change of grips more quickly.

Hold the racket and then start switching from one grip to another as quickly as you can and you will see a difference in your grip changing speed soon.

By-Arundhati Pantawane 

Former women's India #1