To grip a badminton racket, hold it with the racket face edge-on to you, then “shake hands” with the handle so the V between your thumb and index finger sits slightly toward the left side of the handle’s top (for a right-hander). Keep your fingers relaxed and slightly spread, with a small gap between the index and middle fingers, and squeeze only at the moment of impact. That is the forehand grip. For backhand shots, rotate the racket slightly and press the pad of your thumb flat against the wide back bevel. These two grips cover most shots, and a few variations cover the rest.
The grip is the foundation of every badminton stroke. A tight, fixed grip limits wrist and finger power, makes deception harder, and can strain the forearm. This guide explains the main grips, when to use each, how to switch between them quickly, and the mistakes that hold players back.
Understanding the badminton handle
A badminton handle is roughly octagonal, with eight flat surfaces called bevels. Four are wide (the front, back, and two sides relative to the racket face), and four are narrower bevels between them. Grip changes are described by which bevel your thumb or the V of your hand rests on. You do not need to memorize every bevel, but noticing how the handle feels in your fingers makes grip changes faster and more precise.
The main badminton grips
| Grip | How to hold it (right-handed player) | Main uses |
|---|---|---|
| Forehand grip | Racket face edge-on, shake hands with the handle, V between thumb and index finger slightly left of the top | Forehand clears, drops, smashes, forehand net shots, forehand lifts |
| Backhand (thumb) grip | Rotate the racket slightly counterclockwise, thumb pad flat on the wide back bevel | Backhand drives, backhand lifts, backhand net shots, backhand serve |
| Bevel grip | Thumb on the narrower bevel edge instead of the wide flat bevel | Backhand shots from the rear corner, some backhand clears and drops |
| Panhandle grip | Racket face flat toward the net, like holding a frying pan | Net kills, tapping the shuttle down at the net, some fast doubles exchanges |
| Short or front grip | Any grip held higher up the handle, closer to the shaft | Fast drives and net play where control and speed of reaction matter most |
How to hold the forehand grip, step by step
1. Hold the racket by the throat with your non-racket hand. Position the racket face so it is perpendicular to the floor, with the edge of the frame facing you.
2. Shake hands with the handle. Place your racket hand on the handle as if shaking someone’s hand. The V between thumb and index finger should sit slightly toward the left of the top edge for a right-hander (mirror this for left-handers).
3. Spread the fingers slightly. Leave a small gap between the index finger and the middle finger. The index finger should wrap around like a loose trigger finger.
4. Position on the handle. Hold near the end of the handle for more reach and power on overhead shots, and slightly higher for control at the net.
5. Relax. Hold the racket lightly, with room to wiggle it slightly in your fingers. You tighten your grip only at contact.
How to hold the backhand grip, step by step
1. Start from the forehand grip. Hold the racket in a relaxed forehand grip.
2. Rotate slightly. Turn the racket a little counterclockwise in your fingers (for a right-hander) so the wide back bevel faces your thumb.
3. Place the thumb flat. Press the pad of your thumb flat against that wide bevel. The thumb provides the push for backhand shots.
4. Keep space in the palm. Leave a small gap between the handle and the base of your palm so you can use your fingers and thumb to generate power.
5. Stay relaxed. As with the forehand, squeeze only at impact.
Why a relaxed grip matters
Many beginners hold the racket as tightly as possible, believing it gives more control or power. In badminton, it does the opposite. A relaxed grip lets the racket head accelerate quickly through a combination of forearm rotation, wrist, and finger action, then a quick squeeze at impact adds snap. Players often describe the ideal grip pressure as gentle enough that someone could pull the racket out of your hand between shots. A relaxed grip also allows fast grip changes, helps disguise shots, and reduces tension in the forearm and elbow.
Switching grips quickly
In a rally, you may change grips several times in a few seconds. Good players make these changes with small finger movements rather than by re-gripping the whole hand.
Use a neutral ready grip. In singles, many players hold a relaxed forehand grip between shots. In fast doubles exchanges, some use a slightly shorter, more neutral grip that can switch quickly to either side.
Rotate with the fingers. Use your thumb and fingers to roll the handle a small amount instead of opening your whole hand.
Change grips early. Adjust as soon as you read the direction of the shuttle, not at the moment of contact.
Drills to improve your grip
Grip-change drill. Hold the racket in front of you and switch between forehand and backhand grips 20 times, keeping the racket steady and using only your fingers. Build speed gradually.
Shadow badminton. Move around the court without a shuttle, calling out and changing to the correct grip for each imaginary shot.
Wall drives. Hit a shuttle or light ball against a wall, alternating forehand and backhand drives. This forces fast grip changes and builds finger strength.
Squeeze practice. Hit simple drives or clears while focusing on staying relaxed until contact, then squeezing. A partner or coach can watch your forearm for tension.
Net-play reps. Practice gentle net shots with a slightly higher grip, then switch to the panhandle to tap down loose returns.
Common badminton grip mistakes
The frying-pan grip for everything. Beginners often hold the racket face flat for all shots. This limits power and makes backhands awkward. Keep the panhandle for net kills and use a proper forehand or backhand grip elsewhere.
Squeezing too hard. A tight grip slows the racket, causes fatigue, and can contribute to forearm and elbow pain.
Fingers bunched together. Holding the handle like a fist removes finger power. Spread the fingers slightly.
Not changing grips. Using the forehand grip for backhand shots makes the racket face point the wrong way and weakens the shot.
Choking up too much. Holding very high on the handle for every shot reduces reach and power on overheads.
Ignoring grip size. A handle that is too thick or too thin makes a relaxed grip difficult. Overgrips or towel grips can adjust thickness and improve comfort.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct way to hold a badminton racket?
Hold the racket edge-on and shake hands with the handle for the forehand grip, with relaxed fingers and a small gap between the index and middle fingers. Rotate slightly and place your thumb flat on the back bevel for the backhand.
Should you hold a badminton racket tightly?
No. Hold it loosely between shots and squeeze firmly only at the moment of impact. A loose grip lets the racket accelerate faster and reduces tension.
What is the panhandle grip used for?
The panhandle grip, with the racket face flat toward the net, is used mainly for net kills and some fast exchanges near the net in doubles.
