Gripping the Racquet



Similar to a tennis racquet there are eight surfaces on the grip of a badminton racquet. When the head of the racquet is in a vertical position the broadest surfaces of the grip are located left and right.

The first grip to be introduced should be the Forehand (handshake) Grip. This grip allows for shot selection above the head (overhead) and on the racquet (forehand) side of the body. Students will find that they are able to execute more power and control when gripping the racquet “on edge”. Often referred to as the Eastern forehand grip.

 

To achieve the “Handshake”

·        place the palm of the racquet hand flat against the strings , then slide the hand sown to the grip (allows for power)

·        place the thumb and forefinger opposite each other and apply light pressure (allows for variety of shots)

1.      is there a “V” formed by the connection of the thumb and forefinger on the top surface of the racquets grip?

2.      does the largest part of the forefinger cover the wide surface at the back of the grip?

3.      is the thumb on a beveled surface, the one opposite the smaller half of the forefinger, so that it can pinch in toward the forefinger?

·        create the trigger finger by separating the index finger from the middle finger (allowing for finesse and deception)

·        the racquet should be gripped primarily in the fingers and not in the palm

           

Three techniques to be emphasized (Sweeting & Wilson, 1992):

ü      Holding the racquet in a vertical position and perpendicular to the net (on edge)

ü      Using thumb and forefinger opposition

ü      Employing the “trigger finger” concept