Basic or Handshake Grip
How you should hold a badminton racket is like shaking hand with a friend: a normal but firm handshake without trying to crush his fingers. See the following diagram for a Forehand Grip:
Check points:
Is the V formed by the thumb and index finger on the top edge of the racket handle?
Are the fingers slightly spread along the handle and not bunched together like a fist?
Is the index finger higher up the handle than the thumb?
This is called an orthodox forehand grip.
This should be a firm but relaxed grip that there must be no feeling of tension in the wrist. You should feel that the control is mainly with the thumb, index finger and little finger. The paramount importance is to get the racket out of the palm of you hand and into your fingers.
This, then, is the forehand grip which is used by most people for shots played on the forehand side of the body and a great many players also find that this is also an all purpose grip which they can used to play shots on the left-hand side of the body as well, ie the backhand.
You should be advised to play as much as you can and think about the way you hold your racket while playing. This is not easy in the middle of a game but try to concentrate on the firm but still relaxed grip.
If you are a kind of a player who can cope with all sorts of shots using the same grip, you may not find that it is easier to change the grip slightly to play shorts on the backhand swing. See the following diagram for a common Backhand Grip:
Check points:
You thumb should be resting on the flat side of the handle of the racket and it should be higher up the handle than the index finger.
Press hard with the thumb and you will feel the tremendous amount of leverage you can now exert against the handle and therefore against the backhand face of the racket.
There is a third grip frequently used in badminton which is usually referred to as the 'frying-pan' grip. This grip is achieved by turning the racket from the forehand grip through 90 degrees so that the face of the racket is horizontal to the floor. The V of the thumb and index finger runs down the back, flat edge of the handle. The advantages of this grip are that as the face of the racket is always facing the net, no change in grip is needed to play shots like forehand and the backhand. This grip enable player to execute very sharp dabbing shots at the net.
The Wrist Action
It is the wrist that governs most of the art of deception, an art which must be mastered by all who wish to improve the game. It is the action of the wrist which imparts speed to the head of the racket. The vitally important technique is known as 'cocking' the wrist. This means that for forehand shots, the wrist must be cocked back as far as possible. This can only be done if you have a very relaxed grip. Try this on your shots played overhead on the forehand.
STROKES
The Service
- The short service
- The Flick service
- The high service
- The drive service
Return of Service
The foremost idea in your mind when receiving service should be to hit the shuttle down. The stance you adopted should be the same no matter whether you are playing singles or doubles. You have to be capable of dealing with every type of service. Stand in your receiving court, about 3 feet from the center service line and one to two/three (lady) feet behind the short service. Place your left foot forward so that your feet are comfortable apart and you are evenly balanced. Bend the knees a little and lean slightly forward, so that your weight is mainly over your front foot. Hold your racket in front of you, with the head of the racket up and just above the height of the net, in a forehand grip.
It will take time to develop the ability to stand so close to the short service line and still be able to get back to deal with the flick service.
Your reply to a short serve will depend on how early you can intercept the shuttle. Once you defined it as a short service, push off with the back foot, with the racket raised in front of you, towards the shuttle and do not wait until it reaches you, cut it off ASAP. If you can meet the shuttle just as it crosses and is still above the net, a sharp dab downwards is the answer. You will not have time for a backswing so you have to rely on a wrist action for power.
When a download stroke is not possible, you will have to drop the racket head beneath the shuttle and stroke it back as close to the tape as possible.
If a high service is delivered, you will have ample time to move back and deal with the shot as you would any other overhead stroke. The best reply is a smash. You may be deceived by a flick service and if you really are deceived you must make the best of it. Move quickly backwards and if you can smash the shuttle. Often you will not be able to get behind a good flick service and you will be left with either a drop shot or a clear. Try to ensure your reply is to a spot that your opponent have left unguarded.
To return a drive service, because a drive service is so flat and fast, the best return is to put the face of your racket in its path to allow the shuttle to bounce off it. Use your wrist to flick it downwards or upwards to a suitable space or aim directly to your opponent so he will not have sufficient time to return.
The Overhead Forehand Strokes
- Smash
- Clear
- Drop Shot: Slow/Fast
The Overhead Backhand Strokes
A sound backhand clear has therefore come to be recognized as the main defensive measure to be taken. The ability to execute an effective backhand clear depends entirely on a very powerful wrist flicking action and perfect timing.
Very few player can be really effective with the backhand smash unless it is a sitter near the net. It is not a shot to be played from the base line area nor even from as far back in court as you would expect to be able to play your forehand smash. Play it from mid or forecourt area and place the shuttle in proper position to make it an effective skill.
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