Badminton racket grip size is integral for comfortable play. Selecting an ideal grip size will enable you to unleash powerful shots while maintaining excellent control.
Grip will absorb sweat to provide extra comfort while playing, while those who favor speed, power and deception often prefer smaller grips for greater control.
Basic Grip
Badminton demands the use of correct grip for almost every shot or situation on court, from making hard strokes with minimal movements to improving technique by harnessing finger power to improve technique. Choosing an optimal grip enables players to hit hard shots while using smaller movements more effectively and improves technique overall.
As a rule, the handle of a badminton racket should fit your hand loosely, yet be comfortable when tightened around your index finger. This is important because a tight grip makes it more difficult to change between different grips quickly when necessary during a match, as well as creating enough pressure to hit the shuttlecock accurately.
Badminton features four key grips: neutral, forehand, backhand and panhandle. All four are essential in learning the game and making the most out of your badminton skills. Here are a few quick tips for finding optimal grips:
Hold your paddle with a neutral grip similar to how you would shake hands – this is by far the most popular grip with players from both Asia and Europe, creating an “V” shape on the paddle with thumb and index finger creating this pattern while other fingers wrap around lower portions of handle.
Forehand grips should be used when the shuttlecock is level with or in front of a player and require quick wrist movement as well as the ability to rotate one arm at once. They are somewhat more difficult to use than neutral grips due to needing both quick wrist movement and rotating of one arm at once.
Backhand grip is used when the shuttlecock is behind a player and requires them to rotate their shoulder and elbow in order to strike enough force into hitting it with enough force.
Panhandle grips are designed for short tapping backhand shots close to the net that require short maneuvers, like creating a V shape with the thumb and index finger on a paddle while other fingers hold onto its handle subtly until shooting is executed. While beginners or children should use this grip with caution as excessive pressure may cause injury.
Overgrip
For maximum comfort on their racket, overgrips may be beneficial. Thicker than replacement grips, overgrips provide extra cushioning and can prevent hand blisters that could interfere with play. They may also increase grip tackiness.
Before using overgrips, ensure your grip size is appropriate. To do so, grab the paddle handle with your dominant hand and observe how large of a gap there is between your index finger knuckle and palm; if this gap measures approximately the width of an index finger knuckle and palm then your grip size is suitable; otherwise a larger grip size might be necessary.
An overgrip can be used on replacement grips, foam grips or even the original manufacturer’s grip on your racquet for optimal use. However, its usage alone will compromise tackiness and durability of your grips.
Overgrips can be made of either natural or synthetic materials and come in an assortment of colors to meet player preferences. Some even feature logos for personalizing badminton equipment! Many overgrips come with tape to secure it to the handle once attached.
Some overgrips are designed with scenting agents to enhance player comfort, and come in different thicknesses and textures – including some that can even be applied using only one hand! Some sticky overgrips even help players secure a firm grip more easily.
Overgrips should be changed regularly, and competitive players should switch every week or so for optimal performance. Casual players typically last several weeks before needing a replacement overgrip. Once it starts losing its tackiness or comfort, then it should be changed. Badminton players should strive to use as comfortable grips as possible since this directly impacts performance; too small grips may lead to hand fatigue that eventually causes pain in wrist and arm areas.
Towel Grip
Badminton and Tennis are two very similar sports with similar grip sizes, but your selection of racket grip will depend on your playing style. A correct grip in all shots on court is essential; good grip accounts for up to 30% of success! Unfortunately, however, many people tend to underestimate its importance.
Grip size is ultimately up to you; as a general guideline, try fitting your non-racket hand index finger comfortably into the base of the grip to ensure that you avoid gripping too tightly and potentially injuring yourself.
Not only should players consider grip size when selecting material and thickness for their grips. There are various materials on the market like PU and Tower grips which have their own set of advantages and disadvantages; typically cheaper but can become slippery or uncomfortable to hold in hot weather; on the other hand cotton-made Tower grips offer soft touch but can become heavy and sweaty quickly in hotter climates.
Towel grips are also an increasingly popular choice among players as they provide a comfortable feel while absorbing sweat efficiently. Yonex towel grips, made of very dense cotton material, are widely used by professional badminton players worldwide and feature antibacterial treatment to combat odor.
Players have the choice between ribbed and smooth towel grips, with the latter offering pre-made finger holds which are more effective for strengthening hand gripping strength. Furthermore, ribbed grips tend to be more flexible than their smooth counterparts which helps enhance overall gripping ability and allow players to change out ribbed grips easily without needing to remove old ones from handles first.
Leather Grip
Gripping a badminton racket correctly is key to avoiding hand injuries and developing effective hitting technique, so players of all ages and skill levels should experiment with various grip sizes until they find one they feel most comfortable using. Younger players may benefit from thinner grips like size 0, while more experienced players may favor thicker ones to increase comfort and power.
One method for determining the ideal grip size is using a ruler. Hold your hand open with fingers extended and place the ruler at the bottom lateral crease of your palm before measuring from index finger to heel of palm – this should provide a rough estimate of an acceptable grip size. However, remember that even an adjustment that falls slightly short could still feel comfortable; one that exceeds by 1/16 of an inch could require shaving down more of your handle than necessary!
One simple method for testing grip size is using an eastern forehand grip and inserting the index finger from your non-hitting hand into the space between thumb and index finger of both hands – if it fits comfortably this indicates the perfect grip size; otherwise it suggests your grip size needs increasing.
Professional players and advanced amateurs often employ overgrips to increase the length and thickness of their grips, improving player comfort and performance while keeping costs under control. These rubber covers can either go over a stock grip made of leather or synthetic material. Replacement costs are low so these overgrips should be regularly purchased to maximize player comfort and performance.
As it’s easier to increase grip size than reduce it, players should opt for smaller grip sizes than what they expect when shopping for new racquets. If using the index finger and thumb method suggests that one is close to ideal, an overgrip may help increase size; however too thick an overgrip may create rounding along bevel edges of stock grips, creating rounding.