When to use the thumb grip
Use this grip to play backhand strokes when the shuttlecock is in front of your body. For example, you can use this grip to play a backhand net kill.
This grip is also used for playing late forehands.
When the shuttlecock is at the side of your body rather than in front, the basic grip will be better than the thumb grip.
Learning the thumb grip
- Backhand net kill
Place your thumb behind the badminton racket handle, so that it points along the wide bevel, bevel 3, at a slight diagonal angle. Only the pad of your thumb should be touching the handle (there should be a gap).
Your hold on the badminton racket should be relaxed (not tight).
- Thumb grip photographs
A distinctive wrist movement
A correct thumb grip causes you to use the wrist in a distinctive way: you should feel that you are pushing the badminton racket from behind, using your thumb.
The anatomical name for this wrist movement is radio-ulnar deviation. Its range of movement is small: less than 90 degrees. So when you use the thumb grip, your wrist movement is restricted.
- Backswing: radial deviation
- Forwards swing: ulnar deviation
Because the thumb grip restricts wrist movement, it should not be used for powerful strokes such as backhand clears. Using a full thumb grip prevents you from playing powerful strokes, because your forearm rotation is inhibited: your wrist becomes locked
part way through forearm rotation.
Common errors
Flattened thumb
Pressing the thumb flat against the racket handle introduces tension into your badminton grip and prevents you getting power from the interaction of thumb and fingers.
To correct the error, relax your grip and allow most of the thumb to come off the handle suface. Only the upper part of the thumb should touch the handle; there should be a gap at the base.
- Error
- Correct