The Badminton Bible

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Grip length

Home > Shots > Grips > Adjusting > Length

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When I showed you the basic grips, I was holding the racket towards the end of the handle. This is a long grip.

You can also use a short grip, where the hand moves up towards the cone.

Advantages of long grips

Image of a long thumb grip

Long grips let you make more powerful strokes, provided that you have time to make a long enough swing. They also give you a slightly longer reach, so that you can take the shuttlecock earlier or higher.

When to use a long grip

Use a long grip for shots in the rearcourt. In particular, you should make sure that you use a long grip for smashes and clears, because a long grip gives you more power.

Long grips can also be useful for many shots outside the rearcourt, including shots at the net, because they give you a longer reach. The small difference in reach might seem insignificant, but taking the shuttlecock early at the net is crucial: a fraction of a second’s delay can turn a winning net kill into a mere net shot.

Generally, professional singles players will use a long grip in all parts of the court. Short grips are sometimes used in singles, but much less commonly than in doubles.

Advantages of short grips

Image of a short thumb grip

Short badminton grips generally improve your control of the stroke and assist quick responses. If you only have time for a short swing, then a short grip will give you more power than a long grip.

When to use a short grip

Short grips are useful in the forecourt and midcourt.

Short grips are mainly used in doubles, especially by the forward player when a pair is attacking. Generally, short grips are not used in singles, even at the net.

Exceptions

Some singles players prefer a short grip for spinning net shots, sacrificing reach for control; many players will use a short grip for low or flick serves.

Even in doubles, a long grip is sometimes better at the net than a short grip. This is generally true whenever you need extra reach, such as when you are travelling forwards to kill a loose drop shot.

A warning

Many players use short grips too much. This is especially a problem with juniors who copy elite men’s doubles players.

Introduce short badminton grips into your game gradually, starting with the backhand low serve in doubles, and progressing to doubles net play. Be careful: avoid using short grips for singles or in the rearcourt.