How to Hold a Badminton Racket: Beginner Grip Guide
Learning how to hold a badminton racket correctly is one of the first skills that makes every other badminton technique easier.
A good grip helps you control the racket face, switch quickly between forehand and backhand situations, and create racket-head speed without squeezing the handle as hard as possible.
For beginners, you do not need to memorize every advanced grip variation immediately.
The BWF Shuttle Time beginner programme starts with two fundamental grips:
the V-grip and the thumb grip.
This guide explains both grips step by step, when to use them, how to change between them, how tightly to hold the racket, and the common grip mistakes that can slow down your progress.
If you are completely new to badminton, begin with How to Play Badminton: A Complete Beginner’s Guide. If you are still choosing a racket, see Badminton Equipment for Beginners before practising your grip.
Quick answer: Hold a badminton racket with relaxed fingers rather than a tight fist. For the basic V-grip, your thumb and index finger form a “V” around the handle. For the thumb grip, place your thumb against the back of the handle, roughly parallel to the racket shaft. Good badminton technique requires changing grips instead of holding the racket the same way for every shot.
Why Your Badminton Grip Matters
Your grip affects much more than whether the racket stays in your hand.
It influences:
- racket-face control
- shot direction
- touch at the net
- racket-head speed
- forehand and backhand transitions
- serving
- drives and lifts
- how quickly you can prepare for the next shot
Beginners often assume that holding the racket more tightly creates more power.
Usually, the opposite problem occurs.
If you grip too tightly all the time, your hand, wrist, and forearm can become stiff. That makes it harder to change grips and harder to use the racket efficiently.
A better starting point is:
relaxed grip → active fingers → brief squeeze when needed → relax again
The Two Basic Badminton Grips for Beginners
The BWF Shuttle Time Schools Badminton Teachers’ Manual introduces two beginner grips:
- V-grip
- Thumb grip
These are not the only grips used in more advanced badminton. Experienced players make small grip adjustments depending on the shot, contact point, and tactical situation.
But for a beginner, learning these two grips—and learning to switch between them—is an excellent foundation.
1. The V-Grip
The V-grip is sometimes described as the basic grip or a basic forehand grip.
The name comes from the shape made by your thumb and index finger around the racket handle.
The BWF Shuttle Time manual describes the thumb and first finger as creating a “V” shape on the handle.
How to Hold the V-Grip Step by Step
Step 1: Hold the Racket in Front of You
Use your non-racket hand to hold the racket shaft or throat area so the handle is easy to reach.
Keep the racket in a comfortable neutral position.
Step 2: Place Your Racket Hand on the Handle
Bring your racket hand toward the handle naturally, almost as if you were going to shake hands with it.
Let your fingers wrap around the handle.
Step 3: Find the “V”
Look at the space between your thumb and index finger.
Those two fingers should create a visible V shape around the handle.
Do not force your palm completely flat against the handle.
Step 4: Keep the Fingers Relaxed
Your fingers should hold the racket securely, but they should not be locked into a hard fist.
A relaxed grip gives you room to use the fingers and adjust the racket quickly.
When Is the V-Grip Used?
In the BWF beginner teaching progression, the V-grip is used for strokes where the shuttle is around the level of the player and can be used on both forehand and backhand sides depending on the situation.
As your technique develops, you will make smaller grip adjustments for different shots.
For now, think of the V-grip as your basic starting grip. As you learn when to adjust it, our guide to Basic Badminton Shots Every Beginner Should Learn explains the clears, drops, net shots, lifts, drives, and smashes you will practise.
2. The Thumb Grip
The thumb grip is an important beginner grip for basic backhand strokes played in front of the body.
The BWF manual gives examples that include:
- backhand net shots
- backhand net lifts
- backhand net kills
- backhand serves
- backhand drives struck in front of the body
How to Hold the Thumb Grip Step by Step
Step 1: Start From a Relaxed Basic Grip
Begin with the racket held comfortably rather than squeezed tightly.
Step 2: Adjust the Racket With Your Fingers
Let the handle turn slightly within your fingers.
You do not need to make a large movement with your entire arm.
Step 3: Place the Thumb on the Back of the Handle
Position the thumb against the back surface of the racket handle.
The BWF beginner guidance describes the thumb as being parallel to the racket shaft.
Step 4: Keep a Small Gap
Do not crush the handle into the palm.
The BWF teaching material describes a slight gap between the hand and the handle, with the fingers remaining relaxed.
Step 5: Keep the Back of the Hand Leading
For the introductory backhand net strokes taught in beginner lessons, the back of the hand can lead as you move toward the shuttle. This is a teaching cue for those strokes—not a rule that every backhand shot uses exactly the same arm action.
V-Grip vs Thumb Grip: What Is the Difference?
The easiest beginner distinction is:
V-grip: basic starting grip for many forehand and neutral situations.
Thumb grip: basic backhand grip for strokes played in front of the body.
The important lesson is not that one grip is “right” and the other is “wrong.”
You need both.
Badminton happens too quickly to use one fixed grip for every shot.
How Tight Should You Hold a Badminton Racket?
Do not squeeze the racket as hard as you can throughout the rally.
Most of the time, your fingers should remain relatively relaxed while still keeping the racket under control.
During the hitting action, the fingers can become more active. The exact amount and timing of grip pressure depend on the shot.
The BWF Shuttle Time grip-change teaching points include briefly squeezing the fingers when hitting, followed by regaining quick control of the racket.
A useful beginner idea is:
Relax before the hit. Squeeze briefly during the hit. Relax and recover afterward.
This does not mean letting the racket wobble loosely in your hand.
You still need control.
The goal is to avoid unnecessary constant tension. A relaxed grip is especially helpful when learning a controlled badminton serve. For the separate legal requirements of a serve, use the Badminton Service Rules guide.
How to Change From V-Grip to Thumb Grip
Grip changing is a skill of its own.
The BWF beginner programme specifically teaches players to change between the thumb grip and V-grip using relaxed but active fingers.
You should not need to twist your entire arm dramatically every time.
Simple Grip-Change Process
- Relax your fingers slightly.
- Let the handle move within the fingers.
- Adjust into the V-grip or thumb grip needed for the shot.
- Move the hand toward the shuttle.
- Briefly squeeze the fingers as you hit.
- Relax again and regain racket control.
At first, this will feel slow.
That is normal.
With practice, grip changes become small, automatic movements rather than something you consciously think through before every shot.
Do You Hold the Racket the Same Way for Every Shot?
No.
This is one of the most important beginner lessons.
Badminton requires grip changes because the shuttle can arrive:
- on the forehand side
- on the backhand side
- in front of you
- beside you
- above you
- close to the net
- quickly through the midcourt
The exact grip can change with the situation.
For this reason, avoid thinking of badminton as having one universal “correct grip.”
There are correct grip principles, but the racket must be able to move within your fingers. Your ready position and movement matter too: see Badminton Footwork for Beginners for getting into position before each shot.
What About the Panhandle Grip?
A panhandle grip is a different grip position in which the racket is held more like a frying pan.
It does have legitimate uses in badminton, particularly for certain shots taken in front of the body.
However, beginners often accidentally use a panhandle-style grip for nearly everything.
That can make many forehand overhead techniques harder to learn.
For your first grip lessons, focus on becoming comfortable with the V-grip, thumb grip, and changing between them.
More specialized grip variations can come later.
Where Should You Hold the Racket Handle?
Hold the racket by the grip—not up on the shaft.
Your hand should sit securely on the handle with enough room for your fingers to work.
You do not need to choke the hand extremely high up the handle.
At the same time, do not hold the racket so loosely at the very end that it feels as though it will slip out.
There can be small variations depending on the shot and player preference.
For a beginner, prioritize:
- comfort
- control
- relaxed fingers
- easy grip changes
Should Your Index Finger Be Extended?
Your index finger can sit slightly separated from the other fingers in a natural grip, but avoid pointing it stiffly straight up the shaft.
The hand should remain relaxed and functional.
The exact finger spacing can vary slightly from player to player.
What matters more is that the racket is not trapped in a rigid fist.
Common Badminton Grip Mistakes
Mistake 1: Squeezing the Handle Constantly
This creates unnecessary tension and makes grip changes harder.
Fix: Hold the racket securely but keep the fingers relaxed until you need a brief squeeze during the hitting action.
Mistake 2: Using One Grip for Every Shot
Badminton requires quick changes between forehand and backhand situations.
Fix: Practise moving between the V-grip and thumb grip without a shuttle first.
Mistake 3: Keeping the Thumb in the Same Position All the Time
The thumb has different jobs depending on the grip.
Fix: Learn where the thumb sits in the V-grip and where it moves for the thumb grip.
Mistake 4: Turning the Whole Hand Instead of Using the Fingers
Large grip changes are slower.
Fix: Let the racket handle move within relaxed, active fingers.
Mistake 5: Using a Panhandle Grip for Everything
A panhandle-style grip may feel natural to a beginner, but it can limit other techniques if used constantly.
Fix: Return to the V-grip as your basic starting position and learn to change grips according to the shot.
Mistake 6: Holding the Racket Too Close to the Body
A good grip does not help much if your racket is trapped against your torso.
The BWF starter teaching emphasizes making strokes away from the body and preparing with the elbow in front.
Fix: Keep the racket available in front of you so your hand can move toward the shuttle.
For other habits that can interfere with your technique, see Common Badminton Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Fix Them).
Beginner Grip Practice Drills
You can practise badminton grips without playing a full game. These short activities fit well into the routines in Badminton Drills for Beginners. If you do not have a partner, our How to Practice Badminton Alone guide shows how to build a solo session.
Drill 1: V-Grip Check
Hold the racket in the V-grip.
Look at your thumb and index finger and confirm that they form the V shape.
Relax, release slightly, and reset.
Repeat until the grip feels familiar.
Drill 2: Thumb-Grip Check
Move from your V-grip into the thumb grip.
Check that your thumb is on the back of the handle and roughly parallel to the shaft.
Return to V-grip.
Repeat slowly.
Drill 3: Grip Switching
Change:
V-grip → thumb grip → V-grip → thumb grip
Do this without a shuttle.
Try to make the movement smaller each time.
The goal is to use the fingers rather than rotating the whole arm.
Drill 4: Balloon Taps
The BWF Shuttle Time programme uses balloon activities when introducing beginner grips because the slower-moving balloon gives learners time to organize the hand and racket.
Tap a balloon gently while focusing on the correct grip.
If you do not have a balloon, use another very slow, safe coordination activity rather than rushing straight into hard hitting.
Drill 5: Gentle Shuttle Taps
Once you can control the grips, gently tap a shuttle upward.
Do not focus on power.
Focus on:
- relaxed fingers
- clean contact
- racket-face control
- recovering the racket after each tap
How Long Does It Take to Learn the Correct Grip?
You can understand the basic grip positions in one practice session.
Making them automatic takes longer.
Grip habits improve through repetition.
The important thing is to correct poor habits early rather than playing for months with one tight grip and trying to rebuild your technique later.
You do not need perfection immediately.
Aim for:
correct basic position → relaxed fingers → smooth grip change → repetition
Badminton Grip FAQ
What is the correct way to hold a badminton racket?
For beginners, start with a relaxed V-grip: your thumb and index finger form a V shape around the handle. For basic backhand strokes in front of the body, move into a thumb grip with the thumb on the back of the handle.
Should I hold a badminton racket tightly?
Not constantly. Keep the racket controlled but relatively relaxed, then use more finger pressure during the hitting action when needed.
What is the V-grip in badminton?
The V-grip is a basic grip in which the thumb and index finger form a V shape around the racket handle.
What is the thumb grip used for?
The BWF beginner programme uses the thumb grip for basic backhand strokes in front of the body, including backhand net shots, lifts, kills, serves, and some drives.
Is the forehand grip the same as the V-grip?
The V-grip is commonly used as a basic forehand starting grip for beginners. Different coaches may use slightly different terminology, and advanced players make grip variations depending on the shot.
Should I use one grip for every badminton shot?
No. Learning to change grips is a fundamental badminton skill.
Why does my grip feel awkward?
New grips often feel unnatural because your hand is used to holding objects differently. Practise slowly without hitting hard. The goal is to make the position familiar before adding speed.
Final Takeaway
Learning how to hold a badminton racket is not about finding one grip and keeping it for the entire game.
A strong beginner foundation is:
Learn the V-grip.
Learn the thumb grip.
Keep your fingers relaxed.
Change grips using the fingers.
Briefly tighten when you hit, then recover.
Once those habits become comfortable, serving, net play, drives, lifts, and other badminton techniques become much easier to learn.
Your Next Lesson
Now that you can hold the racket with a basic V-grip, thumb grip, and relaxed fingers, the next lesson in the Sports Made Clear Badminton learning path is:
How to Serve in Badminton: A Step-by-Step Beginner Guide
Before this lesson, you learned about the equipment you need:
Badminton Equipment for Beginners: What You Need to Start
To explore the full sequence of beginner lessons, return to the Badminton Learning Hub.
Technique Source
The beginner grip guidance in this article follows the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Shuttle Time Schools Badminton Teachers’ Manual, particularly its beginner material on the thumb grip, V-grip, and grip changes.
The manual teaches relaxed fingers, the thumb position for basic backhand strokes, the V shape formed by the thumb and index finger, and changing grips through finger work.
BWF Shuttle Time Schools Badminton Teachers’ Manual
Last reviewed: October 6, 2026