To properly hold a shuttle racket, you should mimic the motion of a handshake. In the ready position, your grip should be loose, and your racket head shouldn't be parallel to the ground. Specifically, the racket should be held:
- Loosely in your fingers: Avoid gripping tightly, use your fingers to maintain control.
- With the palm off the handle: The palm of your hand should not be in contact with the handle.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
The Ready Position Grip
The initial grip when getting ready to play a shot is crucial. This prepares you for all the various shots you'll need to make.
- Handshake Grip: Imagine you are shaking someone's hand. This is the general feeling and position of your hand on the racket.
- Loose Grip: The racket should feel light and easy to maneuver, without any tension in your grip. This is crucial for wrist action and fast movements.
- Finger Control: Hold the racket mainly with your fingers, not the palm.
- Racket Head Angle: Your racket head should not be parallel to the ground; it should be angled slightly upwards.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Tight Grip: A tight grip limits your wrist action, affecting both power and accuracy.
- Palm Contact: If your palm is touching the handle you reduce your wrist mobility.
- Tense Muscles: Stay relaxed, which allows for quicker reaction times and greater control over the racket.
Benefits of the Correct Grip
- Enhanced Control: A relaxed grip allows for more precise shots.
- Improved Power: Wrist action is essential for generating power and the loose grip makes this possible.
- Reduced Fatigue: Tensionless grip helps avoid fatigue during long matches.
By adopting this handshake grip, holding loosely in the fingers and avoiding palm contact, you set yourself up for optimal performance in badminton.
