Changing grip during a rally
How to move between the forehand and backhand grip with the fingers, why a loose hand helps, and drills to make the change automatic.
What it is for
Once you know the two basic grips (see holding the racket), the next question is how to change between them in the middle of a rally, often in a fraction of a second. A good change is quiet: it happens with the fingers, the racket hardly moves and the next shot is ready.
Step by step
- Hold lightly. Between shots the grip is loose, held mostly with the fingers, so the racket can turn. A tight fist cannot change.
- Turn the racket with the free hand or the fingers. At the start, you can support the throat of the racket with the other hand to feel the change. Later, the fingers do it alone.
- Forehand to backhand. Turn the racket a little so the thumb moves to the back of the handle, on the wide face. For a backhand in front of the body, the thumb supports the shot.
- Backhand to forehand. Turn back so the thumb moves round to the side and the fingers wrap the handle in the usual way.
- Tighten only at contact. The hand tightens a little at the moment of the stroke, more for a powerful shot than for a soft one, and relaxes again straight after.
- Return to a neutral hold. After the stroke, go back to a relaxed middle position that lets you change to either side.
The idea behind it
The change is easier if you do not wait until the last second. Read where the shuttle is going, turn the racket while you are moving your feet, and arrive with the hand already ready. A neutral, loose hold is the best starting point for a change in both directions.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Holding too tightly. The racket cannot turn. Relax the hand between shots.
- Changing late. Make the change while stepping, not after you have arrived.
- Bringing the racket back to the body to change. This costs time. Change with the racket in front.
- Keeping the forehand grip for backhand shots. The shuttle is pushed instead of hit; check the thumb.
Simple practice
- Without a shuttle: tap the strings forehand, backhand, forehand, backhand, increasing the speed gradually.
- With a partner feeding to the two sides of your body at chest height: block each one with the right grip.
- Add footwork: step to the left and play a backhand, step to the right and play a forehand.
- Play a game where the partner must send shuttles to alternating sides.
Limits
Players have different preferences for details of the grips. Other grips exist, such as the bevel grip for a shuttle behind you and the panhandle for a shuttle far behind or far in front, and they are not covered here. This lesson describes a common starting point, not the only correct answer.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.