Using your fingers in Badminton is an often overlooked element of the sport. Badminton is a dynamic sport that requires a combination of power, speed, and agility. While players focus on developing their wrist, arm, and leg strength, something like finger power often falls by the wayside. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of the fingers in badminton and explore exercises to help you unlock your full potential.
Finger Power/Forearm Strength
One key part of using your fingers is grip strength, which is directly related to finger power. Therefore forearm strength is key in developing this element of badminton. If you are strength training generally, or as part of your badminton training, then naturally you will be increasing your grip strength as you progress with your strength development.
Fundamentally, most of the time in badminton you have a relaxed grip in badminton. Usually, you have a relaxed grip, but a sudden tightening of the fingers is used as part of the kinetic chain to generate speed in the racket.
Perhaps rather uniquely, when compared to other racket sports, the equipment used in badminton is very light. Therefore this allows the racket to be moved very fast with little back swing which can have a big impact on the shuttle. Therefore this minimal movement can have a big effect on the shuttle. For example, When you see players effortlessly flick the shuttle with very little racket movement, that is a consequence of finger power.
One important area fingers come into play is when playing a backhand clear. Many players struggle with this shot given the difficulties in generating power. But the fingers play a crucial element here and in theory is actually no different from the role they play in generating power in other shots. Click here to learn how to play the backhand clear.
Shot Control
The finesse of the use of fingers is very important in badminton. It can control the shot you play, the way in which you play it, or even the direction of the shot when combined effectively with other movements. Delicate drop shots or tight net shots require control over your fingers (grip) to help play the shot accurately. For example, playing a quality net shot requires good finger control so as to caress the shuttle over the net.
As we mentioned before, finger power also contributes to the power in a smash but also can contribute to the angle of the smash. A half smash for example doesn’t utilize the same arm swing as a power smash. The power comes from the short sharp actions of the finger snap, but this is also used to create a sharper trajectory on the shuttle.
Racket Maneuverability
Having agile fingers allows players to make swift adjustments to their racket, making it easy to maneuver the racket to facilitate your shot. Given the number of grips in badminton and their utility in a number of different situations, it’s important to be able to switch to the correct grip for the correct shot you wish to play. Being able to switch quickly between grips is the result of the fingers being able to rotate the racket into place. If you cannot do this effectively your shots will simply not be effective.
Injury Prevention
Badminton, like any sport, poses the risk of injuries, particularly to the wrists and fingers. Strengthening the muscles and tendons in your forearm can improve their stability and reduce the likelihood of strains or sprains. Engaging in exercises such as finger extensions, and resistance band pulls as well as farmers’ walks maintain the overall health and flexibility of your fingers and forearm, safeguarding against common badminton-related injuries.
Conclusion
To elevate your badminton game to new heights, don’t overlook the significance of the use of your fingers and finger power. It might seem insignificant compared to other things but it plays a crucial role in badminton. Improving grip control, executing precise shots, enhancing racket maneuverability, and preventing injuries are all outcomes of developing finger strength and dexterity. Regularly incorporating finger-focused exercises into your training routine will yield small but important improvements over time.
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