THE GAME
The game of badminton is played on a court by two players (singles) or four players (doubles).  The players use racquets to hit a shuttle over a net from one side to the other, the object of the game being to hit the shuttle across the net to a place on the opponent's court where he/she cannot reach it, or to force the opponent to hit the shuttle out of the court or into the net.  A player who achieves this when he or his partner has served is awarded a point, and the first player or pair to reach the required number of points in a game wins that game.  A match is the best of three games.

Because of the extreme lightness of the shuttle, which is affected by the slightest breeze, the game is largely played indoors.

Badminton has far outgrown its origins and is now generally rated, in its higher grades, as one of the fastest and most exhausting pursuits in the athletic world.   The initial velocity which can be imparted to the shuttle by good racquet work, and the fact that the shuttle must not hit the floor, are the principal reasons for this.  It follows that there can be no better means for attaining perfect physical fitness, and that really good footwork is essential for success.

Forehand Grip.
 
To work out the forehand grip, first hold the racquet with your free hand by the shaft in front of you.  Then spread the palm of your racquet hand flat against the strings and move your hand down the shaft towards the handle.  Gently curl your thumb and fingers around the handle so that the thumb and the forefinger form a 'V' shape.

It is essential that the racquet is held in a relaxed manner and is not grasped tightly in the palm of the hand.

 

Backhand Grip
 
Holding the racquet in the forehand grip, turn the racquet slightly to the right (for right-handed players) or slightly to the left (for left-handed players) so that the thumb is on the flat side of the handle and can be used to give leverage.

 For more information about playing badminton, click shuttle_tips