Check video at 2:10 I've always been taught that for backhand net shots, you keep a backhand thumb grip or at least a bevel. But Axelsen here seems to be holding a panhandle grip. Was this a mistake due to him being under pressure and he forgetting to change his grip to thumb? Or is it an actual part of his technique in doing backhand straight net shots? Would love to hear your thoughts on this guys
1. It's not a mistake. It's technique. 2. Is not a net shot. It's way below the net. In German, we call this technique "heben" which most would translate to "lift", but with this use, it's more referring to the noun "der Hub" which (for example) is the (up)stroke... or lifting something off the ground, not lifting it to the fourth story of a building. The thing is that you want to have your arm relaxed while keeping the strings facing upwards, so you have to turn the racket in your fingers. On both the backhand and the forehand side, you'll end up in the panhandle grip when doing so. Trying to keep a backhand grip will result in a twisted (thus tense) arm, not allowing for smooth, controlled movent.
Ah I remember now. It was the retrieval of the net cord shots...when opponent's net shot hits net and you are picking it off the floor. Here's the link to the video if anyone reading this hasn't seen this yet. The retrieval with the panhandle grip is at 6:26
That doesn't mean it's not a net shot https://www.badmintonbible.com/tactics/singles/building-shots/net-shots "Hairpin net shots are played from near the ground and close to the net,"
I spoke with a great player and one of his best shots was stretching his arm out directly in front of him with the backhand face of the racket and panhandle grip. Taking the shuttle high near the net tape. And the shuttle would tumble over. The shot wasn't a hairpin net shot - it wasn't near the ground, but for a regular net shot. Since it was out in front of him between backhand side and forehand side, he could've used either racket face but preferred backhand face If wider on the backhand side then maybe he'd not use panhandle grip. . .
Ehm.... no. If you want to have good control and different strokes as an option, the thumb should be up, the rest depends on many factors.
