As an elite badminton coach I have trained every level of player. I feel that, as a coach, the most important thing is to train affective learning. That is, to motivate players to want more. Badminton grip gives players more control over the shuttle; facilitating players to hit the shuttle to where they want. That control is a greater advantage than technique, tactics or kinesiology, in my opinion. Let’s briefly look at a couple of groups of badminton players to illustrate what I mean.
Novice Badminton
In any group of novices, one or two will stand out because of their grips. Their technique gives them an advantage over the others in the group, because they can move their opponents around the court much more than their opponents can move them. This can be demotivating for their opponents. If all of the players’ grips were the same, this advantage would be mitigated, making the game more competitive and enjoyable for all.
Intermediate Badminton
The vast majority of players do not learn how to hold their rackets correctly as beginners. As a result, the vast majority of intermediate players have poor technique. This limits their tactical abilities because they have poor control of the shuttle. Compounding this issue is that it is substantially harder for a player to correct a bad grip than it is for them to learn correct grip from the start. Players in this group with better grips don't suffer this restriction, and so have an advantage over their opponents.
Elite Badminton
Players in this group have very few, if any, grip issues. Their grip does not prevent them from competing at the level. The power and control in advanced players strokes come from their focus on kinesiology much more than training power itself.
Conclusion
For all but a select few, badminton is played for fun. Elite players play because they have great passion for the game. Perfecting your grip is the key to unlocking your passion for badminton. Training for perfect grip doesn't require strength training; but it does take time and dedication. I think that is why many elite coaches focus on grips so much; it is the single biggest factor that facilitates badminton love.
