LAWS OF

BADMINTON
TERMS
MATCH A BASIC CONTEST IN BADMINTON BETWEEN
OPPOSING SIDES, EACH HAS ONE OR TWO PLAYERS.
IT CONSISTS OF BEST OF THREE GAMES.
SINGLES A MATCH WHERE THERE IS ONE PLAYER ON EACH
OF THE OPPOSING SIDES.
DOUBLES - A MATCH WHERE THERE ARE TWO PLAYERS ON
EACH OF THE OPPOSING SIDES.
SERVING SIDE THE SIDE HAVING THE RIGHT TO SERVE.
RECEIVING SIDE THE SIDE OPPOSING THE SERVING SIDE.
RALLY A SEQUENCE OF ONE OR MORE STROKES STARTING
WITH THE SERVICE, UNTIL THE SHUTTLE CEASES TO BE
IN PLAY.
STROKE A FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE PLAYERS RACKET.
LOVE THE BEGINNING SCORE (0) OF A PLAYER.
1. THE COURT
& COURT EQUIPMENT
COURT

rectangle with lines 40mm wide.

court lines shall be easily
distinguishable and preferably
colored white or yellow.
all lines form are part of the area
which they define.
 Sidelines for Doubles
Sidelines for Singles
Back Boundary Line
Center Line
SIX BOUNDARY LINES
Short Service Line
Long Service Line for Doubles
 1.55M IN HEIGHT FROM THE
SURFACE OF THE COURT.
SHALL BE PLACED ON THE
DOUBLES SIDE LINES IRRESPECTIVE
POSTWHETHER SINGLES OR DOUBLES IS
BEING PLAYED.
 NET
MESH IS NOT LESS THAN 15MM AND NOT
MORE THAN 20MM
760MM IN DEPTH AND AT LEAST 6.1M
WIDE
HEIGHT ON BOTH SIDES IS 1.55M AND
1.5M AT THE CENTER
NO GAP BETWEEN THE ENDS OF THE NET
AND POST
2. SHUTTLECOCK

IT SHALL HAVE 16 FEATHERS FIXED

IN THE BASE.
IT SHALL WEIGH FROM 4.74 TO 5.50
GRAMS.
6. TOSS
The side winning the toss shall choose either;

serve or receive first, or;

start play at one end of the court or the other
The side losing the toss shall then exercise the
remaining choice.
7. SCORING SYSTEM
A MATCH SHALL CONSIST OF THE BEST OF THREE
GAMES.

GAME SHALL WON BY THE SIDE WHICH FIRST

SCORES 21 POINTS.

THE SIDE WINNING A RALLY SHALL ADD POINT TO

ITS SCORE.
SCORING SYSTEM
IF THE SCORE BECOMES 20-ALL, THE SIDE WHICH GAINS
A TWO POINT LEAD FIRST, SHALL WIN THE GAME.

IF THE SCORES BECOMES 29-ALL THE SIDE SCORING THE

30TH POINT SHALL WIN THE GAME.

THE SIDE WINNING A GAME SHALL SERVE FIRST IN THE

NEXT GAME.
8. CHANGE OF ENDS
AT THE END OF THE FIRST GAME.

AT THE END OF THE SECOND GAME

( IF THERE IS TO BE A THIRD GAME).

IN THE FINAL GAME WHEN THE

LEADING SCORE REACHES 11 POINTS
(SINGLES & DOUBLES)
9. SERVICE

CORRECT SERVICE
NEITHER SIDE SHALL CAUSE UNDUE DELAY
TO THE DELIVERY OF THE SERVICE ONCE
THE SERVER AND THE RECEIVER ARE
READY FOR THE SERVICE.

THE SERVER AND THE RECEIVER SHALL

STAND WITHIN DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE
SERVICE COURTS WITHOUT TOUCHING
THE BOUNDARY LINES.
CORRECT SERVICE
Some part of both feet of the server
and the receiver shall remain in
contact with the surface of the court
in a stationary position from the start
of the service until the service is
delivered.
THE SERVERS RACKET SHALL INITIALLY HIT THE
BASE OF THE SHUTTLE.
CORRECT SERVICE
The whole shuttle shall be below
the servers waist at the moment of
being struck.
ONCE THE PLAYERS ARE READY FOR
THE SERVICE, THE FIRST FORWARD
MOVEMENT OF THE SERVERS
RACKET HEAD SHALL BE THE START
OF THE SERVICE.
 CORRECT SERVICE
Once started, the service is
delivered when the shuttle is hit
by the servers racket.
THE SERVER SHALL NOT SERVE
BEFORE THE RECEIVER IS READY.
HOWEVER, THE RECEIVER SHALL BE
CONSIDERED TO HAVE BEEN READY
IF A RETURN OF THE SERVICE IS
ATTEMPTED.
10. SINGLES
Serving & Receiving Courts
THE PLAYER SHALL SERVE FROM, AND RECEIVE
IN, THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT SERVICE COURTS
WHEN THE SERVER HAS NOT SCORED OR HAS
SCORED AN EVEN NUMBER OF POINTS.
THE PLAYER SHALL SERVE FROM, AND RECEIVE
IN, THEIR RESPECTIVE LEFT SERVICE COURTS
WHEN THE SERVER HAS SCORED AN ODD
NUMBER
OF POINTS.
Order of Play & Position on Court

IN A RALLY, THE SHUTTLE MAY

BE HIT BY THE SERVER AND THE
RECEIVER ALTERNATELY FROM ANY
POSITION ON THE PLAYERS SIDE
OF THE NET, UNTIL THE SHUTTLE
CEASES TO BE IN PLAY
Scoring and Serving
IF THE SERVER WINS A RALLY, THE SERVER
SHALL
SCORE A POINT. THE SERVER SHALL THEN
SERVE
AGAIN FROM THE ALTERNATE SERVICE COURT

IF THE RECEIVER WINS A RALLY, THE RECEIVER

SHALL SCORE A POINT. THE RECEIVER SHALL
THEN BECOME THE NEW SERVER.
 11. DOUBLES
Serving & Receiving Courts
THE PLAYER OF THE SERVING SIDE SHALL SERVE FROM THE
RIGHT
SERVICE COURT WHEN THE SERVING SIDE HAS NOT SCORED OR
HAS SCORED AN EVEN NUMBER OF POINTS.

THE PLAYER OF THE SERVING SIDE SHALL SERVE FROM THE

LEFT SERVICE COURT WHEN THE SERVING SIDE HAS SCORED AN
ODD NUMBER OF POINTS.

THE PLAYER OF THE RECEIVING SIDE WHO SERVED LAST SHALL

STAY IN THE SAME SERVICE COURT FROM WHERE HE SERVED
LAST. THE REVERSE PATTERN SHALL APPLY TO THE RECEIVERS
PARTNER.
 Serving & Receiving Courts
THE PLAYER OF THE RECEIVING SIDE STANDING IN
THE DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE SERVICE COURT TO THE
SERVER SHALL BE THE RECEIVER.

THE PLAYER SHALL NOT CHANGE THEIR

RESPECTIVE SERVICE COURTS UNTIL THEY WIN A
POINT WHEN THEIR SIDE IS SERVING.
Order of Play & Position on Court

After the service is returned, in

a rally, the shuttle may be hit by
either player of the serving side
and either player of the
receiving side alternately from
any position on the players side
of the net, until the shuttle
ceases to be in play.
Sequence of Serving
NO PLAYER SHALL SERVE OR RECEIVE OUT OF TURN,
OR
RECEIVE TWO CONSECUTIVE SERVICES IN THE SAME
GAME.

EITHER PLAYER OF THE WINNING SIDE MAY SERVE

FIRST
IN THE NEXT GAME , AND EITHER PLAYER OF THE
LOSING SIDE MAY RECEIVE FIRST IN THE NEXT GAME.
12. SERVICE COURT ERRORS
PLAYER HAS SERVED OR RECEIVED OUT OF TURN.

PLAYER HAS SERVED OR RECEIVED FROM THE

WRONG SERVICE COURT.
13. FAULTS
FAULT call by the umpire when there is
infraction of rules
PENALTY; losing of service and points.
INCORRECT SERVICE
IF IN SERVICE, THE SHUTTLE;
IS CAUGHT ON THE NET AND
REMAINS SUSPENDED ON ITS TOP.
IS CAUGHT AFTER PASSING OVER
THE NET.
HIT BY THE RECEIVERS PARTNER.
FAULT
IF IN PLAY, THE SHUTTLE;

LANDS OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY LINES.

PASSES THROUGH OR UNDER THE NET.

FAILS TO PASS OVER THE NET.

TOUCHES THE CEILING OR SIDE WALLS.

TOUCHES THE PERSON OR DRESS OF A PLAYER

Touches any other object or person outside

the court.
FAULT
IF IN PLAY, THE SHUTTLE;
Is caught and held on the racket and then
slung during the execution of a stroke.

Is hit twice in succession by the same

player

Is hit by a player and the players partner

successively.

Touches a players racket and does not

travel towards the opponent's court.
FAULT
IF IN PLAY, A PLAYER;

TOUCHES THE NET OR ITS SUPPORTS WITH RACKET,

PERSON OR DRESS.

INVADES AN OPPONENT'S COURT .

OBSTRUCTS AN OPPONENT

DELIBERATELY DISTRACTS AN OPPONENT BY ANY ACTION

FAULT should be called by the umpire when a fault
occurs, except:

Common faults committed

Faults which is suppose to be called by service judge

14. LETS
LET is called to halt the play
THE SERVER SERVES BEFORE THE RECEIVER IS READY.

DURING SERVICE, THE SERVER AND THE RECEIVER ARE

BOTH FAULTED.

AFTER THE SERVICE IS RETURNED, THE SHUTTLE IS;

o CAUGHT ON THE NET AND REMAINS SUSPENDED ON
ITS TOP.
o AFTER PASSING OVER THE NET IS CAUGHT IN
THE NET
 LET
DURING PLAY, THE SHUTTLE DISINTEGRATES

IN THE OPINION OF THE UMPIRE, PLAY IS DISRUPTED OR A

PLAYER OF THE OPPOSING SIDE IS DISTRACTED BY A
COACH.

A LINE JUDGE IS UNSIGHTED AND THE UMPIRE IS UNABLE

TO MAKE A DECISION.

ANY UNFORESEEN OR ACCIDENTAL SITUATION HAS

OCCURRED.
15. SHUTTLE NOT IN PLAY
IT STRIKES THE NET OR POST AND STARTS TO FALL
TOWARDS THE SURFACE OF THE COURT ON THE
STRIKERS SIDE OF THE NET.

IT HITS THE SURFACE OF THE COURT.

A FAULT OR LET HAS OCCURRED.

16. Continuous Play,
Misconduct and Penalty
Play shall be continuous from the first service until the
match is concluded, except;
INTERVALS
NOT EXCEEDING 60 SECONDS DURING
EACH GAME WHEN THE LEADING SCORE
REACHES 11 POINTS

NOT EXCEEDING 120 SECONDS BETWEEN

THE FIRST AND SECOND GAME, AND
BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD GAME
(IF ANY).
SUSPENSION OF PLAY
When necessitated by circumstances not within the
control of the players, the umpire may suspend play
for such a period as the umpire may consider
necessary.

Under special circumstances the Referee may instruct

the umpire to suspend play.

If play is suspended, the existing score shall stand and

play shall be resumed from that point.
DELAY IN PLAY
Under no circumstances shall play be delayed to
enable a player to recover strength or wind or to
receive advice.

The umpire shall be the sole judge of any delay in

play.
ADVICE & LEAVING THE
COURT

Only when the shuttle is not in play, shall a player be

permitted to receive advice during a match.

No player shall leave the court during a match

without the umpires permission, except during the
intervals.
ADMINISTRATION OF BREACH
The Umpire shall administer
any breach of law by:
Issuing a warning to the
offending side
Faulting the offending
side, if previously
warned
In case of persistent offense,
the umpire shall fault the offending
side and report it to the Referee
immediately who shall have the
power to disqualify.
17. OFFICIALS & APPEALS

The Referee shall be the overall in-charge

of the tournament or championship(s) of
which a match forms part.

The umpire, where appointed, shall be in

charge of the match, the court and its
immediate surrounds. The umpire shall
report to the Referee.

The service judge shall call service faults

made by the server
OFFICIALS & APPEALS
A line judge shall indicate whether a
shuttle landed in or out on the line(s)
assigned.

An officials decision shall be final on all

points of fact for which that official is
responsible except that if, in the opinion
of the umpire, it is beyond reasonable
doubt that a line judge has clearly made
a wrong call, the umpire shall overrule
the decision of the line judge.
An Umpire shall;
uphold and enforce the Laws of Badminton and,
especially, call a fault or a let should either occur;

give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of

dispute, if made before the next service is delivered;

ensure players and spectators are kept informed of

the progress of the match;

appoint or replace line judges or a service judge in

consultation with the Referee;

where another technical official is not appointed,

arrange for that officials duties to be carried out;
An Umpire shall;

where an appointed official is unsighted, carry

out that officials duties or play a let;

record and report to the Referee all matters

relating to Law 16.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO TECHNICAL
OFFICIALS (RTTO)
These RTTO were issued by the BWF to
standardize the control of the game in all
countries and in accordance with its Rules.
It has the purpose of advising umpires on
how to control a match firmly and with
fairness, without being officious, while
ensuring that the Laws of the game are
observed.
This also gives guidance to service judges
and line judges on how to carry out their
duties.
All technical officials shall remember that
the game is for the players.
 RTTO TO UMPIRE

BEFORE A MATCH
OBTAIN THE SCORESHEET
ENTER PLAYERS NAME ON SCORESHEET
ENSURE THAT ANY SCORING DEVICE TO BE
USED ARE WORKING
ENSURE THAT THE SERVICE JUDGE AND
THE LINE JUDGES KNOW THEIR DUTIES
AND THAT THEY ARE CORRECTLY PLACED
ENSURE THAT A SUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF
TESTED SHUTTLES IS READILY AVAILABLE
FOR THE MATCH IN ORDER TO AVOID
DELAYS DURING PLAY;
 RTTO TO UMPIRE

Toss
Check height of the net
Warm up period
Announcement
Calls loud & clear
 INDIVIDUAL / TOURNAMENT
Examples:

Boys Singles Elem (BS ELEM)

Boys Doubles Elem (BD ELEM)
Mixed Doubles Elem (XD ELEM)

TEAM EVENT

Singles
Doubles
Singles
 ANNOUNCING THE
START OF THE MATCH
 SINGLES
INDIVIDUAL / TOURNAMENT
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ON MY RIGHT,
ANA CRUZ, ALBAY; AND ON MY LEFT LIZA
DOMINGO,
IRIGA CITY , ANA TO SERVE; LOVE ALL; PLAY.

TEAM EVENT
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ON MY RIGHT,
ALBAY, REPRESENTED BY ANA CRUZ; AND ON MY
LEFT IRIGA CITY, REPRESENTED BY LIZA
DOMINGO, ALBAY TO SERVE, LOVE ALL; PLAY.

CALLING OF PLAY CONSTITUTES THE START OF THE

MATCH.
 DOUBLES
INDIVIDUAL / TOURNAMENT
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ON MY RIGHT, ANA
CRUZ
& FE SANTOS, ALBAY, AND ON MY LEFT, LIZA DOMINGO
& DINA RAMOS, IRIGA CITY, LIZA TO SERVE TO ANA;
LOVE ALL, PLAY.

TEAM EVENT
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ON MY RIGHT ALBAY,
REPRESENTED BY ANA CRUZ & FE SANTOS, AND ON MY
LEFT IRIGA CITY , REPRESENTED BY LIZA DOMINGO &
DINA RAMOS, IRIGA CITY TO SERVE; LIZA TO ANA,
LOVE ALL; PLAY.
DURING THE MATCH
THE UMPIRE SHALL;
USE THE STANDARD VOCABULARY.

RECORD AND CALL THE SCORE.

DURING SERVICE, IF SJ IS APPOINTED,
WATCH THE RECEIVER.
MAY ALSO CALL SERVICE FAULT, IF
NECESSARY
KEEP AWARE OF THE STATUS OF ANY
SCORING DEVICE.
DURING THE MATCH
RAISE THE RIGHT HAND ABOVE
THE UMPIRES HEAD (IF NEEDED)

CALL SERVICE OVER

FOLLOWED BY THE SCORE IN
FAVOR OF THE NEW SERVING
SIDE, WHEN A SIDE LOSES A RALLY
AND THEREBY THE RIGHT TO
CONTINUE SERVING.
 DURING THE
MATCH
PLAY SHALL BE CALLED BY THE
UMPIRE
TO INDICATE THE START OF THE
MATCH
AFTER INTERVAL
TO RESUME THE GAME DURING
SUSPENSION
DURING A
MATCH
CONCENTRATE ON THE MATCH
CONTROL
GIVE DECISION ON LINES
LINE JUDGE IS UNSIGHTED
NO LINE JUDGE
CALL RECEIVERS FAULT
FOLLOW FLIGHT OF SHUTTLE
MATCH
CALL FAULTS AND LETS LOUD AND
CLEAR
PREVENT UNDUE DELAY
CHANGE OF SHUTTLE
INJURY
SUSPENSION OF PLAY
MAKES USE OF STOPWATCH
INTERVALS
END OF MATCH
LINE CALLS
IF IN THE OPINION OF THE UMPIRE, IT IS
BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT, A LINE JUDGE
HAS CLEARLY MADE A WRONG CALL, THE
UMPIRE SHALL CALL
* CORRECTION, IN
IF THE SHUTTLE HAS LANDED
INSIDE THE BOUNDARY LINE

* CORRECTION, OUT
IF THE SHUTTLE HAS LANDED OUTSIDE
THE BOUNDARY LINE
LINE CALLS
IN THE ABSENCE OF A LINE JUDGE OR IF LINE JUDGE IS
UNSIGHTED, THE UMPIRE SHALL CALL;

OUT BEFORE CALLING THE SCORE WHEN THE SHUTTLE

LANDS OUTSIDE THE LINE, OR

IN WHEN THE SHUTTLE LANDS INSIDE THE LINE, OR

LET WHEN THE UMPIRE IS ALSO UNSIGHTED

SERVICE JUDGE
HAND SIGNALS FOR SERVICE FAULTS
PRETEND ALWAYS WATCHING THE
SERVER
WATCH SHUTTLE
 SERVICE JUDGE HAND
SIGNAL At the instant of hitting
the shuttle, the shaft
of the racket not
pointing in a downward
direction.

Whole of the shuttle is

not below the servers
waist at the moment of
being struck.
SERVICE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL
Once the players have taken
their positions, the first
forward movement of the
servers racket head is the
start of the service.

Some part of both feet

not in the servers court
and in a stationary
position until the service
is delivered.
SERVICE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL

Initial point of
contact with
the shuttle not
on the base of
the shuttle
 POSITION OF LINE JUDGES

SINGLES
DOUBLES
LINE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL
The shuttle landed outside the
boundary line
LINE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL

The shuttle landed INSIDE the

boundary line
LINE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL
Unsighted
WHEN
UMPIRING
KEEP LAWS OF BADMINTON UP TO DATE

BE PHYSICALLY FIT

UMPIRES KIT

UMPIRES CHECKLIST
UMPIRES KIT
2 OR 3 BLACK / BLUE BALLPOINT PENS

LARGE COIN TO TOSS

STOP WATCH

MEASURING TAPE

COPY OF LAWS / RECOMMENDATIONS

RED AND YELLOW CARD (8CM X 12CM)

 YELLOW CARD ( WARNING) ONCE

ISSUANCE OF
RED CARD

BLACK CARD
(FAULT) - 2 TO 3

(DISQUALIFICATION)

CARDS
NOTE:
TWO SUCCESSIVE FAULTS MEANS DISQUALIFICATION
UMPIRE
CHECKLIST
VENUE

PLAYING TIME

REFEREE

UMPIRES BRIEFING
USES OF
STOPWATCH
INTERVAL

SUSPENSION

INJURY

START OF SECOND GAME

START OF FINAL GAME(IF ANY)

IN THE ABSENCE OF 1 PLAYER AFTER THE LAST CALL

 THE UMPIRES SCORESHEET
The score must be entered with clear and precise
number.
Scoresheet is a tool to assist the Umpire, and in the
moment of panic when the exact situation is not
clearly remembered, your scoresheet must be as
legible as possible so as to reduce the chance of
making an error.
It also should assist the Referee to make a decision in
case of an appeal.
 HOW TO USE THE SCORESHEET
Pre-Match Details
To be completed (if not completed by computer) once you
are given the scoresheet, before going to the court.
Preliminaries
1. S and R server and receiver. Fill in when conducting
toss, after the sides have exercised their choice. In singles, mark
server only.
2. L and R starting of the players (left and right) when
viewed from the Umpires chair. Fill in when conducting toss,
after the sides have exercised their choice of end.
3. 0 mark against initial server and initial receiver at the start of
each game.
4. Start time note the time when the Umpire announces Play
at the beginning of a match. (military time)
During Play
1. Write the new score in the next available box, in the row of the next
servers name.
2. Score leveled at 20-all draw diagonal line in the next available
box.
3. If situations listed below occur, use the appropriate alphabet(s) into
the next available box infront of the appropriate player.
SITUATION NOTE / ALPHABET TO BE USE
Warning (for misconduct) W
Fault (for misconduct) F
Referee called on court R
Suspension S
Injury I
Disqualification by the Referee Disqualified
Retired Retired
Service court error corrected C
Over-rule of the Line Judge Call O
End of Game

1. Write and circle completed game score with

a slash between the score.

2. Fill in completed game score at top of the

scoresheet.

3. Mark in 0 against initial server and initial

receiver at the start of the next game.

4. Note S and R for the next game.

End of Match

1. Write and circle completed game

2. End time write the time the match ends.

3. Fill in complete game score at top of the

scoresheet.

4. Circle name(s) of the player(s) of the

winning side at top of the scoresheet.
POST MATCH

1. Duration calculate and write duration of

the match.

2. Sign the complete scoresheet.

3. Obtain counter-signature from the referee

and hand it over the match control.
 Placing of BYES and SEEDS in a draw

TABLE 1 (for 3 to 16 entries) On a draw sheet numbered 1 to 16

No. of Seed Seed Seeds No. of

Entries Placement of Byes
Seeds 1 2 3/4 Byes

3 1 1 1 2
4 1 0
5 1 1 3 2, 4, 7
6 1 1 2 2, 7
7 1 1 1 2
8 2 1 8 0
9 2 1 16 7 2, 4, 6, 8 11, 13, 15
10 2 1 16 6 2, 4, 6 11, 13, 15
11 2 1 16 5 2, 4, 6 11, 15
12 2 1 16 4 2, 6 11, 15
13 2 1 16 3 2, 6 . 15
14 2 1 16 2 2 . 15
15 2 1 16 1 2
16 4 1 16 5, 12 0
 MEDAL REQUIREMENTS
BADMINTON

GOLD SILVER BRONZE

ELEMENTARY
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 2 2 4
GIRLS Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 4 4 8

Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 2 2 4
BOYS Mixed Doubles 1 1 2

Team Tie 4 4 8
SECONDARY
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 2 2 4
GIRLS Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 4 4 8

Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 2 2 4
GIRLS Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 4 4 8

TOTAL 32 32 64