The document outlines the official laws of badminton, including definitions of terms like match, singles, doubles, and rally. It describes the court dimensions and equipment like lines, posts, nets, and shuttlecocks. It details the scoring system and rules for correct service, faults, lets, and changing ends. It also covers officiating, misconduct, delays, and the roles of the referee, umpire, service judge, and line judges in enforcing the laws.

2. LAWS OF
BADMINTON

3. DEFINITION OF 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 player’s racket.
LOVE – the beginning score (0) of a player.

4. COURT
1. THE COURT
& COURT EQUIPMENT
• 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.

5. SIX BOUNDARY LINES
•Sidelines for Doubles
•Sidelines for Singles
•Back Boundary Line
•Center Line
•Short Service Line
•Long Service Line for Doubles

6. POST
• 1.55m in height from the surface of
the court.
• shall be placed on the doubles
side lines irrespective whether
singles or doubles is being
played.

7. 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

8. 2. SHUTTLECOCK
• it shall have 16 feathers fixed in
the base.
• it shall weigh from 4.74 to 5.50
grams.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. • 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.
SCORING SYSTEM

12. 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)

13. 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.
9. SERVICE

14. • 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 server’s racket shall initially hit
the base of the shuttle.
CORRECT SERVICE

15. • The whole shuttle shall be below
the server’s waist at the moment of
being struck.
• Once the players are ready for the
service, the first forward movement
of the server’s racket head shall be
the start of the service.
CORRECT SERVICE

16. • Once started, the service is
delivered when the shuttle is hit
by the server’s 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.
CORRECT SERVICE

17. 10. SINGLES
• 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.
Serving & Receiving Courts

18. 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 player’s side of the net, until
the shuttle ceases to be in play

19. 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.

20. 11. DOUBLES
• 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 receiver’s
partner.
Serving & Receiving Courts

21. 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.

22. 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 player’s side
of the net, until the shuttle
ceases to be in play.

23. • 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.
Sequence of Serving

24. 12. SERVICE COURT ERRORS
• Player has served or received out of
turn.
• Player has served or received from the
wrong service court.

25. 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 receiver’s partner.
13. FAULTS

26. 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.

27. 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 player’s partner
successively.
• Touches a player’s racket and does not
travel towards the opponent's court.

28. 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

29. “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

30. 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
14. LETS

31. 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.

32. 15. SHUTTLE NOT IN PLAY
• It strikes the net or post and starts to fall
towards the surface of the court on the
striker’s side of the net.
• It hits the surface of the court.
• A “fault” or “let” has occurred.

33. 16. Continuous Play,
Misconduct and Penalty
Play shall be continuous from the
first service until the match is
concluded, except;

34. 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).

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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 umpire’s
permission, except during the
intervals.

38. 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.

39. 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

40. OFFICIALS & APPEALS
 A line judge shall indicate whether a
shuttle landed ‘in’ or ‘out’ on the line(s)
assigned.
 An official’s 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.

41.  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 official’s duties to be carried out;
An Umpire shall;

42.  where an appointed official is
unsighted, carry out that official’s
duties or play a ‘let’;
 record and report to the Referee all
matters relating to Law 16.
An Umpire shall;

43. INSTRUCTIONS TO TECHNICAL
OFFICIALS (ITTO)
• These ITTO 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.
• These also give 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.

44. BEFORE A MATCH
• Obtain the scoresheet
• Enter player’s 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;
INSTRUCTIONS TO UMPIRE

45. INSTRUCTIONS TO UMPIRE
• Toss
• Check height of the net
• Warm up period
• Announcement
• Calls loud & clear

46.  INDIVIDUAL / TOURNAMENT
Examples:
Boys Singles Elem (BS ELEM)
Boys Doubles Elem (BD ELEM)
Mixed Doubles Elem (XD ELEM)
 TEAM EVENT
Singles
Doubles
Singles

47. ANNOUNCING THE
START OF THE MATCH

48. 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.

49. 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.”

50. 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.

51. • Raise the right hand above the
umpire’s 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

52. 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

53. DURING A MATCH
• Concentrate on the match
• Control
• Give decision on lines
Line judge is unsighted
No line judge
• Call receiver’s fault
• Follow flight of shuttle

54. • 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
DURING A MATCH

55. 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
INSTRUCTIONS TO UMPIRE

56. 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
LINE CALLS

57. SERVICE JUDGE
• Hand signals for Service Faults
• Pretend always watching the server
• Watch shuttle

58. 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 server’s
waist at the moment of
being struck.

59. SERVICE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL
Once the players have taken
their positions, the first
forward movement of the
server’s racket head is the
start of the service.
Some part of both feet
not in the server’s court
and in a stationary
position until the service
is delivered.

60. • Initial point of
contact with
the shuttle not
on the base of
the shuttle
SERVICE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL

61. POSITION OF LINE JUDGES
SINGLES

62. DOUBLES

63. LINE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL
The shuttle landed outside the
boundary line

64. LINE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL
The shuttle landed INSIDE the
boundary line

65. LINE JUDGE HAND SIGNAL
Unsighted

66. THINGS TO REMEMBER
WHEN UMPIRING
• Keep Laws of Badminton up to date
• Be physically fit
• Umpire’s kit
• Umpire’s checklist

67. UMPIRE’S 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)

68. ISSUANCE OF CARDS
Yellow Card ( warning) – once
Red Card (fault) - 2 to 3
Black Card (disqualification)
NOTE:
Two successive faults means disqualification

69. UMPIRE CHECKLIST
• Venue
• Playing Time
• Referee
• Umpire’s briefing

70. 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

71. THE UMPIRE’S 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.

72. HOW TO USE THE SCORESHEET
• To be completed (if not completed by computer) once you
are given the scoresheet, before going to the court.
Pre-Match Details
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 Umpire’s 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)

73. During Play
1. Write the new score in the next available box, in the row of the next
server’s 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)
Fault (for misconduct)
Referee called on court
Suspension
Injury
Disqualification by the Referee
Retired
Service court error corrected
Over-rule of the Line Judge Call
W
F
R
S
I
Disqualified
Retired
C
O

74. 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.

75. 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.

76. 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.

77. Placing of BYES and SEEDS in a draw
TABLE 1 (for 3 to 16 entries) On a draw sheet numbered 1 to 16
Entries
No. of Seed Seed Seeds No. of
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

78. No. of
Entries
No. of Seed Seed Seeds Seeds No. of
Placement of Byes
Seeds 1 2 3/4 5/8 Byes
17 4 1 32 9,24 15 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
18 4 1 32 9,24 14 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
19 4 1 32 9,24 13 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31
20 4 1 32 9,24 12 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 14 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31
21 4 1 32 9,24 11 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 14 19, 23, 27, 29, 31
22 4 1 32 9,24 10 2, 4, 6, 10,14 19, 23, 27, 29, 31
23 4 1 32 9,24 9 2, 4, 6, 10,14 19, 23, 27, 31
24 4 1 32 9,24 8 2, 6, 10,14 19, 23, 27, 31
25 4 1 32 9,24 7 2, 6, 10,14 23, 27, 31
26 4 1 32 9,24 6 2, 6, 10 23, 27, 31
27 4 1 32 9,24 5 2, 6, 10 23, 31
28 4 1 32 9,24 4 2, 10 23, 31
29 4 1 32 9,24 3 2, 10 31
30 4 1 32 9,24 2 2 31
31 4 1 32 9,24 1 2
32 8 1 32 9,24 5,13,20,28 0

79. GOLD SILVER BRONZE
ELEMENTARY
GIRLS
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 1 1 2
Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 1 1 2
BOYS
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 1 1 2
Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 1 1 2
SECONDARY
GIRLS
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 1 1 2
Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 1 1 2
GIRLS
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 1 1 2
Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 1 1 2
TOTAL 8 8 16
MEDAL REQUIREMENTS (to be counted)
BADMINTON

80. GOLD SILVER BRONZE
ELEMENTARY
GIRLS
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 2 2 4
Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 4 4 8
BOYS
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 2 2 4
Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 4 4 8
SECONDARY
GIRLS
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 2 2 4
Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 4 4 8
GIRLS
Singles 1 1 2
Doubles 2 2 4
Mixed Doubles 1 1 2
Team Tie 4 4 8
TOTAL 32 32 64
MEDAL REQUIREMENTS (to be awarded)
BADMINTON