BADMINTON HISTORY

Introduction

Badminton, the world’s fastest racquet sport is played using racquets to hit
a shuttlecock across the net. It is the second most popular sport in the world
after football. It is governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the
internationally recognized governing body of the sport. The game of badminton
was probably originated more than 2000 years ago in Europe & Asia.
Its earlier variant was known as battledore (bat or paddle) and shuttlecock. The
objective of the sports is to hit the shuttlecock (also known as shuttle or birdie)
over and across the net on the opponent’s court so that the opponent can’t
find time to return it back and score a point.

History
The origin of badminton is supposed to be coming
from ancient China and Greece approximately 2000 years back, where players
used to play similar games called battledore and shuttlecock. A very similar
game, called 'Poona', was also played in India in the 18th century.
In the 1860s, it was later adopted by the British Army officers sheltered in India,
who later took it to England, where it gained fame and success under the name
'Badminton'. The first world governing body of badminton was established
as IBF (International Badminton Federation), which was later renamed
to BWF (Badminton World Federation) on 24 September 2006.

Participants
One player on each side in “singles” matches and two players on each side in
“doubles” matches. It is played by both men as well as women.

Events
Singles
Men’s Singles or Women’s Singles events
Double
Men’s Doubles or Women’s Doubles events
Mixed Doubles
Pair of one male and one female player each side

Variants

Speed badminton
Speed badminton, or Speedminton, is an informal variant of badminton which
can be played without any specific court or net. The court usually comprises of
two squares of 18 feet each located opposite to each other at a distance
of 42 ft. Speedminton and badminton rackets are quite similar, except the fact
that the material used in making their strings is different. Also, unlike badminton,
Speedminton is played with a ball which is generally called a speeder.
The name speed badminton was later changed to Cross Milton on 1st January
2016, and the world governing body for Speedminton sports - the International
Speed Badminton Organisation (ISBO) - was renamed to International
Crossminton Organization (ICO) on August 25, 2011.

Doubles
The doubles matchup consists between a team of two players each. However, it
is usually played on a singles court, and the serving rules are slightly changed so
that each player gets a chance to serve. The doubles matches can be played
with a team of same-gender players (male-male, female-female) or a team of
different gender players (male-female), which is also called mixed doubles. In
order the differentiate doubles with the common one, the general game is
termed as the Singles in which single players perform from each side.

Black lighting
Black lighting, also called blackminton, is a variation of crossminton (and
hence, badminton) which is played in the night or the dark.
The shuttles/speeders used in the game of black lighting are usually made up
of fluorescent equipment. Similarly, the blackminton court can also
be painted or pegged up.

Equipment

Badminton Rackets
The earliest form of badminton rackets consisted of remarkably heavy wooden
frames which hindered a player's speed. Players then moved towards
lightweight rackets made up of aluminium frames, which later evolved to the
modern day design consisting of carbon fibre composite materials.

Racket Strings
In the ancient days of the badminton sports, strings were made from natural
animal gut. However, in the later and modern days of the game, players were
opting out of the sleazy traditional equipment and choosing modern ones. Thus,
natural strings were replaced by synthetic materials which allowed players to
attain maximum speed and string tension. Synthetic strings also allow
better durability and are less costly than natural ones.

Racket Grip
Due to the same reason stated above, players used to choose grips made up
from synthetic materials over the ones made up from animal skin and leather.
Synthetic grips made up from Polyurethane, and other kinds of similar materials
help the players to achieve a good grip on the racket and also provide
comfort. The grip is used to increase the thickness of racquet handle and to get
a comfortable surface to hold which depends upon the choice of the player in
which he/she is comfortable in playing.

Badminton Net
The badminton net is what equally divides the badminton court into two sides,
creating the objective of attempting to make the shuttlecock hit the floor on the
other side to win a point.

Badminton Shuttlecock
The shuttlecocks are conical-shaped equipment used in badminton. They are
also regarded as a bird or birdie. A shuttle can achieve a speed up to 200
mph after being hit by a racket. The shuttles are composed of real feathers,
usually of goose or duck.

Badminton Clothing
Comfortable cotton shirts and a pair of shorts or skirts are worn that keeps the
player cool.

Badminton Shoes
Lightweight non-marking rubber-soled shoes are worn by the players that
provide an excellent grip along with thick cotton socks to prevent blisters.

Badminton Wristband
Wristband or Sweatband is used to prevent sweat from dripping down onto
the racquet handle.

Technology
Hawk Eye technology is a computer-based technology which helps in providing
a virtual understanding of the path of an object such as the ball used in Cricket,
Tennis, Badminton etc.. The Hawk Eye was first used during a Test match, held
between Pakistan and England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in 2001.

Playing Area

• The court is rectangular, i.e., 17 feet (5.18 metres in width) by 44 feet (13.4
metres in length) for singles matches and 20 feet (6.1 metres in width)
by 44 feet for doubles matches. The overall court is divided into halves by
a net (dividing the length of the court). It measures 5 feet high in the
center and 5.08 feet high at the posts (edges). The two uprights of the net
are always positioned on the doubles sidelines, even when singles is
played.
• The singles sideline, i.e., the edge of the court in the singles game
is 1.6 feet inside the doubles sideline. The center line divides the width of
 the court & marks the left and right service courts. The short service line
is 6.6 feet from the net.
• The long service line for doubles is 12.75 feet behind the short service line
(2.6 feet from the back boundary). The long service line for doubles is 2.4
feet ahead of the long service line for singles. The long service line is also
called the back boundary line.
• The surface of a badminton court consists of a sprung, often plywood,
the floor beneath a vinyl covering or strips of treated hardwood.

Techniques
Service
The shuttlecock must be played below the server’s waist. The arm must remain
below shoulder height & both feet must be on the ground.
Drive
A quick shot that passes through the net in a horizontal trajectory. It can be
forehand or backhand. Forehand drive is like hitting with
the palm & backhand drive is like hitting with the knuckles.
Smash
It is the most spectacular & powerful attack shot that drives the shuttle down on
the opponent’s court and is used to end a rally.
Clear
It is a high and deep shot, usually a forehand stroke that slows down the
momentum of the play and gives the hitter a chance to get back into a good
position.
Net Play
Shots played from around the net area that reduces the
opponent’s reaction time and forces him to move a long distance.

Officials

Referee
The most senior official and overall in-charge of the tournament.

Umpire
The in-charge of the match and the court; usually sits on a high chair
overlooking the net and reports to the referee.

Service Judge
To call service faults and to watch that the serve is legal.

Line Judges
Ten judges to indicate whether a shuttle is in or out of bounds.

Badminton Terminology

Attack – Attack is a general term used in badminton to describe being on the

offensive. If you are on the attack, you are trying to force an error from your
opponent instead of waiting for your opponent to make a mistake. Attacking is
a proactive way of winning a point by putting pressure on your opponents,
usually with fast and downward facing shots. Smashes, drops, and drives are the
most common shots for attacking in badminton.

Attacking Clear – An attacking clear is a clear that is low and fast instead of
high and slow. Players play attacking clears to increase the pace and put their
opponents off balance but they are easier to cut off because they are lower. It
is also referred to as a punch clear.

Back alley – The back alley is the portion of the court between the back
doubles service line and the base line.
Backhand
is
played
facingwhile
towards
– Athe
backhand
front
the shuttlecock.
of your
is any
hand
stroke
This
is facing
isthat
theisopposite
towards
played while
of
thea shuttlecock.
forehand,
the back of
which
yourishand
Baseline – A baseline is a line that is at the end of the court. There are 2
baselines in a badminton court.

Base Position – The base position is the ideal position for you to stand in when
you are in a neutral or defensive state. This position allows you to cover as much
of the court as possible and retrieve most shots your opponent can make. For
singles, the center of the court is usually considered the base position. In
doubles, the center of the the half courts are considered the base positions.
Birdie – A birdie is the “ball” or projectile used in badminton. It is made of feather
or nylon and cork. You can read more about it in What is a Badminton Birdie?
The “Ball” of Badminton, Explained. It is also known as a shuttle or shuttlecock.

Black Card – A black card in badminton is a penalty card that is used by

the umpire to indicate that a player or team is disqualified from the match. It is
issued for serious offenses or multiple reoccurring smaller offenses.

BWF – BWF stands for Badminton World Federation, and is the official badminton
organization that is recognized internationally. The Badminton World Federation
is responsible for organizing international tournaments and keeping track of
player’s rankings. Their Youtube channel is a great place to watch the best
badminton players in the world battle it out.

Carry – A carry in badminton is an illegal shot where the shuttlecock is held

briefly on the string bed before being slung over. It is considered a fault and the
player or team that did the carry loses the point.

Clear – A clear in badminton is a high overhand shot where the player hits the
shuttlecock from one end of the court to the other end. It is one of the 5 basic
badminton shots, along with the drop, drive, lift, and smash. Learn about all the
badminton shots (and more!) at What Type of Shots are in Badminton? (With 19
Examples).
Consistency (shuttlecocks) – The consistency of a shuttlecock refers to how well
you can depend on it to land in the same spot if hit it the same way multiple
times. A shuttlecock that lands in the same spot when it is hit the same way is
considered consistent.

Cork – A cork in badminton refers to the base of a shuttlecock since it is often

made out of cork.

Court – The court refers to the area you play badminton on. It has lines that
indicates what is considered in or out. Learn more about the dimensions of a
badminton court to familiarize yourself with it.

Challenge – A challenge is an action a player can take when they disagree

with a line judge’s call on whether a shuttlecock landed in or out. A system,
like Hawk-Eye, uses cameras and special technology to be the final judge to
determine if the shuttlecock landed in or out. It is often only used at the
professional level as most courts do not have the necessary equipment
available to support challenges.

Defense – Defense is a general term used in badminton to describe the

resistance of attack. If you are on the defense, you are trying to survive the rally
in order to go on the attack yourself. It is difficult for you to force an error from
you opponent when you are defending. Instead, you have to rely on them to
make an unforced error during this time or to stop the attack. Lifts, drives, and
clears are the most common forms of defense in badminton.

Deuce – A deuce occurs in badminton when players reach 20 points each. A

game normally ends when a player reaches 21 points but when both players or
teams have 20 points, additional points are required. A player must win by a
margin of 2 points (such as 22 to 20) in order to win the game. However, if a
player reaches 30 points, then that player wins even there is no 2 point gap
(which only happens if the score is 30 to 29).

Doubles – Doubles in badminton is an event where 2 players of the same sex

play on the same team. People sometimes use the term doubles to refer to
mixed doubles as well, which is when a female and male partner together.

Doubles Sideline – The doubles sideline are the outer lines at the sides of the
court. They indicate the border of what is considered in and out of bounds.

Drift – Drift in badminton refers to the air current in the gym. Gyms may have air
conditioning or natural wind that affects the gameplay of badminton. Players
often talk about the drift in a gym to determine which end of the court is better
to play on or if they should hit harder or softer in certain directions.

Drive – A drive in badminton is a shot that is fast and flat and travels just above
the net. It is one of the 5 basic badminton shots, along with the drop, smash, lift,
and clear. Learn about all the badminton shots (and more!)
Drop – A drop in badminton is a soft shot that places the shuttlecock close to
the net, often in an attempt to make the opponent move or to set up for the
next shot. Two major types of drop shots are the backcourt drop shot and the
net drop shot. A backcourt drop shot is played from the back of the court while
a net drop is played from near the net. It is one of the 5 basic badminton shots,
along with the smash, drive, lift, and clear.

Durability – The durability of a piece of equipment refers to how long the

equipment lasts with normal play. In badminton, durability is often used to
describe shuttlecocks or racket strings since they are the pieces of equipment
that need to be replaced most often.
Ends of a Court – The ends of a court refer to which side of the net you are on. A
court has 2 ends, one for you to play on and one for your opponent.

Fault – A fault is an illegal action a player does that results in the point being
awarded to the opponent. For example, if a player touches the net in the
middle of a rally, it is considered a fault. There are many faults in badminton, but
I’ve highlighted the most important ones in the Top 10 Most Common
Badminton Faults You Need To Know. Note that a fault does not result in a
penalty card, which is used for when a player has displayed inappropriate
behavior on the court.
Flick – A flick is technique used in badminton to hit the shuttlecock quickly and
suddenly in an attempt to trick the opponent. It is most often used in doubles
serves, which is called a “flick serve” and is used to catch the opponent off
guard when they are expecting a low serve. The flick serve is discussed more
in The 4 Fundamental Types of Badminton Serves.

Forced Error – A forced error is an error that was caused by an opponent. For
example, a hard smash or steep drop shot can make it very difficult to retrieve
the shuttlecock and therefore make it easy to miss or hit out. This is the opposite
of unforced errors, where a player makes a mistake when there is no form of
attack or pressure on them.

Forehand – A forehand is any stroke that is played while the front of your hand is
facing towards the shuttlecock. The is the opposite of a backhand, which is
played while the back of your hand is facing towards the shuttlecock.

Front Court – The front court in badminton is the part of the court between the
service line and the net.

Game – A game in badminton is a single unit of play where players play until
someone wins with at least 21 points. A match consists of a best of 3 games. The
term “game” is used interchangeably with “set” in some areas.

Grain – A grain is a unit of measurement for mass which is used to weigh

shuttlecocks.

Grommet – A grommet is a protective tube around your racket strings that are
near the edge of your racket. The strings are threaded through the grommet
and racket when strung. Grommets are used to protect your strings from your
racket frame. A single racket has 1 grommet per time the string is looped
through the racket. Broken grommets are among themost common reasons why
badminton strings break.

Hairpin Shot – A hairpin shot is a type of net shot (which is a type of drop shot)
that is executed at the front court and lands very close to the net. It is called a
hairpin shot because the path the shuttlecock takes looks like a hairpin.

Half-Court – Half-court refers to half of the full badminton court. Players often use
half the court to warm up or practice instead of a full court.

Half-Court Shot – A half-court shot in badminton is a shot that only reaches the
middle of the opponent’s court. It is often used as “half-court lift” or “half-court
clear”, which are not good shots because they give the opponent a good
opportunity to hit a winning smash.

In-bounds – In-bounds refers to the area of the court where the shuttlecock can
land and would win the rally. A shot that lands in-bounds wins a point for the
player who hit the shot. Also referred to as simply “in”.

Interval – An interval is the break that players get in professional badminton

matches. They occur at the 11 point mark of a game and also in-between
games.

Jump Smash – A jump smash is a type of smash where the player leaps into the
air and then performs a smash while still high in the air. It is considered an
advanced shot and is used to hit the shuttlecock sooner (and therefore put on
pressure faster) and get a better angle on the smash.

Kill – A kill in badminton is a shot that wins the point by having the shuttlecock
land in-bounds on the opponent’s court. A shot won by an opponent hitting out,
into the net, or through a fault is not considered a kill.

Let – A let is an instance where a redo must occur. Neither team wins a point in
the rally and the point is replayed. An example of a let is when a player serves
before the opponent is ready.
Lift – A lift is a defensive shot that is typically performed from the front of the
court by pushing the shuttlecock high and far to the back of your opponent’s
end of the court. It is one of the 5 basic badminton shots, along with the drop,
drive, smash, and clear. Learn about all the badminton shots (and more!)
at What Type of Shots are in Badminton? (With 19 Examples).

Line Judge – A line judge is a badminton official who is in charge of determining

whether the shuttlecock lands in-bounds or out-bounds with respect to a single
line. An official badminton match has 10 line judges, with each line judge
looking down a single line. You can see where each of them sit in Where Do
Badminton Officials Sit?

Long – The term “long” is used in badminton to indicate that the shuttlecock has
landed out of bounds either past the service line during a serve or past the
baseline during the rally. This is opposed to the shuttlecock landing to the left
and right of the sidelines, which would be considered “wide”.

Love – Love is a term that means 0 points and is used instead of the word “zero”.
A badminton match starts at “love all”, which means that both teams have 0
points.

Mat – A mat in badminton is the badminton flooring that you play on.
Badminton mats are specially made just for badminton and can cost several
thousand dollars. Recreational badminton courts often don’t have mats, but
rather use wood flooring instead.

Match – A match in badminton is a best of 3 games. Whoever wins 2 games first

wins a badminton match.

Men’s Doubles – Men’s doubles is a badminton event where 2 men play on the
same team in a doubles match.
Men’s Singles – Men’s singles is a badminton event where 2 men play against
each other in a singles match.

Mixed Doubles – Mixed doubles is a badminton event where a team consists of

a male and female. This is opposed to simply “doubles”, where a team consists
of 2 players of the same sex.

Net – The net in badminton is the barrier between your end of the court and
your opponent’s end of the court. It is placed in the middle of the court in order
to divide it into 2 equal areas. It often uses a net-like pattern, called a mesh, so
that players can see through the net but won’t let the shuttlecock pass through
it.

Net Kill – A net kill is a kill shot performed at the front of the court right above the
net. Often, the shot is very tight to the net, which makes it difficult to perform
and requires lots of precision.

Net Shot – A net shot, also known as a net drop, is a drop shot that is executed
near the net. This is opposed to a drop shot that is executed from the backcourt.
A hairpin shot is a type of net shot.

Net Tumble – A net tumble is an instance where the shuttlecock hits the net and
falls right over the net. Net tumbles are very difficult to retrieve and are mostly
due to luck.

Out of bounds – Out of bounds refers to the area where the shuttlecock can
land but would not win the rally. A shot that lands out of bounds loses a point for
the player who hit the shot. Also referred to as simply “out”.

Plastic (Shuttlecock) – A plastic shuttlecock is a shuttlecock made out of plastic

or nylon. It is also referred to as a nylon shuttlecock.

Punch Clear – A punch clear is a clear that is low and fast instead of high and
slow. Players play attacking clears to increase the pace and put their
opponents off balance but they are easier to cut off because they are lower. It
is also referred to as an attacking clear.

Push Shot – A push shot is a type of shot in badminton that flies flat across the
net. It is similar to the drive shot but is a softer shot rather than a fast and
aggressive shot. Push shots are often used as a return of service shot to hit to the
middle of the opponent’s court.

Racket – A racket is the piece of equipment you hold in your hand to strike the
shuttlecock. There are many different types of badminton rackets, which you
can learn more about in our Badminton Equipment page.

Rally – A rally in badminton is a single instance of when the shuttlecock is in play

to when it is no longer in play. Effectively, this means a rally starts when a player
serves and ends when the shuttlecock lands on the ground or a fault is called.
You can think of it as a single point that is played in a match. More details about
rallies and rally scoring in Does Badminton Use Rally Scoring?

Receiver – The receiver is the player who must hit the 2nd shot in a rally, which is
also called the return of service. This is opposed to the server, who hits the 1st
shot in a rally, which is called the service.

Red Card
Red Card – A red card in badminton is a penalty card that is used by the umpire
to indicate that a player or team has done a second, repeated offense. It is
equivalent to 2 yellow cards. The player receives another warning and their
opponent is awarded a point. If the player commits another offense, they will
receive a black penalty card, which will disqualify them from the match.

Return of Service – The return of service refers to the shot the receiver of a serve
executes. In other words, it is the 2nd shot in a rally.

Reverse Slice – A reverse slice is a technique to add spin to the shuttlecock. It

differs from a traditional slice by the way it is executed. While a slice moves the
racket head inwards, a reverse slice moves the racket head outwards when
making contact with the shuttlecock.
Score – The score is the number of points you have versus the number of points
your opponent has. In badminton, the score of the serving player or team is
announced first before the other team’s score.

Serve – A serve, or service, is the first shot that is executed in a badminton rally.
There are many service rules that can be confusing, but we answer all of them
in Everything You Need to Know About Service Rules in Badminton.

Server – The server is the player executing the serve.

Service Area – The service area is the area that is considered in-bounds for a
service. There are different areas for singles and doubles. You can see what the
service areas are in What’s the Difference Between Singles and Doubles in
Badminton?

Service Judge – The service judge is a badminton official that is responsible for
determining whether a service is legal. The service judge is only responsible for
judging the server’s serve while the umpire is responsible for determining if the
receiver commits a fault, such as moving before the serve was executed. You
can learn more about their responsibilities in Where Do Badminton Officials Sit?

Set – A set in badminton is a single unit of play where players play until someone
wins with at least 21 points. A match consists of a best of 3 sets. The term “set” is
used interchangeably with “game” in some areas.

Badminton Court Side Alleys

Short – Short is a term used in badminton to indicate that a serve has fallen short
of the front service line. This means that the shuttlecock has landed out of
bounds. Commentators also use the term to indicate that a clear or lift did not
reach far into the court and is therefore easier for the opponent to attack and
finish off the rally.

Shuttlecock (birdie) – A shuttlecock, also known as a shuttle or birdie, is the

object that is hit around in badminton. It is made of feather or nylon and cork.
You can read more about it in What is a Badminton Birdie? The “Ball” of
Badminton, Explained.

Singles – Singles is a badminton event where one person plays on each end of
the court, as opposed to doubles or mixed doubles, where 2 players play on
each end of the court. The singles and doubles boundaries are different from
each other and you can learn more about it in What’s the Difference Between
Singles and Doubles in Badminton?

Side Alley – A side alley is the portion of the badminton court that is added to
the court for the doubles and mixed doubles events and is considered in-
bounds. A badminton court has 2 side alleys, one on the left and one on the
right hand side of the badminton court.

Sides – Sides is used in badminton to refer to the left and right of the badminton
court width. Some players will yell out “sides” to indicate to their partner that
they should take up a side by side defensive position. However, some players will
also use the term to indicate the opposite ends of the court – meaning the
different sides of the net. This can be a little confusing so you have to take in the
context to determine what it means.

Slice – A slice is a technique to add spin to the shuttlecock. It differs from the
reverse slice by the way it is executed. A slice moves the racket head inwards
while a reverse slice moves the racket head outwards when making contact
with the shuttlecock.

Smash – A smash in badminton is a fast, downward angled shot that is

performed with an overhand motion. It is one of the 5 basic badminton shots,
along with the drop, drive, lift, and clear. Learn about all the badminton shots
(and more!) at What Type of Shots are in Badminton? (With 19 Examples).

Speed (shuttlecock) – The speed of a shuttlecock is a measurement of how fast

or far a shuttlecock will move if struck with a certain force. A shuttlecock that
has a higher speed will fly faster and further than a shuttlecock at a lower
speed.
String Tension – Tension refers to how tight your badminton strings are pulled
across your racket. The higher the tension, the tighter the strings. Tension is
represented using pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg). Most players use tensions
between 18 and 30 lbs (8.2 and 13.6 kg). Find out what string tension you should
use for your level in What Badminton String Tension Should I Use?

Trajectory of a Clear
Trajectory – Trajectory in badminton refers to the curve or path that a
shuttlecock makes when flying in the air. For example, a clear is hit high into the
air and curves down steeply as it reaches the end of the court. You can see all
the trajectories of the 5 basic badminton shots in What Type of Shots are in
Badminton? (With 19 Examples).

Trick Shot – A trick shot in badminton is any type of shot that is considered
unconventional or deceptive. These can be shots that are between the legs,
rotating 360 degrees and hitting the shuttlecock without looking at it, or
anything else you can imagine. Trick shots are only limited by your own
creativity.

Shuttlecock Tube
Tube – A tube is a short way to refer to a shuttlecock tube, which is the container
used to carry shuttlecocks. Many shuttlecock tubes typically fit up to 12
shuttlecocks at a time but there are some that are smaller (can fit 3 to 6
shuttlecocks) and some that can even fit 15 shuttlecocks.
Umpire – An umpire in badminton is an official that oversees the play of a match
to ensure fair play. The umpire has the most authority on the court and takes
responsibility for what occurs during the match. The responsibilities of an umpire
include managing on-court technical officials, tracking and recording the score,
and enforcing that players compete fairly and properly. You can learn more
about what umpires do in badminton in What does an Umpire do in Badminton?

Unforced Error – An unforced error is an error that was due to a player’s own
fault when there was no form of attack or pressure on them. For example, hitting
into the net or hitting out when you are already in position for a slow lift is
considered an unforced error. This is the opposite of a forced error, where a
player loses a point due to an attacking shot like a hard smash or steep drop
shot.

Yellow Card
Wide – The term “wide” is used in badminton to indicate that the shuttlecock
has landed out of bounds on the left or right sidelines. This is opposed to the
shuttlecock landing past the baseline, which would be considered “long”.

Women’s Doubles – Women’s doubles is a badminton event where 2 women

play on the same team in a doubles match.

Women’s Singles – Women’s singles is a badminton event where 2 women play

against each other in a singles match.

Yellow Card – A yellow card in badminton is a penalty card that is used by the
umpire to indicate a warning to a player or team. It is issued when a player
misbehaves. An example would be when a player throws their racket on
purpose during a game out of frustration.
B A D M I N T O N R A C Q U E T / R A C K E T

SHUTTLECOCK
BADMINTON COURT
Introduction to service judge hand signals

Service fault is one of the most common faults seen in badminton, so, in
international competitions, as well as an umpire and six-line judges, there will
also be a service judge who will sit opposite the umpire and will judge if a
player’s service action is in accordance with the rules. Below, we will introduce
the hand signals for five commonly seen service faults.

Badminton hand signals:

 1. Undue delay of serve
BWF rule 9.1.1 states “Neither side shall
cause undue delay to the delivery of the
service once the server and the receiver
are ready for the service. “After a player
finishes raising their racket head
backwards any delay is undue delay of
serve.
Also, rules 9.1.7 and 9.2 tell us that, once a
player begins to swing his/her racket
forward, the service is deemed to have
begun and the racket must continue
moving forward in a continuous motion
until the serving action is completed,
otherwise a fault will be called--for non-
continuous movement.
When undue delays occur the service judge will swing their right arm to the left
to indicate that a player has been penalized for undue delay.

2. Feet on the service line or off the ground

According to rule 9.1.2, the server and the
player receiving the serve should stand in
the diagonally opposite service courts and
must not tread on the service court
boundary line. Rule 9.1.3 points out that
both of the server and receiver’s feet must
at least be partially touching the ground
and should remain fixed in place from when
the serve begins to when the action is
completed. When the aforementioned
breaches occur the service judge will
stretch out their right leg and signal a fault
with their right hand because a player’s
feet were off the ground or they were on
the boundary line.
 3. Server fails to hit the bottom of the shuttlecock
According to rule 9.1.4, a player’s racket face
should hit the bottom of the shuttlecock. If a
player fails to hit the bottom of the shuttlecock
when serving, the line judge will open their right
hand and lightly touch the palm with their left
hand to indicate a service fault.

4. Service too high

According to rule 9.1.5, when the server’s
racket hits the shuttlecock the entire racket
should be below waist-height (an imaginary
line across the lowest rib of a player)
therefore, if the racket is too high when the
serve is made, the service judge will place
their right hand horizontally across their ribs.

5.Racket handle should face up

Rule 9.1.6 states that when a serve is made the
racket handle must be facing down at the
moment the shuttlecock is hit. If the racket handle
is facing up when the shuttlecock is hit the service
judge will lift up their open hand with palm facing
out to indicate a fault due to the racket handle
facing up.
Line judge hand signals
As well as the service judge there are also line judges for the back lines and side
lines. A line judge should be seated 2.5-3.5m from the line and judges whether a
shuttlecock lands “in” or “out”, deciding whether a player has scored a point.
Below the three most common hand signals are explained

1. The shuttlecock lands out the

line
If the shuttlecock lands out of
bounds the line judge must loudly
and quickly shout “Out” so that
both players and spectators hear,
and will stretch their arms out to
the side level with each other
while looking at the umpire with a
fixed stare to ensure the umpire is
clear about the decision.
2. The shuttlecock lands inside the line
If the shuttlecock lands inside the line, no
announcement is needed, the line judge
will just point their right hand at the line.

3. If the line judge does not see

If the line judge can’t see the
shuttlecock clearly (because their
view is blocked by a player’s body
or other unavoidable situation), as
they were unable to see whether
the shuttlecock landed in or out
they should cover the eyes with
their hands to let the umpire know.

Every should spend some time becoming familiar with the commonly seen
judges’ hand signal so that whether you are watching a match or playing in one
you won’t have to ask “What is happening now?” “What kind of fault did the
judge just signal?” and avoid other situations in which you aren’t sure what is
going on!