Badminton / Law 16

Continuous play and misconduct

BWF · 2025 · v5.0 (2)
Last checked: 15 October 2026
Source: BWF Statutes Section 4.1 — Laws of Badminton — in force 26/04/2025, version 5.0 (2) · Source pages: 10–11
In short

Intervals, advice and penalties keep a match moving fairly.

On this pageIntervals and adviceMisconduct and sanctions

Intervals and advice

Play is continuous, with an interval of up to 60 seconds when the leading score reaches 11, except in handicap matches, and up to 120 seconds between games. Advice is allowed only while the shuttle is dead and before players take serving and receiving positions. Do not delay play for recovery or advice. Authorized suspension preserves the score.

Misconduct and sanctions

Deliberate delay, changing the shuttle’s speed or flight, and offensive or inappropriate conduct are prohibited. The umpire may warn an offending side, call a fault after a warning, or fault a flagrant breach directly. A fault for misconduct is reported immediately to the Referee, who may disqualify the side. Leaving the court outside intervals requires permission if it delays play.

Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied BWF Laws of Badminton, version 5.0 (2), effective 26/04/2025. Condensed independent explanations, with Para badminton exceptions identified separately. Referenced alternative rules and later changes are not automatically included. Page references use the supplied PDF.
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