Badminton / Law 13

Faults

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: 8–9
In short

Recognize faults involving the shuttle, the net and interference.

On this pageShuttle and service faultsContact and interference

Shuttle and service faults

A faulty service loses the rally. During service, a shuttle caught on the net top or caught in the net after crossing is a fault, as is reception by the receiver’s partner. During play, faults include landing out, failing to cross the net, touching a player or ceiling, carrying the shuttle, or successive hits by partners.

Contact and interference

Touching the net while the shuttle is in play is a fault. Contact the shuttle on your own side; a legal follow-through may cross the net. Obstructing or deliberately distracting an opponent is prohibited. A single stroke contacting both racket head and strings is allowed; separate successive hits by the same player are faults. Wheelchair play has additional faults.

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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