Amanda Knapp
Badminton is a fast-paced racket sport that can be played as singles or doubles. In doubles, two pairs of players compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. The umpire is the governing official of a badminton court. They are responsible for the court and its immediate surroundings and report to the referee. The umpire makes calls regarding service faults, player faults, and lets. They also keep track of the score and keep a record of any incidents of misconduct. In this role, the umpire must be familiar with the rules of the game, such as the service rules and scoring system, which differ between singles and doubles matches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 4 opposing players |
| Court dimensions | 6.1m wide |
| Service rules | Hit diagonally over the net and across the court; underarm and below the waist height; whole of the shuttle below 1.15m from the court surface |
| Scoring rules | A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court; a point is lost if the returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court; a point is scored on every serve and awarded to the side that wins the rally |
| Umpire's role | Governing official of the court; call all faults except service faults; keep track of the score; enforce players compete; keep a record of any incidents of misconduct and report to the referee |
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What You'll Learn
Court dimensions and setup
A badminton court for doubles should be 6.1 metres wide and 13.4 metres long (20 feet by 44 feet). The net should be 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the poles, but it should be slightly lower in the middle, at 1.52 metres (5 feet). The court's lines are typically 38mm thick (1.5 inches). The flooring of the court should be made of wood, synthetic, or rubber materials. The poles should be placed outside the sidelines for doubles and placed on the boundary lines.
The service courts are split by a centre line and are set back from the net by a 'short service line' of 1.98 metres (6.5 feet). Doubles games also require a 'long service line' that is placed 0.76 metres (2.5 feet) in from the back boundary. The distance from the rear service line to the back boundary is 0.76 metres (2 feet 6 inches).
The court has two halves, each measuring 6.7 metres (22 feet), separated by the net. The two playing areas on either side of the net are further vertically divided down the middle, demarcating the service areas.
The official badminton court measurements are set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and apply to both singles and doubles games.
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Faults and lets
Some common faults in badminton doubles include service faults, such as serving from outside the service box or not serving below the waist in an upward motion. It is also a fault if a player hits the shuttlecock twice in succession or if it touches their racket but does not travel towards the opponent's court. Invading an opponent's court and obstructing or distracting them is also a fault.
A "let" is called by the umpire to halt play and restart the point. This can occur for various reasons, such as the shuttlecock getting damaged during the rally, getting stuck on the net, or the opponent not being ready when served. A let can also be called if there is any disturbance or accident on the court.
It's important for players to be aware of these rules and avoid committing faults, as they can result in losing points and the serve. Understanding the rules for lets is also crucial, as it ensures fair play and allows for the proper resumption of the game in certain situations.
In addition to the standard rules, umpires should also be vigilant for any deliberate delays or tampering with the shuttlecock, which can result in penalties for players or teams.
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Scoring and tracking points
The scoring system in badminton doubles is relatively simple. Each pair wins points together, and the first pair to reach 21 points wins the game. If the game is tied at 20-20, one pair must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first pair to score the 30th point wins.
A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court. If a returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court, the opposing pair will win the point. The server will start on the right-hand side, alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving pair wins a point, they assume the serve.
It is important to note that the receiver's position is determined by the server's score. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. If the server's score is odd, they will serve from the left court; if the score is even, they will serve from the right court. It is a good habit to say the score out loud to your opponent before starting each rally, with the server's score being said first. For example, if the server has 10 points and the opponent has 15, the score is said to be 10-15.
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Player misconduct
As the governing official of a badminton court, an umpire is responsible for managing on-court technical officials, tracking and recording the score, and enforcing that players compete. They are also responsible for calling faults and determining the severity of injury or sickness during a match.
In the context of player misconduct, here are some behaviours that are deemed unacceptable:
Deliberate Delay or Suspension of Play
This can take the form of not being ready to receive, elongated service times, or pacing the court, resulting in the delay of the next point. It is also considered misconduct to delay the game to receive coaching or to recover, as well as purposefully disrupting the opponent's focus.
Failing to Complete a Match
Players are expected to complete a match in progress unless reasonably unable to do so. Forfeiting a match for illegitimate reasons is discouraged, as it affects the tournament's integrity.
Tampering with the Shuttlecock
Any form of interference with the shuttlecock that affects its speed or flight is considered misconduct. This includes bending or breaking the feathers on the shuttlecock.
Not Using "Best Efforts" to Win
Players are expected to compete to the best of their abilities. Not using one's "best efforts" to win a match, also known as "match-fixing" or "tanking," is considered unsportsmanlike conduct and is taken very seriously.
Shouting or Raising Your Voice at the Opponent
While shouting or communicating with your partner during a rally is acceptable, raising your voice at your opponent or the linesman is considered misconduct. This includes shouting at your opponent to indicate whether your shot is going out or landing inside the court.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Gesturing towards an opponent, such as clenching a fist, or celebrating excessively after scoring a point, can be considered unsportsmanlike and may result in a penalty.
It is important to note that the umpire has the authority to manage games as they see fit and may choose to give verbal cautions or warnings before issuing any cards for misconduct.
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Start and end of play
The role of an umpire in badminton is to govern the court and its immediate surroundings, ensuring the match is conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and any other pertinent tournament regulations. The jurisdiction of an umpire begins before a match, as soon as the players enter the court, and ends when the players leave the court after the match.
At the start of a badminton match, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. In doubles, the server will always start on the right-hand side and keep serving, alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. A legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and across the court, underarm, and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards.
During play, the umpire is responsible for calling all faults (except service faults, which are called by the service judge) and lets. A fault occurs when there is a violation of the playing rules in serving, receiving, or during play. For example, a shuttlecock being hit twice in succession by the same player or their teammate before it crosses the net, or a player invading their opponent's court in a way that obstructs or distracts them. A let is called to halt play and restart the point, for instance, if the server serves before the receiver is ready or if the shuttlecock gets stuck in the net.
At the end of a game, players change ends, with another change of ends occurring halfway through the third game if one is required. Sides are also switched after each game and during the third game once one side reaches 11 points first.
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Frequently asked questions
An umpire in badminton is the governing official of a badminton court. They are responsible for the court and its immediate surroundings and report to the referee.
The jurisdiction of an umpire begins before the match, as soon as the players enter the court, and ends after the players leave the court at the conclusion of the match. Pre-game responsibilities include ensuring players are ready to receive and managing on-court technical officials.
A fault is called when there is a violation of the playing rules in serving, receiving, or during play. The umpire is in charge of calling all faults except for service faults, which are called by the service judge. When a fault is committed, the umpire calls "Fault" and awards the point to the team that did not commit the fault.
A let is called by the umpire to halt play and restart the point. A let occurs if the server serves before the receiver is ready, if play is disrupted, if the shuttle is stuck in the net, or if the line judge and umpire disagree on a call.
In badminton doubles, each game is played to 21 points, and the first side to reach 21 wins. If the game is tied at 20-20, the winning team must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first team to score 30 points wins.
