
Badminton is a fast-paced game that requires a team of officials to ensure fair play. The line judge is one such official, responsible for indicating whether a shuttlecock lands inside or outside the boundary lines. Line judges are positioned beside the court, each monitoring a specific line or lines. Their role is crucial, yet challenging, as their calls are often subjective and controversial. In major tournaments, there is usually one line judge per line, with a total of 8 to 10 line judges per court. These judges use hand signals to communicate their calls, such as indicating a service fault when a player fails to hit the bottom of the shuttlecock. With a clear set of rules and hand signals, line judges play an essential role in enforcing the rules and maintaining the integrity of the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of line judges | Depending on the level of the tournament, there can be 8, 10, or 13 line judges in total. |
| Positioning | One line judge is assigned to each line in major tournaments, whereas in less important tournaments, line judges are responsible for two or more lines. |
| Responsibilities | To indicate whether a shuttle has landed "in" or "out" and to use hand signals to communicate their calls. |
| Qualifications | Prior experience officiating at the national or continental level and endorsement from a continental confederation. |
| Hand signals | For example, a service fault is indicated by opening the right hand and touching the palm with the left hand. |
| Disputes | Line judges' calls can be controversial due to subjectivity and difficulty in ensuring accuracy; disputes are now often resolved using the <co: 12>"Hawk-Eye" instant replay system.</co: 12> |
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What You'll Learn
- Line judges indicate whether a shuttle/shuttlecock is 'in' or 'out'
- They are positioned beside the court, assigned to specific lines
- There are usually 8-10 line judges in a badminton tournament
- They use hand signals to communicate calls and faults
- To become a line judge, contact your country's relevant organisation

Line judges indicate whether a shuttle/shuttlecock is 'in' or 'out'
Line judges in badminton are responsible for indicating whether a shuttlecock/shuttle has landed inside or outside the boundary lines of the court. They are positioned beside the court, in front of the lines they are assigned to monitor. Depending on the level of the tournament, there may be up to 10 line judges assigned to a court for a particular match, with each line judge responsible for a specific line. In less important tournaments, a line judge may be responsible for two or more lines.
The role of the line judge is crucial in determining whether a shot is considered 'in' or 'out'. When a shuttlecock is hit, the line judge must observe its trajectory and landing position in relation to the boundary lines. If the shuttlecock lands near one of the lines under their watch, the line judge must make a prompt and accurate call. This involves clearly signalling to the players, umpire, and other officials whether the shuttlecock landed inside or outside the boundary.
The line judge's call is based on their visual assessment and can be subjective, leading to some controversy and disputes. To address this, the "Hawk-Eye" instant replay system has been introduced in badminton. This technology, first used in tennis, employs high-speed cameras and computers to track the shuttlecock's trajectory and provide a more precise determination of its landing position.
It is important for players, coaches, and spectators to understand the hand signals used by line judges to indicate their calls. For example, if a player fails to hit the bottom of the shuttlecock during service, the line judge will use a specific hand signal: opening their right hand and lightly touching the palm with their left hand. This signal indicates a service fault. Additionally, if a line judge's view is obstructed and they cannot see whether the shuttlecock landed in or out, they should cover their eyes with their hands to signal their inability to make a call.
The qualifications and selection process for line judges can vary by country. In some cases, national or continental confederations endorse individuals to serve as line judges for major tournaments. These judges are typically required to have prior experience officiating at a national or continental level. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has a pool of over 100 international line judges who serve at major events, ensuring appropriate regional representation.
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They are positioned beside the court, assigned to specific lines
Line judges in badminton are responsible for indicating whether a shuttlecock has landed "in" or "out" when it lands near the lines they are assigned to monitor. They are positioned beside the court, sitting right in front of the lines, and are assigned to specific lines. Depending on the level of the tournament, there may be up to 10 line judges assigned to a court for a particular match, with one line judge assigned to each line in major tournaments. In less important tournaments, line judges may be responsible for two or more lines.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) recommends having 10 line judges per court, but some tournaments only have 8. BWF line judges must meet certain criteria related to their prior experience of officiating at a national or continental level and must be nominated by their respective continental confederation.
Line judges use hand signals to communicate their calls to the umpire. For example, if a player fails to hit the bottom of the shuttlecock when serving, the line judge will open their right hand and touch the palm with their left hand to indicate a service fault. If a line judge cannot see the shuttlecock clearly, they should cover their eyes with their hands to let the umpire know.
In addition to line judges, there may also be a service judge who sits opposite the umpire and determines if a player's service action is in accordance with the rules.
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There are usually 8-10 line judges in a badminton tournament
Line judges are responsible for indicating whether a shuttlecock has landed inside or outside the playing area when it lands near the lines they have been assigned to monitor. They also make calls about the legality of a serve. For instance, 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.
Depending on the level of the tournament, there are usually 8–10 line judges assigned to a court for a particular match. There can be fewer line judges depending on the level of play. For instance, in international competitions, there will be an umpire, six line judges, and a service judge who sits opposite the umpire. The service judge determines whether a player's service action is in accordance with the rules.
Line judges are crucial to the progress and flow of an official tournament game. Without their calls, umpires can get confused, and the game can devolve into chaos without an instant review system.
To become a line judge, one needs to undergo training held by the national association of their country. This training certifies individuals to serve as line judges for local or national matches. From there, they can gain experience and become eligible for nomination by their national association's continental confederation to participate in the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) line judge certification process. This certification entitles them to serve as line judges in international events, including major BWF tournaments, championships, and Olympic badminton games.
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They use hand signals to communicate calls and faults
Line judges are responsible for indicating whether a shuttle has landed "in" or "out", and they use hand signals to communicate calls and faults. When a shuttlecock lands within the designated boundary lines, it is considered "in", and the line judge will point downward toward the court. If the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary lines, it is considered "out", and the line judge will extend both arms outward and call "out".
Service faults are one of the most common faults in badminton, and there is usually a service judge who determines whether a player's service action is in accordance with the rules. For example, according to the rules, when the server's racket hits the shuttlecock, the entire racket should be below waist height. If the server violates this rule, the service judge will place their right hand horizontally across their ribs.
In addition, when undue delays occur, the service judge will swing their right arm to the left to indicate that a player has been penalized for the delay. If the line judge cannot see the shuttlecock clearly, they should cover their eyes with their hands to indicate that they are unable to make a call.
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To become a line judge, contact your country's relevant organisation
Line judges are crucial to the progress and flow of a badminton game. They are responsible for indicating whether a shuttlecock has landed "in" or "out", and for judging service faults.
To become a line judge, you must first undergo training held by the national association of your country. This training will certify you to serve as a line judge for local or national matches. From there, you can build experience and become eligible for nomination by your national association's continental confederation. This nomination will enable you to participate in the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) line judge certification process.
The BWF has a pool of over 100 international line judges who serve at major events, including the BWF World Championships, Sudirman Cup, Thomas & Uber Cups, and the Olympic Games. To be considered for these events, line judges must meet certain minimum criteria related to their prior experience officiating at the national or continental level.
If you are interested in becoming a line judge, the first step is to contact your country's relevant organisation, which is typically the national badminton association. They will be able to provide you with information on the training and certification process, as well as any upcoming tournaments or events where you may be able to gain experience.
In addition to the formal training and certification, it is important to familiarise yourself with the rules and hand signals used by line judges in badminton. This will help ensure that you are prepared and confident in your role as a line judge.
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Frequently asked questions
A line judge in badminton sits beside the badminton court and is responsible for indicating whether a shuttle has landed "in" or "out".
There is a total of 10 to 13 officials in a badminton tournament, with the number of line judges varying between 8 and 10. The Badminton World Federation recommends having 10 line judges per court, but some tournaments only have 8.
To become a line judge, one must contact the organization in their country that is in charge of officiating. For example, in the United States, one can check the USA Badminton page, and in England, one can refer to the Badminton Line Judges Association of England. To become a BWF line judge, one needs to gain experience officiating at the national or continental level and receive a nomination from their respective continental confederation.


































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