
Service faults are the most common type of fault in badminton. They occur when a player fails to serve the shuttlecock according to the rules of the game. For example, a service fault occurs when the shuttlecock is above the player's waist at the point of contact, or if the racket's head is not pointing downwards at the moment of impact. Other service faults include undue delays, touching the net with the racket during a rally, and failing to make the shuttlecock pass over the short service line on the opponent's court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Racket movement | The first forward movement of the server's racket head is considered the start of the service. |
| Serving the shuttlecock | The service is delivered when the shuttlecock is hit by the server's racket. |
| Delay | Undue delay by either side after the players are ready for the service is a fault. |
| Shuttlecock height | The shuttlecock should be below the server's waist during the serve. |
| Racket angle | The racket head should point downwards at the moment of impact. |
| Foot movement | Neither the server nor the receiver may lift a foot until the server strikes the shuttlecock. |
| Shuttlecock contact | The shuttlecock cannot be hit twice in succession by the same player. |
| Net clearance | The shuttlecock must pass over the net and land inside the opponent's court. |
| Shuttlecock contact with body | The shuttlecock cannot be touched by any part of the body during the rally. |
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What You'll Learn

Hitting the shuttlecock twice
The service fault is the most common type of fault in badminton. This is because each player's serve action is slightly different, making it difficult to judge whether their serve is against the rules. In international tournaments, there is a service judge in addition to an umpire and six line judges to focus on whether a player's serve action breaches the rules.
There are several other ways a player may be at fault during a badminton game. Firstly, the shuttlecock must pass over the short service line on the opponent's court, or it will count as a fault. Secondly, the shuttlecock must be below the player's waist (defined as the lowest rib) at the point of contact. Thirdly, the racket's head must be pointing downwards at the moment of impact with the shuttlecock. Lastly, neither the server nor the receiver may lift a foot until the server has struck the shuttlecock.
It is important to note that a player may not touch the net or the shuttlecock with any part of their body during a rally. Additionally, the rules do not specify a minimum ceiling height, but if the shuttlecock hits the ceiling, it is considered a fault.
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Shuttlecock above the waist
The service is a crucial part of a badminton match, and service faults are the most common type of fault in the sport. A service fault can occur in several ways, one of which is when the shuttlecock is hit above waist height.
The rules state that the shuttlecock must be hit below waist level when serving. This is because, the higher the shuttlecock is hit, the easier it is to hit with a fast and straight trajectory, making it harder for the opponent to return the shot. This is considered an unfair advantage, and so a fault is called if the shuttlecock is struck above the waist.
The "above waist height" fault is particularly common in doubles play, where players sometimes employ a "racket facing up" action to lob the shuttlecock to the back of the court, surprising their opponents. This action involves the player's posture suggesting they will play a drop shot in front of the net, but at the moment of impact, they quickly turn their wrist, lobbing the shuttlecock high instead.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has attempted to clarify the "below the waist" rule by introducing an experimental rule in 2013, stating that the height at which the shuttlecock is hit cannot exceed 110cm. This rule aims to reduce the advantage taller players have when serving. However, this rule has not been formally adopted in competition, and it is unclear how it would be measured by the service judge.
To avoid a service fault, players should ensure their serving technique does not involve hitting the shuttlecock above waist height. This rule is in place to ensure fair play and prevent players from gaining an advantage by using their height to make it more challenging for their opponents to return the serve.
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Racket's head not pointing downwards
A service fault is the most common type of fault in badminton. Service faults often happen when a player performs a low serve. There are several ways a player can be faulted during a badminton game, and some of these pertain specifically to the service.
One of the most common faults in badminton is when a player fails to return the shuttlecock so that it passes over the net and lands inside the opponent's court. A fault is also called if the shuttlecock fails to pass over the short service line on the opponent's court.
When it comes to the service, a player shall be faulted if their racket's head is not pointing downwards at the moment of impact with the shuttlecock. Prior to 2006, the server's racket had to be pointing downwards to the extent that the racket head was below the hand holding the racket. However, this rule has since been modified, and now any angle below the horizontal is acceptable.
Additionally, a player shall be faulted if the shuttlecock is above their waist (defined as the lowest rib) at the point of contact. The server and receiver must remain within their service courts, without touching the boundary lines, until the server strikes the shuttlecock. Neither the server nor the receiver may lift a foot until the server has struck the shuttlecock.
It is also important to note that the service begins with the first forward movement of the server's racket head. Any delay in the start of the service after the completion of the backward movement of the racket head shall be considered an undue delay and can result in a fault.
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Undue delay
The rules do not specify an exact timeframe that constitutes an undue delay, leaving this to the umpire's discretion. However, it is generally recommended that the server should not take more than five seconds to serve once they are ready. This rule is in place to prevent players from using a pause between the backswing and forward swing of their serve to upset the receiver's timing.
In the case of delays, the umpire will typically issue a warning to the players first. If the players continue to cause undue delays, the umpire may then call a fault.
To avoid being penalised for undue delay, players should aim to serve promptly once they are ready, without engaging in any deliberate tactics to disrupt their opponent's rhythm. This helps maintain the flow of the game and ensures that both players have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their skills and strategies.
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Touching the net during a rally
The rally is considered over as soon as a fault is called. This means that if a player touches the net during a rally, the instant a fault is called, the rally ends. It is important to note that the rules do not specify which fault takes precedence if multiple faults occur simultaneously.
While the shuttlecock can go over the net during a rally, players must ensure they do not touch the net with their rackets or bodies. This rule applies to both casual and competitive games, and it is considered unsportsmanlike to ignore it. Players should also be mindful of other faults, such as contact faults, where the shuttlecock touches a player's body or clothing, and service faults, where the service action breaches the rules.
Service faults are the most common type of fault in badminton, and they often occur during the low serve. To avoid service faults, players should be aware of the rules regarding the service action, such as the requirement to serve from below the waist in an upward motion and to serve to the opposite side of the opponent's court. Additionally, players should avoid delays in their service, as this can also be considered a fault.
In summary, touching the net during a rally is a fault in badminton, and players should be mindful of this rule to avoid losing points. It is important to understand and adhere to the various fault rules in badminton to ensure fair play and maintain the flow of the game.
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Frequently asked questions
A service fault is the most common type of fault in badminton. It occurs when a player fails to serve the shuttlecock so that it passes over the net and lands inside their opponent's court. A fault is also called if the shuttlecock is above the server's waist at the point of contact or if the racket's head is not pointing downwards at the moment of impact.
Other common faults in badminton include the shuttlecock hitting the ceiling, touching the net with your body or racket during a rally, and touching the shuttlecock with any part of your body during a rally.
Yes, any delay in the start of the service once the players are ready is considered an undue delay and is a fault. This includes taking too long to serve or pausing between the backswing and forward swing of the racket.










































