
Badminton is a sport played between two players (singles) or four players (doubles). The aim is to score points by hitting shots that are difficult for your opponent to return or by forcing your opponent to make an error. A badminton court has different boundaries for singles and doubles matches. In singles, the court is thinner, with the outside tramlines out of bounds. In doubles, the full width of the court is in-bounds, and the tramlines are considered 'in'. If a player hits a shuttlecock and it lands outside the boundaries, it is considered 'out', and the opponent wins a point.
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What You'll Learn
- The shuttlecock landing on the line is 'in'
- The first part of the shuttlecock to touch the court determines 'in' or 'out'
- If the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary lines, it is 'out'
- The cork base of the shuttlecock is usually the first point of contact
- Instant replay and the Hawk-Eye system can help determine 'in' or 'out'

The shuttlecock landing on the line is 'in'
In badminton, if the shuttlecock lands on the line, it is considered 'in'. This is true for both singles and doubles matches. In singles, the court is thinner, and the outside 'tramlines' are out of bounds. For doubles, the court is full width, and these tramlines are considered 'in'.
During a rally, if a player hits the shuttlecock and it lands outside the court boundaries, it is 'out', and the opponent wins a point and the serve. If the shuttlecock is hit and appears to be going out but the opponent hits it before it lands, the game continues, and the opponent does not win a point.
In official badminton tournaments, line judges are responsible for deciding whether the shuttlecock falls inside or outside the court boundaries. In professional tournaments, there can be up to 10 line judges beside each line. However, line judges can make mistakes, especially when the shuttlecock lands near the line. In casual games without line judges, the player nearest to the line decides whether the shuttlecock is 'in' or 'out'. If the nearest player is unsure, the rally can be replayed without awarding points.
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The first part of the shuttlecock to touch the court determines 'in' or 'out'
In badminton, the first part of the shuttlecock to touch the court determines whether it is 'in' or 'out'. If the shuttlecock lands on the line, it is considered 'in'. If any part of the shuttlecock lands outside the court boundaries, it is considered 'out', and the opponent wins a point and the serve.
In singles matches, the court is thinner, with the wide, outside 'tramlines' out of bounds. In doubles, the court is full width, and these tramlines are considered 'in'. During service in doubles, the rear tramlines are out of bounds until the serve is returned. Once the service is returned, the whole court is in play.
If the shuttlecock hits the net but continues over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. If the shuttlecock hits the net but lands short of the service line or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point. If the shuttlecock strikes any fixtures above the court, such as lights or basketball hoops, it is up to the tournament director or home club to determine whether it is a let or a fault.
In the case of a shuttlecock landing very horizontally, with the cork base landing outside the line and the feathers landing on the line, there is ambiguity in determining whether it is 'in' or 'out'. Instant replay in slow motion may not provide a clear answer, and Hawk-Eye technology, which displays the shuttle as a single circular shape at the point of impact, does not offer a definitive solution either.
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If the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary lines, it is 'out'
In badminton, the aim is to score points against your opponent by hitting shots that are difficult to return or by forcing your opponent to make errors. The rules of badminton vary slightly depending on whether you are playing singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2). In both formats, the server must follow specific rules before serving, including making sure that no part of their leg or shoe touches the boundary lines.
If the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary lines, it is considered 'out', and the opponent wins a point and the serve. This applies to both singles and doubles matches. In singles, the court is thinner, and the outside 'tramlines' are out of bounds. In doubles, the full width of the court is in-bounds, and the tramlines are considered 'in'.
During service in doubles, the rear tramlines at the back of the court are initially out of bounds until the serve is returned. Once the service is returned, the whole court becomes in-bounds. If the shuttle lands on the line, it is considered 'in'.
It is important to note that the first contact of any part of the shuttlecock with the floor is what determines whether it is 'in' or 'out'. In some cases, the shuttlecock may land horizontally, with the base landing outside the line and the feathers landing on the line. According to the Laws of Badminton, the first contact with the floor is what counts, so in this case, it would be considered 'out'.
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The cork base of the shuttlecock is usually the first point of contact
In badminton, the cork base of the shuttlecock is usually the first point of contact when determining whether a shot is “in” or “out”. The shuttlecock is composed of 16 overlapping feathers, usually from a goose or duck, embedded in a rounded cork base. The cork is covered with thin leather, and the diameter of the cork is typically between 25 and 28 mm.
When a shuttlecock lands on a line, it is considered "in" or within the bounds. The cork base must touch the line or surface for the shot to be valid. Even if the cork makes only partial contact with the line, it is still considered "in." This rule applies to both singles and doubles matches, which have different court boundaries. In singles, the court is thinner, excluding the wide outside "tramlines", while in doubles, the full width of the court, including the tramlines, is in play.
The line judge or official observes the cork base of the shuttlecock to determine its landing spot. If the shuttlecock's cork touches any lines that are out of bounds, the opponent or receiver gets the point. The Instant Review System may also be used to determine whether the cork or feathers made contact with the line, affecting the scoring.
The shuttlecock's design and materials impact its flight characteristics and speed. Natural cork shuttlecocks are more durable and less likely to become misshapen over time. Feather shuttlecocks are preferred by skilled players and used in serious tournaments, but they are more fragile and require proper humidification before play to ensure optimal performance and durability. Synthetic shuttlecocks, on the other hand, are more durable and provide different flight characteristics, with slower initial speeds but less drop-off towards the end of their flight path.
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Instant replay and the Hawk-Eye system can help determine 'in' or 'out'
In badminton, a shot is considered 'out' if it lands outside the court boundaries. The boundaries differ depending on whether the game is singles or doubles. In singles, the court is thinner, with the wide, outside tramlines considered out of bounds. In doubles, the tramlines are in bounds, and the whole court is in play once the serve is returned. If the shuttlecock strikes any fixtures above the court, such as lights or basketball hoops, it is up to the tournament director or an agreed-upon set of rules to determine a let or fault.
Instant replay and the Hawk-Eye system can help determine whether a shot is 'in' or 'out' by providing a visual representation of the shuttlecock's trajectory and its relation to the court boundaries. This technology can be especially useful in situations where the shuttlecock's landing spot is disputed or difficult to see with the naked eye.
The Hawk-Eye system uses multiple high-speed cameras positioned around the court to track the shuttlecock's movement. These cameras capture images from various angles, which are then processed by a central computer system. The system calculates the shuttlecock's position at multiple points in time, creating a 3D representation of its trajectory. This allows for precise determination of whether the shuttlecock landed 'in' or 'out' of the court boundaries.
Instant replay and Hawk-Eye can also assist in other line-call decisions, such as whether a player's feet were touching the lines during a serve or whether the shuttlecock struck any overhead fixtures. By reviewing footage from different angles, officials can make more informed decisions and ensure fair play.
The use of instant replay and Hawk-Eye technology has improved the accuracy of line calls in badminton, enhancing the integrity of the game and reducing the potential for human error. It provides an objective and unbiased means of determining 'in' or 'out' calls, increasing the reliability of match outcomes.
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Frequently asked questions
A shuttlecock is considered out when it lands outside the boundaries of the court. In singles, the tramlines are out of bounds, but in doubles, these tramlines are considered 'in'.
If the shuttlecock hits the net but goes over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. If it hits the net and lands short of the service line or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point.
If the shuttlecock lands on the line, it is considered 'in'.
Each player makes the line call on their side of the net. If their opponent disagrees, they can ask for a let, and the point is replayed.











































