Badminton is a sport that has a passionate fan base. While many of you play the game for recreation and entertainment, many again see themselves lifting an international trophy. In this article, we will elaborate everything about badminton faults in badminton rules so that you can understand all about the rules and save yourself from being faulted.
Badminton Faults
Faults are distinctly categorized into three heads:
- Service Faults
- Receiver Faults
- Rally Faults
Before elaborating on the different aspects, Let us provide you with a glimpse of the probable faults in the different categories.
Given below is a complete list of the different service faults:
- When there is a Delay in Service even after being ready
- When a Delay occurs in the service motion
- Players Touching the different Court Lines
- Player's Foot/feet are either off the ground or moving
- When the players do not hit the base of the shuttlecock first
- When Service is made above the height of the waist
- Not having the head of the racket face downwards
- Using the stop-start motion during Service
- The service landing outside
- Missing the shuttlecock during Service
- The shuttlecock getting stuck between the net while Service
- Obstruction created on the opponent from getting a clear view of the shuttlecock
Here is a complete list of receiver faults for your perusal:
- The delay caused in receiving the Service even when the receiver was ready
- Standing on the court lines
- Moving even before the opponent serves
- Trying to return the Service even for not being ready
- The partner of the receiver returning the shuttlecock.
Apart from the server and receiver faults, there is a wide range of rally faults that you should know to get hands-on experience in different situations and avoid them. Let us now take a quick look at them.
- Hitting the shuttle out
- When the shuttle does not pass over the net
- When the shuttlecock touches a player or the surrounding environment.
- Double hits
- Scooping
- When a player touches the posts or nets
- When the shuttlecock is hit even before it passes over the net
- When the opponent's court is invaded
- When the opponent's shot is obstructed
- When you distract an opponent
- Gross misconduct
So, the list is quite a long one, and if you want to get clarity on the different faults individually, you must read on to know more.
What is known as a fault in Badminton?
In Badminton, the event or act that ends the rally is known as a fault. When faults occur, a point will be awarded against the player/pair who committed the fault.
A referee or the service judge can only decide a fault. However, in the absence of such judges, the players will be liable for committing to the rules. Let us now elaborate on the different points of service faults for your understanding.
What are Service Faults?
Serving in Badminton is not an easy task. A lot of rules need to be adhered to. It is truly one of the most difficult sections of the rules and needs every player to have a clear understanding to avoid making faults and getting penalized for the same.
Service faults occur when the server doesn't abide by the rules. These get even complicated in doubles where the pressure on the shoulder of the server gets immense than it is originally supposed to be in the game of singles.
When there is a Delay in Service even after being ready
None of the server or receiver is allowed to delay the Service once they are ready. However, it is not counted as a fault immediately, but after the player receives a red card. Initially, a verbal warning is given to the offending player.
However, if they continue to make such faults, then the referee is bound to give him a warning and yellow card. Only when the fault is committed for the third instance is that the referee gives the player a red card and a point to the opponent.
When a Delay occurs in the service motion
The first motion forward towards the shuttlecock is an indication of the starting of the Service. The racket needs to be brought back for the Service to start. The Service should be a single continuous motion with a varying speed without a break in the Service's motion.
Players Touching the different Court Lines
It is considered as a fault if you touch or stand or touch on any part of the service line while serving or receiving. While the respective partners can stand on the lines or wherever they want throughout the court, they should not unsight the receiving player.
The server needs to stand inside the right service box without touching the lines. This is a precautionary measure to ensure that the players do not take additional advantage by stepping onto the lines or get too close to the nets and yet remain within the boundaries of their service box.
The player's foot/feet are either off the ground or moving
This rule has two parts. The first states that every server must have both his feet touching the floor while serving. However, effectively standing on your tiptoe is also considered within the rule. So, some parts of the feet need to be on the ground all the time.
The second part of the rule states that the feet must be still during Service. The player will be allowed to stand in whichever position he likes but will not lift, drag, or step forward their foot/feet.
When the players do not hit the base of the shuttlecock first
According to this rule, the player will have to hit the base of the shuttlecock first. The initial contact of the racket with the shuttlecock will always be with the base. However, the feathers can be hit later as and when needed.
When Service is made above the height of the waist
The height of the waist is not the same as referred to in Badminton. The only purpose of this rule is implied to stop people from smashing their opponents with the shuttlecock or Service like they do in tennis.
The shuttlecock needs to travel upwards, thereby making a chance for the receiver to attack. However, this is not an additional advantage.
Not having the head of the racket face downwards
It is a very common fault, especially made by beginners. This way, the players will be prevented from driving the shuttle over the net completely flat and creating an undue advantage for the server. However, it is an alternative law of Badminton.
Using the stop-start motion during Service
This fault is invalid in lines to delaying the service portion, however not completely the same. This will ensure that the player starts and finishes the serve in one motion. It also prevents deceptive double motions and dummying the Service and stops creating an undue advantage for the server.
The service landing outside
This is a basic fault when the Service is made, and the other player leaves it, and it lands outside. In that case, the player will win the point in this case.
Missing the shuttlecock during Service
The shuttlecock getting stuck between the net while service
As rare of fault as it can be but there is a possibility of a shuttlecock getting stuck on top or in the net of both sides. It will be considered as a fault because the Service would feel to land in the opponent's court.
Obstruction created on the opponent from getting a clear view of the shuttlecock
The receiver should always be able to see the shuttlecock while the server is serving. If by any chance, the partner stands in a spot blocking the view of the shuttle for the receiver then it will be termed as a fault.
Receiver faults
While the server can be faulted for a wide range of reasons, similar rules apply for the receiver, thereby creating a balance between serving and receiving. This way, no site would get an undue advantage. Let us elaborate:
The delay caused in receiving the Service even when the receiver was ready
The receiver will be entitled to determine the speed of the match. He must be ready even before his opponent starts serving.
Standing on the court lines
The receiver will also have to stand within the boundaries of his service box and is not allowed to step on the lines while receiving.
Moving even before the opponent serves
According to this rule, both the server and receiver must have both feet in contact to the ground and stationary during the Service commences.
Trying to return the Service even before being ready
As mentioned earlier, the receiver determines the pace of the game and the next serve. So as long as the receiver is not ready and the server plays the Service then the receiver will have to play left as long as he doesn't try to return it.
So if you are a receiver and are not ready for the turn, leave the rush. It would be best to raise your non racket up and out in front as a signal for the opponents to wait.
The partner of the receiver returning the shuttlecock
This is a simple, yet doubles only fault from the receiving end. If anyone apart from the receiving player returns the serve, old try to help their partner; it would be considered a fault.
Rally Faults
Now that you have already understood the nitty-gritty of the different calls that you may regularly encounter, here are some faults that are self-explanatory and, at times, misinterpreted by many players. Let us now take a look at the different rally faults and debunk the myths.
Hitting the shuttle out
This is by far the most common badminton faults that you can ever encounter. Hitting the shuttle out is considered a fault as it ends the rally, and a fault only signals the end of a rally.
When the shuttle does not pass over the net
This fault arises in several situations. The most common situation is when the shuttlecock lands in the nets and cannot return. Fault rises because the shuttle cannot pass over the net or can touch the player's racket but cannot travel towards the opponents.
When the shuttlecock touches a player on the surrounding environment
In any game, the shuttlecock is never allowed to touch any part of the players' body, their clothes, or anything outside the courts while the rally commences. This prevents interference of the shuttlecock's trajectory. It will be counted as a fall as soon as the shuttlecock touches you, the walls, or the courts' sealing.
Double hits
If a player hits the shuttle twice before it crosses the net will be counted as a double hit and a fault. A situation is also counted as double hate when in a double match when one player would hit the shuttle, but then it is also hit by their partner right after.
When a player touches the post or nets
No player, their rackets, clothing, or bodies are allowed to touch the net. The common sighting for this kind of a happening is when the player tries to kill the shuttle from a tiger net shots and smashes and rushes forward for the kill. This is a definite fault. However, touching the net will not be considered as a fault if the rally is over.
When the shuttlecock is hit even before it passes over the net
This is one of the most debated faults in the entire game. No player can hit the shuttle before it passes over the net to their side. Otherwise, it will be considered as a fault. There can be circumstances where the faults are borderline or even legal.
When the opponent's court is invaded
Another fault that can be easily misinterpreted is invading your opponent's court on your racket crossing their nets. It is only considered a fault if you are distracted or obstructed or hit the other player.
When the opponent's shot is obstructed
If you obstruct the other player from playing their next shot or tend to kill the net's shuttle, it will be considered a fault. You also cannot raise your racket to defend yourself or block the shot.
When you distract an opponent
You will not be allowed to distract your opponents in any way by making gestures of any kind, shouting, or singing. Anything that can distract the other player will be counted as a fault.
Gross misconduct
When a player repeated his offense or examples of unacceptable behavior, then this will be treated as gross misconduct. The referees can also, disqualify the players and award the opponents the match if things go beyond control.
So if you consistently delay the match or delay in getting ready for serving or receiving, we will be liable to give you the warning and a yellow card. Finally, a red card will be treated as a fault, and the point will be awarded to your opponents.
Red cards are not an everyday affair. However, if the players take things too far, then the referee will not have a choice but to have a way to enforce the rules.
Another example of gross misconduct is damaging the shuttlecock deliberately. This rule implies at every level of play and is considered as cheating and a wasteful matter.
Inappropriate and offensive behavior is a self-explanatory statement in itself. No player is allowed to swear, abuse, or threaten his opponents or any other officials concerned.
The players have to conduct disciplined behavior throughout the match. These badminton faults of such kinds will only allow the opponents to score and won't do any good to you otherwise.
