Faults at the net: touching, reaching over, getting under, distracting
The five actions of a player at the net that are faults, and how a coach shouting differs from a player shouting.
Why read this
Much of the argument in club doubles happens at the net. Law 13.4 lists what a player must not do while the shuttle is in play (BWF Laws of Badminton, edition in force 26 April 2025).
What is a fault (Law 13.4)
If, in play, a player:
- touches the net or its supports with racket, person or dress (13.4.1);
- invades the opponent's court over the net with racket or person, except that the striker may follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke, after the initial point of contact with the shuttle is on the striker's side of the net (13.4.2);
- invades the opponent's court under the net with racket or person so that an opponent is obstructed or distracted (13.4.3);
- obstructs an opponent, that is prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net (13.4.4);
- deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures (13.4.5).
Reading the exception
Hitting the shuttle on your side and carrying the racket over the net after contact is allowed. Reaching over to hit a shuttle that is still on the opponent's side of the net is not: the first contact must be on your side.
Under the net and the post
Going under the net is a fault only when it obstructs or distracts an opponent (13.4.3). Touching the net's supports is a fault like touching the net (13.4.1).
A coach is not a player
A coach who disrupts play or distracts an opponent does not give a fault to the side: the Laws make it a let, in the opinion of the umpire (Law 14.2.5).
Limits
- The Laws do not say how far the net must have moved to count as touched, nor define "dress".
- "Deliberately" and "obstructed or distracted" are judged by the umpire.
- The Laws do not list which gestures are allowed, only that a deliberate distracting action is a fault.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.