Faults by the shuttle: out, net, ceiling, walls and other objects
The five things the shuttle can do during a rally that make it a fault, with the exact wording of the Laws.
Why read this
In the list of faults (Law 13), a group describes what the shuttle itself does while in play (BWF Laws of Badminton, edition in force 26 April 2025). Knowing them avoids arguments about a point that the Laws settle in one line.
The shuttle in play is a fault when it:
- lands outside the boundaries of the court, that is not on or within the boundary lines (Law 13.3.1). A shuttle that lands on a line is in: all the lines form part of the area they define (Law 1);
- fails to pass over the net (Law 13.3.2);
- touches the ceiling or the side walls (Law 13.3.3);
- touches the person or dress of a player (Law 13.3.4);
- touches any other object or person outside the court (Law 13.3.5);
- touches a player's racket and does not travel towards the opponent's court (Law 13.3.9).
A shuttle that touches an obstruction
Law 13.3.5 adds that, where necessary because of the structure of the building, the local badminton authority may, subject to the right of veto of its Member Association, make bye-laws dealing with cases in which a shuttle touches an obstruction. Examples are low beams or hanging lights. If there is such a bye-law, read it before playing; if not, Law 13.3.3 and 13.3.5 apply as written.
Ending the rally
When the shuttle ceases to be in play, because of a fault or because it hits the court surface (Law 15), the rally ends. The side that did not commit the fault, or whose opponent let the shuttle touch the surface in their court, scores (Law 7.3).
Limits
- The Laws list these events as faults "if in play" but do not say, in this clause, which side commits the fault; the winner of the rally follows from Law 7.3 and the umpire's call.
- A ceiling touched during a serve is a question for the bye-laws, if any: the Laws do not repeat it for the service.
- The Laws do not define "dress" (clothing) or "outside the court" further.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.