Official BWF Rules

Badminton Faults: Complete List of Service & Rally Faults

A fault in badminton results in the rally ending and a point being awarded to the opposing side. Faults can occur during the serve, during a rally, or due to player conduct. This guide covers every type of fault recognized under BWF Laws of Badminton.

Service Faults

Service faults are the most strictly enforced violations in badminton because the serve has specific height, angle, and motion requirements. A service fault awards the point to the receiver. Here is the complete list:

Contact above 1.15 metres

The shuttle must be struck below 1.15 metres from the court surface. This fixed-height rule was introduced by the BWF in 2018 for international play. At recreational level, the traditional 'below the waist' guideline applies.

Racket head not pointing down

At the instant of striking the shuttle, the entire head of the racket must be below the server's racket hand. If the racket head is level with or above the hand, it is a fault.

Non-continuous forward motion

Once the server begins the forward swing, the motion must be continuous until the shuttle is struck. Any pause, check-swing, or deceptive movement during the service action is a fault.

Shuttle not hit upward

The initial flight of the shuttle from the racket must be upward. Hitting the shuttle flat or downward on the serve is a fault.

Feet not stationary

Both the server's feet must remain in contact with the court surface in a stationary position from the start of the service until the shuttle is struck. Lifting a heel, sliding, or stepping is a fault.

Server misses the shuttle

If the server swings at the shuttle and fails to make contact, it is a fault. This includes dropping the shuttle and swinging through empty air.

Wrong service court

Serving from the incorrect service court (e.g., left court when the score is even). If discovered before the next serve, positions are corrected but the point stands.

Receiver's partner hit by shuttle

In doubles, if the serve hits the receiver's partner before touching the ground or being played by the receiver, it is a fault on the receiving side -- the server wins the point.

For a detailed breakdown of serve technique and rules, see the complete serve rules guide.

Rally Faults

These faults can occur at any point during a rally after the serve has been delivered:

Shuttle lands out of bounds

If the shuttle lands outside the court boundaries, it is a fault on the player who last hit it. The boundary lines themselves are considered 'in' -- a shuttle touching any part of the line is good.

Shuttle passes through or under the net

The shuttle must travel over the net. If it goes through a gap in the net or under the net, it is a fault.

Shuttle fails to cross the net

If a player hits the shuttle and it does not cross the net (falls on their own side), it is a fault.

Hitting the shuttle twice

A player (or in doubles, a team) cannot hit the shuttle twice in succession. In doubles, only one partner may hit the shuttle before it crosses the net. If both partners hit it, it is a fault.

Shuttle caught and held on the racket

The shuttle must be hit cleanly. If it is caught, held, or slung (carried on the racket), it is a fault. The stroke must be a single, clean hit.

Shuttle hits a player's body or clothing

If the shuttle touches a player's body or clothing (other than the racket hand while holding the racket), it is a fault on that player.

Shuttle hits the ceiling or walls

If the shuttle hits the ceiling, walls, or any other structure above or around the court, it is a fault. In some venues with low ceilings, a local rule may call a let instead, but the BWF standard is a fault.

Net Faults

The net creates specific fault situations that are often misunderstood. Here are the BWF rules regarding net play:

Touching the net

A player must not touch the net or net posts with their body, racket, or clothing during a rally. This applies from the moment the shuttle is in play until it hits the ground. Even brushing the net with your shirt as you follow through is a fault.

Reaching over the net

You cannot reach over the net to play the shuttle on your opponent's side. However, you may follow through over the net after making contact with the shuttle on your own side. The key distinction: initial contact must be on your side; the follow-through may cross the net plane.

Invading the opponent's court

You cannot step under the net into your opponent's court in a way that obstructs or distracts them. If your foot crosses the center line but does not interfere with the opponent, it may not be called, but any obstruction is a fault.

Shuttle caught on the net

If the shuttle gets caught on the top of the net and remains suspended, it is a fault on the side that hit it. If it rolls over the net and falls into the opponent's court, it is a valid shot.

Court Boundary Faults

Understanding which lines are "in" and "out" is essential for avoiding and calling boundary faults:

Singles Boundaries

Serve: Inner sideline, outer back line (long, narrow court).

Rally: Inner sideline, outer back line (same as serve).

Doubles Boundaries

Serve: Outer sideline, inner back line (short, wide court).

Rally: Outer sideline, outer back line (full court).

The lines are part of the court -- a shuttle landing on the line is "in." Only if the shuttle lands entirely outside the line is it "out." For boundary rules specific to the serve, see the serve rules guide.

Let vs Fault

A let is distinct from a fault. When a let is called, the rally is replayed with no point awarded. A fault awards the point to the other side. Here are the situations that result in a let rather than a fault:

•Receiver not ready: If the server delivers the serve while the receiver is not ready, and the receiver does not attempt to return the shuttle, a let is called.
•Both sides fault simultaneously: If both the server and receiver commit a fault at the same time (extremely rare), a let is called.
•Shuttle breaks during play: If the shuttle disintegrates (base separates from the feathers) during a rally, a let is called.
•Unforeseen disturbance: If an external disturbance disrupts play (e.g., a shuttle from another court rolls onto yours), the umpire may call a let.
•Line judge unsighted: If the umpire and line judge cannot determine whether a shuttle landed in or out, a let may be called.

Important: unlike tennis, there is no "let serve" in badminton. If the shuttle hits the net cord on a serve and lands in the correct service court, it is a valid serve and play continues.

Related Guides

Serve Rules

Complete service guide for singles and doubles

Scoring Rules

Rally point system, deuce, game structure

Doubles Rules

Serve rotation, court positions, mixed doubles

Online Scorer

Track matches automatically with BadmintonTrack

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common fault in badminton?

The most common fault is the shuttle landing out of bounds, which happens frequently during rallies. For service-specific faults, hitting above the waist (or above 1.15 metres) is the most commonly called violation, followed by the racket head being above the hand at contact.

Can you touch the net in badminton?

No. Touching the net, net posts, or the net cord with your body, racket, or clothing during a rally is a fault. This rule is strictly enforced. Even accidental contact (such as your shirt brushing the net during a follow-through) counts as a fault.

Is it a fault if the shuttle hits the net and goes over?

No. If the shuttle touches the net during play and continues over to the opponent's side, it is a valid shot. This applies to both serves and rallies. There is no 'let serve' rule in badminton like there is in tennis.

Can you hit the shuttle on the opponent's side of the net?

No, you cannot reach over the net to make initial contact with the shuttle. However, if you hit the shuttle on your side of the net and your racket follows through across the net plane, that is legal. The key rule is that contact must happen on your side.

What happens if the shuttle hits a player?

If the shuttle hits a player's body or clothing, it is a fault on that player (the other side gets the point). The exception is during a doubles serve: if the serve hits the receiver's partner, it is a fault on the receiving side. In both cases, the shuttle is dead the moment it touches the player.