Badminton Faults | Types, Fouls & Lets Explained

Badminton is a well organized sport. It has detailed Rules For Faults, Fouls or lets  when any player violates its rules. Faults or fouls are the part of every game. These are in fact, the boundaries set within that particular sport rules to avoid during play.

For example, in table tennis rules, there are a number of rules and guidelines for serve faults. Therefore, these rules are the guiding principles for effective play. Let’s discuss in detail, major faults in badminton, penalties and ways how a player can avoid them.

Badminton Faults, Types | Badminton Fouls, Lets & Penalties | Rules for Badminton Players Violations

Here! before we head start ahead, let’s know about the Fault or Lets in badminton.

What is Badminton Fault?

Whenever a player deviates or break any predefined rule of badminton, intentionally or unintentionally, while on the court, he is said to have committed a fault. There upon, he is liable to get penalized instantly on the court.

In fact, the violation of well defined rules can ruin the efforts of players. Therefore, it is pretty much better to avoid committing faults (violations of rules) and keep the spirit of the game intact.

class="wp-block-heading">Types of Faults in Badminton

Here, these are the 5 major types of Faults in Badminton. They are;

1. Service Faults
2. Receiver’s Faults
3. Double Hit Faults
4. Over the Net Faults
5. Contact Fault
6. Flick Serve Fault

1. Service Faults

Service is the first shot that a player plays after winning the toss. When a player (the server), while serving to his/her opponents, commits certain faults, he is said to have committed service faults. Let’s now have a brief look at those faults: The server is considered to have committed a fault if:

• The server is out of the service box while serving the shuttle.
• The server is in contact with the lines of service box during the serve.
• The server is in the air as he tries to hit the shuttle. As per rules, the feet of server must be in contact with the ground.
• The server tries to dodge his opponent by making unusual body movements before the serve.
• The server doesn’t hit the shuttle diagonally. Serving the shuttle in diagonal direction is mandatory.
• The server takes the shuttle above waist height. As per rules, the server needs to serve the shuttle below the waist level.
• The server, during the serve, retains the shuttle for more than 5 seconds.
• The shuttle after being served, lands out of the service lines of opponent’s court.
• The server or his racket touches the net.   

Service Faults Explained

2. Receiver’s Faults.

When a player, who is standing on the opposite side of the server, makes a mistake, it is said to be the fault of receiver. Similar to the server, the receiver can also be penalized if he/she violates the laws of the game. Let’s now see when the receiver falls prey to faults:

• When the receiver stays out of the service box during the serve.
• When the receiver moves here and there during the course of serve.
• When the receiver hits the shuttle before it crosses the net.

Note: The receiver can move as soon as the shuttle is served from opposite side.

3. Double Hit Badminton Faults

the double hit is not allowed in badminton. Whether you are at the serving end or the receiving, whether you are playing singles or doubles, you cannot hit the shuttle twice as it comes to your side. If you attempt to hit the shuttle twice, you are at fault.

However, you are not penalized, when you attempt to hit the shuttle and it touches your racket on two positions during a single stroke. In nutshell, two strokes are not allowed in badminton.

4. Over the Net Fault

This fault is about making contact between your racket and the net during a rally. Generally, this fault takes place when you attempt to hit the shuttle that is about to cross the net, but end up touching the net with your racket.

Note: You are permitted to hit the shuttle over the net but you cannot come in contact with the net while executing the shot.

5. Flick Serve Fault

Flick is one of the types of service shots which the server uses to beat his opponent. The flick serve sometimes goes wrong and costs dearly to the server. Let’s see when the flick serve goes wrong:

1. When the height of serve becomes issue:

Generally, the server needs to hit the shuttle below the waist level in order for a serve to be legal. If the server fails to hit the shuttle below waist level and attempts the flick serve, he is more likely to cause height fault.

2. When the direction of the racket causes an issue:

Holding the racket firm and maintaining proper direction is the key to play a perfect flick serve. At times the direction of your racket and shuttle goes astray which is not allowed during the serve. However, you can play flick shot with more freedom during the rally.

3. What is a let in badminton?

A let results from an unintended fault of players that can be exempted of any penalty by the umpire. Whenever a let occurs, it simply stops the rally and is replayed by the player that has committed the mistake. In nutshell, a let doesn’t impact points or score. Let’s now have a look at the most common lets in a badminton game. It is a let when:

• The server serves the shuttle before his opponent is in ready position.
• Both the server and the receiver are at fault during the serve.
• The shuttle, after being hit, gets stuck to the net or remains suspended on the net.
• The shuttlecock gets damaged during the rally. It means when the shuttle breaks into two parts and is no longer suitable for play.
• The shuttle of any other adjacent court diverts the attention of players.
• The couch makes his way onto the court and disturbs the players.
• Any untoward event or accident takes place.

Common Questions; Faults, Fouls & Lets

Below here we have tried to attempt all possible questions regarding badminton faults and fouls

1. What is carrying foul in badminton?

Carrying foul occurs on rare occasions. However, it is important to know what it actually is. On the face of it a carrying foul looks like a double hit but it is different from double hit. A double hit means when a player hits the shuttle with the racket, the shuttle receives two hits in one stroke. Moreover, the racket doesn’t catch or hold the shuttle.

A carrying foul means when a player hits the shuttle with the racket, the shuttle gets caught or held by the racket and then it is slung while executing the stroke. In nutshell, there needs to be three things for a shot to be called as a carrying foul:

• When the shuttle is caught on the racket.
• When the shuttle is held on the face of the racket during the stroke.
• When the shuttle is slung off the face of the racket.

Note: A carrying foul is considered a fault but a double hit is not considered a fault.

2. Is it legal to Serve overhand in Badminton?

No, it is not legal to serve overhand in badminton. As per the rules of service, the server has to serve the shuttle by taking it downward and also taking the racket below the waist level.

3. Can the receiver move during the serve in badminton?

No, the receiver cannot move during the serve in badminton. As per rules, the receiver has to abide by the following instructions:

• The receiver has to be inside the service box on his own side of the court.
• The receiver has to maintain contact with the surface.
• The receiver should not make any feigned body movement that might cause inconvenience for the server.

Conclusion

Badminton has the strict rules for game violations, as you read here. For a detailed Playing badminton rules, you may read our previous posts for a professional Badminton Playing