Can you hit the shuttle twice in badminton?
I · Intermediate · Rallies, faults and lets · 6 of 10Checked 13 October 2026
No.
A double hit (the same player hitting the shuttle twice in a row) is a fault. So is one partner hitting it
straight after the other. Catching the shuttle on the racket and slinging it (a carry) is also a fault. A single stroke
that hits the frame and the strings is legal.
How it works
- One hit per side before the shuttle crosses the net.
- Same player twice in succession: fault.
- A player and then their partner: fault.
- Shuttle caught and held on the racket, then slung: fault.
- Shuttle hitting the head (frame) and the stringed area in one stroke: not a fault.
- The shuttle must travel towards the opponent's court after touching the racket.
Tricky cases
Is a shot off the frame legal?
Yes. A frame shot is a legal hit.
My partner and I both swung and only one of us hit it. Is that a fault?
No. Only one hit happened. It is a fault only if both rackets hit the shuttle in succession.
Why the rule exists
Badminton is a game of single, clean strokes. Holding or re-hitting the shuttle would give control no stroke can.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All badminton under the BWF Laws | As above | L13.3.6 to 13.3.9 |
From the rule book
BWF Laws of Badminton, Laws 13.3.6 to 13.3.9, version 5.0, in force from 26 April 2025. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: BWF Laws of Badminton (PDF).