What is a fault in badminton?
B · Beginner · Rallies, faults and lets · 6 of 8A fault ends the rally and gives the point to the other side. The main faults are an illegal serve, the shuttle landing out or failing to cross the net, the shuttle touching a player or the ceiling, hitting it twice, touching the net and reaching over the net to hit it.
How it works
| Fault | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service faults | The serve breaks one of the service rules; the shuttle is caught on or in the net; the receiver's partner hits it |
| Out | The shuttle lands outside the boundary lines |
| Net | The shuttle fails to pass over the net |
| Ceiling or walls | The shuttle touches the ceiling or side walls |
| Body | The shuttle touches a player's body or clothing |
| Outside objects | The shuttle touches any other object or person outside the court |
| Carry | The shuttle is caught and held on the racket and then slung |
| Double hit | The same player hits it twice in a row, or a player and their partner hit it one after the other |
| Wrong direction | The shuttle touches the racket and does not travel towards the opponent's court |
| Net touch | A player touches the net or posts with racket, body or clothing while the shuttle is in play |
| Over the net | A player hits the shuttle on the opponent's side of the net |
| Under the net | A player's racket or body goes under the net and obstructs or distracts an opponent |
| Obstruction | Blocking an opponent's legal stroke, or deliberately distracting them by shouting or gestures |
| Misconduct | Flagrant, repeated or persistent misconduct |
Tricky cases
The shuttle hit my shirt and then went over. Is that a fault?
Yes. A shuttle that touches a player's body or clothing is a fault.
Is it a fault if the shuttle hits the ceiling?
Yes, under the Laws. Halls with low ceilings or beams can have local rules for obstructions.
I was standing outside the court and the shuttle hit me before landing. Whose point?
Your opponent's. The shuttle touching a player is a fault wherever the player is standing, even if it was going out.
Why the rule exists
Faults define the game: one clean hit per side, over the net, into the court, without touching the net or getting in the opponent's way.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All badminton under the BWF Laws | As above | L13 |
| Halls with obstructions | A local authority may make by-laws for a shuttle touching an obstruction | L13.3 note |
| Wheelchair badminton | Extra faults: lifting off the seat when hitting, a foot leaving the footrest or touching the floor | L13.4.6 |
From the rule book
BWF Laws of Badminton, Law 13, version 5.0, in force from 26 April 2025. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: BWF Laws of Badminton (PDF).