What do the yellow, red and black cards mean in badminton?
A · Advanced · Conduct, stoppages and officials · 2 of 4A yellow card is a warning for misconduct. A red card is a fault: the opponent gets a point. A black card, which only the referee can order, disqualifies the player or pair from the match. Misconduct covers deliberate delay, tampering with the shuttle, offensive behaviour and anything else unsporting.
How it works
A player must not:
- deliberately cause delay in, or suspension of, play;
- deliberately change or damage the shuttle to alter its speed or flight;
- behave in an offensive or inappropriate manner;
- commit any other misconduct.
What the umpire does:
| Step | Card shown | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| First offence | Yellow | Warning to the side |
| Offence after a warning, or a flagrant first offence | Red | Fault: a point to the opponents; reported to the referee at once |
| Referee decides to disqualify | Black | The player or pair is out of the match |
- A side gets one warning. Any later offence by that side is a fault.
- Flagrant, repeated or persistent offences are faults in themselves.
- Misconduct during an interval is treated the same as in a game.
Tricky cases
Does a red card end the match?
No. A red card costs a point. Only a black card disqualifies.
Can a player crush the shuttle's feathers to slow it down?
No. Deliberately changing the shuttle's speed or flight is misconduct.
Is a phone ringing on court misconduct?
Yes, under the officials' instructions read here: a player's phone ringing on or beside the court is treated as misconduct.
Why the rule exists
The steps let the umpire correct behaviour with a warning first, and cost the player points only if it continues.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All badminton under the BWF Laws | Warning, fault, disqualification | L16.6, 16.7; L13.5 |
| Card colours | Set out in the BWF officials' instructions | PBITTO 6.16 |
| Fines and bans after cards | BWF regulations, not covered | Not covered |
From the rule book
BWF Laws of Badminton, Laws 13.5, 16.6 and 16.7, version 5.0, in force from 26 April 2025; BWF Instructions to Para Badminton Technical Officials, clauses 6.15 and 6.16, version 6.0. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: BWF Laws of Badminton (PDF).