Basic Badminton Etiquette

You should familiarize yourself with basic court etiquette before stepping onto the court.

Do not walk across, behind or beside a court while the shuttle is in play.

Make your own line calls for shuttles falling on your side of the court. Your opponents will call the lines on their side of the court. If unsure of a call, you are expected to give your opponent the benefit of the doubt. Your line calls should be communicated immediately.

Do not delay the game.

Abusive behavior, profane language, and racquet throwing are not tolerated.

Wear appropriate attire (non-marking court shoes, sport shorts or skirt, t-shirt or collared sport shirt, tracksuit).

Always treat your opponents, your partners, coaches, officials, tournament organizers and members of the public with respect.

Arrive on court as soon as your match is called. But do not walk across, behind or beside a court while the shuttle is in play.

During play, ensure that play is continuous. Stalling is not permitted. Retrieve shuttles falling on your side of the net and return them promptly. Call out the score before each service, which should be delivered as soon as your opponent is ready.

Always make fair, quick and accurate line calls.

Abide by the Laws of Badminton, observe all rules and regulations of the tournament.

Abusive behavior, profane language, and racquet throwing are strictly prohibited. If a problem occurs during a match, athletes are expected to speak to the referee or tournament official immediately.

All athletes are expected to abide by reasonable requests from any tournament official.

All athletes under 18 years of age must have a designated chaperon for a tournament event.

Do not attempt to hit the shuttle if there is a risk of colliding with or striking any other player (or other person in the vicinity)

Do not aim the shuttle towards the head or face of any player standing near the net

Do not turn to face your partner during a rally in doubles.

Do not cross another court while it is in use, even if there is no rally currently in play.

Ensure that there are no obstacles near the court with which the players may collide. If there are fixed obstacles, such as radiators or posts, then warn the players to take care when playing near them.

Do not allow players to leave shuttles which might be stepped upon lying on the floor during practices and play.

Unsportsmanlike use of racket.

Striking court, fence or net. (each time)

Deliberately dropping or kicking a racket when on the court area.

Throwing racket in any way.

Damaging the court (This could result in immediate disqualification.)

Hitting the ball back to opponents or at the net or fence in an unsportsmanlike manner.

Using audible profanity. (Anything that sounds like an obscenity or profanity will be treated as such.)

Any verbal outburst that could be upsetting to the concentration of other players or offensive to spectators in the area.

Repeated failure to call out the score

Coaches talking to players either inside the court or during the match other than when the players change sides.