A fault in badminton ends the rally and gives the point to the other side: the shuttle lands out, fails to cross the net, hits the ceiling or a player, or a player touches the net, hits the shuttle twice or carries it. A let stops play and replays the rally with no point scored: for example when the server serves before the receiver is ready, or the shuttle gets caught in the net mid-rally.
Here is every fault and let in the BWF Laws of Badminton (Laws 13 and 14), followed by 29 real situations to call for yourself: fault, let, or play on?
Call it: fault, let or play on?
Call each one before you flip it: fault, let, or play on?
You kill the shuttle at the net and your racket brushes the tape before the shuttle hits the floor.
Your smash lands in. A moment after it hits the floor, you stumble into the net.
You hit a net kill on your side and your racket follows through over the net.
You reach over the net and hit the shuttle before it has crossed to your side.
Your foot slides under the net into the opponent's court and they pull out of their shot to avoid it.
At the net you hold your racket up right in front of the tape so the opponent cannot follow through on their net kill.
As your opponent lines up a smash, you shout and wave your arms.
In doubles you call “Yours!” to your partner as the shuttle comes back.
You mishit, the shuttle pops straight up off your strings and you hit it again over the net.
The shuttle comes off your racket frame (a “wood shot”) and lands in.
Doubles: you touch the shuttle, then your partner hits it over.
The shuttle sits on your strings for a moment and you sling it over.
Your opponent's clear is going a metre out, but it clips your shoulder first.
Your high clear touches the ceiling and drops into the court.
The shuttle lands with its cork touching the outside edge of the baseline.
During a rally your shot crosses the net and gets caught in the mesh on their side.
Mid-rally the cork completely separates from the feathers.
Your serve clips the net tape and drops into the correct service court.
Your serve crosses the net but gets caught in it.
You hit your serve with the whole shuttle at 1.20 m.
You swing to serve and miss the shuttle completely.
You serve while the receiver is still looking down, and they let it drop.
The server's foot drags while the receiver jumps forward early, both during the serve.
Doubles: the serve is going to your partner, but you step across and return it.
The receiver lunges forward before the server's racket hits the shuttle.
Halfway through the game you realise the wrong player has been serving. The shuttle is not in play.
A line judge was unsighted and the umpire can't make a decision either (no instant review).
A shuttle from the next court lands on yours mid-rally.
A coach's shouting distracts a player during the rally.
Badminton fault rules: the full list
Service faults (Law 13.1–13.2)
Any serve that breaks Law 9 is a fault: shuttle hit at or above 1.15 m, feet moving, a pause after the backswing, spin on release, missing the shuttle, or the serve landing outside the receiver's service court. It's also a fault if, on the serve, the shuttle is caught in the net after crossing, stays balanced on top of it, or is hit by the receiver's partner. Every one is on the serve rules page.
Shuttle faults during play (Law 13.3)
- Lands outside the boundaries (not on or within the lines).
- Fails to pass over the net.
- Touches the ceiling or side walls.
- Touches a player's body or clothing.
- Touches any other object or person outside the court.
- Is caught and held on the racket and then slung (a carry or sling).
- Is hit twice in succession by the same player. One stroke where the head and strings both touch is fine.
- Is hit by a player and their partner in succession.
- Touches a player's racket and doesn't continue toward the opponent's court.
Player faults during play (Law 13.4)
- Net touch: touching the net or its supports with racket, body or clothing.
- Invasion over the net: racket or body in the opponent's court over the net, except a follow-through after first contact on your own side.
- Invasion under the net: into the opponent's court so that they are obstructed or distracted.
- Obstruction: preventing an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net.
- Distraction: deliberately distracting an opponent, by shouting or gestures for example.
Repeated or flagrant misconduct under Law 16 (delaying play, damaging the shuttle, offensive behaviour) can also be penalised with a fault after a warning.
Badminton let rules
A let is called by the umpire, or by a player when there's no umpire (Law 14). It's a let when:
- the server serves before the receiver is ready;
- the server and receiver are both faulted during the serve;
- after the serve has been returned, the shuttle is caught in the net and stays there, or balances on top of it, after passing over;
- during play the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest;
- in the umpire's opinion, play is disrupted or an opponent distracted by a coach;
- a line judge is unsighted and the umpire can't make a decision (and instant review, where used, can't either);
- any unforeseen or accidental situation occurs, like a shuttle from another court landing on yours.
After a let, play since the last serve doesn't count and the player who served last serves again. In wheelchair badminton, a shuttle caught in or balanced on the net after a return is a fault rather than a let.
Badminton faults and lets people get wrong
- “Net on the serve, let!” No. If it clips the net and lands in the right box, play on.
- “It hit me but it was going out.” Still your fault: the shuttle touching you is a fault wherever you stand.
- “My racket went over the net.” Fine if you hit the shuttle on your side and just followed through, without touching the net.
- “The shuttle touched the frame, double hit!” No, a frame shot is legal; only two separate hits are a fault.
- “Low ceiling, let.” Under the Laws, touching the ceiling is a fault. Many clubs agree a local let rule for low beams; agree it before you start.
Line arguments have their own page: in or out? For definitions of every term, see the glossary.
Think you've got it? Take the badminton rules quiz or go back to the rules overview.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common faults in badminton?
The shuttle landing out or in the net, service faults (hitting above 1.15 m, moving feet), touching the net, the shuttle hitting a player, and double hits or carries.
What is a let in badminton?
A let halts play and the rally is replayed with the same server and no point scored. Common lets: serving before the receiver is ready, the shuttle caught in the net during a rally, or a shuttle from another court interrupting play.
Is it a fault if the shuttle hits you?
Yes. If the shuttle touches your body or clothing during play, it's a fault against you, even if it was going out.
Is hitting the shuttle with the frame a fault?
No. Frame or 'wood' shots are legal. It's only a fault if the same player hits the shuttle twice in succession, or the shuttle is caught and slung.
Can your racket go over the net in badminton?
Only as a follow-through after you've hit the shuttle on your own side, and without touching the net. Reaching over to hit the shuttle before it crosses is a fault.
Is it a let if the shuttle hits the ceiling?
Not under the Laws: touching the ceiling or side walls is a fault. Some clubs with low ceilings agree a local let, but that's a house rule.