# Law 13: Faults (BWF Laws of Badminton)

Badminton · Law 13: Faults · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/badminton/laws/law-13-faults/)

Faults at the service, faults with the shuttle in play, and faults by players at the net, by obstruction and by distraction.

## 13.131 Faults at the Service

An incorrect service, the shuttle on or in the net, and the receiver's partner.

### Test 1: Faults at the service

- Law 13.1: it is a fault if a service is not correct under Law 9.1. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.1)
- In service, a shuttle caught in the net after passing over it is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.2.2)
- In service, a shuttle hit by the receiver's partner is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.2.3)
- Feet must stay in contact and still until delivery (Law 9.1.4); breaking that makes the service a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.1, 9.1.4)
- On the service it would be a fault; once the service has been returned it is a let (Law 14.2.3.1). (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.2.1, 14.2.3.1)
- In Wheelchair Badminton a shuttle suspended on the net top is a fault at any stage. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.10.1)
- Law 9.1 lists the requirements; failing any of them makes the service a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.1, 9.1)
- A miss delivers the service (Law 9.3) and is a fault (Laws 9.1.8 and 13.1). (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 9.3, 9.1.8, 13.1)
- Law 13.2.2 makes it a fault, so the receiving side takes the rally. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.2.2, 7.3)
- In service, a shuttle caught on the net and left suspended on its top is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.2.1)

## 13.132 Faults With the Shuttle in Play

Landing out, the net, ceiling and walls, touching a player, slings, double hits.

### Test 1: Faults with the shuttle in play

- Landing outside the boundaries is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.1)
- Touching the ceiling or side walls is a fault, unless a local bye-law says otherwise. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.3)
- A shuttle in play that fails to pass over the net is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.2)
- A shuttle caught and held on the racket and then slung during a stroke is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.6)
- Hitting the head and the stringed area in one stroke is not a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.7)
- Two partners striking it one after the other is a fault under Law 13.3.8. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.8)
- Touching a racket without then travelling towards the opponents' court is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.9)
- Touching any object outside the court is a fault, and the other side wins the rally. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.5, 7.3)
- Two successive hits by the same player are a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.7, 7.3)
- Touching a player's person or dress is a fault on that player; where it lands afterwards does not matter. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.3.4)

## 13.133 Faults by Players

Touching the net, invading over or under it, obstruction, distraction, persistent offences.

### Test 1: Faults by players: the net, invasion, obstruction, distraction

- Touching the net or its supports with racket, person or dress in play is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.1)
- Law 13.4.1 covers the net and its supports. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.1)
- Invading under the net so that an opponent is obstructed or distracted is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.3)
- Deliberately distracting an opponent, by shouting or gestures, is a fault. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.5)
- Shouting to a partner is not necessarily a deliberate distraction of the opponents. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.5; BWF ITTO 2025, 5.9.1.3)
- Preventing an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net is obstruction. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.4)
- Law 13.5 makes such offences faults. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.5)
- The striker may follow over the net once the first contact was on their own side. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.2)
- Touching the net in play is a fault; the opponents win the rally. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.1, 7.3)
- First contact came on player 1's side, so carrying the racket across afterwards is fine. (Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 13.4.2)

Sources: BWF Laws of Badminton, V6.0 in force 4 January 2027, Law 13 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

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