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Badminton · Laws of Badminton

Law 18: The Umpire and the Court Officials

4 parts · 4 tests · 40 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown

Drawn from the BWF Instructions to Technical Officials, this chapter describes how the umpire, line judges and service judge work on court.

The umpire notes the choices made at the toss, which are final once made. The two-minute warm-up runs from when the umpire sits in the chair to the call of 'Play', with 'Ready to play' at ninety seconds, and the announcement ends '... to serve; love all; play'. The server's score is always called first; when the serve changes hands the umpire calls 'Service over' and then the score, the new serving side's first.

Line judges sit looking directly down their lines, recommended 2.5 to 3.5 m from the boundaries. They signal only once the shuttle has touched the floor or something outside the court other than a player: 'Out' with both arms extended horizontally, and for a shuttle that is in, no call and the right hand pointing at the line. An unsighted line judge covers the eyes with both hands. The service judge calls 'Fault' loudly with the approved hand signal.

A warning is shown with a yellow card, a fault for misconduct with a red card and a call to the Referee, and a disqualification with a black card. Each side may have up to two accredited coaches, who leave at the call of '20 seconds'. The facts below cover the umpire's calls, the line judges, the service judge and the cards.

18.181The Umpire's Calls

Toss, warm-up, the announcement, calling the score and signalling.

Test 1The umpire before and during the matchTake a test

  1. The two-minute warm-up runs from when the umpire sits in the chair to the call of 'Play'.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.2.2.1 · recall

  2. 'Ready to play' comes at ninety seconds of the two-minute warm-up.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.2.2.1 · recall

  3. The umpire always calls the server's score first.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.2 · recall

  4. The umpire calls 'Service over' and then the score, starting with the new serving side's.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.6 · applied

  5. The announcement ends '... to serve; love all; play', and 'Play' starts the match.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.3.1, 5.3.2 · recall

  6. The umpire notes the choices made at the toss; once made they are final.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.2.1 · applied

  7. With a service judge watching the server, the umpire especially watches the receiver.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.3 · applied

  8. Toss, warm-up in the chair, 'Ready to play', then the announcement ending in 'Play'.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.2, 5.3 · recall

  9. The serve has changed hands, so the new server's points are called before the other side's.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.6, 5.4.2 · applied

  10. The umpire raises the right hand above the head when the Referee is required; a challenge uses the left.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.5 · applied

18.182Line Judges

Where line judges sit, their signals and when they may call.

Test 1Line judges: where they sit and how they signalTake a test

  1. Line judges sit directly looking down their designated lines.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.1 · recall

  2. 'Out' is called clearly while both arms are extended horizontally, looking at the umpire.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.3 · recall

  3. An unsighted line judge informs the umpire at once by covering the eyes with both hands.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.5 · recall

  4. No call or signal until the shuttle has touched the floor or something outside the court, except a player.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.6 · applied

  5. Line calls are made without anticipating the umpire's decision on faults such as a touch.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.7 · applied

  6. It is recommended that line judges sit 2.5 to 3.5 m from the court boundaries.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.9 · recall

  7. Where there is no line judge, the umpire calls 'Out' and then the score, or 'Service over' and the score.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.8.3.1 · applied

  8. No signal until the shuttle lands; the signal is made towards the umpire.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.3, 8.4, 8.6 · applied

  9. The umpire makes the call if possible, otherwise a let.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.5, 5.8.3.3; Law 14.3 · applied

  10. For a shuttle that lands in, the line judge says nothing and points to the line with the right hand.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 8.4 · applied

18.183The Service Judge

Calls, signals and the service judge's other duties.

Test 1The service judgeTake a test

  1. The service judge calls 'Fault' loudly and uses the approved hand signal for the infringement.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.2 · recall

  2. The umpire uses the standard vocabulary to acknowledge the call and explain the fault.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.3 · recall

  3. The service judge administers changes of shuttle and keeps enough shuttles ready.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.5 · recall

  4. Extra duties can include checking the posts on the doubles side lines and the height of the net.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.6 · applied

  5. The service judge alerts the umpire immediately, crossing the court if necessary.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.8 · applied

  6. The service judge judges that the server delivers a correct service under Laws 9.1.2 to 9.1.8.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.2 · recall

  7. Immediately after 'Game' the service judge stands to shake hands with the players.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.9 · applied

  8. Call and signal, then the umpire's acknowledgement and explanation.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.2, 7.3 · applied

  9. The service judge checks challenges and advises the umpire before the next rally if needed.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.7 · applied

  10. The service judge sits on a low chair by the net post and judges the server's service.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 7.1, 7.2 · applied

18.184Cards, Coaches and Conduct

Yellow, red and black cards, coaches in intervals, time between rallies.

Test 1Cards, coaches and conduct between ralliesTake a test

  1. A warning is given while the umpire raises a yellow card.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.17.3 · recall

  2. A fault for misconduct is shown with a red card, and the Referee is called on court.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.17.4 · recall

  3. When the Referee decides to disqualify, a black card is given to the umpire, who shows it.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.17.5 · recall

  4. Each side may be joined by no more than two accredited coaches.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.13 · recall

  5. Coaches must leave when the umpire calls '20 seconds'.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.13 · applied

  6. A quick towel, a towel and drink, or a self-applied spray, if play is not held up; shirts change in intervals.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.10.4, 5.10.11 · applied

  7. The time clock expires when 25 seconds have elapsed.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.10.8.2 · recall

  8. Yellow, red, then the Referee's black card.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.17 · recall

  9. At '20 seconds' the coaches leave; the game resumes with the score and 'Play'.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.12-5.4.14 · applied

  10. The black card shows that the Referee has disqualified the offending player or pair.

    Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.17.5 · applied

Questions people ask

How long is the warm-up before a badminton match?
Two minutes, from when the umpire sits in the chair to the call of 'Play', with 'Ready to play' called at ninety seconds.
Whose score does the umpire call first?
The server's score is always called first. After 'Service over', the new serving side's score comes first.
How does a line judge signal in and out?
For out, the line judge calls 'Out' clearly with both arms extended horizontally. For in, there is no call and the right hand points to the line.
What do the yellow, red and black cards mean in badminton?
Yellow is a warning, red is a fault for misconduct with the Referee called on court, and black shows that the Referee has disqualified the player or pair.
How many coaches can sit with a player?
No more than two accredited coaches per side, and they must leave when the umpire calls '20 seconds'.
Can players towel off between rallies?
A quick towel, a towel and drink, or a self-applied spray are allowed if play is not held up; shirts are changed in the intervals.
How long can players take between rallies?
The time clock expires when 25 seconds have elapsed.

Sources

BWF Laws of Badminton, V6.0 in force 4 January 2027, and the BWF Instructions to Technical Officials V8.0 (Sections 5, 7 and 8) (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.2.2.12
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.22
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.17.52
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.132
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.21
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.61
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.3.1, 5.3.21
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.2.11
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.31
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.2, 5.31
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.6, 5.4.21
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.51
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.11
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.31
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.51
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.61
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.71
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.91
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.8.3.11
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.3, 8.4, 8.61
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.5, 5.8.3.3; Law 14.31
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 8.41
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.31
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.51
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.61
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.81
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.91
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.2, 7.31
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.71
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 7.1, 7.21
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.17.31
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.17.41
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.10.4, 5.10.111
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.10.8.21
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.171
  • BWF ITTO 2025, 5.4.12-5.4.141