# Law 19: The Referee (BWF Laws of Badminton)

Badminton · Law 19: The Referee · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/badminton/laws/law-19-the-referee/)

From the Instructions to Technical Officials: appointments and the umpire's jurisdiction, injuries on court, shuttles, equipment, rest between matches and incidents.

## 19.191 The Referee and the Officials

Who appoints whom, the field of play and the Referee's role.

### Test 1: The Referee, appointments and the umpire's jurisdiction

- An umpire is appointed for a match by the Referee and acts under the Referee's authority. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 2.2)
- A decision by a Deputy Referee is considered a decision by the Referee, with no appeal to the Referee. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 4.1.3.2)
- The umpire's jurisdiction runs from entering the field of play before the match until leaving it after. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 2.7)
- It is the total area on which the courts are laid and where spectators are not allowed. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 2.7)
- As far as possible, neutral technical officials shall be appointed to a match. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.1.2)
- Service and line judges can be replaced by the Referee or the umpire in consultation with each other. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 2.3)
- The Referee redirects it to the right stakeholders and follows up so the outcome is reported back. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.5.1.2)
- ITTO 2.1-2.3: the Referee is appointed by BWF or a Confederation and appoints the match officials. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 2.1-2.3)
- Review, reflect and consult, decide, then make sure the decision is understood. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 4.1.5)
- If necessary, the Referee may go onto court during a match without being called by the umpire. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.5.1.6)

## 19.192 Injury and Illness

The Referee, the doctor and the player's own decision.

### Test 1: Injury and illness during a match

- The Referee first speaks to the umpire to be informed of the facts, then calls the doctor if needed. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.1.1)
- The doctor examines and advises whether it is medically advisable to continue. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.1.2)
- The umpire times the delay caused by the injury. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.14.1, 3.6.1.1)
- A maximum of two persons may assist, advise and help translate. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.1.3)
- In fairness the opposing side is allowed the same consideration. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.1.3)
- The game is delayed until the bleeding stops, the wound is dressed, or the Referee advises otherwise. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.14.2)
- The umpire asks 'Are you retiring?' and, if confirmed, makes the announcement. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.14.3)
- Umpire, Referee, doctor's examination and advice, then the player's own decision. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.1.1, 3.6.1.2)
- In a suspected cardiac arrest the doctor attends at once, without waiting for the Referee's direction. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.1.6.1)
- The doctor advises; the decision to continue remains with the player. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.1.2)

## 19.193 Shuttles, Equipment and Incidents

Shuttle speed, equipment, rest between matches, misconduct.

### Test 1: Shuttles, equipment, rest between matches and incidents

- If both sides wish to change the shuttle speed, the Referee is called immediately. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.13.4)
- The umpire decides if the shuttle should be changed; a change must be fair. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.13.1)
- Equipment passed to players during a match, except in intervals, is given to the Referee, not the player. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.5.16)
- Any player is entitled to a minimum 60-minute interval between matches. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.5.19.4)
- The Referee can reduce the interval to no less than 30 minutes in exceptional circumstances. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.5.19.4)
- The Referee first speaks to the umpire (and the service judge if needed), and only then to the players. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.2.1)
- While the Referee deals with it on or near the court, play is deemed suspended unless advised otherwise. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.2.1)
- Facts from the umpire first, then the players, then the decision. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 3.6.2.1, 3.6.2.2)
- 25 seconds, 60 seconds, 120 seconds, then 60 minutes. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.10.8.2, 3.5.19.4; Laws 16.2)
- The Referee shall be the sole judge for deciding the speed of the shuttles to be used. (Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.13.4)

Sources: BWF Laws of Badminton, V6.0 in force 4 January 2027, and the BWF Instructions to Technical Officials V8.0 (Sections 2-5) (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

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