Badminton · Laws of Badminton
Law 21: Instant Review System
1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown
The Instant Review System lets a player or pair in badminton question a line call. Law 21 covers what may be challenged, how a challenge is made and what happens to the call afterwards. A player or pair may challenge a line judge's call, or a call or overrule by the umpire.
Timing and form are strict. The challenge must be made immediately after the player has observed the call, and the player must clearly say 'Challenge' to the umpire and/or raise the hand. A successful challenge reverses the original decision, and the player keeps the right to challenge. Only failed challenges count against a side: challenges are unlimited until two have failed in a game. When the review cannot settle the point and the result is 'No decision', the original call stands unless it was 'unsighted', and no challenge is lost.
Where needed, the umpire calls the Referee, who instructs how to resume play. The facts below cover who may challenge and what, the moment and the words of a challenge, the limit of two failed challenges a game, the effect of a successful review and the meaning of 'No decision'.
21.211Instant Review System
Challenges, results and the umpire's calls.
Test 1Challenges with the Instant Review SystemTake a test
A player or pair may challenge a line judge's call, or a call or overrule by the umpire.
Source: BWF IRS 2023, 1.1 · recall
The challenge must be made immediately after the player has observed the call.
Source: BWF IRS 2023, 2.1 · recall
The player must clearly say 'Challenge' to the umpire and/or raise the hand.
Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.8.4 · recall
Challenges are unlimited until two have failed in a game.
Source: BWF IRS 2023, 3.1, 3.3 · recall
A successful challenge keeps the right to challenge.
Source: BWF IRS 2023, 3.4 · applied
If the original call was not 'unsighted', it stands; 'No decision' costs no challenge.
Source: BWF ITTO 2025, 5.8.9; BWF IRS 2023, 3.5 · recall
The umpire calls the Referee, who instructs how to resume play.
Source: BWF IRS 2023, 1.3 · applied
A successful challenge reverses the original decision.
Source: BWF IRS 2023, 2.1-2.3 · applied
Only failed challenges count, two to a game.
Source: BWF IRS 2023, 3.1-3.4 · applied
A successful challenge reverses the call, and the player keeps the right to challenge.
Source: BWF IRS 2023, 2.3, 3.4 · applied
Questions people ask
- What is the Instant Review System in badminton?
- It is the system that lets a player or pair challenge a line call. A player or pair may challenge a line judge's call, or a call or overrule by the umpire.
- How many challenges does a badminton player get?
- Challenges are unlimited until two have failed in a game. Only failed challenges count, so a player who keeps winning reviews keeps challenging.
- How does a player make a challenge in badminton?
- The player must clearly say 'Challenge' to the umpire and/or raise the hand. It has to be done immediately after the player has observed the call.
- What happens when a badminton challenge succeeds?
- A successful challenge reverses the original call. The player also keeps the right to challenge.
- What does 'No decision' mean in a badminton review?
- It means the review could not decide the call. The original call stands unless it was 'unsighted', and 'No decision' costs the player no challenge.
- Can a player challenge an umpire's overrule?
- Yes. Besides a line judge's call, a player or pair may challenge a call or an overrule by the umpire.
Sources
BWF Laws of Badminton, V6.0 in force 4 January 2027, and BWF Statutes Section 4.1.8 Instant Review System V2.1 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)
- BWF IRS 2023, 1.11
- BWF IRS 2023, 2.11
- BWF ITTO 2025, 5.8.41
- BWF IRS 2023, 3.1, 3.31
- BWF IRS 2023, 3.41
- BWF ITTO 2025, 5.8.9; BWF IRS 2023, 3.51
- BWF IRS 2023, 1.31
- BWF IRS 2023, 2.1-2.31
- BWF IRS 2023, 3.1-3.41
- BWF IRS 2023, 2.3, 3.41