Badminton · Laws of Badminton
Law 14: Lets
2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown
A let in badminton stops play and cancels the rally. Law 14 says who calls one, lists the situations that are lets, and sets out what happens afterwards. The umpire calls a let, or a player does where there is no umpire.
Several lets arise at the service. Serving before the receiver is ready is a let, and a receiver who makes no attempt to return is taken as not ready. When the server and receiver are both faulted during the service, it is a let too. Once the service has been returned, a shuttle caught in the net after passing over is a let rather than a fault. A shuttle that disintegrates is a let only if the base completely separates from the rest; a damaged shuttle that holds together does not count.
Other lets come from outside the rally itself. If play is disrupted or an opponent is distracted by a coach, it is a let, and if it is repeated the Referee is called at once. If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to decide, it is a let, and the same applies when the review system cannot decide. Any unforeseen or accidental situation is a let, so a stray shuttle counts only if it obstructs or distracts the players.
After a let, play since the last service does not count and the player who served last serves again, so the score stays as it was. The facts below cover each case.
14.141When a Let Is Called
Who calls it, the receiver not ready, double faults, the net after the return, a broken shuttle.
Test 1When a let is called and what it meansTake a test
A let is called by the umpire, or by a player where there is no umpire.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.1 · recall
The umpire calls a let.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.1 · recall
Serving before the receiver is ready is a let.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.1 · applied
When server and receiver are both faulted during the service, it is a let.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.2 · applied
Once the service has been returned, a shuttle caught in the net after passing over is a let.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.3.2 · applied
Play since the last service shall not count.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.3 · recall
The player who served last serves again.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.3 · applied
Law 14.1 and 14.3: the let halts play, the rally is cancelled and the last server serves again.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.1, 14.3 · recall
No return attempt means the receiver was not ready, so it is a let and the server serves again.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.1, 9.4, 14.3 · applied
It is a let if the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.4 · applied
14.142Coaches, Unsighted Calls and the Unforeseen
Coaches, an unsighted line judge, accidents, and the score after a let.
Test 1More lets: coaches, unsighted line judges, the unforeseenTake a test
If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to decide, it is a let.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.6 · recall
Law 14.2.6 includes the case where the review system is unable to decide.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.6 · applied
A stray shuttle is a let only if it obstructs or distracts the players.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.7; BWF ITTO 2025, 5.9.1.2 · applied
Law 14.2.7: any unforeseen or accidental situation is a let.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.7 · recall
Only a complete separation of the base counts; a damaged shuttle that holds together does not.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.4 · applied
Whatever happened in that rally is wiped out, so the score stays as it was.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.3 · applied
A coach's disruption is a let; if it is repeated the Referee is called at once.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.5; BWF ITTO 2025, 5.12.7 · applied
Covering the eyes tells the umpire the call is missing; with no decision possible, the rally is replayed.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.6; BWF ITTO 2025, 8.5 · applied
Law 14.2.5 makes it a let, and Law 14.3 says who serves.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.5, 14.3 · applied
If play is disrupted or a player of the opposing side is distracted by a coach, it is a let.
Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.5 · applied
Questions people ask
- What is a let in badminton?
- A let halts play and cancels the rally. Play since the last service does not count and the player who served last serves again.
- Who can call a let?
- The umpire calls a let. Where there is no umpire, a player calls it.
- Is it a let if the receiver was not ready?
- Yes, serving before the receiver is ready is a let. A receiver who makes no attempt to return is treated as not ready.
- Does a broken shuttle mean the rally is replayed?
- Only if the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest. A damaged shuttle that holds together is not a let.
- What happens if a coach disrupts play?
- If play is disrupted or an opponent is distracted by a coach, it is a let. If it is repeated, the Referee is called at once.
- Is a shuttle from another court a let?
- Only if it obstructs or distracts the players, as an unforeseen or accidental situation under Law 14.2.7.
- Does the score change after a let?
- No. Whatever happened in that rally is wiped out, so the score stays as it was.
Sources
BWF Laws of Badminton, V6.0 in force 4 January 2027, Law 14 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.33
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.12
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.42
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.62
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.11
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.21
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.3.21
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.1, 14.31
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.1, 9.4, 14.31
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.7; BWF ITTO 2025, 5.9.1.21
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.71
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.5; BWF ITTO 2025, 5.12.71
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.6; BWF ITTO 2025, 8.51
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.5, 14.31
- BWF Laws 2027, Law 14.2.51