Revisions to the Laws of Badminton 2006

Comparison of the Laws of Badminton 2006 and 2002 Versions

 

In additions to changes to the Laws of Badminton dealing with the rally point system, a number of other revisions were made, some very minor, others quite significant.  All of the revisions are described below.   

 

DEFINITIONS. 

 

Stroke  A forward movement of the player’s racket.

 

Comment:

 

A definition of  “Stroke” has been added to the existing definitions of Player, Match, Singles, Doubles, Serving side, Receiving side, and Rally.

 

1.  COURT AND COURT EQUIPMENT

 

1.4 The posts shall be 1.55 metres in height from the surface of the court and shall remain vertical when the net is strained as provided in Law 1.10. The posts or its supports shall not extend into the court.

 

Replaces

 

1.4 The posts shall be 1.55 metres in height from the surface of the court and shall remain vertical when the net is strained as provided in Law 1.10.   Posts shall not extend into the court.  

 

Comment:  Now the post supports as well as the posts themselves are not extend into the court.

 

2.   SHUTTLE

 

Comment:  The text has not changed.  There has been a change in the numbering of the sections and subsections. 

 

3.   TESTING A SHUTTLE FOR SPEED

 

3.1 To test a shuttle, a player shall use a full underhand stroke which makes contact with the shuttle over the back boundary line. The shuttle shall be hit at an upward angle and in a direction parallel to the side lines.

 

Replaces:

 

3.1 To test a shuttle, use a full underhand stroke which makes contact with the shuttle over the back boundary line. The shuttle shall be hit at an upward angle and in a direction parallel to the side lines.

 

Comment:  A minor change indicating who shall test the shuttle

 

4.  RACKET

 

Comment:  There have been no changes to the text of Law, but the material in section 4.2.2. “The stringed area” has been divided into two subsections, 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2

 

5.  EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE

 

The International Badminton Federation shall rule on any question of whether any racket, shuttle or equipment or any prototype used in the playing of Badminton complies with the specifications. Such ruling may be undertaken on the Federation’s initiative or on application by any party with a bona fide interest, including any player, technical official, equipment manufacturer or Member Association or member thereof.

 

Revision:  technical official” has replaced “court official” in the second sentence of the revised Law.

 

6.  TOSS

 

There were no revisions to this Law.

 

7.  SCORING SYSTEM

 

7.1 A match shall consist of the best of three games, unless otherwise arranged (Appendix 2 and 3).

 

Revision:  This text is the same as that of the 2002 version of the Law, with the exception of the reference to Appendix 2 and 3. 

 

Appendix 2 states: 

 

HANDICAP MATCHES

 

In handicap matches, the following variations in the Laws apply:

 

1.  No variation shall be permitted in the number of points required to win a game.

2.  Law 8.1.3 shall be amended to read:

        ‘in the third game, and in a match of one game, when one side has scored half the total number of points required to win the game (the next higher number being taken in case of fractions)’.

 

Appendix 3 states: 

 

OTHER SCORING SYSTEM

 

It is permissible to play by prior arrangement, either. 

 

1. one game of 21 points, or

2. the best of 3 games of 15 points in case of doubles and men’s singles and 11 points in case of women’s singles

 

It then goes on to describe elements of these games, which are essentially played under the provisions of the 2002 version of the Laws with respect to Laws 8, 10, 11, 12, and 16.  The complete text of Appendix 3 appears at the end of this document.

 

7.2  A game shall be won by the side which first scores 21 points, except as provided in Law 7.4 and 7.5. 

 

7.4 If the score becomes 20-all, the side which gains a two point lead first, shall win that game.

 

7.5 If the score becomes 29-all, the side scoring the 30th point shall win that game.

 

Replaces:  

 

7.2  In doubles and men’s singles a game is won by the first side to score 15 points, except as provided in Law 7.5.

 

7.3  In women’s singles a game is won by the first side to score 11 points, except as provided in Law 7.5.

 

7.5 If the score becomes 14-all (10-all in women’s singles), the side which first scored 14 (10) shall choose either Law 7.5.1 or 7.5.2:

 

7.5.1 to continue the game to 15 (11) points, ie not to ‘set’ the game; or

 

7.5.2 to ‘set’ the game to 17 (13) points.

 

7.3 The side winning a rally shall add a point to its score. A side shall win a rally, if the opposing side commits a ‘fault’ or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the opponent’s court.

 

Replaces: 

 

7.4 Only the serving side can add a point to its score (see Law 10.3 or 11.5).

 

 

8.  CHANGE OF ENDS

 

8.1 Players shall change ends:

 

8.1.2 at the end of the second game, if there is to be a third game;  and

 

Replaces:  

 

 8.1.2   prior to the beginning of the third game (if any); and

 

8.1.3  in the third game when a side first scores 11 points.

 

Replaces: 

 

8.1.3 in the third game, or in a match of one game, when a  side first scores:

– 6 in a game of 11 points; or

– 8 in a game of 15 points.

        

8.2  If the ends are not changed as indicated in Law 8.1, it shall be done so as soon as the mistake is discovered and when the shuttle is not in play.  The existing score shall stand.

 

Replaces

 

8.2   If players omit to change ends as indicated in Law 8.1, they shall do so as soon as the mistake is discovered and the shuttle is not in play. The existing score shall stand.

 

9.  SERVICE

 

9.1.1 neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and the receiver are ready for the service.  On completion of the backward movement of server’s racket head, any delay in the start of the service (Law 9.2), shall be considered to be an undue delay;

 

Replaces:

 

9.1.1 neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once server and receiver have taken their respective positions;

 

9.1.5  the whole shuttle shall be below the server’s waist at the instant of being hit by the server’s racket. The waist shall be considered to be an imaginary line round the body, level with the lowest part of the server’s bottom rib;

 

Replaces:

 

9.1.5 the whole shuttle shall be below the server’s waist at the instant of being hit by the server’s racket;

 

9.1.6   the shaft of the server’s racket at the instant of hitting the shuttle shall be pointing in a downward direction;

 

Replaces:

 

9.1.6 the shaft of the server’s racket at the instant of hitting the shuttle shall be pointing in a downward direction to such an extent that the whole of the head of the racket is discernibly below the whole of the server’s hand holding the racket as in Diagram D;

 

9.1.8   the flight of the shuttle shall be upwards from the server’s racket to pass over the net so that, if not intercepted, it shall land in the receiver’s service court (i. e. on or within the boundary lines);

 

Replaces (minor change) :

 

9.1.8 the flight of the shuttle shall be upwards from the server’s racket to pass over the net so that, if not intercepted, it lands in the receiver’s service court (i.e. on or within the boundary lines).

 

9.1.9   in attempting to serve, the server shall not miss the shuttle.

 

Revision:  New text, but to some extent replaces  9.3 It is a ‘fault’ if the server, in attempting to serve, misses the shuttle.”    9.1.9 is a subsection of 9.1 “In a correct service”, therefore if the player misses the shuttle it is not a correct service.  Note also that the text of 9.2 of the 2002 version of the Laws, which reads “9.2 If a service is not correct by virtue of any of Laws 9.1.1 to 9.1.8, it shall be a ‘fault’ (Law 13) by the offending side”, has been deleted.  

 

9.2 Once the players are ready for the service, the first forward movement of the server’s racket head shall be the start of the service.

 

Replaces:

 

9.4 Once the players have taken their positions, the first forward movement of the server’s racket head shall be the start of the service.

 

9.4 The server shall not serve before the receiver is ready. However, the receiver shall be considered to have been ready if a return of the service is attempted.

 

Replaces (minor change)

 

9.6 The server shall not serve before the receiver is ready, but the receiver shall be considered to have been ready if a return of service is attempted.

 

9.5 In doubles, during the delivery of service (Law 9.2, 9.3), the partners may take up any positions within their respective courts, which do not unsight the opposing server or receiver.

 

Replaces (Minor change)

 

9.7 In doubles, the partners may take up any positions which do not unsight the opposing server or receiver.

 

10.     SINGLES

 

10.2    Order of play and position on court

                 

In a rally, the shuttle may be hit by the server and the receiver alternately, from any position on that player’s side of the net, until the shuttle ceases to be in play (Law 15).

 

Replaces: 

 

10.2   The shuttle is hit alternately by the server and the receiver until a ‘fault’ is made or the shuttle ceases to be in play.

 

10.3        Scoring and serving

 

10.3.1   If the server wins a rally (Law 7.3), the server shall score a point.  The server shall then serve again from the alternate service court.

 

Replaces: 

 

10.3.1 If the receiver makes a ‘fault’ or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the receiver’s court, the server scores a point. The server then serves again from the alternate service court.

 

10.3.2  If the receiver wins a rally (Law 7.3), the receiver shall score a point. The receiver shall then become the new server.

 

Replaces: 

 

10.3.2 If the server makes a ‘fault’ or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the server’s court, the server loses the right to continue serving and the receiver then becomes the server, with no point scored by either player.

 

11.  Doubles

 

11.1    Serving and receiving courts

 

11.1.1   A player of the serving side shall serve from the right service court when the serving side has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.

 

11.1.2 A player of the serving side shall serve from the left service court when the serving side has scored an odd number of points in that game.

 

11.1.3  The player of the receiving side who served last shall stay in the same service court from where he served last. The reverse pattern shall apply to the receiver’s partner.

 

11.1.5  The players shall not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.

 

Replaces:

 

11.4 Serving and receiving courts

 

11.4.1 The player who serves at the start of any game shall serve from, or receive in, the right service court when that player’s side has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game, and the left service court when that player’s side has scored an odd number of points in that game.

 

11.4.2 The player who receives at the start of any game shall receive in, or serve from, the right service court when that player’s side has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game, and the left service court when that player’s side has scored an odd number of points in that game.

 

11.4.3 The reverse pattern shall apply to the partners.

 

Comment:  As a result of the rally point scoring system, it no longer follows that the player who started the game will always serve from the right when the score is even and from the left when the score is odd.  This is because of the provision in section 11.1.15 above, where, when the receiving side of a serve wins a rally, it scores a point but does not change its service court.

 

11.1.6 Service in any turn of serving shall be delivered from the service court corresponding to the serving side’s score, except as provided in Laws 12.

 

Replaces: 

 

11.1 At the start of a game, and each time a side gains the right to serve, the service shall be delivered from the right service court.

 

Comment:  As there is only one serve per side, and a side’s score will have increased by one point between the time the serve is lost and regained, under the rally point system each time a side gains the right to serve it will be serving from left service court if it served from the right when it lost the serve, and vice versa.

 

11.2    Order of play and position on court

 

After the service is returned, in a rally, the shuttle may be hit by either player of the serving side and either player of the receiving side alternately, from any position on that player’s side of the net, until the shuttle ceases to be in play (Law 15).

 

Replaces (Minor changes)

 

11.3 Order of play and position on court

 

11.3.1 After the service is returned, the shuttle may be hit by either player of the serving side and then by either player of the receiving side, and so on, until the shuttle ceases to be in play.

 

11.3.2 After the service is returned, a player may hit the shuttle from any position on that player’s side of the net.

 

11.3    Scoring and serving

 

11.3.1  If the serving side wins a rally (Law 7.3), the serving side shall score a point. The server shall then serve again from the alternate service court.

 

11.3.2  If the receiving side wins a rally (Law 7.3), the receiving side shall score a point. The receiving side shall then become the new serving side.

 

Replaces:

 

11.5 Scoring and serving

 

11.5.1 If the receiving side makes a ‘fault’ or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the receiving side’s court, the serving side scores a point and the server serves again.

 

11.5.2 If the serving side makes a ‘fault’ or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the serving side’s court, the server loses the right to continue serving, with no point scored by either side.

 

11.6 Service in any turn of serving shall be delivered from alternate service courts, except as provided in Laws 12 and 14.

 

11.4    Sequence of serving

 

In any game, the right to serve shall pass consecutively:

 

11.4.1  from the initial server who started the game from the right service court

 

11.4.2  to the partner of the initial receiver. The service shall be delivered from the left service court.

 

11.4.3  to the partner of the initial server

 

11.4.4  to the initial receiver,

 

11.4.5  to the initial server and so on.

 

Replaces:

 

11.7 In any game, the right to serve passes consecutively from the initial server to the initial receiver, then to that initial receiver’s partner, then to the opponent who is due to serve from the right service court (Law 11.4), then to that player’s partner, and so on.

 

Comment:  The sequence of serving in the rally point system, flows from the nature of the system.  A receiving side winning a rally scores a point, but the partners do not change sides of the court.  The serve must pass to the partner who did not serve the previous serve, as the team has scored an additional point in the interim.  If the team had an even score when the service was lost, the score will be odd when the serve is regained.

 

11.5    No player shall serve or receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as provided in Laws 12.

 

11.6    Either player of the winning side may serve first in the next game, and either player of the losing side may receive first in the next game.

 

Replaces: 

 

11.8 No player shall serve out of turn, receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as provided in Laws 12 and 14.

 

11.9 Either player of the winning side may serve first in the next game, and either player of the losing side may receive.

 

Comment:  The text of the two versions is the same, except a reference to Law 14 has been deleted.  It is just important to note that in the rally point system if you served in the rally in which you lost the serve, and then you find yourself in the service court when you regain the serve, you are standing in the wrong place. 

 

12.  SERVICE COURT ERRORS

 

12.1  A service court error has been made when a player:

 

12.1.1  has served or received out of turn; or

 

12.1.2  has served or received from the wrong service court;  

 

12.2    If a service court error is discovered, the error shall be corrected and the existing score shall stand.

 

Replaces: 

 

12. SERVICE COURT ERRORS

 

12.1 A service court error has been made when a player:

 

12.1.1 has served out of turn;

 

12.1.2 has served from the wrong service court; or

 

12.1.3 standing in the wrong service court, was prepared to receive the service and it has been delivered.

 

12.2 If a service court error is discovered before the next service is delivered:

 

12.2.1 if one side made the error and won the rally, it shall be a ‘let’;

 

12.2.2 if one side made the error and lost the rally, the error shall not be corrected;

 

12.2.3 if both sides made an error, it shall be a ‘let’.

 

12.3 If there is a ‘let’ because of a service court error, the rally shall be replayed with the error corrected.

 

12.4 If a service court error is discovered after the next service has been delivered, the error shall not be corrected and the play in that game shall proceed without changing the players’ new service courts (nor, when relevant, the new order of serving).

 

Comment:  This simplifies the procedure and does not limit the time when the error can be corrected.  Note also there is no longer a “let” on a service court error and the provision in the 2002 Laws, “14.1.6 a service court error as specified in Law 12.2.1 or 12.2.3 has occurred, has been deleted”.

 

 

13.  FAULTS

 

It shall be a ‘fault’:

13.2 if, in service, the shuttle:

13.2.1  is caught on the net and remains suspended on its top;

13.2.2  after passing over the net, is caught in the net; or

13.2.3  is hit by the receiver’s partner;

 

Replaces:

 

13. FAULTS

 

It is a ‘fault’:

13.8 if, on service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top or, on service, after passing over the net, is caught in the net.

 

Comment:  The provisions of 13.8 remain but the text has been slightly modified and provisions renumbered for clarity.  Section 13.2.3 is new although it has always been assumed that this was a fault

 

13.3    if in play, the shuttle:

13.3.6  touches any other object or person outside the court;

 

Replaces: 

 

13.2.6 touches any other object or person outside the immediate surroundings of the court;

 

Comment: The new text is clearer, as “immediate surroundings” might suggest it is not a fault if the shuttles touched an object outside of the immediate surroundings.

 

13.3.8  is hit twice in succession by the same player.  However, a shuttle hitting the head and the stringed area of the racket in one stroke shall not be a ‘fault’;

 

Replaces: 

 

13.6.2 is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes;

 

Comment:  Removes some ambiguity.

 

13.3.10  touches a player’s racket and does not travel towards the opponent’s court;

 

Replaces: 

 

13.6.4 touches a player’s racket and continues towards the back of that player’s court;

 

Comment: Removes some ambiguity.

 

13.4 if, in play, a player:

13.4.2  invades an opponent’s court over the net with racket or person except that the striker may follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke after the initial point of contact with the shuttle is on the striker’s side of the net;

 

Replaces: 

 

13.4.2 invades an opponent’s court over the net with racket or person except as permitted in Law 13.3;

13.3 if, when in play, the initial point of contact with the shuttle is not on the striker’s side of the net. (The striker may, however, follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke);

 

13.4.5  deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures;

 

Replaces: 

 

13.5 if, in play, a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures;

 

14.     LETS

 

14.2    It shall be a ‘let”, if:

 

14.2.3 after the service is returned, the shuttle is:

 

14.2.3.1 caught on the net and remains suspended on its top, or

 

14.2.3.2 after passing over the net is caught in the net;

 

Replaces:

 

14.1.3 a shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is caught in the net, except on service;

 

Comment:  The provisions are the same.  The text has been slightly modified, for clarity.

 

14.2.5  in the opinion of the umpire, play is disrupted or a player of the opposing side is distracted by a coach;

 

Comment:  This does not replace existing text.  It is a new provision of the Laws

 

14.3    When a ‘let’ occurs, play since the last service shall not count and the player who served last shall serve again,

 

Replaces: 

 

14.2 When a ‘let’ occurs, the play since the last service shall not count and the player who served shall serve again, except where Law 12 is applicable.

 

Comment:  Law 12 deals with service court errors.  In the 2006 version of the Laws, there are no “lets” associated with service court errors, hence reference to Law 12 has been deleted.

 

15.   SHUTTLE NOT IN PLAY

 

The following provision in the 2002 versions of the laws has been deleted.

 

A shuttle is not in play when:

 

15.1 it strikes the net and remains attached there or suspended on top;

 

Comment:  This is now a let according to 14.2.3.2 of the 2006 version of the Laws.

 

 

16. CONTINUOUS PLAY, MISCONDUCT & PENALTIES

 

Intervals:

 

not exceeding 60 seconds during each game when the leading score reaches 11 points; and

 

not exceeding 120 seconds between the first and second game, and between the second and third game  shall be allowed in all matches.

 

Replaces: 

 

16.2 Intervals not exceeding 90 seconds between the first and second games, and not exceeding 5 minutes between the second and third games, shall be allowed in all matches.

 

16.4    Delay in play

 

16.4.1 Under no circumstances shall play be delayed to enable a player to recover strength or wind or to receive advice.

 

Replaces

 

16.4.1 Under no circumstances shall play be delayed to enable a player to recover strength or wind.

 

16.5    Advice and leaving the court

 

16.5.1 Only when the shuttle is not in play (Law 15), shall a player be permitted to receive advice during a match.

 

16.5.2 No player shall leave the court during a match without the umpire’s permission, except during the intervals as described in Law 16.2.

 

Replaces: 

 

16.5.1 Except in the intervals provided in Laws 16.2 and 16.3, no player shall be permitted to receive advice during a match.

 

16.5.2 Except during the five minute interval described in Law 16.2, no player shall leave the court during a match without the umpire’s permission.

 

Comment:  Section 16.5.1. of the 2006 version of the Laws permits giving players advice during a match when the Shuttle is not in play.  In Canada, Provincial Badminton Associations will decide if this will be allowed during Junior events.  The Ontario Badminton Association has decided not to permit a Junior player to receive advice during a match.

 

16.7    Administration of breach

 

16.7.1.2  faulting the offending side, if previously warned. Two such faults by a side shall be considered to be a persistent offence; 

 

Replaces: 

 

16.7.2 faulting the offending side, if previously warned; or

 

16.7.2  in cases of flagrant offence, persistent offences or breach of Law 16.2, the umpire shall fault the offending side and report the offending side immediately to the Referee, who shall have the power to disqualify the offending side from the match.

 

Replaces: 

 

16.7.3 in cases of flagrant offence or persistent offences, faulting the offending side and reporting the offending side immediately to the Referee, who shall have power to disqualify the offending side from the match.

 

Comment:  The provisions have not change, but the text has been altered for clarity

 

17.               OFFICIALS AND APPEALS

 

17.6.8  refer to the Referee all unsatisfied appeals on questions of law only. (Such appeals must be made before the next service is delivered or, if at the end of the match, before the side that appeals has left the court).

Replaces:

 

17.6.8 take to the Referee all unsatisfied appeals on questions of law only. (Such appeals must be made before the next service is delivered or, if at the end of a game, before the side that appeals has left the court).


 

APPENDIX 3

 

 

 

OTHER SCORING SYSTEM

 

It is permissible to play by prior arrangement, either. 

 

1.       one game of 21 points, or

2.       the best of 3 games of 15 points in case of doubles and men’s singles and 11 points in case of women’s singles

 

In case of 1 above, the following variation shall apply to the Laws of Badminton:

 

8.  CHANGE OF ENDS

 

8.1  In a one game match, players shall change ends when a side first scores 11 points.

 

 

In case of 2 above, the following variation shall apply to the Laws of Badminton:

 

7.  SCORING SYSTEM

 

7.1     A match shall consist of the best of three games, unless otherwise arranged (Appendix 2 and 3).

 

7.2     In doubles and men’s singles a game shall be won by the side which first scores 15 points, except as provided in Law 7.5.

 

7.3     In women’s singles a game shall be won by the side which first scores 11 points, except as provided in Law 7.5.

 ;

7.4     Only the serving side on winning a rally shall add a point to its score (Law 10.3 or 11.3). A side shall win a rally, if the opposing side commits a ‘fault’ or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the opponent’s court.

 ;

7.5     If the score becomes 14-all (10-all in women’s singles), the side which first scored 14 (10 in women’s singles) points shall exercise the choice in either Law 7.5.1 or 7.5.2:

 

         7.5.1 to continue the game to 15 (11) points, i.e. not to ‘set’ the game;   or

 

         7.5.2 to ‘set’ the game to 17 (13) points.

 

7.6     The side winning a game shall serve first in the next game.

 

 

8.  CHANGE OF ENDS

 

8.1 Players shall change ends:

 

                  8.1.1   at the end of the first game;

 

                  8.1.2   at the end of the second game, if there is to be a third game;   and

 

                  8.1.3   in the third game when a side first scores:

 

                       8.1.3.1 6 points in a game of 11 points;   or

                       8.1.3.2 8 points in a game of 15 points.

 

8.2  If the ends are not changed as indicated in Law 8.1, it shall be done so as soon as the mistake is discovered and when the shuttle is not in play.  The existing score shall stand.

 

10.   SINGLES

 

       10.1      Serving and receiving courts

 

10.1.1  The players shall serve from, and receive in, their respective right service courts when the server has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.

 

10.1.2  The players shall serve from, and receive in, their respective left service courts when the server has scored an odd number of points in that game.

 

        10.2      Order of play and position on courrt

         

In a rally, the shuttle may be hit by the server and the receiver alternately, from any position on that player’s side of the net, until the shuttle ceases to be in play (Law 15).

 ;

        10.3      Scoring and serving

 ;

10.3.1  If the server wins a rally (Law 7.4), the server shall score a point.  The server shall then serve again from the alternate service court.

 ;

10.3.2  If the receiver wins a rally (Law 7.4), the server shall lose the right to continue serving and the receiver shall then become the server, with no point scored by either player.

 ;

11.   DOUBLES

 

11.1      Serving and receiving courts

 

11.1.1 At the start of a game, and each time a side gains the right to serve, the service shall be delivered from the right service court

 ;

11.1.2  The player who serves or receives at the start of any game shall serve from, or receive in,  the right service court when that player’s side has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.

 ;

11.1.3 The player who serves or receives at the start of any game shall serve from, or receive in, the left service court when that player’s side has scored an odd number of points in that game.

              

11.1.4  The reverse pattern shall apply to the partners.

         

11.1.5  The player of the receiving side standing in the diagonally opposite service court to the server shall be the receiver.

              

11.1.6  Service in any turn of serving shall be delivered from alternate service courts, except as provided in Laws 12 and 14.

         

11.2      Order of play and position on court

 

After the service is returned, in a rally, the shuttle may be hit by either player of the serving side and either player of the receiving side alternately, from any position on that player’s side of the net, until the shuttle ceases to be in play (Law 15).

 


11.3      Scoring and serving

 

11.3.1  If the serving side wins a rally (Law 7.4), the serving side shall score a point. The server shall then serve again.

 ;

11.3.2  If the receiving side wins a rally (Law 7.4), the server shall lose the right to continue serving, with no point scored by either side.

 ;

11.4      Sequence of serving

 

                  In any game, the right to serve shall pass consecutively:

 

11.4.1  from the initial server,

 

11.4.2  to the initial receiver,

 

11.4.3  to the partner of the initial receiver,

 

11.4.4  to the player of the initial receiving side who is standing in the right service court (Law 11.1.2),

 

11.4.5  to the partner of the player stated in 14.4.4 and so on.

         

11.5  No player shall serve or receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as provided in Laws 12 and 14.

 ;

11.6  Either player of the winning side may serve first in the next game, and either player of the losing side may receive first in the next game.

 ;

 

12.   SERVICE COURT ERRORS

 

12.1  A service court error has been made when a player:

 

12.1.1  has served or received out of turn; or

 

12.1.2  has served or received from the wrong service court;   

 

       12.2  If a service court error is discovered before the next service is delivered:

 

12.2.1  if one side made the error and won the rally, it shall be a ‘let’;

 

12.2.2  if one side made the error and lost the rally, the error shall not be corrected;

             

12.2.3  if both sides made an error, it shall be a ‘let’.

 

       12.3  If there is a ‘let’ because of a service court error, the rally shall be replayed with the error corrected.

 

       12.4  If a service court error is discovered after the next service has been delivered, the error shall not be corrected and the play in that game shall proceed without changing the players’ new service courts (nor, when relevant, the new order of serving).

 

16.      CONTINUOUS PLAY, MISCONDUCT & PENALTIES

 

16.2        Intervals:

 

16.2.1   not exceeding 90 seconds between the first and second game; and

 

16.2.2   not exceeding 5 minutes between the second and third game

shall be allowed in all matches.

 

 

 

 

Revised October 19, 2006

 

Please send comments or corrections to rmg0450@yahoo.ca

 

 

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