Fouls and Faults in Badminton

Did you know that there are several different types of fouls in badminton? Just like any other sport, there are several ways in which you can mess up. These mistakes can result in you losing the point or service, which can also be referred to as a fault in badminton.

The types of fouls we will cover can be divided into five categories: contact, double hit, service, service received, and over the net foul. We will break down each type of foul and explain how they occur and why they are wrong.

Each player’s goal for every game is to avoid losing their turn to serve or any points because of these fouls and faults we are about to cover.

Contact Fouls

When it comes to contact fouls, they can occur anytime a shuttlecock comes in contact with any object or person other than your racket. Your racket is the only thing the shuttlecock should touch during any badminton game. Failure to do so is when a contact foul is given.

This means that the shuttlecock should not touch your shoes, shin, shirt, or any other part of your body or clothing. Even if it makes it over the net, your opponent will still win the point if you receive a contact foul. An excellent way to avoid any unnecessary contact fouls is to remain flexible and light on your feet while playing.

This is why stretching and warming up are essential aspects of badminton. Being able to react quickly and move in an instant can help to prevent contact fouls from happening.

Service Faults

Also known as service faults, these tend to occur when a player is serving. If the service is not executed below the waist or in an upward motion, this type of foul can be called.

Another way to receive a service foul is if you are positioned on the left side of the court during a match, and you do not serve the shuttle to the right side. Players are to serve to the opposite side of their opponent's court, and failure to do so is a foul.

To avoid receiving one of these fouls, you should follow through on any of your serves to avoid any delays being called. They can see the hesitation and time you take as a foul if it seems to be unreasonably long. It is crucial to be prepared and hit promptly when it is your turn to serve.

You should also only swing at the shuttlecock once when serving and keep your feet firmly on the ground as you swing. Double swings or dragging your feet can also result in a service foul.

Double Hit Fouls

Any attempts at hitting the shuttlecock a second time in a row are known as a double-hit foul. Once you hit it once, that is all you are allowed. Double hits are considered illegal in the game of badminton and will result in a point for your opponent.

If you and your teammate both come in contact with the shuttle simultaneously, a double-hit has occurred. You should never be hitting the shuttlecock more than once anytime it is on your side of the net. Anything more than that will result in a foul.

Over the Net Fouls

Most will associate this type of foul with players touching the net. No part of your body or racket should touch the net at any point in the match. The foul will be called if your elbow, racket head, shin, or anything connected to you or the racket is caught touching the net. Again, resulting in the point being awarded to your opponent.

Failure to get your shuttle over the net on your serve or return can also result in a net foul. Or if it passes under or even through the net, this type of foul can occur. So, ensuring that the racket you use has the proper type of head and grip for your playing style is essential to making the hits you need.

Net fouls can also occur if a player attempts to hit the shuttlecock before going over the net. It should not be hit at all until it crosses over onto your side. Hitting it before it crosses the net is also considered to be a foul.

Service Receiving Faults

Similar to service fouls, service receiving ones occur when the shuttle is served to you. There are several ways in which you can receive a foul while your opponent is serving.

The first thing to avoid doing is moving before your opponent has made their serve. Any movement of your feet can result in a foul being called on you. Almost as if you are jumping the gun on that rally.

Another thing to avoid doing is any distraction. This can be gestures made or trash-talking to your opponent. Anything that can be considered distracted can result in you receiving a foul while your opponent is serving.

This means that staying put and silent while your opponent takes their serve, is the best course of action to prevent yourself from receiving a foul.

Avoiding Fouls

As you now know, there are several ways in which fouls can occur during a game of badminton. The majority of rallies that take place are ended because a foul occurs. This means that knowing the rules and ways to avoid the fouls from occurring is essential to winning.

When it comes down to it, you do not want to lose a game because you dragged your feet when serving, or the shuttlecock hit your shin during a rally. Games only consist of twenty-one points, and you do not want to give even a portion of those points to your opponent if you do not have to.

It's easy to get into the game and make fundamental mistakes; however, your opponent only needs a two-point lead to win once someone reaches twenty-one.