Badminton is quite a quick sport, with the action getting faster with each rally. And in this rapid play, shuttlers need to be attentive to avoid any fouls and faults.

These fouls can make or break your match as your opponent gets points for the mistakes you make. So if you are a beginner, then you must know the fouls and faults that occur in badminton.

In this article, we have explained the basic fouls and faults in badminton.

Service Faults

Let’s start with service faults, which you may encounter at the start of a rally. Serving the shuttle right is an important aspect of badminton, and you shouldn’t miss our guide on service rules.

First of all, you should always execute the serve below your waist. If you fail to do so, your opponent will receive a point.

Apart from that, you should hit the shuttle while swinging the racket only once. You can’t swing it back and forth, which may result in a foul. Just serve the shuttle without lifting or dragging your feet, which should be in contact with the court.

If you don’t serve the shuttle diagonally in your opponent’s court, then it will be a fault. For instance, if you are standing on the right side of your court, then the service should be towards the left side of your opponent’s court.

And lastly, you shouldn’t take too much time to serve the shuttle. If you take unreasonable time while serving, then the referee will consider it a foul.

Service Receiving Faults

Now these are faults you will encounter when your opponent is serving the shuttle to you. When receiving a serve, you need to keep a couple of things in mind.

You should not move unless and until your opponent has served the shuttle. If the officials detect any slight movement, you will receive a fault. So stay still until the serve is complete.

There is also a foul if you distract your opponent when they are serving. You should not make any inappropriate gestures or use offensive words to distract your opponent.

Contact Fouls

Now that you have served the shuttle and received it, it’s time to make sure that only your racket comes in contact with the birdie. If the shuttle touches your body or any gear, including your clothes and shoes, then it is a contact foul.

Over the Net Fouls

If you fail to serve or return the shuttle over the net, it will result in a foul. Plus, if the serve or return passes through or under the net, it will also lead to a fault.

Apart from that, you or your racket should not come in contact with the net during the play. If any part of your body or racket touches the net, it will fall under a fault.

And you should refrain from hitting the shuttle even before it crosses the net on your side. If you do so, then your opponent will get a point.

Double Hit Fouls

While executing a shot, you can hit the shuttle only once. If you attempt to hit it twice in a row, then you will receive a double-hit foul and your opponent will gain a point.

In a doubles game, if you and your partner happen to hit the shuttle at the same time or you hit it first and then your partner also hits it after that, then it will be a double-hit foul.

Final Words

Now that you are aware of the fouls and faults in badminton, make sure you don’t receive any while playing the sport. Be mindful of your actions so that it doesn’t cost you the game. Happy smashing!

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