10 Badminton Hand Signals and Their Meanings

Badminton is a sport that requires players to make game-changing decisions in the blink of an eye. No sport is completely free of cheating. To prevent it in badminton, officials work together using specific badminton referee hand signals. A referee, an umpire, and line judges collaborate to highlight violations, including fouls, faults, and other final calls. Becoming familiar with these signals will help a fan or a player better understand and admire the game.

Being a badminton enthusiast who loves to watch and follow badminton on TV, knowing what the referee is trying to communicate during the match can prove to be very useful, as it will help you completely understand and admire the game.

Let’s dive in as we walk you through ten essential badminton hand signals and what each one means.

Badminton hand signals:

#1. Undue delay of serve:

Both the server and receiver must be ready before the service. Delaying the game unnecessarily is considered a violation.

Hand Signal: The umpire swings their right arm to the left, indicating that the player has been penalized.

Before issuing this signal the players are given a verbal warning by the umpire. If the delay continues a yellow card is shown, followed by a red card for further offences. To confuse other competitors, some try to make it look like they are going to serve by not hitting the shuttle. That too is a foul.

Furthermore, receivers are also penalized if they take longer than permitted to prepare. The reason is so that the game is not overly complicated and can run smoothly for both participants. A player who delays play excessively can be issued a warning and penalized by the referee.

#2. Feet on the service line or even off the ground:

During service, both the server and receiver must remain inside their respective service courts only. Both of them are not supposed to step on the lines. Additionally, both feet must be touching the ground.

Hand Signal: The umpire gestures towards the player’s feet to indicate a foot fault. This prevents players from gaining an undue advantage by being in an overly favourable position to respond too quickly near the net. One’s position in badminton is very important because the rally can be affected by even a minor foot position error. Players may unintentionally put a foot on the line or raise a foot before hitting the shuttle leading to a foul.

This rule is created because service is the beginning of every rally. This is to make sure that every player does not gain benefits because of poor positioning. Umpires are very strict about this, even the smallest infringement can cause a loss of serve or a point for the opponent.

#3. Service too high:

The shuttle must be hit below the server’s waistline. If it is struck above the waist, it is a service foul.

Hand Signal: The service judge raises their hand to indicate the fault.

In badminton, the “waistline” is marked by the lowest rib of the server, preventing any strong serves resembling that of tennis. This rule makes sure of a fair game, as a higher serve would help a player generate more power and have a steep angle. This makes receiving the shuttle harder.

A lot of players, especially amateurs, tend to struggle because it demands an accurate racquet angle and shuttle placement. Some pro players have even attempted to change their stance to serve lower, but the rule is strict. Every serve is monitored closely by the service judge, and even if the shuttle is slightly higher than the waist, it will be called a fault.

#4. The Racquet handle should face down while serving:

The racquet head must be facing downward while serving. If the handle is higher than the head at the point of contact, it is considered a foul.

Hand Signal: The service judge points downward to indicate incorrect racquet positioning.

As per this rule, servers cannot hit the shuttle sharply with power because doing so would give them an unfair advantage. A downward-facing racquet helps ensure that the serve is within control and does not give the server undue advantage. 

Many beginners tend to hold their racquets either horizontally or slightly vertically resulting in wilder serves that are more aggressive. This rule ensures that all players can serve in the same fair manner. The service judge will instantly call a fault if they see a violation of the racquet position which will cause the player to lose the serve.

#5. When the shuttle falls outside the court lines:

When the shuttle lands outside the designated court lines, it is considered “out.”

Hand Signal: The line judge extends both arms outward and calls “out.”

For singles, the boundary is defined by the inner court lines, while for doubles, the outermost lines are considered the limit. This is one of the primary rules in badminton, which requires one to understand the court dimensions and make proper decisions. 

The speed of a shuttle can be blindingly fast, and some shots can be highly disputed as they fall close to the borderline, making it difficult to judge. Players often dispute these calls, particularly in high-level encounters, where one point can change the match. Though with modern technology this call has certainly improved, the hand signal of a line judge remains the official way to declare a shuttle “out”.

#6. When the shuttle lands inside the lines of the court: 

If the shuttle falls within the designated boundary lines, it is considered “in”.

Hand Signal: The line judge points downward toward the court.

This signal is important because the line judges have the final decision on whether a shuttle is in or out and players may challenge the decision. Due to the fast pace of the game, determining the shuttle’s landing position can be challenging for the players too. Although professional tournaments utilize instant replays, the line judge’s call is still vital. 

Every boundary call in Badminton is critical since precise footwork and shot placement are vital components of the sport. A player can simply lose a match due to a single misjudgment, which makes line calls and hand signals in badminton so critical.

#7 Badminton Hand signal from a line judge showing unclear sight

Sometimes, the line judge may not clearly see where the shuttle lands due to obstruction or fast movement.

Hand Signal: The line judge places both hands in front of their face with palms facing outward.

Contemporary systems like instant reviews have minimized the dependence on this call, and it is only used if necessary. This gesture allows the umpire to know that the line judge was not in a position to make an authoritative decision. The umpire has the option to either exercise a judgment decision or consult the instant review system, should he be in possession of the latter. 

This rule provides balance, as even the most precise humans are not infallible, and accepting poor eyesight is a safeguard for the game.

#8 Badminton Hand signals by players for short flick serve

In doubles, servers often communicate with their partners using hand signals to indicate where they will serve.

Hand Signal: The server discreetly shows a finger signal behind their back to indicate the direction and type of serve.

Common signals include:

• One finger: Short serve
• Two fingers: Flick serve (slightly high serve)
• Combination of fingers: Specific service placement

These signals allow teammates to prepare for their next move, ensuring better coordination. A well-timed hand signal in badminton can give players an edge by communicating their strategy discreetly, helping them execute precise serves and maintain control of the rally.

#9 Raising an arm to signal a challenge to the decision of any judge/umpire

If a player disagrees with a referee or line judge’s call, they can request a challenge.

Hand Signal: The player raises their hand to signal a challenge request.

Each player has two challenges per match. If the challenge is successful, they retain their challenge; if not, they lose one. Badminton umpire hand signals play a crucial role in these situations, as the umpire uses specific gestures to acknowledge and process the challenge request.

This system adds an extra layer of fairness, ensuring that crucial points are not lost due to human error.

#10 Badminton Hand signal with a yellow card

If a player displays unsportsmanlike behaviour, the umpire can issue a yellow card as a warning.

Hand Signal: The umpire calls the player using their left hand and raises a yellow card with their right hand.

Repeated misconduct can lead to a red card, which may result in a point penalty or even disqualification. This rule ensures discipline on the court, maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Summing up Badminton Hand Signals: 

Understanding these badminton hand signals can help players avoid penalties and assist spectators in following the game better. Whether you’re watching a professional match or playing competitively, knowing these hand signals in badminton ensures you’re always in sync with the action on the court.

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