Player Update – Service Undue Delay

Further to discussions by the Umpire Assessment Panel and a proposal to the Events Committee and Council related to continuous play, please find enclosed a reminder on Clause 9.1.1 of the Laws of Badminton.

Please share with your players, coaches, and team leadership, so they are aware of the approach of Umpires in calling undue delays in upcoming tournaments.

Laws of Badminton – Clause 9.1.1

The Laws of Badminton, Clause 9.1.1, state that neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and receiver are ready for the service.

This means that once players are in a position to serve and receive, any excessive delay is undue delay, whether it is a player holding their hand up indicating they are not ready, standing in a position ready to serve and doing nothing, or the side-to-side motion.

Standing doing nothing or side-to-side motions are not preparation; preparation has already happened before the players stand ready to serve or receive.

Umpires may call servers or receivers for these types of undue delays in upcoming tournaments, using their best judgment.

More Information / Contact Person

Please contact Events Director – Technical Operations, Christopher Trenholme ([email protected]), should you have any questions.