Role of the Umpire

The umpire has the authority over a particular match and is in charge of the court and its immediate surrounds. The umpire ensures the match is conducted in accordance with the Laws of Badminton, the rules and regulations of the BWF and any other regulations pertinent to the specific tournament.

The umpire makes calls regarding service faults and other player faults or lets. The umpire keeps the match score which he or she announces after each point. The umpire also keeps a record of any incidents of misconduct and reports them to the referee. The umpire’s jurisdiction shall exist from the time the players enter the court before the match until they leave the court after the match. The umpire reports to and acts under the authority of the referee.

Levels of BWF Umpires

The BWF has one level of umpires – BWF Umpires.

Umpire Assignments

The BWF invites the Continental Confederations to nominate umpires and reserves as per the agreed quota:

• Olympic Games
• Youth Olympic Games
• Grade 1 Tournaments
  • BWF World Championships
  • Thomas Cup (BWF World Men’s Team Championships)
  • Uber Cup (BWF World Women’s Team Championships)
  • Sudirman Cup (BWF World Team Championships)
  • Suhandinata Cup (BWF World Junior Team Championships)
  • Eye Level Cups (BWF World Junior Championships)
  • BWF World Senior Championships
• Grade 2 – Level 1 Tournaments (HSBC BWF World Tour Finals).
• Grade 2 – Level 2 (HSBC BWF World Tour – Super 1000)
• Grade 2 – Level 3 (HSBC BWF World Tour – Super 750)
• Grade 2 – Level 4 (HSBC BWF World Tour – Super 500)
• Grade 2 – Level 5 (HSBC BWF World Tour – Super 300)
• Grade 2 – Level 6 (BWF Tour – Super 100)

The host country appoints umpires for Grade 3 Continental Level tournaments (International Challenge, International Series and Future Series).

BWF appoints umpires to multi-sport games upon request by the host organiser.

Umpire Training, Assessment, Appraisals and Mentoring

National Badminton Federations train, develop and assess umpires to the highest national level for their top national tournaments. Umpires who are at a sufficient level and experience may then be assessed to become accredited or certificated at the continental level.

Training and development opportunities and assessment are provided at the continental level. The BWF and/or Continental Confederations run umpire training courses and seminars to ensure umpires have the requisite knowledge to officiate at the highest international levels.

BWF Umpire Assessors are responsible for the assessment of umpires to be upgraded to the BWF Umpire level, the appraisals of current BWF Umpires, as well as helping lead the respective education and mentoring programs of these umpires.

Resources and Downloads

The following additional resources can be downloaded from the drop-down icon above:

• BWF Umpire Live Score Instruction Manual
• Guidelines for Umpire Assessors
• Instruction Manual for BWF Fixed Service Height Measuring Device
• Instructions to Umpires and Service Judges