How do line judges call and signal?
Rule- South Africa
- Badminton South Africa
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027
- BSA Technical Officials
- Umpires
- Service judges
- All ages
- 2027
- Officials
Under the BWF Instructions to Technical Officials (section 8) and Law 17.4:
- A line judge is entirely responsible for the line(s) assigned and indicates whether the shuttle landed "in" or "out".
- Line judges sit looking directly down their lines at the ends and sides of the court, preferably on the side opposite the umpire unless the referee says otherwise.
| Shuttle | Call | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Out (no matter how far) | "Out", promptly and loud enough for players and spectators | Both arms extended horizontally, looking at the umpire |
| In | Nothing | Point to the line with the right hand, looking at the umpire |
| Unsighted | — | Both hands over the eyes, straight away |
- Don't call or signal until the shuttle has touched the floor or something outside the court (other than a player).
- Call without anticipating the umpire's decisions about faults, such as the shuttle touching a player or racket first.
- Remember that lines are part of the area they mark, so a shuttle touching the line is in.
If a line judge is unsighted, the umpire makes the call or plays a let.
Added 22 Oct 2026