Introduction

Efficient performance by line judges is vital to the success of a major badminton tournament. A line judge's reliability and accuracy may affect the outcome of matches that have been the goal of world class players in an event in which many of them will participate only once in their lives.

Line judges must know the game thoroughly, and like all others in the technical area of the game, believe and understand that:

"The game is for the players"

The task of the line judge involves being alert and properly focused at all times when on duty. The appropriate posture (sitting upright, hands on knees) gives umpires and players confidence in the line judge, and also provides a good visual impression to spectators and media.

Appointing, Replacing, Overruling

Law 17.6.4 - An umpire shall appoint or replace line judges ... in consultation with the Referee.

Law 17.5 - An official’s decision shall be final on all points of fact for which that official is responsible except that if, in the opinion of the umpire, it is beyond reasonable doubt that a line judge has clearly made a wrong call, the umpire shall overrule the decision of the line judge.

An umpire may overrule the decision of a line judge.

While the line judge's decision must be delivered promptly, confidently and clearly by voice and/or signal, it must not be done so quickly that errors are made. A line judge who can give the impression that a 'fraction of a second' was taken to consider the decision will gain the confidence of the umpire and the players.

Look... Think... Signal

Any line judge who is approached by a player for clarification or in a menacing manner must not engage in any interaction with the player. The line judge must sit still, and look at the umpire to establish and maintain eye contact. It is then the umpire's responsibility to call the player to "play".

An umpire, however, may call on the line judge to repeat a call/signal. A line judge who realises immediately that he or she has made an incorrect call must immediately, and without expression, make the correct call/signal.

Should any line judge be requested by the umpire/referee to leave the court area, this must be done immediately and without public fuss. Such an action may be called for to allow play to continue without undue delay, and is not necessarily an indication that the line judge has made errors.

Line Judge Instructions

The following are taken directly out of the "Recommendations to Technical Officials" section of the "Laws of Badminton":

When the Shuttle is Out

If the shuttle lands out, no matter how far, call "Out" promptly in a clear voice, loud enough to be heard by the players and the spectators and, at the same time, signal by extending both arms horizontally so that the umpire can see clearly.

Notes:

• As in the diagram, the palms of the hands are facing the court, so that the thumb is uppermost.
• Hold the signal momentarily and make eye contact with the umpire, who should acknowledge your call.
• The call should, in particular, be loud enough to be heard by the umpire.

When the Shuttle is In

If the shuttle lands in, say nothing, but point to the line with your right hand.

Notes:

• There is no call.
• As in the diagram, the fingers are held together with the palm facing the floor. Lean forward slightly when making the call and (preferrably) use your right hand. Do not use both hands to make this signal.
• Hold the signal momentarily and make eye contact with the umpire who should acknowledge your call.
• Any shuttle touching the line on its initial contact with the floor is "IN".
• Most of the weight of a shuttle is in its base, and when it is smashed or falls, it will almost always land base first. In the case of a smash, of course, the side of the shuttle and feathers will make almost instantaneous contact with the floor. It is the moment of first contact, however, which is "initial", and which must be called or signaled.

When the Line Judge is Unsighted

If unsighted, inform the umpire immediately by holding your hands to cover your eyes.

Notes:

• There is no call.
• As in the diagram, raise both hands to cover the eyes. Do not cross your arms/hands over.
• The signal is NOT to be used to avoid making a difficult decision!
• If a line judge is truly unsighted, (e.g. a player's feet obscure the line and the shuttle at the crucial moment) and cannot make a decision, this signal is used, and the umpire either makes the decision, or plays a "Let".

Calls at line intersections

Remember: A line judge calls a landed shuttle ONLY in relation to the line(s) assigned.

In the following example, line judge 3 (LJ3) is calling the side line and line judge 4 (LJ4) is calling the back line for a doubles match.

Notes:

• The umpire needs only one "Out" call to determine that the shuttle is out. For shuttles "X" and "Z" there would be one "Out" call. For shuttle "Y" there would be two "Out" calls. For shuttle "W", there are no "Out" calls, so the shuttle is in.
• Line judge 3 would call/signal shuttle "X" as "In" (relevant only to the sideline), while line judge 4 would signal shuttle "Z" as "In" (relevant only to the back line).
• The same principle applies where any two lines of the court intercept.

Position of Line Judges

Where practical, it is recommended that the line judges’ positions be 2.5 to 3.5 metres from the court boundaries and, in any arrangement, the line judges’ positions be protected from encroachment by any outside influence, e.g. by photographers.

Notes:

• Positions 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10 call the lines only as far as the net.
• Positions 4, 5, 6 and 7 call the full width of the court.
• Positions 4 and 7 will, in the case of doubles only, call the inside line for receiving the serve and the base line for the rest of the rally.
• Positions 2 and 9 must continually be alert as to which side is being served to.
• Positions 1, 3, 8 and 10 will reposition to the inside line for singles.
• Should circumstances require it (e.g. an advertising A frame may need to be forward for television viewing purposes), positions 2 and 9 may be further from the court boundary, as their line to call is shorter.

Numbers of Line Judges

Ideally, every game of every tournament should have the full complement of 10 line judges. However, for most tounrments, from a practical and economical point of view, that is simply not possible.

Therefore, we tend to see matches in tournaments where line judge numbers range from 0 (zero!) to 10. Obviously, the less line judges there are on a match, the more responsibility falls on the umpire to make calls, and sometimes that is extremely difficult, especially on the far sideline and the back lines.

Referring to the numbering on the diagram above:

• 1 line judge would watch the whole of the far side line, from either position 3 or 8. This line judge should be careful to not call the back line, as this could be construed as being "unfair" since the opposite back line is not being called.
• 2 line judges would usually watch both side lines, from position 1 or 10 and from position 3 or 8. Umpires will often get these line judges to also watch the back lines on each side and the back service line for doubles.
• 3 line judges would watch the far side line, from either position 3 or 8, and the two back lines, from positions 4 and 7.
• 4 line judges would watch both side lines, from position 1 or 10 and from position 3 or 8, and the two back lines, from positions 4 and 7.
• 5 line judges (unusual) would watch both side lines, from position 1 or 10 and from position 3 or 8, and the two back lines, from positions 4 and 7, as well as the centre service lines, from position 2 or 9.
• 6 line judges would watch both side lines, from position 1, 3, 8 and 10, and the two back lines, from positions 4 and 7. Note that the side line judges now only have to watch the line up to the net post.
• 7 line judges (unusual) would watch both side lines, from position 1, 3, 8 and and 10, and the two back lines, from positions 4 and 7, as well as the centre service lines, from position 2 or 9. Note that the side line judges now only have to watch the line up to the net post, but the centre line judge has to watch both centre lines, on the close and far sides of the net.
• 8 line judges would watch both side lines, from position 1, 3, 8 and 10, and the two back lines, from positions 4 and 7, as well as the centre service lines, from positions 2 and 9. Note that the side line judges now only have to watch the line up to the net post, and each centre service line judge only has to watch the service line closest to them.
• 10 line judges watch all lines from positions 1 through 10.

Movement On and Off Court

• A designated group of line judges will move in single file (and preferably in step) from the entrance area on to court, following an agreed route (see below). Each member must know in advance which chair they will occupy. When you reach your chair, stand with your back to it, and the backs of your legs touching the chair, so you can then sit without fuss. The leader (the first person to move onto court, and the person who has the furthest to walk to their position) will give the hand signal to be seated when all are in place. After rotation between games (if required), the person in the chair occupied by the original leader will be the new leader.
• Between games - When the umpire calls the word "game" at the end of each game, the group will stand. If there is a full complement of line judges (10), and if rotation of position is required, rotation will occur after each game, when line judges will walk to the second chair on their left and remain standing. After the first (and second if appropriate) game, line judges will sit when the umpire calls "20 seconds". Note: Take care when passing behind umpire's chairs, or where ever there are TV cables or other obstructions.
• At the end of the match - Remain seated until the umpire's foot touches the floor, then stand. The leader turns to walk off, passing each other line judge, who falls in behind, and makes the line to walk off. Do not break ranks until you are back at the assembly point.

Positions for Moving Onto Court

Refer to the numbering on the diagram above.

Positions and manner of moving onto court may vary depending on the layout of the venue, the number of other courts, space availability and, of course, the number of line judges assigned to the match.

In the following table, A is from the corner to the LEFT of the umpire's stand (nearest position 1), B is from the opposite corner to the LEFT of the umpire's stand (nearest position 3), C is from the opposite corner to the RIGHT of the umpire's stand (nearest position 8), and D is from the corner to the RIGHT of the umpire's stand (nearest position 10). The leader is in bold.

General Line Judge Instructions

Line judging is not an easy task. Perhaps the view is the best in the house, but you cannot just sit and watch, as would a spectator. Mistakes by line judges can cost players points, and perhaps matches. Knowledge of required procedures is vital, as it should help accuracy, confidence, and therefore concentration.

Presentation

It is important to the event that not only are line judges accurate and honest, but that the presentation be professional in keeping with the event. Efficient presentation adds immeasurably to spectators' appreciation of the event as a whole. Sloppy presentation detracts from what may be an otherwise well conducted event.

Summary

• You are an important official.
• You must be alert at all times, watch the shuttle not the match.
• Give every match your full attention. This may be difficult if your match is dull and there is an exciting match on the next court.
• Sit upright with your back to the back of the seat, feet and knees comfortably together, hands loosely clenched on the legs, as near to knees as comfortable.
• No chewing while on court!
• Always wear proper uniform and be neat and tidy. Wear a cap if provided.
• Always signal "In" or "Out" even if you think it is obvious, hold the signal until the umpire has seen it.
• If a shuttle lands near your feet, ignore it. If it lands in your lap, hand it to the nearest player.
• Do not move to make a signal until the shuttle has hit the floor. Then call loud and clear, and/or give a firm and decisive signal.
• Do not rush your call. Take a breath to make your call, and look at where the shuttle lands. Then call or signal as appropriate. Remember... Look... Think... Signal.
• When making your call, make eye contact with the umpire.
• You are only to make judgements regarding where the shuttle has landed, not regarding possible faults. Give a call even if you think the shuttle touched a player's racquet or clothing. That is for the umpire to decide.
• If you cannot make a decision, indicate unsighted. Don't guess!
• If the umpire questions your call, think again. You may change your call or you are sure you were wrong. Remember: the umpire is able to overrule an obviously inaccurate line call.
• Make your calls as you see them, do not be influenced by the players, spectators or others.
• If a player "menaces" you, ignore him/her and look to the umpire, whose job it is to control the players.
• Always be aware of when you are next to go on court, and do not go far away, as the current match on court may be very short. You could miss out on your next turn and cause a delay while a replacement is found.
• If you are asked to leave your chair, do so without fuss.
• Keep your concentration up. Get gentle exercise and fresh air between matches, and keep your fluid intake up to avoid dehydration. If you do not feel well, do not go on to court, but notify your team leader, or the coordinator, who will replace you.