Guide to Badminton Referees

Each sport is governed by some rules that every player must follow. The sports officials in charge must enforce these laws. There are various rules in badminton to play a game and to make successful decisions. Each player is expected to stick to the rules along with the officials. For this reason, badminton does have several officials who are charged with responsivity to ensure that these laws are followed to the latter. One such official in badminton is the referee. Did you know a referee’s duties in a badminton game?

What are the duties of badminton referees?

The referee is in charge of the overall match. The referee shall ensure that the tournament is held in compliance with the Badminton Laws, the BWF Rules and Regulations, and any other regulations that apply to the particular competition. He/she must ensure that players are provided with facilities (including practice) and playing conditions of an acceptable standard and health, approval of the play plan and practice schedule, ensuring adequate transportation set-up and overall control of fair-related issues, ensuring proper player conduct of the tournament.

The Referees are the senior officials of badminton sport. A badminton official, along with the international competitions, has ultimate jurisdiction over matches, tournaments, or formals activities. The Badminton World Federation bestows this authority and responsibility upon a referee. There are specific laws that give us a referee to the full authority of the contests. A badminton official is the sole arbitrator and in charge of matters on-court and off-court. A referee’s work is complete of responsibility, and so he’s got a team that can help him out. Team officials are known as assistant referees. Below are the summarized duties of referees.

  • A referee can be held liable for any incident during the play. For this reason, he has to make sure the players receive proper facilities during the tournaments
  • He prepares players ‘ practice sessions and schedules. He also has to take care of the players ‘ play conditions
  • A referee has to make sure the equipment is up to the BWF’s level.
  • He must also ensure that everyone follows the rules of health and safety, as well as other sports laws. A referee has the responsibility for delivering a proper match schedule.
  • A referee also sets the order of play before badminton matches begin.
  • He is also tasked with the responsibility to make modifications to the badminton game schedules and re-schedule for the play in case of a draw.
  • He also liaises with the umpires and other officials about the matches and tournaments.
  • A referee also coordinates with the badminton coaches and teams.
  • A referee is also charged with the responsibility is to produce a full tournament report

What are the duties of other officials in badminton games?

Every court has 10 line jurors, who determine whether the shuttle is in or out. In front of them, they lift one of their forearms for “in,” and stretch their arms to mean “out” (precisely like “wide” in cricket).

Then there is a service magistrate who calls if they serve a mistake. This occurs when the player goes beyond the service line, or when their racket is above the waste while serving. Then there’s an umpire on the field, who’s the ultimate boss.

They keep announcing the score, asking you when the shuttle changes hands and stopping the players from loitering around and holding the game together. The line judges and the service judge are meant to assist the umpire, and the umpire may ignore the call of the judges even though they never do so.

If the player contests the umpire’s decision or a line judge, then there is also an umpire from the IRS who checks and judges the match on a screen. Finally, there is a badminton official who, unlike other sports, is virtually never on the court. A referee handles the entire tournament. They are naming umpires, arranging matches, and ensuring the equipment is up to standard.

Where does the referee stand in badminton?

It is not common to see referees in the paly courts until a critical situation arises. If any circumstances are relevant, it is the responsibility of umpires to advise the referees about them. Referees are also sometimes bound to take on umpires’ duties. So, they mostly stand to the side of the court.

Each job has a particular responsibility, and a skill set is required for that, which helps people work rigorously. There are specific competencies a referee should have. For example, a referee must have extensive knowledge about badminton’s rules and laws to enforce them effectively.

Also, since becoming a referee comes with making decisions on critical matters during the play, hence, a referee should have good decision-making skills. Referees will also be communicating and collaborating with coaches, players, managers, tournament officials, and badminton officials; hence, he/she must have excellent communication skills.

What does badminton referees wear?

Like any other match, badminton officials wear specific uniforms to identify themselves quickly to the players. In most cases, referees and other badminton officials are provided with officials by badminton officials equipment. Often, it is the duty of the tournament coordinators and the sponsors to supply the uniforms and the gear. They must provide the referees and umpires with play regalia to wear while officiating badminton games.

As a rule, badminton referees and umpires must wear a stopwatch. In major tournaments, badminton referees wear attire(shirts) that have been issued by the tournament sponsors. The shirts must have imprints of the name of the sponsor of the tournament. However, in minor tournaments, referees and other officials come with their uniforms.

Apart from wearing a uniform, badminton referees and officials must have specific equipment. They must have with them two caution cards (both yellow and red), a black card for issuing a disqualification in case a team misbehaves, the scorecard and a pen. Every badminton official who oversees the game is must carry with them these items.

Bottom Line

To become a badminton official, there’s no question that you are supposed to be well versed in-game rules. Badminton referees go through rigorous training, at least at the national and international levels. Many organizations train individuals to become badminton referees for the profession.