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Knowing the rules of badminton is incredibly important when you are starting your badminton career. This is because it can be confusing at times to know whether the shuttle has landed in or out.
Therefore, learning as much as possible about the laws of badminton will mean that you can become the best player possible whether you are planning to play it purely for fun or if you plan on entering tournaments.

Certain shots in badminton can cause confusion if the shuttle has landed on the line which has caused tension among players over the years as well as arguments with umpire and line regulators.
In this article, we’ll be taking you through everything you need to know when it comes to knowing when a shuttle is in or out in badminton.
When Is The Shuttle In?
The best way to think about whether the shuttle is in is to remember that if it lands on the line then it is still classed as in, as defined by the Laws of Badminton.
What line the shuttle lands on will depend if you are playing a singles or doubles game as there is a wider court for doubles than singles due to the amount of space needed for both players on each team.
Therefore, when you are playing a singles match, you have to mentally block out the outside lines as they don’t qualify as “in” if the shuttle lands on them.
The most important part of the shuttle to note is the part of the shuttle that lands on the court first which is usually the base due to its heavier weight.
If the base lands on the line while the rest of the shuttle sits outside the lines then the shot will be classed as “in” as this is the first part of the shuttle to land on the ground.
When The Shuttle Lands On The Center Line After A Serve
One situation that confuses a lot of badminton players, especially beginners, is when the shuttle lands on the center line after a serve. This is because the center line is located in between two different areas but it is technically “in” regardless of which side you are serving from.
When Has A Shuttle Landed In Or Out?
There are times when the shuttle lands and it is difficult to know whether it has landed in or out. Beginners don’t have a lot of experience of playing which means that advanced players will find it easier to call.
If you are starting out in your badminton career then try to play with someone who has a better understanding of the rules which can help you to become a better player. It will also help you to figure out what kinds of shots work depending on the situation and where you are on the court.
If you do find yourself making a mistake when it comes to calling whether the shuttle is in or out, don’t be disheartened if you make the wrong call.
Even badminton officials sometimes make the wrong call and this doesn’t make them bad at their job but just proves how difficult it can be to know how the shuttle has landed sometimes.
What Happens When You Don’t Know If The Shuttle Is In Or Out?
If it’s not clear whether the shuttle has landed in or out, there can be tension filled debates and discussions, especially if the players don’t agree. This means that badminton can be filled with a lot of frustration, especially if you are sure whether it has landed a certain way to find that your opponent or the official disagrees with you.
However, when these situations happen, it is best to carry on with the game and try to make sure your shots are as clear as possible to prevent any confusion.
When it comes to professional tournaments, there will be an umpire as well as line judges just like tennis so there are multiple officials on hand to give a clear image on whether the shuttle has landed in or out.

What Part Of The Shuttle Dictates Whether It Has Landed In Or Out?
When it comes to determining whether the shuttle has landed in or out, the official will look at the first part of the shuttle that has hit the court which in the majority of situations is the base, known as the cork. This is because the base is the heaviest part of the shuttle meaning that it is more likely to land on it.
In the instance when it is not clear which side lands first, officials are more likely to go with where the base has landed which can cause a bit of tension, especially if the players have opposing points of view.
Other Facts To Know
There are some other facts that are important when it comes to the rules of badminton. The first of these is knowing that the lines must be 40 millimeters wide exactly, meaning that there is little space for the shuttle to land in a confusing position although this can happen, as discussed above.
All of the lines around the badminton court are the same width and distance from each other to ensure that there is complete fairness for all players.
Conclusion
Overall, familiarizing yourself with the rules of badminton will ensure that you can play to the best of your ability and better your skills while also having as much fun as possible.
Making sure that you learn what the different lines represent so you can be certain that you are playing according to the rules. This is especially important if you plan on taking part in competitions.
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