Badminton Rules

TOURNAMENT SPECIFIC RULES
The following rules will be strictly followed so that tournament execution is conducted in a timely manner. We request all of your cooperation in this matter.

PLAYER GROUPING

Players will be divided into groups. Each group will be assigned a court and all players part of that group should stay next to their court starting from the time of announcement for each category until all their league matches are completed.

Schedule for all matches on a court will be posted next to the court.

Court Coordinators for each court will not move around searching for players.

After a match, if the next set of players are not on court within 5 minutes of completion of the previous match, a walkover will be declared and the opponents will be declared winners. If both teams are not on court, then the match will be canceled.

If a team/player receives a walkover, the team will be awarded a score of 21-12, 21-12.

For a win in straight sets, a score for the 3rd set will not be awarded as the software does not support ranking based on sets won/lost.

No gym bags, backpacks or food items are allowed in the gym. These should be kept at your region’s zone in the cafeteria.

Your kids are your responsibility. If any damage is done to school property by your kids, parents will be liable to pay the fees to cover those damages. Moplah Games or Waterloo Broncos will not be liable for such charges.

A player is allowed to play in a single skill level category only. For eg: a player cannot play in kids and adults category. Similarly, Men's singles player cannot play in the Intermediate or Beginner doubles category.

Both finalists from the 2023 tournament Men's Doubles Beginner and Intermediate categories will need to move one level up for the 2024 tournament.

For Men's doubles, a player has the option to move down one category if the player did not go past the league round during the 2023 tournament.

Skill Assessment:

There will be a skill assessment team to monitor players and ensure players are playing in the right skill level category. This is only applicable for new players playing in Beginner and Intermediate doubles.

An opponent team can raise a complaint to the skill assessment team about a player that they believe is not playing in the right category. If the skill assessment team determines (through their process) that the player is in violation, then all matches played by the doubles team that includes the player will be invalidated and given as a walkover to the opponent team.

If a player who played in 2023 and has moved down a category due to Rule #3 above, skill assessment will not be applicable for that player.

ESCALATION PROCESS

If any player or team has a concern, the below escalation process should be followed. Any one other than the Team Captain or MG Rep SHOULD NOT approach the Tournament Control Room for questions or clarifications.

Player/Team --> Team Captain or MG Rep --> Tournament Control Room

CODE OF CONDUCT

All players and guests shall engage in respectful and professional communication at all times.

The use of abusive language, derogatory remarks, name-calling, or any form of verbal harassment directed at any individual is strictly prohibited.

All players and guests should follow volunteer instructions at all times.

Do not argue with volunteers, court coordinators or umpires

Any one other than the Team Captain or MG Rep should not approach the scoring desk for questions or clarifications.

Strict actions will be taken for any violations including point deduction and invalidating a win.

COURT AND COURT EQUIPMENT
There will be 9 courts available at the facility, courts will be pre-assigned for group and each match.

Yellow Nylon (Non-Feathered; Mavis 350 Blue) skirt shuttles will be used for the entire time of play.

TOSS
Before play commences, a toss shall be conducted by the court coordinator by throwing the shuttle up in the air. When the shuttle falls on the court, the side facing the white cork side of the shuttle will be determined as the toss winner. The side winning the toss shall exercise one of the below choices:

1. To serve or receive first
2. To start play at one end of the court or the other If the side winning the toss decides to select a side, the opponent will get to serve first.

GAME

All games will be decided over three sets.

A set shall be won by the side which first scores 21 points. In case of a 20-20 tie, the side that first gains a two-point lead shall win the set. However in case of a 22-22 tie, the side that scores the 23rd point wins the set.

The side winning a rally shall add a point to its score. A side shall win a rally, if the opposing side commits a ‘fault’ or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of the court inside the opponent’s court.

The side winning a set shall serve first in the next set. After each set there will be a switch in the sides. If the match goes to three sets, teams will change sides at 13 points in league rounds and 11 points from semis in the third set. For games starting at 9-9, third set will swap sides at 15th point.

Organizers will have the right to change the number of points in a set or number of sets in a game based on the tournament situation.

FAULTS

If a service is not correct. (The 1.15 mtr height rule will be applied wherever possible)

If in play, the shuttle:
a. lands outside the boundaries of the court (i. e. not on or within the boundary lines);
b. passes through or under the net
c. fails to pass over the net
d. touches the ceiling or side walls
e. touches the person or dress of a player
f. touches any other object or person outside the court
g. is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke
h. is hit twice in succession by the same player. However, a shuttle hitting the head and the stringed area of the racket in one stroke shall not be a ‘fault’
i. is hit by a player and the player’s partner successively; or touches a player’s racket and does not travel towards the opponent’s court

If in play, a player
a. touches the net or its supports with racket, person or dress
b. Invades an opponent’s court over the net with racket or person except that the striker may follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke after the initial point of contact with the shuttle on the striker’s side of the net
c. invades an opponent’s court under the net with racket or person such that an opponent is obstructed or distracted or
d. obstructs an opponent, i.e. prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net

LETS

When the shuttle touches the nets and cross over the game is continued. It’s not considered a fault even during service.
On the line is considered as IN.

GENERAL RULES

Umpire decision is considered final.
For all league games, Pre-Quarter and Quarter, Court Coordinators will act as umpires.

The umpire assigned for the game will be random and only Organizers will have the right to change the umpire.

Players must arrange their own racket, gym clothes and sports shoes (non-marking is preferred). Birdies will be provided by the organizers.

Maximum of one minute break between sets will be allowed. Within the set, a break is allowed only for quick drinks not longer than 15 seconds at the umpire's discretion.

Umpires may penalize the players / team for deliberate wasting of time.

QUALIFYING TO KNOCKOUT STAGE

For all groups, group standings and progression to knockout will be based on the following order - Wins, Higher Point Difference (PD), Higher Points For (PF) , Lower Points Against (PA)

Mens Advanced Singles

3 Groups
Top team from each group and best 2nd placed team will advance to Semi-Finals. Best 2nd placed team will be determined based on criteria mentioned above.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 winner
Group 3 winner will play against Best 2nd placed team

Mens Advanced Doubles

2 Groups
Top 2 teams from each group will advance to Semi Finals.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 runner up
Group 2 winner will play against Group 1 runner up

Mens Intermediate Doubles

6 Groups
Top team from each group and 2 Best 2nd placed team will advance to the Quarter Finals. Best 2nd placed team will be determined based on criteria mentioned above.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 winner
Group 3 winner will play against Group 4 winner
Group 5 winner will play against Group 6 winner
1st runner up will play against 2nd runner up

Mens Beginner Doubles

16 Groups
Top team from each group will advance to the Round of 16 knockout stage.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 winner
Group 3 winner will play against Group 4 winner
and so on..

Ladies Under 30 Singles

4 Groups
Top team in each group will advance to Semi Finals

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 winner
Group 3 winner will play against Group 4 winner

Ladies 30+ Singles

3 Groups
Top team in each group and Best 2nd placed team will advance to Semi Finals. Best 2nd placed team will be determined based on criteria mentioned above.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 winner
Group 3 winner will play against Best 2nd placed team

Ladies Doubles

6 Groups
Top team in each group and 2 Best 2nd placed teams will advance to Quarter Finals. Best 2nd placed team will be determined based on criteria mentioned above.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 winner
Group 3 winner will play against Group 4 winner
Group 5 winner will play against Group 6 winner
1st runner up will play against 2nd runner up

Senior Girls

3 Groups.
Top team in each group and Best 2nd place team will advance to Semi Finals. Best 2nd placed team will be determined based on criteria mentioned above.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 winner
Group 3 winner will play against Best 2nd placed team

Senior Boys

3 Groups.
Top team in each group and Best 2nd place team will advance to Semi Finals. Best 2nd placed team will be determined based on criteria mentioned above.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 winner
Group 3 winner will play against Best 2nd placed team

Junior Girls

2 Groups
Top 2 teams from each group will advance to Semi Finals.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 runner up
Group 2 winner will play against Group 1 runner up

Junior Boys

2 Groups
Top 2 teams from each group will advance to Semi Finals.

Group 1 winner will play against Group 2 runner up
Group 2 winner will play against Group 1 runner up

Veteran Mens Doubles
2 Teams. Straight to final match.