Section 2: Equipment
The Racket (Law 3)
The racket is governed by Law 3 of the BWF Laws of Badminton. The following specifications are mandatory for all BWF-sanctioned competition:
3.1 Frame Dimensions
- The overall length of the racket frame shall not exceed 680 mm (26.77 in).
- The overall width of the racket frame shall not exceed 230 mm (9.06 in).
- The frame, including the handle, shall be of defined construction: the handle, the string area, the throat (connecting handle to head), and the head (enclosing the string area).
3.2 String Area
- The strung area shall be flat and consist of a pattern of crossed strings connected to a frame.
- The strung area shall not exceed 280 mm (11.02 in) in overall length and 220 mm (8.66 in) in overall width.
- However, the strings may extend into an area which otherwise would be the throat, provided that the width of the extended string area does not exceed 35 mm and the overall length of the strung area does not then exceed 330 mm.
3.3 Construction Requirements (Law 3.3)
- The racket shall be free of attached objects and protrusions, other than those used solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear, or vibration, or to distribute weight, or to secure the handle by cord to the player's hand, provided such objects and protrusions are reasonable in size and placement for such purposes.
- The racket shall be free of any device which makes it possible for a player to change materially the shape of the racket.
The Shuttlecock (Law 2)
The shuttlecock may be made from natural or synthetic materials. Regardless of the material, the flight characteristics shall, in general, be similar to those produced by a natural feathered shuttlecock with a cork base covered by a thin layer of leather.
2.1 Feathered Shuttlecock (Law 2.1)
- A feathered shuttlecock shall have 16 feathers fixed in a rounded cork base covered by thin leather.
- The feathers shall be 62–70 mm (2.44–2.76 in) in length measured from the tip of the feather to the top of the base.
- The tips of the feathers shall lie on a circle with a diameter ranging from 58–68 mm (2.28–2.68 in).
- The feathers shall be fastened firmly with thread or other suitable material.
- The base shall be 25–28 mm (0.98–1.10 in) in diameter with a rounded bottom.
- The shuttlecock shall weigh 4.74–5.50 g (0.167–0.194 oz).
2.2 Non-Feathered (Synthetic) Shuttlecock (Law 2.2)
- The skirt or simulation of feathers in synthetic materials replaces natural feathers.
- The base shall be as described in Law 2.1 for feathered shuttlecocks.
- Measurements and weight may vary from those in Law 2.1 to the extent permitted by the BWF, to allow for differences in material density or other physical qualities.
2.3 Shuttle Speed Testing (Law 2.3)
To test a shuttle, strike it with a full underhand stroke which makes contact with the shuttle over the back boundary line. The shuttle shall be hit at an upward angle and in a direction parallel to the side lines. A shuttle of correct speed will land not less than 530 mm and not more than 990 mm short of the other back boundary line (measured from the far back boundary line inward). At higher altitudes or in warm conditions a heavier shuttle may be required; at lower altitudes or in cold conditions a lighter shuttle.
Equipment Approval
The BWF publishes and maintains an approved list of shuttlecocks for use in BWF-sanctioned tournaments. Rackets used in play must conform to the specifications in Law 3. The referee of a tournament has the authority to rule on equipment legality during competition.