can an umpire call a let?

**pcll99** · 03-13-2012, 11:56 AM

i know if an umpire is convinced beyond reasonable doubt that a line judge got it wrong, he can overrule the line judge. But what if he thinks it is very close (ie, maybe it's in or maybe it's out), can he call a let?

**phili** · 03-13-2012, 12:12 PM

I don't think so. Maybe if the line judge's vision was blocked and so was the umpire's but not if the line judge made a call.

***kwun*** · 03-13-2012, 12:21 PM

if the umpire clearly thinks the linejudge is wrong, then he will overrule it.
if the umpire clearly thinks the linejudge is correct, then he won't need to say a thing.

so what circumstances would the umpire turn it into a let? maybe when the umpire thinks the linejudge is an idiot and not competent or not in the right state to make a call? maybe the linejudge fell over or fall asleep?

hm...

**a|extan** · 03-13-2012, 12:39 PM

i have not seen a let b4 in badminton competition.....
any video to show one?

**pcll99** · 03-13-2012, 12:55 PM

what about a line judge? can he himself call a let if he is not sure?

***kwun*** · 03-13-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by pcll99

what about a line judge? can he himself call a let if he is not sure?

yes. linejudges can call unsighted. the gesture is covering ones eyes.

example situations includes..

- view of shuttle blocked by player
- momentarily fell asleep
- too engrossed in watching the rally and forgotten about having to call a line
- etc.

**a|extan** · 03-13-2012, 01:44 PM

such unsight r rare..

likely the empire will have to come in to make the final calls

badminton is still not like tennis... when one player can make a limited no of challenger or video review

this can oso let the players catch their breath...a little little while

i am supportive of this

**Cloud7z** · 03-13-2012, 02:05 PM

That's why being the line judge down the middle would be the best; concentrate on the service then after that, you can just enjoy the game

**krysser** · 03-13-2012, 02:15 PM

No the line judge can't call a let, he can "call" an unsightet as Kwun writes, but if he does that the umpire will make a decision, often the decision is to call a let, but he has all three possiblitys.

**CantSmashThis** · 03-13-2012, 02:54 PM

Calling a let on a close line call would show that you are not trusting enough of your line judge to agree with their judgement. And in your case, lots of lets will be played on close line shots then.

**krysser** · 03-13-2012, 03:03 PM

No the umpire will only call it if the line judge calls an unsightet (as I wrote) there isn't that many, but those that are there is more likely to be on close calls, so as an umpire it can be very hard to make a call on a close one on the far side of the court.
It has nothing to do with not trusting your line judge, he/she has allready told you that they have no clue if it was in or out
As I wrote the umpire has all 3 possibilitys so if it is happening just under your chair there is nothing wrong in calling it as you see it.

**LD rules!** · 03-13-2012, 03:07 PM

In International Challenge tournaments from what I've seen, the umpire will only over rule a line call of it is blatantly wrong. If it is slightly wrong (still slightly noticible though) then it will stand, cause once the umpire overules that line, then any shuttle that goes near it, most players at that level, will infact try and influence the line judge and umpire.

Would not call a let though, only an overule if there is a clear mistake.

**visor** · 03-13-2012, 03:14 PM

Sure. A let is called by the umpire when the receiver indicates he's not ready when the server serves... many times a match when Ko SungHyun is serving.

**krysser** · 03-13-2012, 03:14 PM

Well the thing is that the line judge haven't made a real call, he/she have made an unsightet call telling you that they can't make a call, therefor you as umpire have to make the call for them, so you are not overruleing anything, they haven't made a call for you to overule, if they made a real call (in/out) the umpire can only accept it or overrule it if it is a clearly wrong call.

**visor** · 03-13-2012, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by krysser

Well the thing is that the line judge haven't made a real call, he/she have made an unsightet call telling you that they can't make a call, therefor you as umpire have to make the call for them, so you are not overruleing anything, they haven't made a call for you to overule, if they made a real call (in/out) the umpire can only accept it or overrule it if it is a clearly wrong call.

Instant video replay is already broadcasted, if BWF uses that to assist, the umpire's job would be so much easier.

**johnv** · 03-13-2012, 11:15 PM

I guess umpires try to avoid calling lets to keep the game going smoothly. Calling a let introduces uncertainty into the situation and one side will still feel put out that their shot wasn't called good. It encourages subsequent close calls to also be questioned and interruptions may start to creep in.

Players know sometimes calls go against their own judgements, but they have to get over it and not let that distract from their game. Umpiring consistency should be a matter for the organisers not the players.

**pcll99** · 03-14-2012, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by kwun

yes. linejudges can call unsighted. the gesture is covering ones eyes.

example situations includes..

- view of shuttle blocked by player
- momentarily fell asleep
- too engrossed in watching the rally and forgotten about having to call a line
- etc.

But what if after having saw it (ie, he wasn't blocked), he's not sure.. what then?

"The birdie was too fast, I couldn't say".... "It was 3 meters away, i couldn't see it well"... "It was simply too close to call."

At least one of the above happens in almost every single match.