Distraction

**DeadlyDuck** · 03-29-2009, 08:55 AM

Just wondering, for all those people out there, is purposely distracting your opponent illegal? For example; I was playing doubles in a tournament, one guy always yelled when I wound up to spike. This threw off my timing. So is this against the rules? Cause its an extremely dirty way of playing either way.

**Danstevens** · 03-29-2009, 09:32 AM

I think this one is at the umpire's discretion, they tend to let you/your opponent it if it's out of hand and give a warning. If you're not happy, you can always tell the umpire that you think your opponents are trying to deliberately distract you and that you would like something doing about it.

**DeadlyDuck** · 03-29-2009, 09:34 AM

but is it actually a rule not to?

**Danstevens** · 03-29-2009, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by DeadlyDuck

but is it actually a rule not to?

There may be a rule somewhere in the badminton law book but if not, it's sort of an unwritten rule anyway, like when the umpire at a tennis match asks for "quiet please".

**hhwoot** · 03-29-2009, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by DeadlyDuck

but is it actually a rule not to?

I think this may cover it, under unsportsmanlike conducts. Players’ Code of Conduct

VVV, it looks like TheBear found the right one.

**TheBear** · 03-29-2009, 02:52 PM

13.4.5 It is a fault if, in play, a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures

Hope that helps

**DeadlyDuck** · 03-29-2009, 07:07 PM

thanks, i wish i had called him on it now....

**TheBear** · 03-30-2009, 03:05 AM

I know exactly what you mean ! I got a copy of the rules from the Badminton England website, printed them off and lobbed them straight into the racquet bag - very useful in matches !