Badminton — BWF Law 6 and ITTO 5.2
Winning the toss gives one choice, not every advantage.
Before a badminton match, the toss allocates two decisions: whether to serve or receive first, and which end of the court to start from. The winning side selects one of those decisions; the losing side makes the other. In an umpired BWF match, the choices are recorded and followed by a normally timed two-minute on-court warm-up.
Quick ruling: under the Badminton World Federation Laws of Badminton and Instructions to Technical Officials effective 1 July 2026, the toss winner chooses either to serve or receive first, or to start at a particular end. The toss loser chooses within the remaining category. Unless the Referee directs otherwise, the two-minute warm-up begins when the Umpire sits in the chair, with “Ready to play” called at 90 seconds.
At a glance
The standard pre-match sequence
- The players arrive on court and the Umpire conducts the toss fairly.
- The toss winner chooses either the first service decision or the starting-end decision.
- The toss loser chooses within the category that remains.
- The Umpire notes the choices, which are final once made.
- The Umpire gets into the chair promptly and starts the warm-up clock.
- Unless the Referee has instructed otherwise, “Ready to play” is called at 90 seconds and “Play” starts the match at the end of the two-minute period.
This sequence comes from BWF Law 6 and ITTO 5.2, both effective 1 July 2026. A local competition without an Umpire may use a simpler procedure, but its regulations should still be checked before assuming a different warm-up or toss rule.
The two choices
What the toss actually decides
BWF Law 6.1 gives the winner a choice between two categories:
- Service: choose to serve first or to receive first.
- End: choose which end of the court to occupy at the start.
The winner does not select one option from each category. BWF Law 6.2 gives the losing side the decision left over after the winner chooses a category.
Example
If the winner chooses to serve, the loser chooses the end
Suppose Side A wins the toss and chooses to serve first. Side B then chooses which end to start from. Side A starts at the opposite end. Side A cannot also claim its preferred end merely because it won the toss.
If Side A instead chooses a starting end, Side B chooses whether to serve or receive first. Choosing to receive means Side A will serve; choosing to serve means Side A will receive.
Coin toss
The BWF rule requires a fair toss, not a particular object
“Coin toss” is common shorthand, but BWF Law 6 says only that a toss must be conducted. ITTO 5.2.1 requires the Umpire to carry it out fairly. Neither provision in the rules effective 1 July 2026 says that a particular coin, racket spin, or other object must be used.
A coin is therefore a straightforward way to produce the required fair result, but the legal point is the impartial toss and the order of choices. At an organised event, the Umpire controls the procedure; players should not replace it with their own side agreement.
Final choices
A side cannot change its selection after hearing the opponent's
Under BWF ITTO 5.2.1 effective 1 July 2026, the Umpire records the choices of both the winning and losing sides, and those choices are final once made. The procedure is sequential: the winner selects first, then the loser exercises the remaining choice.
For that reason, “we meant to receive” or “we now prefer the other end” is not a basis for redoing the toss after both choices have been confirmed. The Umpire should make the available options clear and record the outcome before moving on.
Singles and doubles
The toss is between sides
BWF terminology treats one player in singles and a pair in doubles as a “side.” Law 6 therefore gives a doubles pair one collective choice; it does not give each partner a separate choice.
The toss decides which side serves or receives first. For doubles, the exact first server and first receiver must also be identified so the service sequence is fixed correctly. Under the 2026 ITTO, an Umpire using a scoresheet marks the server “S” and the receiver “R,” and the match announcement names who serves to whom.
Starting end
Choosing an end affects the opening position, not the whole match
A side may value an end because of lighting, airflow, background contrast, or another venue condition. Law 6 permits that tactical choice, but only for where play starts.
BWF Law 8 effective 1 July 2026 later requires the prescribed changes of ends: after the first game, before a third game if one is needed, and in the third game when the leading side reaches 8 under the standard 15-point system. The initial toss does not cancel those later changes or allow a side to stay permanently at its preferred end.
First service only
The toss does not control service for the entire match
The service choice determines who serves or receives the first rally of the first game. After that, service follows the scoring and service-order laws. The side winning a rally scores a point, and the right to serve changes when the receiving side wins a rally.
The toss is not repeated before later games. Under BWF Law 7.5 effective 1 July 2026, the side that won the preceding game serves first in the next game, regardless of the original toss result.
Warm-up clock
The normal on-court warm-up is two minutes
BWF ITTO 5.2.2.1 effective 1 July 2026 directs the Umpire to time a two-minute warm-up unless the Referee has instructed otherwise. It is one shared pre-match period, not two minutes per player or per pair.
The clock starts when the Umpire sits in the chair after the toss. It does not wait for the first practice stroke, a player's first contact with the shuttle, or completion of a preferred drill. The Umpire is instructed to take the chair promptly so the start is clear and consistent.
Ninety seconds
“Ready to play” means finish warming up and prepare to start
At 90 seconds of the normal two-minute period, the 2026 BWF ITTO tells the Umpire to call “Ready to play,” unless the Referee has given a different instruction. That leaves 30 seconds for players to stop hitting and become ready for the opening announcement and service.
The call does not grant another 90 seconds or begin a separate countdown. The warm-up ends when the Umpire calls “Play” to start the match.
What the period is
Practice exchanges do not count as match rallies
The BWF definition of a rally begins with a service during the match, while ITTO 5.3.2 says the Umpire's call of “Play” indicates the start of the match. Shots exchanged during the timed warm-up therefore do not score points, determine service, or alter the recorded toss choices.
The BWF instructions time the period but do not promise a player a set number of clears, smashes, serves, or shuttle contacts. Players share the available court time and must be ready when directed.
Shuttle testing
A warm-up hit is not automatically the formal speed test
BWF Law 3 effective 1 July 2026 defines a specific shuttle-speed test: a full underhand stroke from above the back boundary line, struck upward and parallel to the sidelines, with a prescribed landing range. That is a separate rule from the timed warm-up in ITTO 5.2.
Players may form an opinion about flight while warming up, but they cannot extend the period simply by describing every practice exchange as a speed test. Any equipment concern should be raised promptly through the official procedure. See the racket, shuttlecock, and equipment rules for the formal specifications and test.
Competition variation
The Referee can give a different warm-up instruction
The two-minute procedure is the BWF ITTO default, not an absolute promise in every competition. ITTO 5.2.2.1 expressly qualifies it with “unless instructed otherwise by the Referee.” Event regulations, court scheduling, presentation requirements, or a properly communicated Referee instruction may therefore produce a different procedure.
That variation concerns the warm-up administration. It does not silently change BWF Law 6's allocation of the toss choices. Any authorised change should come from the competition or its officials, not from one side unilaterally taking more time.
No Umpire
Club players should settle both choices before warming up
In an unumpired match, use a genuinely fair toss, state the winner's selection clearly, and let the loser make the remaining choice. Then identify the first server and, in doubles, the first receiver before play begins.
The BWF ITTO timing directions are written for technical officials, so a recreational session should follow its league, tournament, or club conditions for warm-up length. If no local procedure applies, agreeing the length before anyone starts hitting avoids turning a warm-up custom into a rules dispute.
Common misunderstandings
Five claims that confuse the pre-match procedure
- “The toss winner serves and chooses the end.” No. The winner controls one category; the loser controls the other.
- “The winner must serve.” No. The winner may choose to receive or may choose an end instead.
- “BWF Law 6 specifically requires a coin.” No. It requires a toss, and the ITTO requires the Umpire to conduct it fairly.
- “The two minutes begin with the first practice shot.” Not under the standard 2026 BWF officiating procedure. They begin when the Umpire sits in the chair.
- “Two minutes means two minutes each.” No. It is the timed warm-up period for the match.
Official references
Source material