Slingshots allowed or not?

[danbelcher]

I have heard that slingshots are now acceptable in top level and yet in the laws of badminton updated Aug 2002, rule 13.6.1 quite clearly states that it is a fault. (Also, a double hit is allowed if the action is one stroke)

[Michael Banks]

I think someone is pulling your chain Daniel. Slingshots are not acceptable at any level. As you rightly mentioned a double hit is ok as long as it one continuous stroke.

[Balmforthk]

I think you would have a hard job arguing that with most people. I've been playing 25 years and did not know a double hit is allowed if the action is one stroke. I would suggest most people would think it is a fault.

[Grover]

Unless you have officials then the rule is open to some debate. I think the golden rule for most fairminded people is that, if it feels right, take it. If it doesn't then call it a fault. This includes slings, double hits, bad wood shots.

There are some people who take everything, but then again they would steal your parking spot as well.

[Dave]

I'd never take a sling or a double. What's a "bad wood shot"? Thought a frame hit was ok provided it's not a sling or a double?

[Grover]

I would call a bad wood shot when, for example I go to smash it and for some reason it tips the top of the frame skews sideways and topples over the net like a loopy drop.

Technically legal but no where near where I intended it to go. Would call that a no shot.

On the other hand I would always take a shot I hit twice so long as it went where I put it. Legal and fair.

I'm not suggesting everyone calls every dodgy shot they make, but it is part of my game to call shots that are mi**** badly.

[Pglews]

To be honest, most players are ok when it comes to calling a double hit with one action. Although its allowed, its normally sporting to call it anyway.

[Grover]

This is what makes badminton interesting, frustrating and sporting. Everyone is different and reacts in different ways.

On another point, how many people call someones serve as illegal without an umpire or official? A consistent illegal serve infuriates me more then the occasional dodgy sling or shot from the frame.

[Pglews]

Again, depends on whether there is an advantage (more of a doubles thing I guess, but not totally). If someone has an illegal high serve it doesn't bother me, as long as they're not gaining any more advantage than they would normally, but a short serve that comes down is a pain! (unless you've got a waist height of over 5ft!!!!!)

[Dave]

Always thought the opposite. A mis-directed wood perfectly ok and a double - no matter how well directed - illegal.

Always worth pulling someone up on an illegal serve. Not much you can do about it at club level but always ruffles a few opposition feathers ;)

[Grover]

Like I said before, makes badminton interesting :o)

Double shots have been legal for quite a while, although I don't suggest swinging the racket round your head with the shuttle on the end.

[Dave]

There goes my best shot.

[ALBrowne]

Would it be dangerous to suggest that all these "wonderful variations" come down to ignorance of the laws of the game? Too many people call too many "No shots". It seems that illegal serving is widespread in leagues.

[mcripp]

One of the biggest problems about calling or not calling what is considered to be a bad shot comes with the inconsistency of some players. At the start of the game they call their shots but as the game get tighter they suddenly remember the laws and then do not call. Much better to start as you mean to carry on. In the end that is what the laws are there for. You cannot pick and choose which ones you are going to abide to.

[Frodo]

Ive noticed that phenomenon with line calls as well .. what was in at the start of a set ends up becoming out by the end of it ...