
In badminton, a point is scored when the shuttlecock or birdie lands inside the opponent's court. A point can also be conceded if a shot goes outside the court boundaries, if the shuttlecock hits the net, or passes through or under it, or if a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racket. The rules do not allow second serves. In 2006, the rules were changed to a rally point system, allowing both players to score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. This means that only the serving team can initiate play, but either team can ultimately score a point.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring system | Rally point system |
| Number of games in a match | Best of three games |
| Points to win a game | 21 points |
| Points to win if score is tied at 20-20 | 2 clear points |
| Points to win if score is tied at 29-29 | 30th point |
| Scoring | A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court |
| Service courts | Two service courts: one on the right, and one on the left |
| Server's score | If an even number, the server serves from the right service court; if odd, from the left |
| Receiver's position | Diagonally opposite from the server |
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What You'll Learn
- Scoring a point: a point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court
- Service courts: the receiver always stands diagonally opposite the server
- Serving rules: a serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist
- Rally point system: both players can score a point during a rally, regardless of who served
- Scoring positions: the server's score is said first, followed by the receiver's score

Scoring a point: a point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court
Scoring a point in badminton is relatively simple. A point is scored when the shuttlecock, also known as a "birdie", lands inside the opponent's court. This is true whether the player is serving or receiving. The shuttlecock must be hit diagonally over the net and across the court. It is important to note that the shuttlecock must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttlecock should be kept below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when struck by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards.
The receiver's position is determined by the server's position. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. In other words, if the server is in the left service court, the receiver will stand in the right service court, and vice versa. This ensures that the shuttlecock is hit diagonally, creating a more dynamic and challenging exchange.
In terms of serving, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving from that side as long as they keep winning points. If the server wins a point, they continue serving but switch to the left-hand side, and vice versa. This alternating pattern continues throughout the game. It is worth noting that in doubles, the serving team will alternate between teammates as long as they keep winning points.
The scoring system in badminton is based on a rally point system, allowing both players or teams to score points during a rally, regardless of who is serving. To win a game, a player or team must reach 21 points. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one side achieves a two-point lead. Interestingly, if the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score the 30th point wins the game.
In conclusion, scoring a point in badminton is based on the placement of the shuttlecock landing inside the opponent's court, with specific rules governing serving and receiving positions to ensure a dynamic and competitive game.
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Service courts: the receiver always stands diagonally opposite the server
In badminton, the receiver's position is determined by the server's position. The receiver must always stand diagonally opposite the server in the service box. This means that if the server is in the right service court, then the receiver will be in the left service court, and vice versa. This rule applies regardless of whether the players are playing singles or doubles.
The service court that a player uses depends on whether their side's score is odd or even. If a player's side has an odd score, they will serve from the left service court. If their side has an even score, they will serve from the right service court. For example, if the serving side has a score of 10, the server will serve from the left court; if their score is 11, they will serve from the right court. Therefore, the right service court is also known as the even service court, and the left service court is known as the odd service court.
The only way for players to change service courts is to win a point when their side is serving. When a side wins a rally, they receive the serve, but their service court does not change. If their new score is odd, the player with the left service court will serve, and if the score is even, the player with the right service court will serve. This means that no player will serve to the same person in two consecutive rallies.
In terms of scoring, every time a player wins a rally, they get a point. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game. In standard league or tournament play, a match is the best of three games, so it could last two or three games.
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Serving rules: a serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist
While badminton's scoring system is simple, its serving rules are a bit more complex. For example, the serving order is determined by the score, with the server's score always being stated first. So, if the server has 10 points and their opponent has 15, the score is 10-15. Additionally, the server must follow certain rules regarding their stance and movement during the serve.
One such rule states that a serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist. Specifically, the "whole shuttle shall be below the server's waist at the instant of being hit by the server's racket." The waist is considered an imaginary line around the body, level with the lowest part of the server's bottom rib. To ensure a legal serve, the server's racket must also be pointing downward during the entire hitting motion. This means that the server cannot pause during their serving action, such as by stopping at the backswing before moving forward.
The receiver's position is also dictated by the server's score. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. This means that both players will either be in the even service courts or the odd service courts, but never a mix of the two. In terms of which side serves first, this is typically determined by a coin toss in major tournaments or by throwing the shuttle in the air and seeing which side it points towards in more casual games.
It is worth noting that the rules regarding serving in badminton aim to prevent undue delay. While there is currently no time limit, players have been faulted for taking too long on their serve.
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Rally point system: both players can score a point during a rally, regardless of who served
In badminton, a point is scored when the shuttlecock or birdie lands inside the opponent's court. If the shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court, the opponent gets the point. The player serving always says their score first. For example, a score of 10–15 would mean the server has 10 points and the receiver has 15.
In 2006, the rules around scoring were changed to a rally point system. This means that either player can score a point during a rally, regardless of who is serving. This is different from the traditional system, where only the serving side could score a point.
The rally point system also allows for more fluid and dynamic gameplay, as players can now score points on their opponent's serve, creating more opportunities for strategy and tactics. This system adds an extra layer of complexity and skill to the game, as players must now be able to defend and attack effectively, regardless of whether they are serving or receiving.
In addition to the rally point system, there are other rules that govern the scoring in badminton. For example, the server must always serve from the right-hand service court when their score is even and from the left-hand service court when their score is odd. The receiver's position is determined by the server's score, and they will always stand in the diagonally opposite service court. This ensures that both players are in either the even or odd service courts, never one of each.
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Scoring positions: the server's score is said first, followed by the receiver's score
Scoring positions in badminton are determined by the server's score. The receiver's position is dictated by where the server is, always standing in the diagonally opposite service box.
When saying the score, the server's score is always given first, followed by the receiver's score. For example, if the server has 10 points and the receiver has 15, the score is called out as 10-15, not 15-10.
The server's position also depends on whether their score is odd or even. If the server's score is an even number, they serve from the right service court, also known as the 'even service court'. If their score is an odd number, they serve from the left service court, known as the 'odd service court'. This means that the players will alternate between the right and left service courts with each new point. The game always starts with a server on the right (even) service court, as zero is an even number.
In doubles, the scoring is the same, but each pair wins points together. The even/odd rule still applies, so if the server's score is odd, they will serve from the left court, and if it is even, they will serve from the right.
The players can decide who serves first through a coin toss or by throwing the shuttle up in the air and seeing which side it points towards.
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Frequently asked questions
No, both the serving and the receiving teams can score in badminton. A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court.
A point is scored when the shuttlecock, or birdie, lands inside the opponent's court or if it hits the net or lands outside the court, the opponent gets the point. A point can also be conceded if a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racquet.
The server's position is determined by their score. If their score is even, they serve from the right court, and if it is odd, they serve from the left court. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. A legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and under the server's waist height.
To win a game, a player or team must reach 21 points. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, the game continues until a team wins by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or team to score the 30th point wins.










































