Helena Frye
Badminton is a racquet sport that can be played as singles or doubles. In both formats, the first side to reach 21 points wins the game. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, neither side can win the game by reaching 21 points. Instead, they must win by two clear points, meaning the winning score could be 22-20, 23-21, or any other score with a difference of 2 points, except 21-20. If the game reaches 29-29, the first side to score the 30th point wins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 (singles) or 4 (doubles) |
| Scoring system | Rally point system |
| Points to win | 21 points |
| Points required to win at 20-20 | 2 clear points |
| Points required to win at 29-29 | 30 points |
| Maximum points | 30 points |
| Number of games in a match | Best of three |
| Rest period after first game | 90 seconds |
| Rest period after second game | 5 minutes |
| Number of officials in singles matches | 6 |
| Number of officials in doubles matches | 8 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Scoring system
Badminton is played either as singles or doubles. In singles, two players compete against each other, and in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. All singles and doubles matches are played as a best-of-three.
The scoring system in badminton is relatively simple. A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to whichever side wins the rally. The winning side gets to serve next. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. For example, 22-20 would be a winning score, but 21-20 would not be enough. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins.
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 system is designed to prevent games from dragging on too long, especially at the top level of play, where excessively long games put athletes at risk of injury.
In major tournaments, a coin toss decides which side serves first, whereas, in more casual club or league games, players usually throw the shuttle up in the air, letting it land, and whichever side it points towards serves first.
The service courts are set at the start of the rally, and the receiver's position is determined by the server's score. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. In other words, both players will be in the even service courts or the odd service courts.
Basketball Shoes: Suitable for Running?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Singles vs doubles
Badminton can be played as either a singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2) game. While the rules remain largely the same across both formats, there are some key differences to note.
One fundamental difference is the size of the court. In doubles, the court has wider sidelines (6.1m or 20 ft) compared to singles (5.18m or 17 ft). This adjustment is made to accommodate both players in the doubles format. Additionally, the service boxes vary between singles and doubles. The singles service boxes are longer, extending to the back boundary line of the court. Conversely, the doubles long service line is 2.36 ft (0.72 m) closer to the net.
The scoring system in doubles is similar to singles, with matches typically played as the best of three games, each up to 21 points. In doubles, the serving and receiving positions depend on the team's score. When a team's score is even (2, 4, 6, etc.), they serve from the right service court, and the receiving team picks up the serve from their right court. Conversely, when the score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.), the serving team uses the left service court, and the receiving team receives from their left court.
Another distinction is the playing style and tactics employed in singles and doubles. Doubles involves coordination, communication, and leveraging your teammate's strengths. Players need to be mindful of their partner's movements and adapt their strategy accordingly. In contrast, singles is a solitary battle, where players aim to outmaneuver and outlast their opponent individually.
In terms of player preference, doubles is generally more popular among casual and semi-competitive players. It offers a faster-paced game and allows for more players to participate within a given time frame. However, at the professional level, singles players tend to attract more popularity.
Lastly, the stamina and fitness requirements differ between the two formats. Singles players typically require higher endurance and more dynamic footwork to cover the entire court. In contrast, doubles players may have a more stationary playing style, with less movement around the court.
Mastering the Art of Shooting in Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Serving rules
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) outlines the following rules for serving in badminton:
The Shuttlecock
The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is the cone-shaped projectile used in badminton. It is made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The base of the shuttle (the cork) must be struck first when serving, and the whole shuttle must be below the server's waist at the moment of impact. The server's racket head and shaft must also be angled in a downward direction.
The Court
The server must have some part of their feet in contact with the court surface while serving. Their feet cannot be touching any of the lines on the court, but they can stand anywhere in their half, even in the tramlines. In singles, the court is thinner, with the outside tramlines out of bounds. In doubles, the court is full width, and these tramlines are in bounds. The service must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court and over their front service line.
Scoring
A point is scored on every serve and awarded to the side that wins the rally. The winning side gets the next serve. In doubles, the player who serves first will continue to do so as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve.
The Serve Itself
Unlike tennis, there are no second serves in badminton, and there is no let played if the shuttlecock hits the net but goes over. If the shuttlecock lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. If it lands short of the service line or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point. The serve must be one continuous motion, with no pauses during the serving action.
Volleyball and Basketball Shoes: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Rally rules
Rally Scoring
Badminton uses a rally scoring system, which means that either player or team can score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. This system was introduced in 2006 and has added excitement and strategic depth to the sport.
Winning a Rally
A player or team wins a rally when they strike the shuttlecock, also known as a birdie, and it touches the floor on their opponent's side of the court or when the opponent commits a fault. The shuttlecock must be hit diagonally over the net and cannot be hit twice by the same side before it passes over the net.
Common Faults
One of the most common faults in badminton is when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or when it lands outside the boundaries of the court. Other faults include a player touching the net with any part of their body or racket, deliberately distracting their opponent, or hitting the shuttlecock with their racket twice in succession.
Serving Rules
The serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when struck by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. After a point is won, players move to opposite serving stations for the next point. There are no second serves in badminton.
Scoring a Point
A point is added to a player or team's score when they win a rally. In competitive adult matches, games are usually played as the best of three, with each game going up to 21 points. If the game reaches a tie at 20-20, a player or team must win by two clear points. However, if the game goes to 29-29, the first side to score the 30th point wins.
Badminton Post Height: Know the Standard Measurements
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Officials
Badminton is played either as singles or doubles. In singles, there are two players competing against each other. In doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. All singles and doubles matches are the best of three games. The first side to 21 points wins a game. A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to whichever side wins the rally. The winning side gets to serve the next point.
If the score is 20-20, a side must win by two clear points to win the game. If it reaches 29-29, the first to get their 30th point wins. This rule is intended to prevent games from dragging on for too long, especially at the top level of play, where excessively long games put athletes at risk of injury.
- An umpire who is in charge of the match, the court, and its immediate surroundings.
- Four line judges (two for each side of the court positioned at the baseline) who indicate whether a shuttlecock landed 'in' or 'out' on the assigned lines.
Doubles matches usually require eight officials. This includes the same setup as singles, with two additional line judges, one for each side of the court, positioned at the doubles service line.
The referee is in overall charge of a badminton tournament or championship, upholding the Laws of Badminton and Competition Regulations in the BWF Statutes. They have the authority to call a ''let' if an unforeseen or accidental issue arises, requiring a replay of the point. To ensure player well-being, the referee also enforces the mandatory rest periods: a 90-second rest after the first game and a 5-minute rest after the second game.
Best Basketball Shoes: Nike Air Max Infuriate 2 Low
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes. If the game is tied at 20-20, players are required to win by two clear points. For example, 22-20 would be a winning score, but 21-20 would not be enough.
The first side to 21 points wins a game. A point is scored on every serve and awarded to whichever side wins the rally.
The game always starts with someone serving from the right (even) service court. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite from the server.
A rally is when players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. A rally ends once the shuttlecock has struck the ground.
A 'let' is a situation requiring a replay. This may be called by the referee if an unforeseen or accidental issue arises.
