Andrew Pace
Badminton has undergone several scoring system changes since its modern inception in 1873. The current scoring system, implemented in 2006, uses a 3 x 21 rally point system, where the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served. This replaced the previous system, where only the serving team could score a point. Matches are the best of three games, with each game played until a player or team reaches 21 points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player or team achieves a two-point lead or reaches 30 points, with the golden point rule applying at 29-29.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring System | Rally point scoring |
| Scoring Rules | Winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served |
| Game Length | 21 points |
| Scoring Cap | 30 points |
| Scoring Cap Rule | If the score reaches 29-29, the first player to reach 30 points wins |
| Minimum Point Difference | 2 points |
| Game Format | Best of three games |
| Server | Decided by a coin toss or shuttle toss |
| Serving Courts | Two service courts - one on the right (even) and one on the left (odd) |
| Serving Side | Alternates between right and left service courts with each won rally |
| Receiver's Position | Diagonally opposite the server in the same service court (even or odd) |
| Doubles Scoring | Each pair wins points as a team |
| Change of Serve | If the server loses the rally, the serve goes to the opponent |
| Change of Ends | After the first and second games; in a third game, when the leading score reaches 11 points |
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What You'll Learn
Rally scoring
Under the rally scoring system, the winner of a rally scores a point, regardless of who served. This contrasts with traditional scoring, where serving was typically more challenging than defending, making it harder for competitors to score after many exchanges.
The game starts with a serve, where the server must hit the shuttlecock so it passes over the net and lands in the opponent's service court. A rally ensues, with players hitting the shuttlecock back and forth over the net. The rally ends when the shuttlecock hits the floor or if a player commits a fault or violation.
Scoring and Service
A point is awarded to the player or pair who wins the rally, and they also get to serve the next point. If the receiving side wins a rally, the serve passes to them, but their service courts remain unchanged from the previous rally. Even and odd numbers alternate with each rally, so the server switches sides with each won point, serving from the right (even) and left (odd) service courts in turn.
Game Length and Match Structure
In the current BWF-endorsed scoring system, a game is played to 15 points, with the best-of-three games deciding the match. In the past, games were played to 21 points, with ladies' singles matches played to 11 points. To win the game, there must be a two-point difference between the scores, with a cap of 30 points, including the golden point rule at 29-29.
Setting
The "setting" rule, which allowed players to reset the score and play to a lower target number of points, was dropped from the rules in 2002.
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Serving rules
Choosing the First Server
At the beginning of a badminton game, when the score is 0-0, the serving pair or player gets to choose who serves first. In the past, this was usually determined by the equivalent of a coin toss, with the shuttle dropped on top of the net and the server appointed by the direction it pointed when it fell.
Service Sides
In singles badminton, players serve from the right service court when their score is even, and from the left when it is odd. In doubles, the serving pair chooses who serves first, and the receiving pair chooses who receives. The receiver will stand in the diagonally opposite service court.
Alternating Serve
When the serving side wins a rally, the same player serves again, but from the other service court. The serve does not alternate between partners and stays with one person until the opponents win a rally and gain the serve.
Legal Serve
A legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and across the court. It must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole of the shuttle should be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce.
No Second Serves
The rules do not allow for second serves. A fault means the opponent loses the serve or a point. A 'let' may be called by the referee if there is an unforeseen or accidental issue, and the rally is paused and repeated.
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Scoring caps
The introduction of a scoring cap was part of an effort by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to regulate playing time and simplify the scoring system for viewers. Prior to 2006, badminton matches were played with a "setting" rule, where if the score reached a certain point, the game would be "set" back to 0-0, and the first player or team to reach a lower target score would win. For example, if the score reached 13-13, the first player to reach 13 could choose to "set" the game, and the first player to reach 5 points would win.
However, this system could result in unpredictable and lengthy matches, which could be a disadvantage for viewers and players. The current scoring cap of 30 points helps to ensure that matches remain within a reasonable time frame and that players are not at risk of injury due to extended play.
It's worth noting that the scoring cap is applied in addition to the requirement that there must be a two-point difference between scores. So, if the score reaches 29-29, the game will continue until one player or team achieves a two-point lead, up to a maximum of 30 points.
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Match structure
The match structure in badminton has evolved over the years, with the sport's governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), experimenting with different formats to regulate playing time and simplify the viewing experience. Here's an overview of the match structure in badminton:
Traditional Scoring System
The original scoring system in badminton dates back to as early as 1873. A match or 'rubber' is typically decided by the best of three games. In men's singles and doubles matches, each game is played up to 15 points, while ladies' singles games are played up to 11 points. In the traditional system, the serving side had to win the rally to score a point, making it challenging for players to score in quick succession.
Rally Point Scoring System
In 2005, the BWF introduced the rally point scoring system to address the unpredictable match durations and simplify scoring. Under this format, either side can score a point, regardless of who is serving. Games were lengthened to 21 points, with ladies' singles matches adopting the same rules as men's singles. This system ensures faster scoring and more dynamic matches.
Recent Developments
Over time, the BWF has continued to tweak the scoring system to strike a balance between match duration and competitive integrity. In 2014, they experimented with a format of five games to 11 points with no setting. However, this was replaced by the 3 x 15 (setting to 21) scoring system, already part of the Alternative Laws of Badminton. The current scoring cap is set at 30 points, with the game ending if the score reaches 30-29.
Serving and Receiving
An important aspect of the match structure is the serving and receiving positions. The initial serve is determined by a coin toss or, in casual games, by tossing the shuttlecock and seeing which side it points to. The server must hit the shuttlecock so it passes over the net and lands in the opponent's service court. The receiver's position is determined by the server's score, with both players occupying either the even or odd service courts. The service court alternates with each point scored, ensuring a dynamic playing field.
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Scorekeeping
Scoring in badminton is done through a rally point system, where the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game, with a two-point difference required between the players' scores. For instance, if the score is 20-20, the game continues until one player has a two-point lead or the score reaches 30-29, at which point the game is won by the player who reached 30 points first.
In a match, which is the best of three games, a player or team wins by winning two games. Each game starts with a serve, where the server must hit the shuttlecock so that it passes over the net and lands in the opponent's service court. The server's court alternates between right and left with each point won, and the receiver's court is determined by the server's score, with the receiver occupying the diagonally opposite service box.
In doubles matches, the scoring is the same, with each pair winning points together. At the start of the game, when the score is 0-0, the serving pair chooses who serves for the first rally, and the receiving pair chooses who receives. The service changes to the opponent when the server loses a rally, and the players change ends after the first and second games. If a third game is played, the players change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points.
It is important to note that the scoring system in badminton has evolved over time. Before the adoption of the rally point system, the traditional scoring system was used, where games were played to 15 points in men's singles and doubles, and 11 points in women's singles. Additionally, there was a setting rule, where players could choose to reset the score to 0-0 and play to a lower target score if the game reached certain scores, such as 13-13 or 14-14.
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Frequently asked questions
Rally scoring is when a point is scored in a game regardless of who is serving. Whoever wins a rally gets a point.
The first player to reach 21 points wins the game. However, the game can continue until a player has a two-point lead if the score reaches 20-20.
Yes, the scoring is capped at 30 points.
If the score reaches 30-29, the player with 30 points wins the game.
In a major tournament, a coin toss is used to decide which side will serve first. In casual games, players usually toss the shuttle in the air and see which side it points to—that side serves first.
