Amanda Knapp
Badminton is a popular indoor racket sport played with a shuttlecock. Scoring in badminton is relatively simple: a point is scored every time a player wins a rally, and the first player to reach 21 points wins the game. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player to score 30 points wins the game. The scoring system is the same for singles and doubles matches, which are played as a best-of-three. After winning a point, players move to the opposite service courts for the next point.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring | A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court or if the returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court. A point is also scored when the opponent performs a badminton foul. |
| Winning a game | The first side to 21 points wins a game. If the score is 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first to get their 30th point wins. |
| Winning a match | A match is the best of three games. If one side wins the first two games, the match lasts only two games. If each side wins one game, a match consists of three games. |
| Service courts | After a point is won, players move to the opposite serving stations. If the score is odd, the player with the left service court will serve; if the score is even, the player with the right service court will serve. |
| Rally | The player who wins a rally gets to serve in the next one. |
| Scoring methods | To keep track of the score, players can use a scorecard, announce their score, or ask for a scorekeeper during a tournament. |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring a point
The scoring system is the same whether playing singles or doubles. To win a game, a player or team must be the first to reach 21 points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the game is won by the first side to reach 30 points.
To keep track of the score, it is recommended to announce the score before each serve. In tournaments, umpires will typically shout out the score before each point. If there is no umpire, players can keep track of the score by using a scorecard or paper and clipboard.
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Scoring system variations
The scoring system in badminton has undergone several changes over the years. Here is a detailed description of the evolution of the scoring rules:
Original Scoring System:
The original scoring system in badminton can be traced back to as early as 1873. In this format, a match or rubber was decided by the best of three games. Each game had different point targets for different formats: 15 points for men's singles and any doubles games, 11 points for ladies' singles, and 21 points for a single game to determine the match.
Experimental Variations:
The sport's governing body, the International Badminton Federation (later renamed the Badminton World Federation), experimented with various scoring systems starting in 2002 to address concerns about unpredictable and lengthy match times. One such experiment in 2002 involved a system with a shortened game length of seven points and matches decided by the best of five games. However, this particular experiment was abandoned due to similar overall match timings.
Rally Point Scoring:
In December 2005, the BWF introduced rally point scoring, where the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served. This system extended the game length to 21 points for all formats, unifying the rules across men's and ladies' singles. This change aimed to simplify the sport for television viewers and regulate playing time.
Alternative Scoring Systems:
Between August 1, 2014, and November 1, 2014, the BWF tested a different scoring format in lower-level tournaments. This system featured five games per match, with each game played to 11 points and no setting (i.e., the game ends at 11-10). However, this format was not widely adopted.
Current Scoring System:
Since 2006, international badminton competitions have utilised the 3 x 21 rally point system endorsed by the Badminton World Federation. In this system, matches are decided by the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side achieves a two-point lead, unless the score reaches 29-29, in which case the next point wins.
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Service courts
A badminton match can be played by two opposing players (singles) or four opposing players (doubles). At the start of the rally, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. A badminton court has four service courts in total.
A legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and across the court. The whole shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce.
After a point is won, players move to the opposite service courts for the next point. For both singles and doubles games, players must swap service courts when they win a rally. If you have a partner, trade places. For example, if you started with three points and served from the left service court, a win would give you four points and you would then serve from the right service court.
The long service line is only in effect when the shuttlecock is served; after the serve, the full court is the playing area. The long service line for singles is the rear boundary of the court itself, while the long service line for doubles is marked by a separate line running parallel to the rear boundary.
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Umpires and line judges
In a badminton match, there are three key officials: a referee, an umpire, and a service judge. There are also line judges, with up to ten in elite matches.
The referee is in overall charge of a tournament or championship. They ensure the tournament is conducted within the Laws of Badminton, the rules and regulations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and any other specific regulations that apply to the competition.
The umpire has authority over a particular match and is in charge of the court and its immediate surroundings. They ensure the match is conducted in accordance with the Laws of Badminton, the rules and regulations of the BWF, and any other pertinent regulations. The umpire makes calls regarding service faults and other player faults or lets. They keep the match score, which they announce to the players and audience after each point, and keep a record of any incidents of misconduct, reporting them to the referee. The umpire's jurisdiction starts when the players enter the court before the match and ends when they leave the court after the match.
Line judges make an impartial and accurate "in" or "out" call when the shuttle hits the floor. They usually watch a single path of a line on the court, such as the baseline or sideline, and are responsible for monitoring the service, sidelines, and baseline during a match.
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Keeping score
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. The scoring system is the same for both formats.
A point is scored every time a player or pair wins a rally. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins the game.
After each point is scored, the players move to the opposite serving stations. The winner of the rally serves from the station corresponding to their score for that rally. For example, if a player wins a rally to earn their 4th point, they serve from the left service court. If a pair wins a rally, they continue serving until the opposing pair wins a rally.
To keep track of the score, it is recommended to announce the score before each serve. In tournaments, umpires will shout out the score before each point. For more casual games, players can use a scorecard to tally points.
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