
Badminton is a fast-paced racket sport played with a unique 'ball' known as a shuttlecock or birdie. The aim is to hit the shuttlecock over a net and land it in your opponent's court. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, players must play until one side gains a 2-point advantage. If the game reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game. These rules ensure a clear winner and prevent matches from continuing indefinitely.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The first to 21 points wins, but a 2-point lead is required if scores are tied at 20-20
- If scores are tied at 29-29, the next point wins the game
- Points are scored by successfully hitting the shuttlecock into your opponent's court
- Points are also gained if your opponent hits the shuttlecock into the net or outside the court
- A point is conceded if a player touches the net with their body or racquet

The first to 21 points wins, but a 2-point lead is required if scores are tied at 20-20
To win a badminton game, a player or team must be the first to score 21 points. However, if the opposing side also has 20 points, the game doesn't end there. This is because, in badminton, a player must win by at least a 2-point margin. So, if the score is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one player or team establishes a 2-point lead. For example, a player might win by scores of 22-20 or 25-23.
To prevent the game from continuing indefinitely, there is a maximum score cap. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game, meaning a player can win 30-29, regardless of the 2-point rule.
The birdie, also referred to as the shuttlecock, is badminton's unique 'ball'. It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The birdie is hit below waist height, with players serving diagonally into their opponent's service box. Both players must remain stationary until the serve is made. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. When a player has an odd number of points, they serve from the left. Each player will retain serve as long as they keep winning points.
Explore Badminton's Lute Players: A Guide to Venues
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.95

If scores are tied at 29-29, the next point wins the game
In a standard badminton game, the first side to reach 21 points wins. However, if the score is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one player or team establishes a 2-point lead. For example, a player might win by a score of 22-20 or 25-23.
To prevent the game from continuing indefinitely, there is a maximum score rule. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game, meaning a player can win with a score of 30-29, regardless of the 2-point rule. This rule is standardised in professional badminton and is part of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) regulations, ensuring fairness and competitiveness in the sport.
A point can be conceded if a shot goes outside the court boundaries, if the shuttlecock (or "birdie") hits the net or passes through/under it, or if a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racket. Players must wait for the shuttlecock to cross the net before playing a shot. The shuttlecock must be hit below waist height, with players serving diagonally into their opponent’s service box. Both players must remain stationary until the serve is made.
In badminton singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. A player serves from the left every time they have an odd number of points.
Hoop Dreams: SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Venues This Year
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Points are scored by successfully hitting the shuttlecock into your opponent's court
To score a point in badminton, players must hit the shuttlecock into their opponent's court. This can be done either by hitting the shuttlecock over the net and landing it in the designated court areas or by hitting it into the opponent's court without it going over the net. If the opponent fails to return the shuttlecock, the player wins a point. Points can also be gained if the opponent hits the shuttlecock into the net or outside the court boundaries.
The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is badminton's unique "ball". It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The shuttlecock is hit using a racket, similar to a tennis racket but with a smaller head.
In terms of serving, there are specific rules that must be followed. Firstly, the serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole of the shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit by the server, with the racket shaft pointing downwards. The server must also serve diagonally into their opponent's service box. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. When the player has an odd number of points, they will serve from the left court. Each player retains the serve as long as they keep winning points.
In a standard game of badminton, the first side to reach 21 points wins. However, if the score is tied at 20-20, the game is not over. To win, a player or team must establish a 2-point lead, such as 22-20 or 25-23. This rule ensures a clear winner and prevents the game from continuing indefinitely. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game, so a player can win with a score of 30-29.
Smart Ways to Fill Up Big Basketball Shoes
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Points are also gained if your opponent hits the shuttlecock into the net or outside the court
In badminton, points can be gained in several ways, one of which is by your opponent making a mistake, such as hitting the shuttlecock into the net or outside the court boundaries. The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is the cone-shaped projectile used in the game. It is made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base.
If your opponent hits the shuttlecock into the net or fails to hit it over to your side of the court, you gain a point. A point can also be conceded if a player touches the net with their body or racket, or if they hit the shuttlecock twice with their racket.
The first side to reach 21 points wins a game, but if the score is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one player gains a lead of 2 points. For example, a winning score could be 22-20 or 25-23. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game, so a player could win with a score of 30-29.
In badminton, you win a point by successfully hitting the shuttlecock over the net and landing it in your opponent's court before they can hit it back. Points can be won on either serve, and the winner of a rally gets to serve next.
Ankle Braces in Basketball: Performance Enhancer or Hindrance?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

A point is conceded if a player touches the net with their body or racquet
To win a game of badminton, a player or team must score 21 points. However, if the score is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one player or team establishes a 2-point lead, such as 22-20 or 25-23. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game, so a player can win with a score of 30-29.
The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is the unique 'ball' used in badminton. It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The shuttlecock is struck by the players using a racquet, similar to a tennis racquet but with a smaller head. The server must always hit the shuttlecock underarm and below waist height.
In singles badminton, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. When the server's score is odd, they serve from the left court. In doubles, the server will start on the right and keep serving, alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side takes the point, they assume the serve, with the player who did not initially serve taking over.
Basketball Wives Reunion: Air Date and What to Expect
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The game continues until one player or team establishes a 2-point lead. For example, a player might win by a score of 22-20 or 25-23.
If the score reaches 29-29, the game doesn't continue indefinitely. Instead, the next point wins the game, meaning a player can win with a score of 30-29.
In a standard badminton game, the first side to score 21 points wins. However, if the opposing side also has 20 points, you must win by 2 clear points.
The aim of the game is to hit the shuttlecock, or birdie, over the net and land it in the designated court areas. If your opponent returns the shuttlecock, a rally occurs. If you win the rally, you win a point.






























