Ayrton Oneill
Badminton is a racquet sport played between two opposing players (singles) or four opposing players (doubles). The scoring system in badminton has undergone several changes since its early rules in 1873. The current scoring system, adopted in 2006, is a rally point system where both players can score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. Matches are played as the best of three games, with each game played until a player or team reaches 21 points. If the score reaches 29-29, the player or team to score the 30th point wins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring system | Rally point system |
| Points to win a game | 21 points |
| Points to win a match | Best of three games |
| Points to win a set | First to 2 clear points at 20-20, 30th point at 29-29 |
| Scoring | Point scored when shuttlecock lands inside opponent's court |
| Service | Underarm and below waist height |
| Service position | Diagonally opposite service courts |
| Serve change | Serve changes when the receiving side wins a rally |
| Serve court change | Serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts |
| Receiver court | Does not change after a rally |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring a point
In a badminton match, a point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court. If a returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court, the player will lose the point. The whole shuttlecock must be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards, and it is not allowed to bounce.
The first server is usually decided by a coin toss or, in more casual games, by throwing the shuttlecock in the air and seeing which side it points towards when it lands. When a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. In doubles, each player has a service court, and when the serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts. The receivers never change their service courts, and the serve only passes to them when the receiving side wins a rally.
In competitive adult matches, a game is played to the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. If the game is tied at 20-20, a player must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or team to score the 30th point wins the game.
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Serving positions
Serving is an important part of a badminton match, and there are several rules and strategies to keep in mind when it comes to serving positions.
To begin, the first serve of the match is typically determined by a coin toss, or in more casual games, by tossing the shuttle into the air and letting it land. The side it points to gets to serve first. In badminton, each player has a dedicated service court, and this court alternates with each rally. For example, if you serve from the left service court and win the rally, you will then serve from the right service court, and your opponent will move to the left service court. It is important to note that the receiver never changes their service court. Additionally, you cannot serve to the same person in two consecutive rallies.
When serving, the whole of the shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court at the moment it is struck by the server's racket. This rule was implemented by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in 2018 to standardise service laws in international tournaments. The server must also deliver the shuttle in a forward continuous motion, with both feet remaining in contact with the ground until the shuttle is struck. The server's feet must not touch any lines on the court, and they can stand anywhere within their half, including the tramlines.
While there is currently no official time limit for serving, players have been faulted for taking too long. This is a significant topic in badminton, especially in doubles matches, and some believe that a set time limit for the serving action should be implemented.
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Rally point system
The rally point system, also known as the 3 x 21 rally point system, has been used in international badminton competition since 2006. Matches are played as the best of three games, with each game played until one player or team reaches 21 points. Whenever a player wins a rally, they get a point and the next serve. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player gains a lead of two points. For example, valid winning scores include 22-20, 25-23, and 30-28, while 21-20 or 24-23 would not be enough.
In the rally point system, the winner of a rally scores a point, regardless of who served. After a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. The receivers never change their service courts. The only way to change service courts is to win a point when your side is serving. When the receiving side wins a rally, the serve passes to them, but their service courts do not change. If their new score is odd, then whoever has the left service court will serve; if the score is even, then whoever has the right service court will serve.
The even/odd rule also applies to the server, who will serve from the left court if their score is odd and from the right court if their score is even. The receiver will stand in the diagonally opposite service court. When the serving side wins a rally, the same person 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 get the serve.
In doubles, each player has a service court, and when one partner has one service court, the other partner has the other. The serving side's partner does not have to stay within the service box and can stand anywhere on the court.
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Scoring system development
The scoring system in badminton has undergone several changes over the years, with the sport's governing bodies attempting to strike a balance between match length and commercial appeal.
The original scoring system in badminton dates back to 1873. In this traditional system, a match or rubber was decided by the best of three games. Each game was played to 15 points in men's singles and doubles, 11 points in women's singles, and 21 points if a single game determined a match or rubber. The first service was determined by a coin toss, with the winner serving first.
In 2002, the International Badminton Federation (now the Badminton World Federation, or BWF) expressed concern about the unpredictable and lengthy nature of matches. They experimented with a new scoring system, which included a "setting" rule. This allowed players to reset the score to 0-0 and play to a lower target score if the game reached certain thresholds. For example, if the score reached 14-14, the first player to reach 14 could choose to play to 15 or reset and play to three points.
However, the 2002 Commonwealth Games would be the last event to use this scoring system. The BWF continued to experiment, and in December 2005, they introduced rally point scoring, where the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served. Games were lengthened to 21 points, with ladies' singles matches now using the same rules as men's singles. This system was used in the 2006 BWF Annual Grand Meeting.
In 2014, the BWF reviewed the scoring system again, as match lengths had increased. They trialled a system with five games to 11 points with no setting in lower-level tournaments. Ultimately, the BWF Council endorsed the 3 x 15 (setting to 21) scoring system as the preferred replacement.
Today, international badminton competitions use the 3 x 21 rally point system endorsed by the BWF. In competitive adult matches, all games are played as the best of three, with each game going up to 21 points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player gains a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player to score the 30th point wins.
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Scoring a match
Scoring a Point
A point is scored when a player wins a rally. In other words, when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court, or if a returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court, the player loses the point. The winner of the rally scores a point, regardless of who served.
Service Courts and Serving Rules
Each player has a designated service court, and the server's partner can stand wherever they choose on the court. The server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts at the start of the rally. A legal serve must be hit diagonally, underarm, and below the server's waist height, with the shuttlecock remaining below 1.15 meters from the court surface.
When the serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts, and the same server serves again from the other court. If the receiving side wins the rally, they gain the serve, but their service courts remain the same. The even/odd rule applies, where a server with an odd score serves from the left court and an even score from the right court.
Scoring a Game and a Match
A badminton match consists of the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. In club badminton, a game typically ends when a player reaches 21 points, but in standard league or tournament play, a match consists of three games. If the score reaches 20-20, a player must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or team to score the 30th point wins.
In men's singles, doubles, and ladies' singles, the scoring system has varied historically. In the past, men's singles and doubles games were played to 15 points, while ladies' singles were played to 11 points. However, these differences have been standardised, and currently, all games are played to 21 points.
Variations and Historical Changes
The scoring system in badminton has evolved over time, with various experiments conducted to improve the commercial appeal and viewing experience of the sport. One variation included a "setting" rule, where players could choose to reset the score to 0-0 and play to a lower target score. Another experiment involved shortening games to seven points and deciding matches by the best of five games.
The current scoring system, adopted in 2006, replaced the traditional system to address issues with match lengths and complexity for viewers. This new system, known as the rally point system, allows both players to score a point during a rally, regardless of who served.
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Frequently asked questions
Since 2006, badminton scoring has followed a 3 x 21 rally point system. Matches are played in a best-of-three format, with each game played until a player or team reaches 21 points.
A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court. A player will lose a point if a returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court.
At the start of a rally, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. A legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and across the court, underarm, and below the server's waist height.
In major tournaments, a coin toss is used to decide which side serves first. In casual games, players may toss the shuttlecock in the air and see which side it points towards.
In doubles, each player has a service court. When one player serves, their partner does not have to stay within the service box and can stand anywhere on their side of the court. The receivers never change their service courts. When the serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts.
