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Badminton is a fast-paced racket sport that can be played as singles or doubles. In 2006, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) changed the rules to a rally point system, allowing players to score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. In competitive adult matches, all games are played as the best of three games, with each game played up to 21 points. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, players must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player to score the 30th point wins the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Points to win a game | 21 points |
| Points to win a game at 29-all | 30 points |
| Scoring | A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court |
| Service | The server must stand in diagonally opposite service courts at the start of the rally |
| Service | The shuttle must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height |
| Service | The whole of the shuttle should be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when hit |
| Service | The racquet shaft should be pointing downwards |
| Service | The server's score is said first when stating the score |
| Service | The server's score determines which service court they use (odd numbers = left, even numbers = right) |
| Service | The serve passes to the opponent when the server loses a rally |
| Service | The serve stays with the same player when their side wins a rally |
| Service | In doubles, the serve stays with the same player until the opponents win a rally |
| Service | In doubles, the serve does not alternate between partners |
| Service | In casual games, the first server is decided by throwing the shuttle in the air and letting it land |
| Service | In tournaments, the first server is decided by a coin toss |
| Rest periods | 90 seconds after the first game and 5 minutes after the second game |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring: 21 points wins, but if it's 29-29, 30 wins
Badminton is an indoor racquet sport played with a shuttlecock. In singles badminton, two players compete against each other, and the first to score 21 points wins the game. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player gains a two-point lead, winning them the game. If the game is extremely close and the score reaches 29-29, the first player to score their 30th point wins.
The server's score is always stated first when saying the score. For example, if the server has 10 points and the opponent has 15, the score is called out as 10-15. This is because the server's score is always an even number, and the opponent's score is odd. The server and opponent will switch sides of the court after each game and, in a third game, will switch sides again once one side reaches 11 points.
A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to whichever player or side wins the rally. The winning side gets to serve again in the next rally. If the server loses the rally, the opponent will serve in the next game.
Badminton matches are typically played as a best-of-three, with the player or pair winning two games taking the match.
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Service rules: Serve from the right on even points, left on odd
In a badminton singles match, the player with the serve starts from the right service court. They will continue to serve from the right every time they have an even number of points. If they accumulate an odd number of points, they will switch to serving from the left. For example, if the server has 4 points, they will serve from the right, and if they gain another point, moving to 5 points, they will switch to serving from the left. This pattern will continue for as long as the player continues to accumulate points.
The service rules are slightly different for badminton doubles. The player who serves first will do so from the right side of the service court. They will continue to serve from the right every time they gather an even number of points. After winning an odd number of points, the player will serve from the left. If the receiving side wins the point, they assume the serve. The player who did not initially serve for each team will then assume the serve once their side has won a point as the receiving side.
In a badminton singles match, the first side to reach 21 points wins the game, with a two-point difference required. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins. A badminton match consists of three games.
The service is an important part of a player's gameplay, and there are many different types of serves, such as a short backhand serve, a high-toss serve, or a long forehand serve.
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Court size: Singles court is 13.41m x 5.18m
A badminton singles court measures 13.41 metres (44 feet) in length and 5.18 metres (17 feet) in width. The diagonal distance from one corner to the opposite corner is 14.37 metres (47.15 feet), and the total surface area of the court is 69.46 square metres (748 square feet).
The court is rectangular and divided into two halves by a net in the centre. The net measures 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the ends and 1.52 metres (5 feet) high at the centre. The standard width of the net is always 6.10 metres (20 feet). The outer sidelines, often called "outer tramlines" or "doubles sidelines", extend the full length of the court at 13.41 metres (44 feet). These sidelines are spaced 5.18 metres (17 feet) apart and run parallel to each other. The inner sidelines define the width of the court for singles matches and measure 5.18 metres (17 feet). They are positioned 0.46 metres (1.5 feet) inside the outer sidelines and also run parallel.
The double-serve area is considered short and wide, opposite to the single-serve area. The right service court is defined by the width from the centre line to the outer sideline from the right side of the opponent’s court. The left service court is marked from the centre line to the sideline from the left side of the opponent’s court. Each service court is 3.96 metres (13 feet) long and 2.59 metres (8.5 feet) wide, with a surface area of 12.08 square metres.
In badminton singles, two players compete against each other. To win a game, a player must be the first to reach 21 points. A point is scored on every serve and awarded to whichever side wins the rally. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point lead (e.g. 22-20). If the score reaches 29-29, the first player to reach 30 points wins the game.
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Shuttlecock: Feathers or synthetic, 62-70mm long, 4.74-5.5g
In badminton singles, the first side to score 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 score their 30th point wins.
Now, onto the shuttlecock. The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie or shuttle, is a high-drag projectile unique to the sport of badminton. Its open conical shape is formed by feathers or synthetic material embedded into a rounded cork or rubber base. The shuttlecock's shape ensures aerodynamic stability, allowing it to always fly cork-first once struck until it is hit again.
The standard shuttlecock is made of 16 feathers, measuring between 62-70mm in length, and weighs between 4.74 and 5.5g. The feathers should form a circle with a diameter of 58-62mm at the tip, and the cork or rubber base should have a diameter of 25-28mm. The feathers used are typically goose or duck feathers, with goose feathers being favoured by elite players. The cork base may be covered with thin leather, and it is constructed using either a whole piece of natural cork or by sandwiching polyurethane between cork pieces.
When choosing a shuttlecock, players must consider factors such as playing level, durability, and cost. Feather shuttlecocks offer better control, feel, and sound, but they are more expensive and less durable than plastic shuttlecocks. Plastic shuttlecocks are more cost-effective and durable, but they may result in a faster-paced game with less control. Shuttlecocks are classified into speed categories, with slower shuttlecocks having lower numbers and faster shuttlecocks having higher numbers. The speed chosen depends on playing conditions, as factors like temperature and altitude can impact the shuttlecock's speed.
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Scoring controversy: Some say 15 and 21-point systems are too short
The scoring system for badminton has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that the traditional 15-point system is too short, while others prefer the longer 21-point format. The main difference between the two systems is the number of points required to win a game, with the 21-point format extending the game.
Proponents of the 21-point system, including the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which has adopted it for all major tournaments, argue that it offers more advantages and encourages longer rallies. With this system, players are less likely to end matches quickly and have more opportunities to develop their tactics and outsmart their opponents, making the matches more strategic and exciting. Additionally, the 21-point format reduces anti-climax by requiring players to win by a larger margin, avoiding abrupt endings where a player wins by just two points.
On the other hand, the 15-point system has its supporters as well. This shorter format can lead to more intense and exciting matches as players have less time to recover between points. It favours players who are skilled at attacking and can quickly score decisive points. However, the 15-point system can also result in extremely long and tedious matches, especially if there are frequent service exchanges without any change in the score.
While the 21-point system is currently the preferred format for major tournaments, the debate continues among players and fans. Some argue that it favours players who are good at retrieving and defending, allowing them to stay in rallies longer. Ultimately, the choice between the two systems may come down to individual preferences, as both have their unique advantages and drawbacks.
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Frequently asked questions
21 points.
The game continues until one side has a two-point lead.
The first side to score 30 points wins.
Matches are played as a best-of-three.
