Saoirse Downs
Badminton is one of the most popular sports in the world and has been a regular fixture at the Olympics since 1992. The qualification process for the Olympics in badminton is rigorous, with athletes needing to play as many competitions as possible to maximise their ranking position. The Olympic qualification period for Paris 2024, for example, was from 1 May 2023 to 28 April 2024. But how does scoring work in Olympic badminton? A game is won when a player or team reaches 21 points with a two-point advantage. If the game reaches a score of 29-29, the winner of the next point wins the match.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring system | A point is scored on every serve and awarded to the player who wins the rally. |
| Point allocation | The player who wins the point will retain the serve. If the receiver wins the point, they will also win the serve. |
| Game format | Both individual and team competition matches use a best-of-three format. |
| Game length | A game is won when a player reaches 21 points with a two-point advantage. In the event of a 20-20 tie, the game continues until one player gains a two-point advantage. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point, or "golden point," decides the winner. |
| Breaks | Breaks are given when the leading scorer reaches 11 points (60-second break) and when a game is completed (two-minute break). |
| Serving rules | In singles, the server starts from the right service court and serves from the right every time they have an even number of points. The server serves from the left every time they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the server starts from the right and alternates sides with their partner as long as they keep winning points. |
| Service order | The side that wins a game will serve first in the next game. |
| Court dimensions | In singles, the court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. In doubles, the width extends to 6.1m (20ft). |
| Net height | The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high in the middle. |
| Service lines | The short service line is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net. There is also a doubles service line 0.76m (2.5ft) from the baseline. |
| Service courts | Each service court is 3.96m (13ft) long and 2.59m (8.5ft) wide. |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring rules
The scoring rules in Olympic badminton are as follows:
Scoring Format
A point is scored on every serve. The player who wins the rally gets the point and will then serve for the next rally. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game, but they must win by two points or more. So, if the game reaches 20-20, the winner must reach at least 22 points. If the game reaches 29-29, the winner will be the first player to reach 30 points. This is sometimes referred to as the "golden point".
Serving
In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. If the server's score is odd, they will serve from the left side of the court. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve.
Breaks
Breaks are given when the leading scorer reaches 11 points (60-second break) and when a game is completed (two-minute break). Sides are switched after each game and during the third game once 11 points is reached for the first time by one side.
Winning a Match
To win an Olympic badminton match, a player or team must win two games. Both individual and team competition matches use a best-of-three format. One loss in Olympic tournament format will result in elimination from the tournament, except in the semifinals when the two losers will advance to the bronze-medal final.
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Serving rules
Serving Sides
The serving side is determined by the server's score. In singles badminton, if a player has an even number of points (0, 2, 4, etc.), they serve from the right service court. If they have an odd number of points (1, 3, 5, etc.), they serve from the left service court. This alternating pattern continues throughout the game.
In doubles badminton, the rules are slightly different. The serving team starts on the right-hand side of the court. Within the team, the player serving will alternate sides with their partner as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving team wins a point, they gain the serve, and the player who did not initially serve on the team will then serve from whichever side is appropriate for the current score (odd or even).
Service Rotation
The winner of a point serves to start the next point. In other words, the serve does not automatically rotate to the other player or team after a certain number of points. This encourages players to fight for every point and can create strategic opportunities for teams to gain an advantage by winning consecutive points.
Service Technique
The service technique in badminton is unique. The shuttlecock, or birdie, must be hit in an underarm motion. This means that the server's racket head and shaft must be angled downward, and the shuttlecock must be contacted below the waist. The shuttlecock should be struck diagonally, aiming for the opponent's far front service line, which is the first horizontal line on each side of the court closest to the net.
Faults and Lets
If the shuttlecock hits the net during the serve but still travels over the net and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. However, if it hits the net and falls short of the service line or goes out of bounds, the receiver wins the point. If the shuttlecock gets stuck in the net, a let is called, and the serve is retaken. A let also occurs if the receiver is not ready, if there is a disruption, or if the officials cannot make a decision.
Scoring
A point is awarded on every serve. Points can be won by successfully landing the shuttlecock inside the opponent's court or if the opponent fails to return it over the net. Players must be careful not to touch the net or enter the opponent's side of the court, as this will result in a point for the opposing player.
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Match format
Badminton matches at the Olympics follow a best-of-three format, with each game played to 21 points. A player or team must win two games to win the match. Points are scored on every serve and are awarded to the player who wins the rally. The player who wins a point will then serve for the next rally.
In the event of a 20-20 tie, the players keep playing until one player gains a two-point advantage. If the game reaches 29-29, the winner of the next point wins the game. The birdie, or shuttlecock, can only be hit once in succession by a player. If a player hits the shuttlecock more than once in a row, their opponent wins the point.
In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. The server will serve from the left side every time they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve.
Breaks are given when the leading scorer reaches 11 points (60-second break) and when a game is completed (two-minute break). Sides are switched after each game and during the third game once 11 points is reached for the first time by one side.
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Tie-breaks
Badminton is played in a best-of-three format at the Olympics, with the first player or team to reach 21 points winning a game, provided they have a two-point advantage. If the score reaches 20-20, the players will continue beyond this point until one player gains a two-point advantage. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point will be a "golden point" to decide the winner.
In the event of a tie in the number of matches won, the winner of the head-to-head match between the tied players or pairs will be ranked higher. If three or more players or pairs have won the same number of matches, ranking will be established by the difference between total games won and lost, with the greater difference ranked higher. If this still results in a tie, the winner of the head-to-head match will be ranked higher. If three or more players or pairs are still tied after this, ranking will be established by the difference between total points won and lost. If a tie still exists, the players will each be given equal standing and ranking for the tournament.
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Court dimensions
The dimensions of a badminton court vary slightly depending on whether a singles or doubles match is being played. In both cases, the length of the court remains the same at 13.4 metres or 44 feet. However, the width of the court differs: a singles court is 5.18 metres or 17 feet wide, whereas a doubles court is 6.1 metres or 20 feet wide.
The net, which is placed in the middle of the court, stands at 1.55 metres or 5 feet 1 inch at the ends and dips to 1.52 metres or 5 feet in the middle. The short service line is 1.98 metres or 6.5 feet from the net, and the long service line is 0.76 metres or 2.5 feet in from the back boundary line. Each service court is 3.96 metres or 13 feet long and 2.59 metres or 8.5 feet wide.
The court dimensions can be adjusted for younger players. For instance, a junior badminton court is 34 feet long, retains the width of 20 feet, and has a net height of 2.5 feet or 30 inches.
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Frequently asked questions
You need to score 21 points with a two-point advantage to win a badminton game in the Olympics. If the game reaches 29-29, the winner of the next point wins.
To win a match, you need to win two games.
A point is scored on every serve. You score a point if your opponent fails to return the shuttlecock over the net or hits it out of the designated court area.
In singles, you serve from the right service court at the start of the game and every time you have an even number of points. If you have an odd number of points, you serve from the left. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points.
