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Badminton is a fast-paced racquet sport that is played both recreationally and competitively. The aim of the game is for players to score points by hitting a shuttlecock over a net and into the opponent's court, ensuring that the opponent cannot return it. In recent years, the rules have changed to a rally point system, allowing both players to score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. In competitive adult matches, all games are played to the best of three games, with each game played up to 21 points. A player must win by at least two points, so if the score is 20-20, the winner is the first player to gain a 2-point lead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring System | 3 x 21 rally point system |
| Scoring | A point is scored on every serve, regardless of which player is serving. The player who wins the rally gets a point and serves the next point. |
| Change of Serve | If the server loses the rally, the serve goes to the opponent. |
| Change of Ends | Players change ends at the end of the first and second games. If a third game is played, players change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points. |
| Fault | A fault is a violation of the rules. This can include the shuttlecock landing outside the boundaries, not going over the net, or a player touching the net with their body or racquet. A fault results in a point for the opponent. |
| Serve Rules | The server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. A legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and across the court. A badminton serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. |
| Shuttlecock Rules | The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce. It must be hit before it touches the ground. |
| Winning a Game | To win a game, a player must reach 21 points and win by at least two points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player gains a two-point lead (e.g. 22-20, 25-23). |
| Winning a Match | A match consists of the best of three games. |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring systems in badminton have evolved
The original scoring system in badminton dates back to as early as 1873. A match or rubber is decided by the best of three games. Each game is played to 15 points in the case of men's singles and any doubles games. In ladies' singles, a game is played to 11 points. The traditional scoring system also allows for a single game to determine a match or rubber, in which case the game would be played to 21 points. The first service is usually determined by the equivalent of a coin toss, with the shuttle dropped on top of the net and the server appointed by the direction it points when it falls.
Thereafter, a rally has to be won for service to change or a point to be won. In singles, if the server loses a rally, the service goes to the opponent. If the server wins a rally, their score is increased by one point. In a game to 15 points, if the score reached 13-13, the player who reached 13 first could choose to "set" or play straight through to 15. If they chose to "set", the score would revert to 0-0 and whoever scored five points would win the game.
In 2002, the "setting" at 13-13, 9-9 and 19-19 was dropped from the rules. The International Badminton Federation (now the Badminton World Federation or BWF) decided to experiment with a different scoring system to address the unpredictable and lengthy time required for matches. This new system shortened games to seven points and decided matches by the best of five games. When the score reached 6-6, the player who first reached six could elect to set to eight points. However, this experiment was abandoned and replaced by a modified version of the traditional scoring system.
Since 2006, international competitions have used the 3 x 21 rally point system endorsed by the BWF. This system replaced the previous one in which games were played to 15 points for men's singles and doubles and 11 points for ladies' singles. The 3 x 21 system involves playing the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. To win a game, a player or pair must win by two clear points, i.e., two points in a row.
In 2014, the BWF reviewed the scoring system again due to increased match lengths. They considered several systems and ultimately endorsed the 3 x 15 (setting to 21) scoring system as the preferred replacement.
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Scoring a point in badminton
The first service is usually determined by the equivalent of a coin toss. The shuttlecock is dropped on top of the net, and the server is appointed by the direction it points when it falls. After this, a rally must be won for the service to change or a point to be won. If the server wins the rally, their score is increased by one point, and they continue serving. If the receiving side wins the rally, they get the next serve, but their service court does not change. In doubles, players only switch areas to serve if they win consecutive points.
It is a good habit to say the score out loud to your opponent before starting each rally, as it can be easy to lose track of the score. When saying the score, always give the server's score first. For example, if you are serving and have 10 points to your opponent's 15, the score is 10-15. Announcing the score before each serve is also a good way to keep track of the score.
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How many points to win a game
The aim of badminton is for players to score points by hitting the shuttlecock into their opponent's court, ensuring that the opponent cannot return it. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game. This is known as a rally point system.
In competitive badminton matches, games are played to the best of three. To win a match, a player must win two games. In the past, the number of points required to win a game varied according to the gender of the players. In men's singles and doubles, a game was played to 15 points, whereas in ladies' singles, a game was played to 11 points. In the case of a single game to determine a match, the game would be played to 21 points.
The first serve is usually determined by a shuttle toss, similar to a coin toss. The shuttle is dropped on top of the net, and the server is appointed by the direction it points to when it falls. Thereafter, a rally has to be won for the service to change or a point to be won. If the server wins a rally, their score is increased by one point. If the server loses a rally, the service transfers to the opponent.
It is important to note that in badminton, the server's score is always said first. For example, if the server has 10 points and the opponent has 15, the score is said to be 10-15.
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How many games to win a match
The number of games required to win a badminton match has changed over time. The original scoring system dates back to as early as 1873 and consists of a best-of-three-games match. In men's singles and doubles, each game is played up to 15 points, while ladies' singles games are played up to 11 points. Alternatively, a single game can determine the outcome of the match, in which case the game is played up to 21 points.
In 2002, the International Badminton Federation (BWF) experimented with a new scoring system due to concerns about the unpredictability and length of matches. The concept of "setting" was introduced, where players could choose to reset the score and play to a lower number of points. For example, if the score reached 13-13, the first player to reach 13 could choose to reset the score to 0-0 and play to 5 points.
However, the current international scoring system, endorsed by the Badminton World Federation since 2006, has reverted to a similar structure as the original system. It consists of a best-of-three-games format, with each game played up to 21 points. In singles and doubles matches, the first side to reach 21 points wins the game. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side achieves a two-point lead, such as 22-20 or 25-23.
It is important to note that in badminton, the serving side changes whenever a rally is won. The server's score determines whether they serve from the right or left service court, with even scores corresponding to the right court and odd scores to the left. In singles, the server retains the serve as long as they keep winning points, while in doubles, the same player continues to serve but alternates between the right and left courts.
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Faults and serving rules
Badminton has several rules about serving, most of which are meant to limit the advantage that can be gained from a serve. Failing to comply with any of these rules will be called a fault in a match where there is a service judge.
The first forward movement of the server's racket head shall be the start of the service. Once started, the service is delivered when the shuttle is hit by the server's racket or, in attempting to serve, the server misses the shuttle.
During the service, both feet must be in contact with the ground. You cannot move or lift either foot off the ground until the shuttle has been struck. Your feet cannot be touching any of the lines on the court as you are serving or receiving. You can stand anywhere in your half, even in the tramlines, as long as you are not touching any of the lines or are outside of the playing court.
When serving, you cannot pause between backswing and forward swing. You don't have to keep the same speed of swing, and you can also serve without using a backswing at all. However, this rule also forbids an extremely slow serving action, as that would constitute an undue delay.
The whole of the shuttle shall be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court at the instant it is hit by the server's racket. This rule was brought in by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in March 2018.
If the shuttlecock strikes any other fixtures above the court, for example, lights, basketball hoops, beams, or girders, then it is up to the home club or tournament director to determine what is considered a let or a fault.
If the shuttlecock hits the net but continues over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. If the shuttlecock hits the net but lands short of the service line or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point.
Faults
There are several types of faults in badminton, which can result in losing a point or service. These include contact, double hit, service, service received, and over-the-net faults.
Contact faults occur when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than your racket. The only thing the shuttlecock should touch during a badminton game is your racket.
Double-hit faults occur when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in succession or when a player and their teammate both come into contact with the shuttle simultaneously. No part of your body or racket should touch the net at any point in the match. Failure to get your shuttle over the net on your serve or return can also result in a net fault.
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Frequently asked questions
Each point in badminton is a rally, so a player wins a rally by winning a point.
Since 2006, international badminton competitions have used the 3 x 21 rally point system. This means that to win a game, a player or team must be the first to reach 21 points.
A badminton match is played as the best of three games. So, to win a match, a player or team must win two games.
A point is scored by winning a rally, which means hitting the shuttlecock over the net and into the opponent's court, ensuring that the opponent cannot return it.
The first service is usually determined by a coin toss, with the shuttle dropped on top of the net and the server appointed by the direction it points when it falls. The server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts and a legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and across the court.
