Strategies To Score In Badminton: A Beginner's Guide

how to score a point in badminton

Badminton is a fast-paced racquet sport played both recreationally and competitively. Scoring a point in badminton is simple: you get a point each time you win a rally, and you need to score 21 points to win. However, if the score reaches 20–20, you need to win by two clear points. The first side to reach 30 points wins the game. Points are scored by grounding the shuttlecock in the opponent's court, and a point is also awarded if your opponent commits a fault or fails to return the shuttlecock.

Characteristics Values
Number of points to win the game 21
Minimum points difference to win the game 2
Maximum points to play for 30
Number of games to win a match 2 out of 3
Break time after 11 points 1 minute
Break time between games 2 minutes
Birdie/shuttlecock hit Below waist height
Service court sides Odd score: Left; Even score: Right
Service court swap After scoring a point
Service court swap rule for doubles Trade places with your partner
Service court swap rule for singles Depends on the score
Service court swap rule for singles with an even score Right service court
Service court swap rule for singles with an odd score Left service court
Service court swap rule for doubles with an even score Right service court
Service court swap rule for doubles with an odd score Left service court
Fouls Touching the net with the body or racket, extending the racket past the net, hitting the shuttlecock multiple times, failing to return the shuttlecock to the opponent's court, serving the shuttlecock outside the court

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Win a rally to score a point

To win a rally and score a point in badminton, you must hit the shuttlecock into your opponent's court, ensuring that they cannot return it. The shuttlecock must be hit below waist height and diagonally into your opponent's service box. If your opponent commits a fault, such as touching the net with their body or racket, you will also win the rally and score a point.

In singles badminton, the server will always serve from the right service court when they have an even number of points and from the left service court when they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving and alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a rally, the serve passes to them, but they do not change their service courts.

It is important to keep track of the score by announcing the number of points each player or team has before every serve. This will help prevent disputes, as it is easy to lose track of the score in badminton. In order to win a game, you must be the first player or team to reach 21 points, with a lead of at least two points. If the score reaches 29-29, then the game will be won by the first player or team to reach 30 points.

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Opponent faults, you score a point

Opponent faults are an important part of badminton, and there are several ways in which you can score a point if your opponent makes a mistake. Firstly, touching the net with either your body or racket is a fault, and you will concede a point to your opponent. This can be tricky when playing a net kill, where the shuttlecock is tight to the net, but it is still a fault if you touch the net with your racket during this shot. Similarly, if you put your foot under the net while lunging for a shot, this is a fault if you obstruct or distract your opponent.

The shuttlecock, or birdie, must be hit below waist height and diagonally into your opponent's service box. If your opponent fails to do this and hits the shuttlecock into the net, you will score a point. The shuttlecock must also pass over the net, not underneath, around, or through it. It must land inside your court, and if your opponent fails to do this, you will score a point. If the shuttlecock hits you or your clothing, you will score a point.

Fouls can also be committed in relation to your opponent's service. If they serve outside of the court, you will score a point. You can also score a point if your opponent extends their racket past the net or hits the shuttlecock multiple times. Deliberate distractions are also not allowed, so if your opponent attempts to distract you by shouting or making gestures, this is a fault and you will score a point.

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Win by two points

To win a badminton game, you must win by at least two points. This rule applies to both singles and doubles matches.

In a standard badminton game, the first side to reach 21 points wins. However, if your opponent has 20 points, you need to get two points clear to win the game. For example, if you have 20 points and your opponent has 19 or fewer, you win the game. But if your opponent has 20 points, you need to get two points ahead, so 22-20 would be a winning score, as would 25-23.

If the score reaches 20-20, 21 points are no longer enough to win the game. The game will continue until one player reaches two points more than their opponent.

If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game. This means a player can win with a score of 30-29.

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Scoring and serving

Badminton is played either as singles or doubles. In singles, there are two players competing against each other. In doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete, resulting in a game of four players. The scoring system is the same for both singles and doubles.

Scoring

A point is scored on every serve, regardless of which player or team is serving. The player or team that wins the rally earns a point and gets to serve the next point. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game. However, they must win by at least two points. If the score reaches 20-20, the winner is the first side to get ahead by two clear points. For example, 22-20 would be a winning score, whereas 21-20 would not be enough. If the score reaches 29-29, then the first side to score their 30th point wins.

Serving

The game begins with a serve. The server must hit the shuttlecock so that it passes over the net and lands in the opponent's service court. The serve is good even if the shuttlecock touches the net, as long as it reaches the service boundaries. 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. Each player will retain serve as long as they keep winning 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.

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Change ends

Changing ends in badminton is a requirement under specific conditions. In a three-game match, players should change ends at the end of the first game and again at the end of the second game. In the third game, the change of ends occurs when one side reaches a score of 11 points. This rule is in place to ensure fairness and help mitigate any potential advantages or disadvantages that may arise from playing on one side of the court.

It is important to note that the rules for changing ends may vary depending on the specific tournament or league rules. Some leagues or tournaments may have their own specific rules regarding changing ends, so it is always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the rules of the particular competition you are participating in.

In badminton, the court dimensions are different for singles and doubles matches. In singles, the court is 13.41m long and 5.18m wide, while in doubles, the width of the court is extended to 6.1m. The net is set at a height of 1.55m at the ends and dips slightly to 1.52m in the middle. These dimensions ensure that players have sufficient space to move and play shots during the game.

The change of ends rule in badminton helps to promote fairness and equal opportunities for players by ensuring that both players or teams have the opportunity to experience both sides of the court, which may have varying lighting, wind, or other conditions that could impact gameplay. It also allows players to take a brief break and regroup before resuming play from the opposite side.

It is important for players to be aware of the specific rules regarding changing ends in badminton, as it is a required part of the game and ensures that matches are played fairly and consistently.

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