Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a racquet sport that has been played competitively since as early as 1873. The scoring system has evolved over time, with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) adopting new rules in 2006 to use the 3 x 21 rally point system for international competitions. In this system, the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served, and games are played until a player reaches 21 points with a two-point difference. This replaced the traditional scoring system where a game was played to 15 points for men's singles and doubles, and 11 points for ladies' singles, with the option to set at certain scores. The rally scoring system aims to regulate playing time and simplify the game for viewers, ensuring that matches don't drag on excessively, especially at the top levels of play.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Scoring System | 3 x 21 rally point system |
| Scoring | Winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served |
| Game Length | Games are played to 21 points, with a cap of 30 points |
| Scoring Cap | If the score reaches 29-29, the next point is a "golden point" |
| Service | The server's position is determined by their score being odd or even |
| Receiver Position | The receiver always stands diagonally opposite the server |
| Doubles Scoring | Each pair wins points, instead of individuals |
| First Serve | Determined by a coin toss or shuttle toss |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring system history
Badminton has gone through several scoring systems throughout its history. The original scoring system 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 a coin toss. The shuttlecock is dropped on top of the net, and the server is appointed by the direction it points to when it falls to the floor. Thereafter, a rally has to be won for service to change or a point to be won.
In 2002, the International Badminton Federation (BWF) decided to experiment with a different scoring system to improve the commercial and broadcasting appeal of the sport. They were concerned with the unpredictable and often lengthy time required for matches. This new scoring 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.
In December 2005, the BWF experimented with the scoring system again, intending to regulate the playing time and simplify the system for television viewers. The main change was to adopt rally point scoring, in which 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 adopted in August 2006.
In 2014, a review of the scoring system was performed at the BWF Annual Grand Meeting. It was found that match lengths had increased since the 2006 scoring system change. A system with 5 games to 11 points with no setting was tried in lower-level tournaments. However, the BWF Council endorsed the 3 x 15 (setting to 21) scoring system as the preferred system to replace the current one.
Since 2006, international badminton competitions have used the 3 x 21 rally point system endorsed by the Badminton World Federation. In this system, the first person to reach 21 points wins the game. If the score reaches 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first to get their 30th point wins.
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How to keep score
Badminton is played with rally scoring, where a player or team earns a point each time they win a rally, regardless of who served. The first person to reach 21 points wins the game, and the match is the best of three games.
Before the game
Use a scorecard to keep track of the score. Write down your name and your opponent's name at the top, and be ready to make a tally mark each time a player gets a point. You can also ask for a scorekeeper during a tournament.
During the game
Announce the score before each serve, starting with the server's score. For example, if you are serving and have 10 points to your opponent's 15 points, the score is 10-15. This helps prevent disputes and keeps both players aware of the score. If you are playing doubles, your partner can also help keep track of the score.
After each point
Update the scorecard by adding a tally mark next to the player's name who won the point. If you are not using a scorecard, you can keep track of the score in your head or write down the score on a piece of paper after each point.
Between games
After the first game, take a 90-second break, and after the second game, take a 5-minute break. If you are playing a match, the first player to win two games wins the match. If each player wins one game, a match consists of three games.
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Deciding who serves first
Rally scoring in badminton means that the winner of a rally scores a point, regardless of who served. In other words, a point can be won whether a player served or received the shuttlecock. In professional badminton, serving is often slightly more difficult than defending, so this scoring system helps to prevent matches from becoming too drawn-out.
Now, onto deciding who serves first!
In a major tournament, a coin toss is used to decide which side will serve first. In casual club or league games, players usually throw the shuttlecock into the air and let it land, with the side it points towards serving first. In doubles, the serving pair chooses who serves for the first rally, and the receiving pair chooses who receives.
The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. The even/odd rule applies, so if the server's score is odd, they will serve from the left court, and if it is even, they will serve from the right. The receiver's position is determined by the server's score, so if the server is serving from the left court (odd), the receiver will stand in the right service box, and vice versa.
It is important to note that the serve does not alternate between partners in doubles. Instead, the same person serves again from the other service court when their side wins a rally. The serve only passes to the other partner when the opponents win a rally.
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The receiver's position
Rally scoring is indeed used in badminton. Every time a rally is won, a point is scored, and the winner of the rally also gets to serve next. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game, with 30 as the upper limit to prevent games from dragging on for too long.
The receiver in badminton always stands in the diagonally opposite service box to the server. This means that if the server is serving from the right (even) service court, the receiver will stand in the left (odd) service court, and vice versa. This is true for both singles and doubles matches.
In a doubles match, the receiver must stand on the alternate service court, and the pair that wins the point becomes the server for the subsequent point. No player on the receiving side shall receive two consecutive services in the same game. The players on either side can take up any position on their side of the court as long as they do not impede the sight of the server or receiver.
In a singles match, the receiver will also stand in the diagonally opposite service court. When the serving side wins a rally, the same player serves again but from the other service court. The serve does not alternate between partners in doubles; it stays with one person until the opponents win a rally.
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Scoring in doubles
Scoring in badminton is done through a rally system, where a point is scored by the player or team that wins the rally. In doubles, each pair wins points together.
In a typical game of doubles, the first pair to reach 21 points wins. However, if the score reaches 29-29, the first pair to reach 30 points wins. Variations of the game can be played to 15 or 7 points for quicker games.
The server's position depends on their score. If the server's score is odd, they serve from the left court, and if it is even, they serve from the right court. The receiver always stands diagonally opposite the server. The serve does not alternate between partners and stays with one person until the opponents win a rally.
Points are scored by grounding the shuttlecock in the designated areas of the opponent's side of the court before they can return it. Points are also awarded if the opponent fails to return the shuttlecock or commits a fault.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in the 3 x 21 rally point system, the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served.
Every time a rally is won, the winning side gets a point added to their score and the serve. In doubles, the pair wins the point, and the same player serves again but from the other service court.
Games are usually played to 21 points, with a minimum of a two-point difference between scores. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins.
