Andrew Pace
Badminton is a popular racquet sport played both indoors and outdoors. It can be played as singles or doubles, with two players competing against each other in singles and two pairs of players forming teams in doubles. The scoring system in badminton has evolved over time, with different variations being used. While the traditional scoring system involved sets of 15 points, the modern scoring system has shifted to a best-of-three games format, with each game played up to 21 points. However, some players have expressed a preference for shorter scoring systems, such as 7 points, for casual games with a larger group of players to keep the games fast-paced and minimise waiting times between rounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring system | The winner is the first to reach 21 points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player gains a 2-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player to reach 30 points wins. |
| Scoring | A point is scored on every serve and awarded to the winner of the rally. |
| Serve | The serve passes to the winner of the rally. If the winner of the rally was the player who served, they keep serving. |
| Service courts | There are two service courts: one on the right (even service court) and one on the left (odd service court). The server's score determines which court they use. |
| Court dimensions | In singles, a badminton court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. In doubles, the width extends to 6.1m (20ft). The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high in the middle. |
| Shuttlecock | The shuttlecock, also called the birdie, is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. |
| Player positioning | In doubles, if the server loses a rally, the serve passes to their partner. If the server's team wins a rally, their team score is increased by one point. |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring systems
Badminton's scoring system has undergone several changes throughout the sport's history. The original scoring system dates back to 1873, with men's singles and doubles games played to 15 points and ladies' singles played to 11 points. In the traditional system, a single game could also determine a match, in which case it would be played to 21 points.
In 2002, the International Badminton Federation (IBF), now known as the Badminton World Federation (BWF), decided to experiment with a new scoring system to improve the sport's commercial and broadcasting appeal. This new system shortened games to seven points and decided matches by the best of five games. However, match time remained an issue, as playing time for the two scoring systems was similar.
In December 2005, the BWF experimented again, adopting a rally point scoring system in which the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served. Games were also lengthened to 21 points, with ladies' singles matches using the same rules as men's singles. This system was officially adopted in August 2006 and remains the standard for international competition.
In the BWF Annual Grand Meeting in 2014, a review of the scoring system was conducted due to increasing match lengths. A new system with five games of 11 points was considered, with the game ending no later than 11-10. This system was trialled in lower-level tournaments but ultimately replaced with the 3 x 15 (setting to 21) scoring system, already part of the Alternative Laws of Badminton.
- A match is the best of three games, with the first side to reach 21 points winning a game.
- A point is scored on every serve and awarded to the side that wins the rally.
- If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point lead, e.g. 22-20 or 25-23.
- If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins.
- The winning side gets the next serve.
- In singles, if the server loses a rally, the service transfers to the opponent. If the server wins, their score increases by one point.
- In doubles, if the serving pair loses a rally, the service transfers to their opponents. If they win, their team score increases by one point.
- The server's score is always stated first, e.g. if the server has 10 points and the opponent has 15, the score is 10-15.
- The service courts are set at the start of the rally and do not change. If the serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts.
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Court dimensions
The dimensions of a badminton court vary slightly depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played. The length of the court remains the same for both types of games, measuring 13.4 metres or 44 feet. The width of the court for doubles play is 6.1 metres or 20 feet, while for singles play, the width is reduced to 5.18 metres or 17 feet. The net in the middle of the court should be 1.55 metres or 5 feet high at the edges and 1.52 metres or 5 feet high in the centre.
The service courts are split by a centre line that runs down the width of the court. The service courts are also set back from the net by a 'short service line' of 1.98 metres or 6 feet 6 inches. For doubles games, a 'long service line' is also required, placed 0.76 metres or 2 feet 6 inches in from the back boundary line. The service courts are further divided vertically, creating four service courts in total, each measuring 3.88 metres or 12.72 feet long and 2.53 metres or 8.3 feet wide.
The total area of a badminton court is 880 square feet, and there should be a clearance area of at least 1 metre on the sides and 1.5 metres from the back boundary line. The posts should be placed on the doubles sidelines, with a height of 1.55 metres from the surface of the court. The net should be made of a dark-coloured, fine cord with a mesh size between 15 and 20 mm.
The flooring of a badminton court should be made from safe and suitable materials, including wood, synthetic vinyl, or rubber. The floor should provide cushion and comfort to players, as well as optimal shock absorption. The court lines should be clearly distinguishable, preferably in white or yellow, and made with non-slip marking.
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Serving rules
Positioning
The server and receiver must stand on diagonally opposite sides of the court without touching the boundary lines. The server must stand behind the service line within their designated service court. In singles, the court is thinner, and the outside 'tramlines' are out of bounds. In doubles, the court is full width, and these tramlines are considered 'in'.
Service Side
The player who serves first is determined by a coin toss. They will serve from the right side of the service court. After each point, the server alternates, with the winner of the point becoming the new server. If the server has won an even number of points, they serve from the right side; if they have won an odd number of points, they switch to the left side.
Shuttlecock Height
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) introduced a service height rule in 2018 to ensure fairness in high-level tournaments. The shuttlecock must be struck below 1.15 meters (3.77 feet) from the court's surface. This rule limits power and creates a level playing field. In non-BWF tournaments, the traditional rule of hitting the shuttle below the waist applies.
Continuous Motion
The serve must be executed in one continuous motion. Once the backswing begins, there should be no pauses or multiple forward and backward movements before striking the shuttlecock. This rule prevents players from intentionally delaying their serve to frustrate opponents or gain an advantage.
Foot Placement
Both feet should be in contact with the floor, and no part of the foot should touch any lines on the court or cross into the opponent's court during the serve. Players can stand anywhere in their half, including the tramlines, as long as they do not impede the sight of the server or receiver.
Striking the Shuttlecock
The base of the shuttlecock (the cork) must be struck first. This rule was implemented to prevent players from gaining an advantage by hitting the feathers first and creating excessive spin. The serve must be hit 'underarm', meaning the server's racket head and shaft must be angled downward.
These serving rules in badminton promote fairness and ensure that players adhere to consistent standards. By understanding and applying these rules, players can improve their game and avoid disputes during matches.
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Rally rules
Scoring System
The scoring system in badminton has evolved over time, with the current international standard being the 3 x 21 rally point system endorsed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). In this system, each game is played to 21 points, and the first side to reach 21 points wins the game. It's important to note that there must be a two-point difference between the scores; for example, a score of 21-20 is not sufficient to win, and the game continues until a two-point lead is achieved.
Rally Winner
A point is scored on every serve, and it is awarded to the side that wins the rally. The winning side also gets the next serve. This means that if the serving side wins the rally, they keep the serve, and if the receiving side wins, the serve passes to them.
Service Courts
Badminton has two service courts: the right service court, also known as the even service court, and the left service court, known as the odd service court. The server alternates between these courts based on their score. If the server's score is even, they serve from the right court; if it's odd, they serve from the left court.
Serving and Receiving
In singles badminton, if the server loses a rally, the service transfers to their opponent. On the other hand, if the server wins, their score increases by one point, and they continue serving but from the opposite service court. In doubles, if the serving pair loses a rally, the service transfers to their opponents. If they win, their score increases by one point, and the server's partner takes the next serve from the opposite service court.
Faults and Shuttlecock Rules
A player wins a rally when they strike the shuttlecock, and it touches the floor on the opponent's side of the court or when the opponent commits a fault. A fault occurs when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or when it lands outside the court boundaries. Each side can only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net, and players cannot strike it again in a new movement or shot.
Score Announcement
It is considered good practice to announce the score to your opponent before starting each rally. This helps prevent disputes and keeps both players aware of the current score. When stating the score, always say the server's score first. For example, if you are serving and have 10 points while your opponent has 15, the correct score announcement is 10-15.
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Faults
Service Faults
Service faults are the most common type of fault in badminton, especially in doubles matches. This is because there is more pressure on the server in doubles matches compared to singles. Service faults occur when the server breaks one of the service rules.
One common service fault is a delay in service. Once both the server and receiver are ready, neither player is allowed to delay the service. The umpire will first provide a verbal warning, followed by a yellow card if the delay continues. Only after a third warning will a red card be given, resulting in a fault and awarding the point to the opposing side.
Another service fault occurs when the server's racket goes over the net during the service. While the racket can go over the net during a rally, it is a fault if the shuttle is taken before it passes to the server's side of the court.
When serving, the shuttle must be struck from below the waist, with the racket head pointing downward and swinging upward. Service faults commonly occur when performing a low serve or a flick serve, as players try to make their serve pass right above the net.
Receiver Faults
Receiver faults can occur when the receiver stands on or touches the lines of their service court. Both feet of the receiver must remain in contact with the surface of the court, without touching the boundary lines.
Rally Faults
Rally faults include hitting the shuttle out, causing it to land outside the boundaries of the court, or hitting it into the ceiling or walls. Additionally, during a rally, neither player is allowed to touch the net or the shuttlecock with any part of their body.
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Frequently asked questions
The scoring system endorsed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the 3 x 21 rally point system, where the winner is the first to reach 21 points with a lead of at least 2 points. If the score reaches 29-29, the game continues until one player gains a 2-point lead, with the first to 30 points declared the winner.
A point is added to a player's score when they win a rally. A player wins a rally when they strike the shuttlecock and it touches the floor on the opponent's side of the court, or when the opponent commits a fault. A fault can include failing to hit the shuttlecock over the net or hitting it outside the boundaries of the court.
The server and receiver have dedicated service courts. When the server's score is even, they serve from the right service court, and when odd, they serve from the left. The server's partner also has a service court, but they can stand wherever they like. If the serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts. If the serving side loses, the serve goes to the opposition.
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