Ayrton Oneill
Badminton has undergone several scoring system changes since its early days in 1873. The original scoring rules allowed for a single game to determine a match, which would be played to 21 points. In 2002, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) experimented with a new scoring system, dropping the setting rule at 13-13, 9-9, and 19-19. Since 2006, international competitions have used the 3x21 rally point system, where each game is played up to 21 points, and a player must win by at least two points. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) endorsed the 3x15 (setting to 21) scoring system as the preferred replacement in 2024, showing a continued evolution of the sport's scoring rules.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current scoring system | Best of three games, each played to 21 points with a minimum win margin of 2 points |
| Previous scoring system | Men's singles and doubles games were played to 15 points, ladies' singles were played to 11 points |
| Original scoring system | Dates back to 1873, matches were decided by the best of three games |
| Rally scoring | If the server loses a rally, the serve changes to the opponent |
| Setting | If the score reaches 13-13, the first player to reach 13 can choose to "set", resetting the score to 0-0 and playing to 5 points |
| Even/Odd rule | If the server's score is odd, they serve from the left court, if even, from the right |
| Proposed scoring system | 3 x 15 (setting to 21) scoring system |
| Scoring system change | International competition adopted the 3 x 21 rally point system in 2006 |
| Scoring system change rationale | To address unpredictable and lengthy match times |
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What You'll Learn
The original scoring system
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 to when it falls to the floor.
In singles, if the server loses a rally, the service is transferred to the opponent. If the server wins a rally, their score is increased by one point, and they continue to serve but from the other service court. This is known as the even/odd rule, where the server alternates between the left and right service courts depending on whether their score is an odd or even number. For example, if the server's score is 10 points (an even number), they will serve from the right service court. If they win the rally and increase their score to 11 points (an odd number), they will then serve from the left service court.
In the original scoring system, there was also a concept called "setting" or "setting to", which occurred at certain scores in a game. For example, 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. "Setting" also occurred at other scores, such as 14-14 in a game to 15, 9-9 and 10-10 in a game to 11, and 19-19 and 20-20 in a game to 21.
In 2002, the "setting" at certain scores was dropped from the rules, as the International Badminton Federation (BWF) wanted to experiment with a different scoring system due to concerns about the unpredictable and lengthy time required for matches. This led to the development of new scoring systems over time, with the current international competition using the 3 x 21 rally point system endorsed by the Badminton World Federation since 2006.
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Scoring system development
The original badminton 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 men's singles and any doubles games, and to 11 points in ladies' singles. Alternatively, a single game to 21 points could determine a match. The first serve is usually decided by a coin toss or by dropping the shuttle on top of the net, with the direction it points to when it hits the floor determining the server.
In 2002, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) or Badminton World Federation (BWF) decided to experiment with a new scoring system, concerned about the unpredictable and lengthy time required for matches. The ''setting' rules at 13-13, 9-9, and 19-19 were dropped. 'Setting' allowed the leading player to choose to 'set' the score back to 0-0 and play to a lower number of points.
Since 2006, international competitions have used the 3 x 21 rally point system, where each game is played to 21 points and a player must win by at least two points. This system was endorsed by the BWF Council in November 2024 as the preferred replacement for the previous scoring system.
In badminton, a point is scored when a player wins a rally by hitting the shuttlecock into their opponent's court, ensuring it cannot be returned. The server's score determines their serving position, with even numbers using the right-hand service court and odd numbers using the left. The receiver stands diagonally opposite the server. In doubles, each pair wins points, and the serve stays with one person until the opponents win a rally.
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Rally scoring rules
The original scoring system in badminton dates back to as early as 1873. A match is decided by the best of three games. Each game is played to 15 points in 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, which would be played to 21 points.
The first service is usually determined by the equivalent of 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.
In 2002, the International Badminton Federation (BWF) decided to experiment with a different scoring system to address the unpredictable and lengthy time required for matches. In December 2005, the BWF experimented with a new scoring system, intending to regulate playing time and simplify the system for television viewers. The main change was to adopt rally point scoring, where the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served. Games were also 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 a rally scoring system, whenever the serving side wins a rally, the same person serves again but from the other service court. The serve does not alternate between partners and stays with one person until the opponents win a rally and get the serve. In doubles, each player has a service court at all times. When a player has one service court, their partner has the other. At the start of the game, when the score is 0-0, the serving pair chooses who serves for the first rally, and the receiving pair chooses who receives. The receiver's position is determined by the server's score and will stand in the diagonally opposite service court.
Additionally, there are rules regarding the service courts. When the server's score is an even number, they serve from the right service court, and when it is an odd number, they serve from the left service court. This results in alternating between service courts with each rally win. It is important to note that the right service court is also known as the even service court, and the left is known as the odd service court.
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Scoring in singles vs doubles
The original badminton scoring system dates back to as early as 1873. A match is decided by the best of three games. In men's singles and doubles, each game is played to 15 points, while ladies' singles games are played to 11 points. In the traditional scoring system, a single game could also determine a match, which would be played to 21 points.
Over the years, the scoring system has evolved, and since 2006, international competitions have used the 3 x 21 rally point system endorsed by the Badminton World Federation. This means that a match is still the best of three games, but each game is now played to 21 points.
While the scoring system is the same for both singles and doubles matches, there are some key differences between the two formats:
Number of Players
In singles, there is one player on each side of the court, whereas in doubles, there are two players on each side. This affects the strategy and dynamics of the game, as players in doubles have a partner to cover parts of the court they are not able to reach.
Court Dimensions
The singles court is smaller than the doubles court. The singles court includes everything except the left and right side alleys, while the doubles court includes these alleys. Understanding the court dimensions can help players develop strategies to gain an advantage.
Service Rules
There are differences in service rules between singles and doubles, including service boundaries and the rotation system. In singles, the server alternates between the left and right service courts depending on their score, with the receiver standing diagonally opposite. In doubles, each player has a designated service court, and the serve stays with one player until the opponents win a rally. The receiver's position is determined by the server's score, with the receiver standing diagonally opposite.
Scoring
The actual scoring process is the same in both singles and doubles, with a point awarded to the winning side of each rally. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game. However, the dynamic of scoring as a pair in doubles may impact strategy and communication between partners.
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Scoring system preferences
The original scoring system in badminton dates back to as early as 1873. A match was decided by the best of three games. Each game was played to 15 points in the case of men's singles and any doubles games. For ladies' singles, a game was played to 11 points. The traditional system also allowed for a single game to determine a match, which would be played to 21 points.
Over time, various scoring systems have been developed. Since 2006, international competitions have used the 3 x 21 rally point system, endorsed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). In this system, a match is the best of three games, with each game played up to 21 points, and a player must win by at least two points. The server's team score is increased by one point if they win a rally, and the serve changes to the opponent if the server loses the rally.
However, some people have expressed preferences for different scoring systems. One suggestion is to shorten the length of matches, as the 3 x 21 system can be too long. A proposal is to cut the third game to 11 points, increasing pressure and reducing room for error, which could make matches more interesting. Another idea is to play a best-of-five format with 11 points per game, or something in between, to balance the length of matches and the intensity of the 11-point format.
The BWF has also considered different scoring systems to address concerns about unpredictable and lengthy match times. In 2024, the BWF Council endorsed the 3 x 15 (setting to 21) scoring system as the preferred replacement for the current system, with a potential proposal to be decided at the BWF Annual General Meeting in 2026.
It is worth noting that the scoring system preferences may vary depending on the level of play, with club badminton having different priorities compared to standard league or tournament play.
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Frequently asked questions
International badminton competitions have been using the 3 x 21 rally point system since 2006.
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, with each game played up to 15 points for men's singles and doubles, and 11 points for ladies' singles.
The International Badminton Federation (BWF) decided to experiment with a new scoring system in 2002 due to concerns over the unpredictable and lengthy duration of matches.
