Andrew Pace
Badminton is a fast-paced racket sport that can be played as singles or doubles. The aim is to hit a shuttlecock, or shuttle, over a net and into the opponent's court. The rules of badminton have changed over the years, with a new rally point system being introduced in 2006, allowing players to score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. In competitive matches, a game is played to the best of three, with the first side to reach 21 points declared the winner. If the game is tied at 20-20, the winner must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or team to score the 30th point wins.
With such a fast-paced game, it is important to know when to call out the score. In badminton, the server will call out the current game score before serving. For example, if the server's side is leading by 10 points, they would call out 11-10 before serving the shuttlecock. This ensures that both players or teams are aware of the current score and can strategize accordingly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Singles or doubles |
| Scoring system | Rally point system |
| Points to win a game | 21 points |
| Points to win a game if tied at 20-20 | 2 clear points |
| Points to win a game if tied at 29-29 | 30 points |
| Number of games to win a match | Best of three games |
| Service courts | Determined at the start of each rally |
| Receiver's position | Diagonally opposite the server |
| Serve rules | Underarm and below the waist height of the server |
| Shuttlecock rules | Not allowed to bounce; can be returned from inside or outside the court |
| Net rules | Players are not allowed to touch the net with their body or racket |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring system
Badminton's scoring system is simple: the first player or pair to reach 21 points wins the game. If the game is tied at 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or pair to score the 30th point wins. In competitive matches, a match consists of the best of three games.
The receiver's position is determined not by their own score but by the server's. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. In other words, both players will be in the even service courts, or both will be in the odd service courts. In doubles, instead of each person winning points, each pair wins points together.
In singles, 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. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving while alternating sides with their partner.
In 2006, the rules were changed to a rally point system, allowing players to score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. Whenever a player wins a rally, they also get the next serve. If the serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts.
Some people argue that the scoring system is too long, and that 3x21 games should be shortened. Some suggest cutting the third game to 11 points, while others propose playing 5 sets of 11 points each.
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Serving and receiving positions
It's worth noting that in doubles matches, the serving pair chooses who serves first in the initial rally, while the receiving pair selects the receiver. The server's score determines whether they serve from the left or right court. If their score is odd, they serve from the left court; if it's even, they serve from the right. This rule also applies to singles matches, where the receiver stands diagonally opposite the server.
The service courts are determined at the beginning of each rally. Although players may move around during the play, the service courts remain unchanged. If the serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts for the next one. It's important to remember that partners must always occupy different service courts.
In terms of footwork, both the server and receiver must have both feet in contact with the ground during the serve. Neither player is permitted to have their feet touching the court lines or be positioned outside the playing court. This rule ensures fairness and prevents players from gaining an advantage by standing on lines or outside the designated playing area.
To determine the serving order in a formal competition, a coin toss is typically employed. However, in more casual club or league games, players might opt to toss the shuttle into the air and let it land, with the side it points to serving first. Regardless of the setting, it's crucial to remember that players should not serve or receive out of turn and that the serving side changes with each won rally.
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Rally point system
The rally point system is a scoring mechanism in badminton that allows either player or team to score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. This system was introduced in 2006, changing the way players could score points in competitive adult badminton matches.
In the rally point system, a point is scored on every serve, awarded to the side that wins the rally. The winning side also gets the next serve. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one side achieves a two-point lead. Interestingly, if the score reaches 29-29, the game ends as soon as one side scores their 30th point.
The service courts are set at the start of each rally. The server's position is determined by their score. If the server's score is even, they will serve from the right court; if odd, they will serve from the left court. The receiver always stands in the diagonally opposite service box. After a point is won, players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point.
The rally point system is generally played as a best-of-three-games match. This means that to win a match, a player or team must win two out of the three games.
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Scoring in doubles
Scoring in badminton is done through a rally point system, where either player or pair can score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, the winning side must lead by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score the 30th point wins.
In doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. The actual scoring is simple: instead of each person winning points, each pair wins points together. 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 server will then serve from the right-hand side and keep serving, alternating sides with their teammate. The receiver's position is determined by the server's score. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. Both players will be in the even service courts or the odd service courts.
The service courts are set at the start of the rally. Although players move around during the rally, the service courts do not change. If the serving side wins a rally, the server and their partner swap service courts. It is important to remember that the server and their partner must always have different service courts.
Some people argue that the scoring system in badminton should be changed to make the sport more attractive to spectators. Suggestions include lowering the number of points to 11 or 15, or only shortening the third game to 11 points.
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Scoring in singles
Scoring in badminton singles follows a rally point system, where each player can score a point during a rally, regardless of who served. Matches are played as the best of three games, with the first player to reach 21 points declared the winner. If the game is tied at 20-20, a player must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player to score the 30th point wins.
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 court every time they have an odd number of points. Each player will retain serve as long as they keep winning points. After a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point.
It is important to note that there are no second serves in badminton. The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce, and players cannot hit it twice.
Some people argue that the scoring system in badminton singles should be changed to a lower number, such as 11 or 15, to increase the pressure and reduce the room for error. This could potentially make the matches more exciting and attractive to spectators, especially with the lower shuttle speeds in singles matches.
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Frequently asked questions
The score should be called out at the end of each rally, when a point is scored.
The first player or team to reach 21 points wins the game. However, if the game is tied at 20-20, the game continues until a player or team has a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player or team to score the 30th point wins.
A badminton match is played as the best of three games.
In singles, the server will start from the right service court and will serve from that side whenever they have an even number of points. They will switch to the left service court when they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the serving pair chooses who serves first, and the receiver's position is determined by the server's score.
