Introduction
Badminton is one of the fastest and most exciting racket sports, played and loved worldwide. Whether you’re just starting out or want to brush up on your knowledge, it’s essential to understand the basic badminton rules and scoring system. This guide breaks down everything you need to know—from how points are scored to the key rules in singles and doubles play.
1. Basic Badminton Rules
Before we dive into scoring, let’s cover the fundamental rules of the game:
-
Objective: Hit the shuttlecock over the net and land it inside your opponent’s court.
-
Scoring: A rally point scoring system is used, meaning a point is scored on every rally—whether you are serving or receiving.
-
Winning a Match: Matches are played in a best of 3 games, with each game played to 21 points.
-
Court Boundaries:
-
Singles: The court is narrower but longer (side lines are not in, but back lines are in).
-
Doubles: The court is wider but shorter (side lines are in, but back lines are not in for service).
-
2. Badminton Scoring System Explained
Badminton uses a 21-point rally scoring system (introduced by the Badminton World Federation in 2006).
Key rules of scoring:
-
A rally is won when you successfully land the shuttle in your opponent’s court or if they commit a fault (e.g., hitting out, hitting the net).
-
Every rally results in a point, regardless of who served.
-
A game is won by the first player/pair to reach 21 points, but you must win by at least 2 points.
-
Example: If the score is 20–20, the game continues until one side leads by 2 points.
-
The maximum score is 30 points. If the score reaches 29–29, the next point decides the game (30–29).
-
-
A match is the best of 3 games.
3. Serving Rules in Badminton
The serve is crucial in badminton and must follow specific rules:
-
The shuttle must be struck below the server’s waist.
-
Both server and receiver must stand inside their service courts without touching boundary lines.
-
The serve must travel diagonally across the court.
-
In singles:
-
If the server’s score is even → serve from the right service court.
-
If the server’s score is odd → serve from the left service court.
-
-
In doubles:
-
The serving side keeps serving until they lose a rally.
-
Partners alternate service courts after each point scored.
-
4. Faults in Badminton
A fault occurs when:
-
The shuttle lands outside the boundary lines.
-
The shuttle fails to cross the net.
-
A player touches the net with their body or racket.
-
A player hits the shuttle before it crosses the net.
-
The shuttle is hit twice by the same player/team.
5. Key Differences Between Singles and Doubles Rules
-
Court Size:
-
Singles → long and narrow.
-
Doubles → short and wide.
-
-
Serving Rules: Doubles service rotation is more complex, with partners alternating.
-
Strategy: Doubles focuses more on fast rallies and teamwork, while singles emphasizes stamina and precision.
Final Thoughts
Badminton is a sport that combines speed, skill, and strategy. By understanding the badminton rules and scoring system, you’ll not only enjoy the game more but also play confidently and fairly. Whether you’re playing for fun or preparing for competition, knowing the rules gives you a strong foundation to improve your performance.
