The full rules of Badminton can be found here.
Up to date versions of all badminton documents can be found here.
Note: A new scoring system, The Rally Point Scoring System or the Badminton 21 Points Scoring System, was introduced in the Thomas/ Uber Cup in 2006 and these rules have been adopted internationally since.
Here’s an outline of the new scoring system:
For Singles matches, the rules are:
- A match consists of best of 3 games.
- The side that first scored 21 points shall win.
- The side winning a rally shall add 1 point to its score.
- If a score becomes 20-20, the side which scores 2 consecutive points shall win that game.
- If the score becomes 29-29, the side that scores the 30th point shall win that game.
- The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
- When one side reaches 11 points, both players get a 60 second break.
- Both sides get a 2-minute break between first and second games, and another 2-minute break between second and third game.
- Other rules shall remain the same.
For Doubles matches, the rules are:
- One service only
- Back service line remains and the current rule applies.
The chart below explains the 3x21 rally point scoring system for doubles matches.
In a Doubles match between A&B against C&D. A&B win the toss and decide to serve. A will serve to C. A shall be the initial server while C shall be the initial receiver.
Course of Action/ Explanation |
Score |
. |
. |
Service from Service Court |
Server & Receiver |
Winner of the Rally |
. |
Love All |
C |
D |
Right service court. Being the score of the serving side is even. |
A serves to C. A and C are the initial server and receiver. |
A & B |
B |
A |
|||||
A & B win a point. A & B will change service courts. A serves again from Left service court. C & D will stay in the same service courts. |
1-0 |
C |
D |
Left service court. Being the score of the serving side is odd. |
A serves to D |
C & D |
A |
B |
|||||
C & D win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their respective service courts. |
1-1 |
C |
D |
Left service court. Being the score of the serving side is odd. |
D serves to A |
A & B |
A |
B |
|||||
A & B win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their respective service courts. |
2-1 |
C |
D |
Right service court. Being the score of the serving side is even. |
B serves to C |
C & D |
A |
B |
|||||
C & D win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their respective service courts. |
2-2 |
C |
D |
Right service court. Being the score of the serving side is even. |
C serves to B |
C & D |
A |
B |
|||||
C & D win a point. C & D will change service courts. C serves from Left service court. A & B will stay in the same service courts. |
3-2 |
D |
C |
Left service court. Being the score of the serving side is odd. |
C serves to A |
A & B |
A |
B |
|||||
A & B win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their respective service courts. |
3-3 |
D |
C |
Left service court. Being the score of the serving side is odd. |
A serves to C |
A & B |
A |
B |
|||||
A & B win a point. A & B will change service courts. A serves again from Right service court. C & D will stay in the same service courts. |
4-3 |
D |
C |
Right service court. Being the score of the serving side is even. |
A serves to D |
C & D |
B |
A |