Rules

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