How to play badminton?
The Laws of Badminton and Competition Regulations in the BWF Statutes provide the detail on every aspect of the game of badminton.
Below is a brief overview - simplified badminton rules.
Scoring System
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A match consists of the best of 3 games of 21 points.
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Every time there is a serve – there is a point scored.
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The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.
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At 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game.
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At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point, wins that game.
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The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
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Interval and Change of Ends
- | When the leading score reaches 11 points, players have a 60 second interval. |
- | A 2 minute interval between each game is allowed. |
- | In the third game, players change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points. |
Singles
- | At the beginning of the game (0-0) and when the server’s score is even,the server serves from the right service court. When the server’s score is odd, the server serves from the left service court. |
- | If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from the alternate service court. |
- | If the receiver wins a rally, the receiver scores a point and becomes the new server. They serve from the appropriate service court – left if their score is odd, and right if it is even. |
Doubles
- | A side has only one ‘service’. |
- | The service passes consecutively to the players as shown in the diagram. |
- | At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server serves from the right service court. When it is odd, the server serves from the left court. |
- | If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server serves again from the alternate service court. |
- | If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side becomes the new serving side. |
- | The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving. |
● If players commit an error in the service court, the error is corrected when the mistake is discovered.
● In a doubles match between A & B against C & D. A & B won the toss and decided to serve. A to serve to C. A shall be the initial server while C shall be the initial receiver.
EXAMPLES of servicing in a doubles match:
When score is "Love All"...
● Service Court:
Right Service Court. Being the score of the serving side is even.
Server:A
Receiver:C
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When score is "1-0"...
● Course of action:
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
● Service Court:
Left Service Court. Being the score of the serving side is odd
Server:A
Receiver:D
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When score is "1-1"...
● Course of action:
C & D win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their respective service courts.
● Service Court:
Left Service Court. Being the score of the serving side is odd.
Server:D
Receiver:A
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When score is "2-1"...
● Course of action:
A & B win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their respective service courts.
● Service Court:
Right Service Court. Being the score of the serving side is even.
Server:B
Receiver:C
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When score is "2-2"...
● Course of action:
C & D win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their respective service courts.
● Service Court:
Right Service Court. Being the score of the serving side is even.
Server:C
Receiver:B
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When score is "2-3"...
● Course of action:
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.
● Service Court:
Left Service Court. Being the score of the serving side is odd.
Server:C
Receiver:A
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When score is "3-3"...
● Course of action:
A & B win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their respective service courts.
● Service Court:
Left Service Court. Being the score of the serving side is odd.
Server:A
Receiver:C
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When score is "4-3"...
● Course of action:
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.
● Service Court:
Right Service Court. Being the score of the serving side is even.
Server:A
Receiver:D
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