Simplified Rules of Badminton
The Laws of Badminton and Competition Regulations (linked here) in the BWF Statutes provide the
detail on every aspect of the game of badminton.
Below is a brief overview - simplified rules.
Scoring System
o A match consists of the best of 3 games of 21 points.
o Every time there is a serve – there is a point scored.
o The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.
o At 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game.
o At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point, wins that game.
o The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
Interval and Change of Ends
o When the leading score reaches 11 points, players have a 60 second interval.
o A 2 minute interval between each game is allowed.
o In the third game, players change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points.
Singles
o 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.
o If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from the alternate
service court.
o 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
o A side has only one ‘service’.
o The service passes consecutively to the players as shown in the diagram.
o 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.
o If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server serves
again from the alternate service court.
o If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side
becomes the new serving side.
o 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.
