SCORING SYSTEM of Badminton

1. A match shall consist of the best of three games, unless otherwise arranged.
2. In doubles and men’s singles, a game is won by the first side to score 15 points.
3. In ladies’ single, a game is won by the first side to score 11 points.
4. If the scores become ’14 all (10-all in ladies’ singles) the first player to score 14 (10) shall
exercise the choice:
a. To continue the game to 15 (11) points, not to : set: the game or
b. To “set” the game to 17 (13) points.
A. SINGLES
1. Serving and receiving courts.
a. The player shall serve from, and receive in, their respective right service courts when
the server has not scored or has scored an even number of points in the game (Love, 2,
4, 6, 8……)
b. The players serve from, and receive in, their respective left service courts when the
server has scored an odd number of points in that game (1, 3, 5, 7 ……)
2. The shuttle is hit alternately by server has scored an odd number of points in that game.
B. DOUBLES
1. At the start of the game, and each time, a side gains the right to serve, the service shall be
delivered from the right service court.
2. Only the receiver shall return the service, should the shuttle touch or be hit by the receiver’s
partner, it shall be ‘fault’ and the serving side scores a point.
3. Order of play and position on court:
a. After the service is returned, the shuttle may be hit by either players of the
receiving side, and so on, until the shuttle ceases to be in play.
b. After the service is returned, a player may hit the shuttle from any position on that
player’s side of the net.
4. Scoring and serving:
a. If the receiving side makes a ‘fault’ or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it
touches the surface of the court, the serving side scores a point and the server
serves again.
b. If the serving side makes a ‘fault’ of the shuttle ceases to be in play because it
touches the surface of the court inside the serving side’s court, the server lose the
right to continue serving, with no point scored by either side.
5. Serving and receiving courts:
a. The player who serves at the start of any game shall serve from or receive in, the
right service court when that player’s side not scored or has scored an even number
of points in that game, and the left service court when the player’s side has scored
an odd number of points in the game.
b. The player who receives at the start of any game shall receive in or serve from the
right service court when that player’s side has not scored or has scored an even
number of points in that game, and the left service court when that player’s side has
scored an odd number of points in that game.
c. The reverse pattern shall apply to the partners.
 d. Service in any turn of serving shall be delivered from an alternate service court,
except as provided in the service court errors and lets.

CHANGE OF END (SETS)

1. Players shall change ends:

a. At the end of the first game;
b. Prior to the beginning of the third game (if any); and
c. In the third game, or in a match of a game, when the leading score reaches
 6 in a game of 11 points, or
 8 in a game of 15 points.

HOW DOES A PLAYER START THE GAME?

1. Before play commences, a toss shall be conducted and the side winning toss shall exercise the
choice either:
a. To serve or receive first;
b. To start play at one end of the court or the other.
2. The side losing the toss shall then exercise the remaining choice.

BASIC RULES

1. In order to win, the player must gain 2 points ahead of his opponent.
2. The men’s singles and all double games, consist of 15 to 21 points, as arranged in advance.
3. At the beginning of the inning, the first service always delivered from the right court. The score
determines which part will be in the “first serve” position.
4. It is a fault if:
a. A player reaches into the opponents’ court and strikes the shuttle before it has crossed
the net.
b. The player touches the net with any part of his body, clothing or racket.
c. A player side hits the shuttle more than once before it crosses over the net.
d. A player fails to return the shuttle before it hits the floor, or if he fails to return the
shuttle over the net.
e. The net strikes any part of the wood of the racket.

If the fault are committed by the serving player, the service is lost but if committed by
the receiving side, the point is served to the server.

5. It is a service fault and result in a loss of service if:

a. The shuttle is above the waist or hand at the point of contact.
b. The service is not completely within the proper service court.
c. The server does not keep at least one foot in contact with the floor.
d. The server in any way balks or faints.
e. The served shuttle fail to fall in the proper receiving court.

Common service Fault

 1. The shaft of the racket not pointing in a downward direction.
2. Serving above the waistline.
3. Undue delay of the delivery service.
4. Lifting one foot of the server, and receiver must remain in contact of the surface of
the court until the service is delivered.
5. Hitting the feather – hit the cork/base of the shuttle and not the feather.
6. Stepping the line – the server and the receiver shall stand diagonally opposite
service court without touching the boundary line of the service courts.

FAULTS

It is a fault:

1. If the service is not correct.

2. If in play, the shuttle:
a. Lands outside the boundaries of the court (i.e not on or within the boundary lines);
b. Passes through or under the net;
c. Fail to pass the net;
d. Touches the ceiling or side walls;
e. Touches the person or dress of a player; or
f. Touches any other object or person outside the immediate surrounding of the court.
3. If, when the shuttle is in play, a player:
a. Touches the net or its support with the racket, person or dress;
b. Invades an opponent’s court under the net with the racket or person such that an
opponent is obstructed or distracted; or
c. Obstructs an opponent, i.e. prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the
shuttle is followed over the net.
4. If, in play, a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making
gestures;
5. If, in play the shuttle:
a. Is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke;
b. Is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strikes;
c. Is hit by the player and the player’s partner successively; or
d. Touches a player’s racket and continues towards the beak of that player’s court;
6. If, a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent of offenses;
7. If, on service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top or service, after
passing over the net is caught in the net.

LETS

1. ‘let’ is called by the umpire, or by a player ( if there is no umpire) to halt a play.

2. A ‘let’ may be given for any unforeseen or accidental occurrence.
 3. If a shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is
caught in the net, it shall be ‘let’ except on service.
4. If, during the service, the receiver and server both faulted at the same time.
5. If the server serves before the receiver is ready.
6. If, during play, the disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle.
7. If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision.
8. A ‘let’ may occur following a service court error.
9. When a ‘let’ occurs, the play since the last service shall not count and the player who served
shall served again.

OFFICIAL AND APEALS:

1. Referee – referee is in overall charge of the tournament or event of which a match forms part.
2. Umpire – the umpire is in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surrounds. The
umpire shall report to the referee.
3. Service Judge – shall call service faults made by the server.
4. Line Judge – shall indicate whether a shuttle landed ‘in’ or ‘out’ on line(s) assigned.

An Official’s decision is final on all points of fact for which that official is responsible.