Badminton Coaching Guide 2026Rules & Regulations

Rules & RegulationsScoring System

A match consists of the best of 3 games of 21 points.

Every time there is a serve, there is a point scored.

The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.

At 20 all, the side which gains a two-point lead first wins that game.

At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point wins that game.

The side winning a game serves first in the next game. Interval and Change of Ends

When the leading score reaches 11 points, athletes have a 60-second interval.

A two-minute interval between games is allowed. In a third game, athletes change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points.

Access to BWF Statues
Singles

At the beginning of the game (0-0) 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. (Wheelchair users and some athletes with lower-limb disabilities will play on a “half court”, so there will be no alternation of service court)

If the server wins the 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 server passes consecutively to the athletes as shown in the diagram.

At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server serves from the right court. When it is odd, the server serves from the left court. (All disability sport classes play full court doubles, the area between the short service line and the net is always out- ion both singles and doubles)

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 athletes do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving. If athletes commit an error in the service court, the error is corrected when the mistake is discovered.

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