Badminton is a fast-paced, competitive sport that requires excellent physical and mental skills. It’s a great way to stay in shape and have fun. But, like all sports, badminton has its own set of rules and regulations. One of the most important aspects of the game is the scoring system, which determines how many points each player earns during a match.
Understanding the Basics of Badminton Scoring
At the most basic level, badminton scoring is fairly straightforward. Each game consists of two players trying to score points by hitting the shuttlecock (also known as a “bird”) over the net. When the shuttlecock lands in the opponent’s court, the player who hit it scores a point. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game.
In the event of a tie, the game is extended to a “two-point lead” rule. This means that if the score is 20-20, the first player to reach 22 points wins. If the score is still tied at 22-22, the game is extended until one player leads by two points.
Advanced Scoring Rules
Most professional badminton matches are played to a best-of-three format, where each game is played to 21 points. The winner of the first two games is the overall match winner.
In the event of a tie, the third and deciding game is played to 15 points. This ensures that the match does not drag on for too long, as the winner of the third game is the overall match winner.
In doubles matches, each team must win two games in order to win the match. If each team wins one game, a third and deciding game is played to 11 points.
Serving Rules
In badminton, each player takes turns serving the shuttlecock. Players must serve from behind their backcourt and must keep their feet behind the back line of the court.
The serve must be made diagonally, meaning it must cross the net and land in the opposite court. If the serve fails to cross the net, the player loses their serve and the opposing team earns a point.
The serve also must not touch the net. If the shuttlecock touches the net, the opposing team earns a point.
Faults
A fault is when a player or team fails to meet the requirements of the game. The most common faults are:
• Hitting the shuttlecock out of bounds
• Hitting the shuttlecock into the net
• Crossing the back line while serving
• Hitting the shuttlecock twice
• Hitting the shuttlecock before it crosses the net
If any of these rules are broken, the opposing team earns a point.
Penalty Points
In badminton, penalty points are awarded if a player or team commits a serious offense. The most common penalty points are awarded for:
• Unsportsmanlike behavior
• Deliberately delaying the game
• Refusing to play
If a player or team receives three penalty points in a single match, they are disqualified from the game.
Conclusion
Badminton is a fun and exciting game that requires skill and strategy. While the rules may seem complicated at first, following the scoring system is relatively simple. In order to win a match, players must score the most points by serving, returning shots, and avoiding faults. With practice, badminton players can master the scoring system and become champions on the court.