History of Badminton Scoring System
Did you know that the first badminton scoring system created was already the 15 points system?
Yes the original scoring system is the 15 Points system! The scoring system was created around 1877 in British India along with the first written badminton rules.
In this page i will cover the different point systems, so skip to the 21 points system if you want to learn only about the current scoring system.
-15 Points system
-7points system
-21 Points system ( Current Scoring System)
In this page i will cover the different point systems, so skip to the 21 points system if you want to learn only about the current scoring system.
-15 Points system
-7points system
-21 Points system ( Current Scoring System)
15 Points system
The 15 points system for the men consist of 15 points per set and is won by the best of three sets, however there is an exception for ladies singles where they only play 11 points per set instead of the full 15 points.
The game starts with a toss of a coin or shuttlecock, and whichever sides the shuttle points to or wins the coin toss gets to decide between choosing sides or to serve.
The rule is that you only score a point if you win the rally while you are the server. That means that if your opponent serves and you win the rally, there is a transfer of serve called "service-over" which you now hold the serve and no points is gain by any sides, following that if you win the rally as the server, only then you score a point.
This means that there could be endless "Service-over" with neither sides scoring any points. Additionally in the doubles game, there are two servers for each side (called second server), given both sides a second chance to score points during the rally.
However in the case of the score 14-14 (10-10 for ladies singles), there is a deuce and the first player to reach 14 will get to decide to play till 17 (13 for ladies singles) or playing straight through 15( 11 for ladies singles).
The game starts with a toss of a coin or shuttlecock, and whichever sides the shuttle points to or wins the coin toss gets to decide between choosing sides or to serve.
The rule is that you only score a point if you win the rally while you are the server. That means that if your opponent serves and you win the rally, there is a transfer of serve called "service-over" which you now hold the serve and no points is gain by any sides, following that if you win the rally as the server, only then you score a point.
This means that there could be endless "Service-over" with neither sides scoring any points. Additionally in the doubles game, there are two servers for each side (called second server), given both sides a second chance to score points during the rally.
However in the case of the score 14-14 (10-10 for ladies singles), there is a deuce and the first player to reach 14 will get to decide to play till 17 (13 for ladies singles) or playing straight through 15( 11 for ladies singles).
What Caused the Change to 7 points system?
Soon in year 2002, as sports is being commercialized and BWF being concerned with the unpredictability and long duration of matches, BWF tried experimenting with a new scoring system in hopes of improving the commercial appeal of the sport to the sponsors and media.
They changed to the 5 x 7 points scoring system in which the players compete for the best of 5 games with each set containing the 7 points.
Also in a case of 6 all (6-6), the first player that reached 6 points will be able to choose to play 8 points or 7 points. Additionally at the end of each set there is a 90 seconds break and coaches are allowed to come into the court to coach.
Another case is when the overall set score is 2-2, during the final set, the players will have to change sides when the first person reach 4 points.
However even with this new scoring system, the duration remained a problem for good commercialization of badminton large due to the service over.
Thus the last time this 5 x 7 scoring system was used was in year 2002 Commonwealth Games.
They changed to the 5 x 7 points scoring system in which the players compete for the best of 5 games with each set containing the 7 points.
Also in a case of 6 all (6-6), the first player that reached 6 points will be able to choose to play 8 points or 7 points. Additionally at the end of each set there is a 90 seconds break and coaches are allowed to come into the court to coach.
Another case is when the overall set score is 2-2, during the final set, the players will have to change sides when the first person reach 4 points.
However even with this new scoring system, the duration remained a problem for good commercialization of badminton large due to the service over.
Thus the last time this 5 x 7 scoring system was used was in year 2002 Commonwealth Games.
21 Points system
Soon in December 2005 BWF decided to try the 21 points system which we are currently using now.
The removal of the service-over significantly reduced the duration inconsistency and also changed the game's dynamics, making it a game of speed and power which would mean more entertainment for spectators like you and me!
Eventually in May 2006 BWF ruled that the new 21 points badminton scoring system will be adopted starting from August 2006 and it has been used since then till today.
So how does the 21 Points system work? I broke them into simple point forms for you to see below.
- Winner of the rally gets one point
- First to 21 Wins the set
- Best of three sets ( Either straight set win 2-0, or a rubber set win 2-1)
- However in a case of 20 - 20 first person to lead by two points, for e.g. 22-20 or another example 28 - 26 wins.
- The max points is 30 ( Meaning 30 -29 is the closest game you can get)
For doubles the same rules apply, there is no longer the 'second service'
Additionally for the 21 points system, there is a 60 seconds interval(break) after 11points and a 2minute interval between sets. Which means more break for us players!
An interesting point to note is that most recreational playing groups (Usually the doubles matches) do not take the 60 second interval because the games aren't usually as intense!
The removal of the service-over significantly reduced the duration inconsistency and also changed the game's dynamics, making it a game of speed and power which would mean more entertainment for spectators like you and me!
Eventually in May 2006 BWF ruled that the new 21 points badminton scoring system will be adopted starting from August 2006 and it has been used since then till today.
So how does the 21 Points system work? I broke them into simple point forms for you to see below.
- Winner of the rally gets one point
- First to 21 Wins the set
- Best of three sets ( Either straight set win 2-0, or a rubber set win 2-1)
- However in a case of 20 - 20 first person to lead by two points, for e.g. 22-20 or another example 28 - 26 wins.
- The max points is 30 ( Meaning 30 -29 is the closest game you can get)
For doubles the same rules apply, there is no longer the 'second service'
Additionally for the 21 points system, there is a 60 seconds interval(break) after 11points and a 2minute interval between sets. Which means more break for us players!
An interesting point to note is that most recreational playing groups (Usually the doubles matches) do not take the 60 second interval because the games aren't usually as intense!