Badminton Adopts a New 21 Rally Points Scoring System

BADMINTON ADOPTS A NEW 21 RALLY POINTS SCORING SYSTEM

Schools, clubs and leagues can now use a new scoring system, which has been adopted by The International Badminton Federation. The new system is not compulsory at school, club and league level, any recognised scoring system can be used, although in the interests of developing emerging young talent for future county competition it would be in junior players' best interests to play under the new system so that they are equipped to cope. Under the new system, points are scored on each rally while under the traditional 3 x 15 system points were only scored when serving.

Scoring system

• A Match consists of best of three games to 21 points; the side winning the rally adds a point to its score.
• The side that first scores 21 points shall win the game as long as they hold a two-point margin.
• Ifthe score becomes 20-20, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game. At 29-29 the first to 30 will win the game.
• The side winning the game serves first in the next game.
• In the third game players change ends when the leading score is 11 points.

Singles

• 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.
• If the server wins a 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 is their score is even.

Doubles

• 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.
• 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 servers. They serve from the appropriate service court – left if their score is odd and right is their score is even.
• The service passes consecutively to the players as shown in the diagram overleaf.
• The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.

Further help can be obtained from the Badminton England website at www.badmintonengland.co.uk or from Sheila Boyes, Tees Valley Development Officer on 07725823556 or