Calculating points in badminton
Badminton uses a rally scoring system where a point is awarded to the side that wins the rally, regardless of who served.
Here's how points are calculated:
Winning a Rally: You score a point if your opponent commits a fault (e.g., hitting the shuttlecock into the net or out of bounds) or fails to return the shuttlecock legally within the court boundaries.
Winning a Game: A game is won by the first player or team to reach 21 points, with a few important conditions:
Two-Point Advantage: If the score reaches 20-20 (known as "deuce" in some contexts), the game continues until one side gains a two-point lead. For example, 22-20 or 25-23 would be winning scores, but 21-20 would not be sufficient.
30-Point Cap: If the score reaches 29-29, the side that scores the 30th point wins the game, regardless of whether they have a two-point lead. This is known as a "golden point".
Winning a Match: A match consists of the best of three games. This means a player or team must win two games to win the match.
Badminton Guide line
Deciding who gets to serve first
In a major tournament, a coin toss is used to decide which side will serve first.
In more casual club or league games, you usually just throw the shuttle up in the air, let it land, and see which side it points towards: that side serves first.
Points, games, and matches
Every time you win a rally, you get a point. Starting from zero, the first person to reach 21 points wins the game. In club badminton, this is usually where you stop and choose players for the next game.
In standard league or tournament play, however, what really matters is the match. A match is the best of three games: you win the match by winning two games. So a match could last either two or three games.
Whenever you win a rally, you also get the next serve. So if your opponent was serving in the last rally, the serve passes to you; if you were serving, you keep on serving.
To win, you need a two-point lead
You have to win the game by at least two points. If the score reaches 20–20, then 21 points are no longer enough to win the game. You need to win two clear points: two points in a row, one after the other.
For example, 22–20 would be a winning score, as would 25–23. But 21–20 would not be enough, and neither would 24–23.
If you reach 30–29, however, you’ve won the game. 30 points is the upper limit. This rule is intended to prevent games dragging on too long, especially at the top level of play, where excessively long games put athletes at risk of injury.
Always say the server’s score first
It’s a good habit to say the score to your opponent before starting each rally. It’s surprisingly easy to lose track of the score, and saying it between rallies helps prevent disputes.
When you’re saying the score, always say the server’s score first. So if you are serving and have 10 points to your opponent’s 15 points, then the score is 10–15 (not 15–10).
Which side to serve from?
Remember that you have two service courts: one on the right, and one on the left.
When the server’s score is an even number, he serves from the right service court. When his score is an odd number, he serves from the left service court. For this reason, the right service court is also known as the even service court, and the left service court is known as the odd service court.
Odd numbers? Even numbers?
Odd numbers start at 1, and go up by 2
Even numbers start at 0, and go up by 2
So the odd numbers are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and so on. The even numbers are 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and so on.
Even and odd numbers alternate. So if you keep winning rallies, you’ll keep serving from a different side each time: right, left, right, left, right, and so on.
Because zero is an even number, the game always starts with someone serving from the right(even) service court.
Scoring in doubles
The actual scoring in doubles is simple: instead of each person winning points, each pair wins points. The part that often confuses people is this: how do you decide who serves, who receives, and which side they should be on?
At the start of the game, when the score is 0–0, the serving pair choose who serves for the first rally, and the receiving pair choose who receives.
The even/odd rule still holds. So if the server’s score is odd, he will serve from the left court (if even, from the right). Just as for singles, the receiver will stand in the diagonally opposite service court.
Whenever the serving side wins a rally, the same person serves again (but from the other service court). The serve does not alternate between the partners: it stays with one person, until the opponents win a rally and get the serve.
Everyone has a service court
To make sense of doubles scoring, you must understand two crucial ideas:
Every player has a service court, at all times.
When your partner has one service court, you have the other one.
Let’s take an example: you are getting ready to serve from your left service court. So your service court is obvious: it’s the box you have to stand inside.
Your partner is not serving or receiving, so he doesn’t have to stay within one of the service boxes: he can stand anywhere on your court. Nevertheless, we say that your partner has the right service court.
Bizarrely, most people say that your partner is in the right service court. This makes no sense at all, because your partner probably has one foot in each service court!
The same idea applies to the receiving side. In this example, the receiver has the left service court, and his partner has the right service court. Until you serve, the receiver must stay within his service court, but the receiver’s partner can stand wherever he wants.
To gain points in badminton, use a combination of strategy and skill: exploit your opponent's weaknesses by making them run, vary your shots (clears, drops, and smashes) to keep them off-balance, maintain consistent rallies, and focus on a strong net game to hit winners or force defensive returns. Anticipating your opponent's moves and minimizing unforced errors are also crucial tactics for consistently scoring points, according to Smashing Point Sports Academy.
Offensive Strategies
Force movement:
Hit shots that make your opponent move around the court, stretching them and creating open spaces for you to exploit.
Use shot variety:
Mix powerful clears, deceptive drop shots, and aggressive smashes to keep your opponent guessing and prevent them from settling into a rhythm.
Attack the net:
Aim for steep, high net kills to force your opponent into a weak defensive return, which you can then smash for a winner.
Exploit the "hole":
A good drop shot, especially when your opponent is positioned far back, can force them to lift the shuttle weakly, creating an opening for you.
Defensive & Tactical Strategies
Minimize errors:
Reducing unforced errors is just as important as attacking, as they give easy points to your opponent.
Read the game:
Develop the ability to anticipate your opponent's next move by observing their body and racket positioning, says Badminton Insight.
Maintain rallies:
Instead of always going for winners, try to keep the shuttle in play with well-placed shots, forcing your opponent to make the first mistake, according to Reddit users.
Analyze your opponent:
Identify their weaknesses and tendencies to help you select the most effective shots and strategies.
Key Skills
Accuracy and timing:
Precise shot selection and accurate placement are crucial, especially for powerful shots like smashes.
Footwork:
Efficient footwork allows you to cover the court, get to the shuttle in a good position, and return with power, notes Babolat.
Deception:
Tricking your opponent about the direction or type of shot you are going to play can create openings and win points, notes Beast Badminton.
20 Essential Guidelines And Rules For Badminton
Scoring & Winning a Game
A game is played to 21 points.
A two-point lead is required to win a game; for example, 21-19.
If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score 30 points wins the game.
A match consists of the best of three games; the first side to win two games wins the match.
A point is scored after every rally, a system called rally scoring.
Serving
6. The serve must be hit underhand.
7. The serve must be hit diagonally across the net into the opponent's service court.
8. The serve must be hit from below the server's waist.
9. The server's feet must remain on the floor and not touch any lines during the serve.
10. The server stands on the right service court when their score is even and the left when odd.
General Play & Faults
11. A player must wait until the shuttle has been served before moving or making a return.
12. You cannot touch the net with your body or racket.
13. You cannot hit the shuttle twice in succession.
14. You cannot "carry" or "hold" the shuttle on your racket.
15. A shuttle that lands outside the boundary lines of the court is out of play.
16. A shuttle that hits the ceiling is considered a fault.
17. Players must not attempt to hit the shuttle before it crosses into their side of the net.
18. Once a shuttle is hit, it can only be struck once by that player.
19. Reaching over the net to hit the shuttle is a fault unless the opponent has already completed their stroke.
20. Players change ends of the court after each game, and during the third game, they switch ends once a player reaches 11 points.
In conclusion, badminton is a dynamic sport offering comprehensive physical, mental, and social benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and weight management, alongside enhanced mental dexterity and stress reduction. It is a skill-based, fast-paced game that develops hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and strategic thinking, making it an excellent form of exercise and a valuable activity for overall well-being.
Physical Benefits
Total Body Workout:
Badminton provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, strengthening muscles in the forearms, legs, and body, and helps burn fat.
Weight Management:
The high-intensity nature of the sport can significantly burn calories and boost metabolism, aiding in weight loss and control.
Improved Health:
Regular play contributes to a healthy heart, increased energy levels, and improved overall physical fitness.
Mental & Social Benefits
Mental Acuity:
The sport sharpens strategic thinking, improves mental dexterity, and enhances focus and concentration.
Stress Relief:
Badminton is a great way to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being.
Social Engagement:
Playing badminton with family and friends fosters social connections and can boost self-confidence.
Key Characteristics
Skill-Based:
The game requires a combination of speed, agility, and precise hand-eye coordination.
Accessible:
While challenging to master, the basics of badminton are relatively easy to learn, and it can be played by people of various fitness levels.
Versatile:
Badminton can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors, though professional play is typically indoors to avoid wind interference.
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