Badminton offers players an opportunity for competition, exercise and camaraderie. In regulation tournaments, designated officiators enforce the rules and keep track of scoring. In an unofficiated game, the players own this responsibility. Avoid conflict in your friendly game of badminton by familiarizing yourself with the basic rules of scoring, service and intervals. The Badminton World Federation provides players with a comprehensive list of simplified rules on its official website.
Scoring
One player, or team in a game of doubles, scores a point each time the shuttle is served regardless of who served it. The side that wins the rally receives one point to add to his score.
The official rules of badminton offered by the Badminton World Federation state that a match of badminton is made up of three games. Each game is played until one side gains 21 points.
The game of badminton must be won by two points, unless the score reaches “29 all.” If the players reach a score of “29 all,” the team who scores the 30th point first, wins the game.
Service
Decide who serves first in the first game by tossing a coin, or spinning the racquet. The side that wins the game earns the right to serve first in the subsequent game.
Players serve from both the right and left service court. The correct side is dependent on whether the server's score is an odd or even number. When the server has an even score (including the number “0”), she serves from the right service court. An odd-numbered score demands the server serve from the left side of the court.
The winner of the point receives the serve to begin the next rally.
When the serving side wins a point in badminton, the server maintains the serve but moves to the alternate service court. As previously mentioned, the side of service is determined by the server's score.
Changing Sides
In badminton, players change sides once each game. In the third game of every set, players change sides when the first person, or team, scores 11 points. If the players forget to change sides, the score stands and the change of ends occurs when someone remembers.
Intervals
An interval is an official break in the badminton game. During each game, players receive a one-minute interval when the first team reaches 11 points.
In between each game, an interval of up to two minutes is permitted but not mandatory.
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