Handy words

These terms come up in scoring, serving and club games.

Advantage

One side is a point ahead after deuce. They need one more point to win; if the other side scores, the game returns to deuce.

Deuce

A tie where a 2-point lead is needed: 10-all in an 11-point game, 14-all in a 15-point game, or 20-all in a 21-point game. A game’s cap can change what happens next.

Fault

A rule-breaking action that ends the rally and gives the point to the other side. Examples include an incorrect serve, touching the net while the shuttle is in play, or hitting the shuttle twice.

Let

The rally is stopped and replayed, for example if a shuttle from another court lands on yours.

Love

Zero. If the server has 1 point and the other side has none, the score is called one–love.

Out

The shuttle lands beyond the boundary lines for that shot. A shuttle touching a boundary line is in.

Rally

The play from a serve until the shuttle is no longer in play.

Shuttle

Short for shuttlecock, also sometimes called a “bird” or “birdie”.