Scoring & serving

4 min read

In this chapter3 topics

1.1The basics

Every rally scores a point, whoever served. The winner of the rally serves next.
Agree the game format before you start. Common formats are best of five to 11, best of three to 15, and best of three to 21. BWF international play switches to best of three to 15 on 4 January 2027.
You usually need to lead by 2 points to win. In 3×15, the score is capped at 21: at 20–20, the next point wins. In 3×21, the score is capped at 30: at 29–29, the next point wins. A game to 31 is a separate format to agree before play, not the cap for 3×21.
Best of three means first to two games; best of five means first to three. Socially, many clubs play one game and rotate.
The line is in. If the shuttle lands on any part of the line, it counts.

Try it: 21-point doubles scoreboard

Us · serving0

Them0

We serve from the RIGHT court: the serving side has 0 (even).

1.2Serving

The server stands in the right service court and serves diagonally into the highlighted box. The server’s score decides the side: even on the right, odd on the left. The singles box is narrow and reaches the back line.

Even score, serve from the right. Odd score, from the left. It’s your side’s score that counts.
Serve diagonally into the opposite service box.
Hit the shuttle low: the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 m when you hit it. From the start of the serve until contact, both server and receiver must keep some part of each foot touching the court and keep their feet still.
In doubles, only the serving pair swap sides, and only after winning a point on their own serve.

1.3Common faults

Touching the net with your racket or body during a rally
The shuttle hitting you or your clothing
Hitting the shuttle twice, or both partners hitting it in one shot
Hitting the shuttle on the opponents’ side of the net before it has crossed over