What was side-out scoring in badminton?

Under the old system only the serving side could score. If the receiver won the rally, they gained the right to serve but no point, which is why it was called side-out scoring.

When did badminton change to rally scoring?

In 2006, when games to 21 with a point on every rally replaced serve-only scoring. Matches stayed best of three games, and no game could go beyond 30.

Is badminton changing to games of 15 points?

Yes. From 4 January 2027 the Laws use three games to 15 points; at 14-all a side needs a two-point lead, and at 20-all the 21st point wins, so 21 is the highest possible score.

How high can a badminton serve be hit?

The shuttle must be below a fixed height of 1.15 metres when it is struck, under Law 9.1.6. The fixed height was introduced in 2018 to replace the old waist rule, and the service judge checks it.

Why are spin serves banned in badminton?

Their flight is too unpredictable to return fairly. The IBF banned the Sidek serve, the BWF banned a new spin serve in 2023, and Law 9.1.5 now says the shuttle must be released without spin.

How long are the breaks in a badminton match?

Under the 2027 Laws there is an interval of up to 60 seconds when the leading score reaches 8, and up to 120 seconds between games. In the third game players change ends when a side first reaches 8.

How do line call challenges work in badminton?

At many top events players can challenge a line call with an instant review system, run by a review operator. A successful challenge keeps the right to challenge, while two failed challenges in a game end it.

Are plastic shuttles allowed in badminton?

Yes. The Laws allow synthetic shuttles if they fly like a feathered one, which has 16 feathers and a cork base covered with thin leather. Top international events use feathered shuttles.

Badminton · Level 9: Master · Sub-level 9.5

How the Rules Changed

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown

For most of its history badminton used serve-only scoring: only the serving side could win a point, and when the server lost a rally the serve simply passed over, a 'side out'. Men's singles and doubles games went to 15 and women's singles to 11, with setting to extend close games. Because many rallies scored nothing, match length was hard to predict, which did not suit television.

Rally scoring to 21 replaced it in 2006: every rally scores, matches are best of three games, and a game ends at 30 at the latest. From 4 January 2027 the Laws (version 6.0) keep three games but shorten them to 15 points, with two clear points needed from 14-all and the 21st point deciding the game at 20-all. The interval of up to 60 seconds comes when the leading score reaches 8, not 11 as in the 21-point era, and the break between games lasts up to 120 seconds. The serve changed too. The old rule that the shuttle be hit below the waist was hard to judge, so a fixed height arrived in 2018; Law 9.1.6 now sets it at 1.15 metres, checked by the service judge. A spin serve first used by a Danish player was banned in 2023, and Law 9.1.5 requires the shuttle to be released without spin.

The facts below also cover line judges and instant review, the shuttle under Law 2.2.1, and why the BWF changes its Laws.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Serve-only scoringTake a test

Points only on your own serve.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
A 'side out' with no point.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Side out.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Rallies without points.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Unpredictable length.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Serve, not a point.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
Replaced by rally scoring in 2006.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Side out.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Before 2006, 2006-2026, from 2027.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
No point to the receiver.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied

Test 2Games to 15 and 11Take a test

15 points.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
11 points.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
15 points.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Extra points at a close score.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
11-point games.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
11 points in women's singles.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
11 points.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
11, 15, 21.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Before 2006, 2006-2026, 2027.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
11-point games ended in 2006.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied

Test 3The switch to rally scoringTake a test

From 2006.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Every rally scores.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Predictable, TV-friendly.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Three games.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
The game ended at 30.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Won in straight games.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Rally scoring.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied
2006, 2021, 2027.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
26, 40, 59 rallies.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
2006-2026.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied

Test 4Three games to 15 from 2027Take a test

Laws V6.0, in force 4 January 2027.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Two clear from 14-all.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Capped at 21.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Still three games.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Shorter, punchier matches.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Two clear from 14-all.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
21st point at 20-all.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Normal win, setting, cap.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Two clear wins.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Two clear after 14-all.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied

Test 5IntervalsTake a test

Law 16.2.1.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
60 seconds.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Two minutes.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
11 in the 21-point era.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Rest and advice.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Law 8.1.3.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
TV matches.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
In order.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
None, 60 s, 120 s.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Interval at 8.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied

Test 6The service heightTake a test

The waist rule.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Subjective judgement.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Law 9.1.6.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Introduced in 2018.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Objective.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Above 1.15 metres.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Service judge.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
2018, 2023, 2027.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
1.15, 1.524, 1.55 m.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Fixed height.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied

Test 7Spin servesTake a test

An erratic flight.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Banned.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A new spin serve.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Law 9.1.5.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Fairness.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Adding spin is not allowed.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied
A Danish player.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
1982, 2023, 2023.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Release, then strike.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
No spin at release.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied

Test 8Line calls and reviewTake a test

Line judges.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Video review.
Source: BWF Statutes 4.1.8, Instant Review System (V2.1, 2023) · recall
Two failed challenges.
Source: BWF Statutes 4.1.8, Instant Review System (V2.1, 2023) · recall
Accuracy.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Kept.
Source: BWF Statutes 4.1.8, Instant Review System (V2.1, 2023) · recall
Umpire decision.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied
Operator.
Source: BWF Statutes 4.1.8, Instant Review System (V2.1, 2023) · recall
Call, challenge, review, decide.
Source: BWF Statutes 4.1.8, Instant Review System (V2.1, 2023) · recall
More help over time.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Challenge.
Source: BWF Statutes 4.1.8, Instant Review System (V2.1, 2023) · applied

Test 9The shuttle itselfTake a test

Law 2.2.1.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Allowed with similar flight.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Consistency.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Nylon and plastic.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Cork base.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Synthetic.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied
Feathered.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Synthetic lasts longest.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Base leads.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall
Synthetic allowed.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied

Test 10Why rules changeTake a test

The world governing body.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Improvement.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Trials.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Objective height.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Every rally scores.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Adapt.
Source: General badminton reference · applied
The core game.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
2006, 2018, 2023, 2027.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
Notice, test, adopt, adapt.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Rule changes.
Source: BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · applied

Questions people ask

What was side-out scoring in badminton?: Under the old system only the serving side could score. If the receiver won the rally, they gained the right to serve but no point, which is why it was called side-out scoring.
When did badminton change to rally scoring?: In 2006, when games to 21 with a point on every rally replaced serve-only scoring. Matches stayed best of three games, and no game could go beyond 30.
Is badminton changing to games of 15 points?: Yes. From 4 January 2027 the Laws use three games to 15 points; at 14-all a side needs a two-point lead, and at 20-all the 21st point wins, so 21 is the highest possible score.
How high can a badminton serve be hit?: The shuttle must be below a fixed height of 1.15 metres when it is struck, under Law 9.1.6. The fixed height was introduced in 2018 to replace the old waist rule, and the service judge checks it.
Why are spin serves banned in badminton?: Their flight is too unpredictable to return fairly. The IBF banned the Sidek serve, the BWF banned a new spin serve in 2023, and Law 9.1.5 now says the shuttle must be released without spin.
How long are the breaks in a badminton match?: Under the 2027 Laws there is an interval of up to 60 seconds when the leading score reaches 8, and up to 120 seconds between games. In the third game players change ends when a side first reaches 8.
How do line call challenges work in badminton?: At many top events players can challenge a line call with an instant review system, run by a review operator. A successful challenge keeps the right to challenge, while two failed challenges in a game end it.
Are plastic shuttles allowed in badminton?: Yes. The Laws allow synthetic shuttles if they fly like a feathered one, which has 16 feathers and a cork base covered with thin leather. Top international events use feathered shuttles.

Sources

BWF Coaches' Manual Level 1 (2017), BWF regulations and history, Olympedia; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category (Badminton - Laws of Badminton).

BWF history (bwfbadminton.com) and the BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 139
BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view)37
General badminton reference17
BWF Statutes 4.1.8, Instant Review System (V2.1, 2023)6
BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 11