Winning a point, a game and a match: toss, rally scoring and change of ends
How a rally is won, who serves next, when players swap sides, and what the 2027 change will alter.
Why every rally counts
In badminton as it is played now, every rally gives a point to someone. This is called rally scoring. Before 2006, only the serving side could score, so a game could drag on while the receivers waited for the serve. Rally scoring makes matches shorter and easier to follow. The history is in a separate article on how the rules got here.
How a rally is won
The laws say the side that wins a rally adds a point. A side wins a rally if the other side commits a fault, or if the shuttle lands inside the opponent's court (Law 7.3). A match is the best of three games unless it is arranged otherwise (Law 7.1).
Before the first serve: the toss
A toss decides who chooses first. The winner picks either to serve or receive first, or to start at one end of the court; the loser takes the remaining choice (Law 6). The winner of a game serves first in the next game (Law 7.6).
Winning a game (edition in force at the time of writing)
- The first side to 21 points wins the game.
- At 20 all, the first side to lead by two points wins.
- At 29 all, the side that scores the 30th point wins (Laws 7.2, 7.4, 7.5).
Changing ends
Players change ends at the end of the first game, at the end of the second game if there is a third, and in the third game when a side first reaches 11 points (Law 8.1). If someone forgets, the change is made as soon as the mistake is found, when the shuttle is not in play, and the score stands (Law 8.2).
Breaks
Play is continuous. A break of at most 60 seconds is allowed in each game when the leader reaches 11 points, and one of at most 120 seconds between games (Law 16.2).
What the 2027 change alters
The world federation approved on 26 April 2026 a new format: games to 15 points, a two-point lead needed from 14 all, a cap at 21, the change of ends and the 60-second break at 8 points. It is to take effect on 4 January 2027, and the Council may adjust the date (approved amendments, PDF). Until then, check which format your event uses; our article on the 3x15 format gives the details.
Sources
Laws 6, 7, 8 and 16 of the BWF Laws of Badminton, edition in force 26 April 2025.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.