Who Can Score Points in a Badminton Game?
This question comes up more often than you might think. Especially if you are new to badminton or watching a match for the first time.
You see points being added quickly and wonder who exactly is allowed to score.
The short answer is simple. Both players or both teams can make points in a badminton game.
But the reason why this is true today is worth understanding.
Old Scoring vs Modern Scoring:
Earlier, badminton followed a very different system. Only the server could score a point.
If you won a rally while receiving, you only earned the right to serve next. No point was added.
That system confused many beginners. Games were long. Momentum shifted slowly.
Modern badminton changed this completely.
Rally Scoring Changed Everything:
Today, badminton uses rally scoring.
This means every rally results in a point, no matter who served.
- If you serve and win the rally, you score.
- If you receive and win the rally, you score.
So the answer becomes very clear.
Anyone who wins a rally makes the point.
This applies to singles and doubles.
Who Can Score in Singles Badminton?
In singles, there are only two players. Both have equal chances to score.
You score a point when:
- Your opponent fails to return the shuttle
- The shuttle lands inside their court
- Your opponent commits a fault
It does not matter who served. Winning the rally earns the point.
Who Can Score in Doubles Badminton?
The same rule applies in doubles.
Both teams can score points on every rally.
- If your team wins the rally, your team gets the point.
- If the opposing team wins the rally, they get the point.
The difference in doubles is service rotation, not scoring rights.
Faults That Give Points to the Opponent:
Many points in badminton are not won by winners. They are earned because of mistakes.
Common faults include:
- Touching the net
- Hitting the shuttle twice
- Hitting the shuttle out of bounds
- Serving incorrectly
- Reaching over the net
When any of these happen, the opponent scores immediately.
Why This Rule Makes Badminton Faster?
Rally scoring makes badminton intense and fair.
Every shot matters.
Every mistake costs a point.
There is no safe rally.
This is why modern badminton matches feel faster and more exciting. You cannot relax just because you are receiving serve.
Can Only One Player Score in a Rally?
No.
Only one side scores per rally, but either side is eligible.
There is no restriction based on serve. There is no special role. If you win the rally, you earn the point. Simple as that.
Why Beginners Get Confused?
Many beginners hear older players talk about serving to score. That advice comes from the old scoring system.
If you learned badminton casually years ago, this change can feel confusing.
But once you accept rally scoring, the game becomes much easier to follow.
How Knowing This Helps You Play Better?
Understanding that anyone can score changes how you play.
You stop taking risky shots while receiving.
You focus more during long rallies.
You value consistency over power.
Winning badminton today is about staying solid. Not just attacking.
Final Words:
In modern badminton, both players or both teams can make points. Every rally counts. Every mistake matters.
It does not matter who serves.
It does not matter who received.
If you win the rally, you win the point.
Once you understand this rule clearly, badminton becomes easier to follow and far more enjoyable to play.