In badminton, what does "rally scoring" mean?
VerifiedAnswer: A point is scored on every rally, regardless of who served.
Explanation:
Rally scoring is a modern scoring system used in badminton that makes the game faster and more exciting. Under this system, every time a rally ends - whether due to a winning shot, an error, or a fault - one point is awarded to either the serving side or the receiving side. This means that both players or teams have the opportunity to score on every single rally, creating a more dynamic and competitive gameplay experience.
Before rally scoring was introduced, badminton used a different system called "side-out scoring" where only the serving player or team could win points. If the receiving side won a rally, they would gain the right to serve but wouldn't score a point immediately. This older system often led to much longer games, as players had to first win the serve before they could start scoring points.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) officially adopted rally scoring to make matches more predictable in terms of time duration and to increase the excitement for both players and spectators. Under the current rally scoring system, games are played to 21 points, and a player or team must win by at least 2 points. If the score reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game, creating a sudden-death scenario that adds tremendous excitement to close matches.
Rally scoring has several advantages that make it popular among players and fans alike. It ensures that matches have a more consistent duration, making it easier for tournament organizers to schedule events and for television broadcasters to plan their coverage. It also means that every shot counts, as there's always a point at stake, which encourages more aggressive and entertaining play styles.
For students learning badminton, understanding rally scoring is crucial because it affects strategy and mental approach to the game. Since every rally matters equally, players must maintain focus and intensity throughout the entire match. There's no "safe" period where you can only lose the serve without losing points, which makes consistency and mental toughness even more important than in the old scoring system.
