BADMINTON (Official Site) 

Rules

General Rules

Follow the BWF International Rules with the following exceptions:

Players

U13/U15/U19 Teams

• Schools may register 8 players in each gender (8 girls and 8 boys).

• Each boys team and each girls team will be comprised of:  3 singles & 2 doubles combinations.  Schools have the option of sending a substitute player.

• Each team will submit their team’s ranking to the Convenor before the 1st scheduled league match.   This is to allow for rankings to be posted when the before league play commences. 

  • Rankings may be adjusted throughout the season, but this must be communicated to the opponent’s AD/DoS one week prior to the fixture.

  • Rankings must be in order of skill i.e. number 1 singles should be the best singles players, number 2 singles is second best, and so on.

• If a team plays players out of position (either not playing in the order submitted or where players are clearly out of position based on skill) and a protest is made to the convenor and upheld. 

Matches

• U13/U15/U19 Age divisions

  • Each match will consist of 3 singles and 2 doubles games.

  • A non-scoring friendly match between opposing teams substitute players (if available) may take place at this time.

  • Each game will be out of 21 points.

  • All games will be the best of 3 sets to 21.

Seeding

• The Convenor will circulate an entry form for schools to enter their #1, #2 and #3 singles players and their #1 & #2 doubles teams in advance of the season. 

• Each team will submit their team’s ranking to the Tournament  Director (TD) 1 week prior to the beginning of the tournament.

• Team seedings can only be changed after submitting a new roster to the Convenor.

• The alternate player can only play in the lowest doubles or lowest singles match, apart from their team’s first match of the tournament.

Scoring System

• A match shall consist of the best of three (3) games to 21 during all league matches and playoffs. 

• Every time there is a serve - there is a point scored.  

• The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.  

• At 20 all, the side scoring gains a 2 point lead first, wins the game.  

• At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point, wins the game. 

• The side winning a game serves first in the next game.

Obstruction

• Should the shuttle hit any obstruction such as basketball backboards, rings or nets, then a let should be played.

Coaching Limitations

• Coaches are allowed to coach from coaching areas only and it should not interrupt play.

• The TD has the authority to regulate appropriate coaching behavior.

• Coaching is considered to be communication, advice, or instruction of any kind, audible or visual to a player.

• Coaching will be allowed at the change of ends.

Serving

• Singles - At the beginning of the game (0-0) and when the server’s score is even, the server serves from the right service court.  When the server’s score is odd, the server serves from the left service court.  If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from the alternate service court.  If the receiver wins a rally, the receiver scores a point and becomes the new server.  They serve from the appropriate service court - left if their score is odd, and right if it is even.

• Doubles - A side has only one ‘service’.  At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server serves from the right service court.  When it is odd, the server serves from the left court.  If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server serves again from the alternate service court.  If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point.  The receiving side becomes the new serving side.  The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.  The service court is changed by the servicing side only when a point is scored.  In all other cases, the players continue to stay in their respective service court from where they played the previous rally.  This guarantees an alternative service. 

Substitution

• The 8th player may be used for substituting an injured player. All subsequent players are moved up the rankings.

• If another player is injured the players are again moved up the rankings and the un-played game is forfeited.

• The 8th player (reserve player), may substitute either for a 2nd doubles or a 3rd singles player in any match.

Special Equipment

• Shuttles

  • U13/U15/U19 use feather shuttles

Tie Breaking for Round-Robin Ranking

• Head to head

• Total sets won among the tied teams.

• Total points won among the tied teams (if possible).

Officials

• All matches will be scored and umpired by the players themselves.

• Should a disagreement occur, a player may ask for a neutral official to assist with the problem.

• Coaches need to be proactive in monitoring the calls made by their own players and the opposition, if there are any issues the coaches are to contact the tournament director to possibly assign a neutral umpire.

• It is recommended to have officials for the championship final matches.