History of The LAWS of Badminton

The Laws of Badminton have evolved over the years. Presented here are versions directly from major organizations with world standing. Most are primary sources taken direct from published material.

Historical Versions of the Laws of Badminton

• May 2006 (IBF)- IBF adopts the 3x21 rally scoring system along with various other rules changes. Final version is available in PDF format. Appendix is also available.
• January 2006 - IBF decides to experiment with 21-point rally scoring rules. A second draft of this new system was proposed in February. IBF will vote on this issue at next general meeting in the summer of 2006
• August 2002 (IBF)- Recent changes to 11 points for Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles rejected by most member nations. All events return to 15 points except Women's Singles.
• 2002- new scoring system (IBF). 5x7 is officially abandoned and replaced by modified traditional scoring. In particular, MS and MD are 3x15 and WS, WD, XD are all 3x11. Setting at 13-all is dropped.
• 1992 (IBF) - setting at 13-all and 14-all instituted
• 1982 - the spin serve came and went in just a couple of years before being outlawed in 1982. This was also the first official recognition of synthetic shuttles.
  • 1982 (IBF- World Badminton, June 1982) - decisions announced
  • 1982 (BAE Handbook 1982-83 ) - first new rules
• 1977 (USBA)
• 1972 (ABA)
• 1966 (ABA)
• 1963 (ABA) - "woods" become legal
• 1962 (ABA)
• 1953 ( BAE Recommendations to Umpires, the Laws of Badminton, September 1954) - revised in 1953
• 1950 ( BAE Handbook 1950-1950) - wood shots are outlawed
• 1939 ( BAE Handbook 1939-1940) - revised in 1939
• From 1900 to 1907 the Badminton Association of England was making announcements and printing material on badminton in Lawn Tennis and Badminton. Original copies are in the Lawn Tennis Museum at Wimbledon. Material provided by the National Badminton Museum in Milton Keynes, England. Included below are reviews of the Badminton Association Annual General Meetings.
  • 1907 -  laws relating to 6 and 8 handed games deleted. Also Ladies to play to 11 in singles instead of 15
  • 1906 - new laws clarifying serving and receiving out of turn
  • 1905 - law 8 amended relating to handicap games
  • 1904 - laws 4, 10 and 18 amended - clarifying where to stand to receive
  • 1903 - laws 11 and 15 amended - minor change of wording
  • 1901 - rectangular court adopted.
• 1875 (Encyclopedia Britannica)
• 1874 ( Harper's Bazaar ) Commentary and Rules, plus Court Diagram
• 1873 (The Field)

Special thanks goes to Jill Brill of the National Badminton Museum in Milton Keynes, England. Jill spent many hours ferreting out much of the items shown here.

Other References

Origins of Badminton - Dave Jacobs has collected some very early references leading up to the founding of the Badminton Association in 1893

Page maintained by Stan Bischof. Last update: 27 October 2007 11:15