Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Rally scoring (or rally point scoring) awards a point to the winner of every rally, regardless of which side served. Badminton adopted it in 2006, replacing the older system where only the serving side could score (which made matches unpredictably long). Under rally scoring, badminton games go to 21 points (win by 2, capped at 30). The system makes match length far more predictable and TV-friendly, and increases the importance of every single rally. Volleyball and squash use similar rally-scoring systems.
- Point awarded on every rally
- Independent of who served
- Badminton adopted it in 2006
- Makes match length predictable
In practice
Rally scoring — awarding a point on every single rally regardless of which team served — replaced volleyball's older side-out scoring system specifically to make match length more predictable for broadcasters and spectators, since side-out scoring (only the serving team could score) could produce unpredictably long sets if teams traded serves without scoring.
FAQ
What is rally scoring in volleyball?
A point is awarded after every single rally to whichever team wins it, regardless of which team served — replacing the older system where only the serving team could score.
Why was rally scoring introduced to volleyball?
It was adopted to make match and set lengths more predictable and television-friendly, since the previous side-out scoring system could produce unpredictably long, drawn-out sets.