The interval is a limit, not extra recovery time.

The present BWF international baseline is still 3×21

This page applies the Badminton World Federation Laws of Badminton, Version 5.0 (2), in force 26 April 2025, especially Laws 8, 15, 16 and 17. Match administration uses the BWF Instructions to Technical Officials, Version 8.0, in force 17 November 2025, especially Instructions 5.4, 5.6, 5.10, 5.12, 5.14 and 5.17.

BWF members approved a best-of-three, 15-point system for international use from 4 January 2027. Until that date, 21 points and the trigger at 11 remain the BWF international baseline unless a named event is using an authorised alternative. National associations can adopt different domestic dates; one current example is set out below.

The standard BWF sequence

1. Play starts with the first service and must remain continuous except where Law 16 permits an interval or suspension.
2. When the leading score first reaches 11 in a game, an interval of up to 60 seconds is allowed.
3. At the end of the first game, players change ends and may take an interval of up to 120 seconds.
4. At the end of the second game, players change ends again if a third game is required and may take another interval of up to 120 seconds.
5. In the third game, players change ends when either side first reaches 11; the up-to-60-second interval and the end change occur together.
6. After the permitted time, play resumes on the umpire's call. Taking longer can become misconduct.

How to rule the pause

1. Identify the format: under the current BWF 3×21 baseline use 11; an authorised 3×15 competition may instead use 8.
2. Identify the stoppage: a first arrival at the mid-game trigger allows up to 60 seconds; the end of game one or two allows up to 120 seconds if another game follows.
3. Check the deciding game: at its mid-game trigger, change ends during the same interval.
4. If no permitted interval applies: keep play continuous unless the umpire or Referee suspends play under Law 16.3.
5. If a side delays: the umpire decides whether the delay is undue and may use the Law 16.7 warning, fault and Referee-report procedure.

Sixty seconds at 11; 120 seconds between games

BWF Law 16.2 allows an interval not exceeding 60 seconds during each game when the leading score reaches 11. It also allows an interval not exceeding 120 seconds between games one and two and, if required, games two and three.

The trigger is the leading score, not each side's score. An 11–10 score therefore triggers the interval just as 11–4 does. There is only one Law 16.2.1 interval in a standard 21-point game; play does not stop again when the other side later reaches 11.

“Not exceeding” means play may restart sooner

The 60 and 120 seconds are maximum durations, not minimum breaks or time that may be added after players are ready. Under BWF Instructions to Technical Officials Version 8.0, Instruction 5.4.15, play continues without an interval if both sides decline it, unless the Referee has made the interval mandatory.

For a televised match, Law 16 permits the Referee to decide before the match that the intervals are mandatory and have fixed durations. Players must follow the procedure announced for that competition.

Worked case under BWF Version 5.0 (2): the score reaches 11–7 and both sides tell the umpire they do not want the optional interval. Unless the Referee made it mandatory, play continues. A side cannot play the next rally and then claim the unused part of the 60 seconds; the decisive fact is that ITTO 5.4.15 continues the game without that interval.

The clock starts when the rally is decided

BWF ITTO 5.4.10 says the mid-game interval begins when the rally taking a side to 11 is decided, or when an associated Instant Review System challenge is decided. Applause does not postpone the start of the clock.

At 40 seconds of a mid-game interval, the umpire gives the “20 seconds” call. During a between-games interval the equivalent call comes at 100 seconds. This is the signal for accredited coaches to leave and for players to prepare to resume, not the start of a fresh 20-second allowance.

When players switch sides of the net

• After the first game: always change ends.
• After the second game: change ends only if a third game will be played.
• During the third game: change ends when one side first scores 11.

The third-game switch is based on the first side reaching 11. It does not wait for both sides to reach that score, and there is no second switch if the trailing side later reaches 11. Law 8 identifies a separate exception for handicap matches under BWF Statutes Section 4.1.3.

A late end change does not erase points

If players fail to change ends at the proper time, BWF Law 8.2 says they change as soon as the mistake is discovered and the shuttle is not in play. The existing score stands.

Example: the third game continues to 13–9 before the missed switch is noticed. The players change ends between rallies and continue from 13–9. They do not return to 11, replay the intervening rallies, or wait until the game ends.

The interval and end change happen at the same stoppage

In game three, the rally that first takes a side to 11 triggers both the mid-game interval and the Law 8 end change. The BWF officiating call is “interval, change ends,” after the score or service-over announcement.

Players should change ends promptly rather than treating the walk across court as time added to the interval. The umpire resumes the game by repeating the score and calling “Play.”

There is no general timeout between rallies

BWF Law 16.1 requires continuous play from the first service until the match ends, subject to the specified intervals and suspensions. Law 16.4 expressly forbids delay so that a player can recover strength or wind or receive advice, and makes the umpire the sole judge of delay.

A natural pause while the shuttle is retrieved, a fair shuttle change, or necessary court wiping is not automatically a player timeout. Officials manage those tasks and require the sides to be ready again without undue delay.

Towelling and drinks depend on prompt readiness

The BWF Instructions to Technical Officials distinguish matches with and without the Time Clock tool. Without it, the umpire may allow a quick towel, a towel and drink, or a self-applied spray between rallies if play is not unduly held up. That discretion does not create a right to stop after every rally.

If the Time Clock is in use, both sides must be in position and ready before it expires 25 seconds after the umpire enters the previous rally's score. The umpire can stop the clock when appropriate, including for an extended court wipe, a dispute, or an injury. The 25-second procedure is therefore competition equipment and officiating procedure, not a universal extra interval in every badminton match.

Coaching is limited by the state of play

Law 16.5 permits advice only while the shuttle is not in play and until the players have taken up position to serve and receive. Advice cannot continue once they are in position, and it cannot be used to delay the next service.

During a Law 16.2 interval, each side may be joined on court by no more than two accredited coaches under the BWF technical-official instructions. They must leave at the “20 seconds” call. Local recreational play may not have accredited coaches or an umpire, but the continuous-play principle still does not provide tactical timeouts.

Permission is normally required during a match

A player may not leave the court during a match without the umpire's permission if doing so causes delay, except during the permitted Law 16.2 intervals. Going to a courtside bag for a drink or towel is still subject to prompt resumption and the umpire's control.

Wheelchair Badminton has a specific additional provision: a player may be allowed to leave for one extra interval during the match to catheterise and must be accompanied by a BWF-appointed Technical Official. Para badminton also has its own technical-official instructions, which supersede the general instructions where they contain a specific rule.

A necessary stoppage is not a recovery timeout

Under Law 16.3, the umpire may suspend play when circumstances outside the players' control make it necessary, and the Referee may direct a suspension in special circumstances. The score remains and play resumes from that point.

Injury and illness are handled carefully and flexibly under the BWF officiating instructions. The umpire assesses the situation quickly, may call the Referee and Tournament Doctor, and times the delay; treatment causing undue delay is not given on court. For a flowing-blood injury, play should be delayed until the bleeding stops, the wound is suitably dressed, or the Referee directs otherwise. Safety management does not give either side an unrestricted medical timeout.

Delay can progress from warning to fault

The umpire controls the pace of the match and may first remind a player that play must be continuous. For a breach of the interval, delay, court-leaving, or misconduct provisions, BWF Law 16.7 allows a warning; a previously warned side may then be faulted, and a flagrant offence or breach may be faulted immediately.

A misconduct fault counts against the offending side, and the opponent adds a point under Law 7.3. The umpire must report the faulted side immediately to the Referee, who has power to disqualify that side from the match. ITTO 5.17.6 treats misconduct during an interval as misconduct during a game, so the break is not outside the officials' authority.

Five timing claims that need correction

• “Both sides must reach 11 first.” No. The interval begins when the leading score first reaches 11.
• “The 60 seconds starts after the applause.” No. Under BWF officiating instructions, it starts when the rally or related review is decided.
• “Players get 60 seconds plus another 20.” No. The “20 seconds” call warns that only 20 seconds remain.
• “Forgetting to change ends cancels later points.” No. Change at the next opportunity when the shuttle is not in play; keep the existing score.
• “Every tournament uses a 25-second shot clock.” No. The 25-second procedure applies when the BWF Time Clock tool is in use.

The trigger changes with the scoring format

BWF international play through 3 January 2027: the current 3×21 baseline uses the interval and deciding-game end change at 11. Badminton Europe records that the approved 3×15 system takes effect internationally on 4 January 2027; under that format the corresponding trigger is 8.

Badminton Danmark domestic play from 1 July 2026: Denmark adopted 3×15 early for its domestic age groups, tournaments, team competitions and events. Its published domestic rules use the 60-second interval and third-game change of ends at 8, while retaining 120 seconds between games. Badminton Danmark expressly says that international tournaments held in Denmark continue to use 21-point games through 2026.

Handicap matches, Para badminton provisions, authorised trials and other national or event rules may add exceptions. Identify the appointing body and event prospectus before choosing 11 or 8; the venue's country alone does not decide the ruleset.

Source material

• Badminton World Federation, BWF Statutes Section 4.1 — Laws of Badminton, Version 5.0 (2), in force 26 April 2025 — Laws 7, 8, 15, 16 and 17.
• Badminton World Federation, BWF Statutes Section 4.1.1 — Instructions to Technical Officials, Version 8.0, in force 17 November 2025 — Instructions 5.4, 5.6, 5.10, 5.12, 5.14 and 5.17; English BWF document hosted by Badminton Danmark.
• Badminton Europe Confederation — “New scoring system: 3×15”, 25 April 2026 — confirms that the present 3×21 international format is replaced from 4 January 2027.
• Badminton Danmark — domestic 3×15 implementation notice, 28 May 2026 — effective 1 July 2026; interval and deciding-game end change at 8, with international events in Denmark remaining on 3×21 through 2026.
• Badminton Danmark, domestic Laws of Badminton, updated 1 July 2026 — Laws 8 and 16 for the Danish 3×15 variation.

Checked on 13 August 2026. Current international rulings on this page use BWF Laws Version 5.0 (2) and BWF ITTO Version 8.0. The approved BWF 3×15 start date and Denmark's early domestic adoption are identified separately; other national, Para badminton, handicap, trial and event-specific provisions must be checked for the match concerned.