Official BWF Badminton Rules: Intervals (11-Point & Between-Game) and On-Court Coaching
6 June 2026 · Badminton Fans
The official rules are the BWF "Laws of Badminton," which set a 60-second interval when the leader reaches 11 points and a 120-second interval between games, with coaching allowed only during those breaks. The full Laws are published by the Badminton World Federation.
What those 60 seconds are really for
The 11-point interval looks like a water break; it's really a momentum circuit-breaker. A player on a 6–0 tear is in a rhythm, and that minute exists partly to let the other side stop the run — change a tactic, find a breath, take a word from the coach. Smart players use it deliberately: if you're the one bleeding points you walk slowly and reset; if you're rolling you keep it brisk and stay warm. Coaching is allowed in these breaks (and, increasingly, from a courtside chair during play, depending on the event), but you still can't leave the court without the umpire's nod. Treat the interval as a tactic, not a rest, and it's worth a couple of points a match. For a full overview of how points are counted and games won, see Badminton Scoring System: How to Count Points and Win a Game.
Intervals
- 11-point interval: when either side first reaches 11 in a game, play pauses for 60 seconds.
- Between-game interval: 120 seconds between games.
- Players may not leave the court during a game except with the umpire's permission; at the intervals they return to their chair/coach.
Coaching
- Advice is allowed during the intervals (the 60-second and 120-second breaks). Coaches sit courtside.
- Modern BWF regulations permit on-court coaching from the designated coaching chair during play in many events, but rules vary by tournament tier — always check the event regulations.
- Players must not receive illegal outside assistance beyond what the event permits. Receiving advice at any other time is considered a fault — for the full list of actions that cost you the rally, see What Is a Fault in Badminton? Every Fault That Loses You the Rally.
Where to find the official rules
The authoritative document is the BWF Laws of Badminton (and the Statutes/Regulations), available as a PDF from the Badminton World Federation. National associations republish the same Laws.
FAQ
- Q: What are the official badminton rules called? The BWF "Laws of Badminton."
- Q: When is the interval in a badminton game? At 11 points (60 seconds), plus 120 seconds between games.
- Q: Can a coach advise during a match? Yes — during the intervals; on-court coaching during play is allowed in many events but varies by tournament.
- Q: Where can I get the official BWF rules PDF? From the Badminton World Federation (bwfbadminton.com) — the Laws of Badminton document.
- Q: Can players leave the court mid-game? Only with the umpire's permission.
Official BWF interval rules explained: a 60-second break when either player hits 11 points, a 120-second break between games, and when coaches are allowed to give advice. Covers on-court coaching rules, whether players can leave the court, and where to find the full BWF Laws of Badminton PDF — useful for players and umpires at any level.