Games begin with an underarm serve, with the first server decided by a coin toss. The server aims to clear the net and land the shuttlecock in the opposite service area. The opponent must return before it hits the ground.
The rally then continues until a player wins the point by hitting the shuttlecock onto the court on the opponent's side, or forces their opponent to hit the shuttlecock either into the net or out of play.
Badminton's scoring system changed in December 2005. Previously players could only score a point on their own service. Under the new "rally point" system, a player can gain a point even if they did not serve for that particular point.
Games are played up to 21 points. If each player reaches 20 points, the game continues until one player is two points ahead. If both players reach 29 points, the next point is the winner. Matches are decided on the best of three games.
Seven badminton gold medals will be awarded at the 15th Asian Games in Doha. They are: men's and women's singles, doubles and team events, and the mixed doubles.
