Here’s everything you need to know about the proposed changes to badminton’s scoring system

Here’s everything you need to know about the proposed changes to badminton’s scoring system

PV Sindhu

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is set to discuss and vote on the proposal from Badminton Indonesia and the Maldives Badminton Association to amend the Laws of Badminton’s scoring system. The apex body will announce its decision post the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 22, 2021 (Saturday).

The new scoring system (5*11) aims to be seen as more television-friendly, in terms of duration than the current system (3*21). However, the implementation of these laws will be discussed and won’t be implemented before the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. According to some recent statements, the BWF is planning to fully implement the new scoring system before January 2022 to allow players and coaches to practice and prepare themselves properly

The key objectives behind this amendment include:

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  • Building suspense quicker – more intensity in matches.
  • Increasing the excitement in matches.
  • Slightly shortening the length of matches – to optimise television broadcasts and protect the well-being of players.

Changes to the scoring system:

New scoring system: Five games of at least 11 points needed to clinch each game.

  • A game shall be won by the player(s) who first scores 11 points, instead of 21.
  • If the score becomes 10-all (instead of 20-all), the player(s) who gains a two-point lead first, shall win that game.
  • If the score becomes 14-all (instead of 29-all) the player(s) scoring the 15th point (instead of 30th point), shall win that game.
  • The player(s) shall change ends at the end of each completed game as long as the match carries on, and in the fifth game when a side first scores six points.   

‘New points system aligns with the objectives of the BWF Strategic Plan 2020-2024’

BWF

The BWF Council reckoned that they extended their support for this proposal as it aligns with the objectives of the BWF Strategic Plan 2020-2024.

“One of the key topics that will be voted on by the Membership is the proposal … to amend the Laws of Badminton relating to the Scoring System,” BWF said on Tuesday.

“BWF Council decided to express its support for this proposal as it aligns with the objectives of the BWF Strategic Plan 2020-2024….”

Pullela Gopichand and Vimal Kumar feel this change is not imperative

Pullela Gopichand

However, India chief national coach Pullela Gopichand and former coach and current director at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) Vimal Kumar have shown their support for the current 21×3 system which requires player(s) to win a minimum of 42 points.

“There are a lot of things that could be done, rather than change the scoring system,” Gopichand is quoted as saying by Firstpost.

“But if the BWF is forced to make the change in favour of a shortened game, then I would prefer their going for a 15*3 system on the existing point-per-rally format, rather than 11*5. Having said that, I am not privy to the scientific information that the BWF has, but I hope they have valid reasons for doing what they are doing. They are tinkering with the points format, something that is not at all ideal. There are so many other things that can be done for the good of the sport, rather than touch the scoring system at this point of time,” Gopichand added.

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