Badminton World Federation will continue testing its 25-second time clock system between rallies at the Indonesia Masters Super 500 tournament starting today.
It was earlier tested last year at the Australia Open Super 500.
“The system will be in effect for all matches, including qualifying and main draw, with full enforcement by umpires as per regulations,” the BWF had said in a release.
The Time Clock is being trialled at selected BWF World Tour tournaments. Under the regulation, players have 25 seconds after a rally ends to be ready to serve. “Players do not need to serve within 25 seconds, only be in position and ready,” the BWF clarified.
According to the BWF, the initiative aims to make matches faster and more consistent, address player concerns over inconsistent umpiring of delays, reduce confusion, and clarify timing rules. It also allows players the freedom to towel off, drink water, or speak to coaches within the allotted time.
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How will it work?
Players will be allocated 25 seconds between each rally and the clock will start when the umpire updates the score.
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Meanwhile, the server must be ready to serve before the end of the 25 seconds and the receiver must be ready to receive when the server is in position to serve.
Players have freedom to undertake normal activities between rallies, including towelling-off and getting a drink which currently require the permission of the umpire, and the freedom to apply cold spray to themselves, if they are ready to serve/receive within the 25 seconds.
Data analysis from hundreds of Major Championship and World Tour tournament matches showed that when 80 per cent of the time between rallies had no incidents (such as medical intervention, mopping, broken string, etc.), there was an average of 22 seconds between rallies versus nine seconds per rally.
As such, the BWF believes 25 seconds is the appropriate period to balance sufficient rest for players and overall continuous play.
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