BWF Considering New Scoring System AGAIN!

Did I just somehow wake up in the past? Nope! Just checked the date and it’s definitely 2020 (2021 now!). Yet I read that BWF is once again attempting to change the format of the scoring system to a new scoring system of 11×5. It seems even after it was rejected at the 2018 AGM, Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen is adamant about changing it!

Reaction To Changes In The Past

When the system changed from the old 15 points-based system, there was understandably some criticism. In fact, Peter Gade was really not happy with it, even calling for a referendum (although we all know how they’ve gone in recent years…).

At the time it was also opposed by Taufik Hidayat who claimed that it would provide spectators with “less exciting situations and it would become monotonous.”

Li Yongbo was also an early critic of the change from the old 15 point system saying:

“The change is designed to shorten the duration of the game so as to be friendly to the live broadcast, but it will bear great influence on the game, especially the doubles. The new rules would undermine the beauty of the doubles competition. It is unwise for the IBF to adopt the changes without adequate evaluation beforehand.”

And it’s not just the professionals to consider. Recreational Clubs around the world maintained the 15 point rule and perhaps some still do! But local leagues, counties and states would have adopted the new 21 point rule at some point. Which judging from quite a few players reactions was not well received!

However, it’s easy to not like change when you’re faced with it. For players who’ve only known the 21×3 system, of course, they’re not going to like the change. In the same way players didn’t like the change from the 15 points system.

Why The Change

BWF claim that in order to compete globally with other sports, something needs to change. They have targetted scoring, believing the shorter games will increase the intensity of the games and create more excitement. This is an attempt to make it more appealing not to the avid badminton supporter, but the non-supporters.

Of course, live broadcasting is also a factor. In theory, the games become more predictable in terms of timing, and therefore scheduling for air time becomes easier. Better scheduling equals timing of commercial breaks, and advertising becomes easier for the broadcaster, who will generate revenue from the ad breaks. Therefore the selling rights become more lucrative for BWF. Everything comes down to money at some point!

Benefits Of New Scoring System

I’m going to try and look at this objectively (which might be tricky!) But here are some reasons the change might be beneficial.

• With the proposed 11×5 system, the improved predictability of match length would also help tournament organisers plan tournaments more effectively. Peter Gade’s last ever match at the All England finished at 2.30 am (!), leaving him bowing out to an empty arena.
• In theory maybe more exciting because the emphasis would be on attacking play right from the start. This was also the selling point of the 21×3 system as you no longer had to be serving to win the point, it made attacking play much more important.
• As mentioned, the new format might suit broadcasters better, providing a greater scope of broadcasting around the world.
• Helps to prolong the careers of athletes as matches are potentially less gruelling.
• Might benefit some players who adapt very quickly and be a disadvantage to other players. For example, those who struggled with their fitness in longer games, the change in scoring would benefit them! This may lead to a change in rankings and we see some players climbing the ranks and others falling a little. This might create a more level playing field and reduce the dominance of one or two exceptional players.

Disadvantages Of New Scoring System

• The 11×5 scoring system was trialled previously at Grand Prix Gold tournaments. While the matches were shorter overall, there was still a wide variation in match times, with some as short as 13 minutes and others as long as 50 across the 2014 Brazil Grand Prix.
• Under the new rules, I believe there will be no deuce. While the prospect of sudden death might be exciting, we also get moments like this under the current scoring system:

• There’s little room for errors so it may be that many players play safe shots to reduce their error margin. Rather than fast attacking play, it’s possible there would be a more calculated, conservative approach.
• It’s not actually what the badminton fans want. It seems BWF keep bringing the scoring up but is ignoring their biggest critics because, at the end of the day, we’ll have to conform.
• If a draw consists of a very high ranked player vs a much lower-ranked player, the difference is going to be huge in shorter games. It doesn’t allow the fans to enjoy the event and the lower-ranked player might not gain the same experience as they would in the longer 21 point game (even if they were to still lose significantly).
• Speaking of fans, I wouldn’t be very impressed if I paid for finals day at the All England, and all the matches were 15 minutes long. It just sounds like an anti-climax and even in terms of broadcasting doesn’t sound very appealing.
• Finally, it’s no longer as physically demanding. One of the great things about badminton is that it is so varied in its fitness demands. Taking away an element of that physicality for me takes away part of the game. Often the most passionate moments are when both players are physically worn down but battle on to achieve victory.

Personal Opinion

Don’t let the fact that I found way more disadvantages than advantages fool you. Ok, who am I kidding? I really don’t like this idea and there are two main reasons why separate to the above.

The BWF isn’t listening to the fans or even the professionals (the majority of who are against this change.) In fact, nobody said anything negative about the scoring system except the BWF! But I think the biggest impact is not on professional players but on clubs around the world who play league matches. BWF seems to have forgotten (or simply ignored) the fact that the majority of their fan base are players themselves.

Some clubs might struggle with the new rules. The standard can vary wildly in local leagues so travelling to matches (which sometimes can be quite far!) for the sake of a half-hour match. And paying match fees for the privilege too. Leagues will have to decide which scoring rules to follow which might cause disruptions among clubs within those leagues/states across the world.

But my absolute main gripe about the scoring system is that it is not where the priorities of the BWF should be. Changing the scoring system doesn’t really improve the popularity of the sport. It only affects those who are already fans. It does nothing to encourage more people to watch the sport, to take it up themselves or even become more aware of badminton as an athletic activity.

Although the sport has actually a very large participation rate, (usually top ten in the world). it’s not as internationally followed as its participation rate suggests. This is the problem BWF should be focusing on. Not technicalities within the sport itself, or pandering (if I’m being cynical) to tv networks.

Likely To Happen?

At the AGM in 2018, the proposal put forward failed to meet the two-thirds required majority. However, more members voted for the change than voted against it. If the BWF, specifically Poul-Erik Hoyer, lobbies for the right members, who knows, we might all be playing a very different format of our sport.

Incidentally, this was the same AGM where the service height change was approved to be below 1.15m.

What do you think? Will the new rules mess up the game? Are the BWF’s priorities wrong? Let me know in the comments or on social media – Instagram & Facebook.