Badminton’s New Time Clock System to Debut at Indonesian Masters
The 25-second rule
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is introducing a new rule at the Indonesian Masters in Jakarta this week. The Time Clock System will be in effect starting from the qualifying rounds all the way to the main draw, significantly impacting match timings and player behavior on-court.
“Under the Time Clock System, players will have 25 seconds between rallies,” said a BWF spokesperson. “This is to speed up matches and ensure consistency.”
What players can do within 25 seconds
- Talk to their coach
- Wipe sweat
- Drink water
- Tie their shoes
- Apply cold spray
What players must do when the clock is running
- Server must be ready to serve
- Receiver must be ready to receive
- Shuttle changes and court mopping must be coordinated with the umpire and completed within 25 seconds
“We introduced this new rule after players raised concerns that umpires were enforcing delays inconsistently. The Time Clock System not only removes confusion but also makes timing rules clearer and gives players the freedom to towel, drink, or talk to their coaches.”
Badminton World Federation
Trial system with a twist
The Time Clock System was previously trialled at last year’s Australian Open, but only for qualifying round matches. This time, it’s being implemented across the board, making the Indonesian Masters a key event to watch for badminton enthusiasts eager to see the impact of this new rule in action.
FAQs
- What happens if a player takes longer than 25 seconds?
- The umpire may intervene and instruct the player to play.
- Can players challenge the umpire’s decision on the Time Clock System?
- No, the umpire’s decision on time violations is final.
Pro tip
Players can ask the umpire to stop the clock for injuries or disputes, giving them more time to recover or argue their case.
Call to action
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