IBF scoring system

[rachyuk]

I've been looking for news and reviews about the new scoring system being implemented by the IBF.

I've looked on the IBF site and not found anything relevant about the new 5 games to 7 points scheme or how it has been received by players?

Have there been trials? Can anyone point me in the direction of some good, juicy info on this subject.

[Luncheon]

The new scoring system is a much needed change to take this great game into the 21st century. I understand most people can't stand change, but most people who seem to really dislike the change, were around when they changed this nations currency to decimal and people got used to it, so get to like it, play it try it, enjoy playing with it, if you do that you will get used to liking it and enjoy then we can ALL get on with enjoying badminton in the 21st century.

[rachyuk]

I think you may have a point there! A lot of people are writing the scoring system off before they've had a chance to try it out.

At club level there is some resistance... no one wants to 'upset the apple cart' and go for it, because it may upset membership numbers.

However, there can't be any harm in having a 'new scoring' tournament to wet appetities or an evening of 'new scoring system'.

[sholden]

I think we need a change as badminton over the years is getting less and less popular, and isn't drawing the money and public interest to attract new and young people to it. New things have to be tried, to make the sport more attractive to the media. This scoring system has been talked about for some time now and has been trialed in some junior internationals, and has proved successful. I believe the main objective of the new scoring system is to get to the heart of the action right from the first point, and therefore
make the sport more attractive to television viewers.

The main problem I believe is introducing this to club level badminton, which has players who have used the old system for years, and as Chris points out, will resist any change.

[Kelvin]

Yes the scoring needs a change to attract more television sponsors especially in North America. However I dont think 7x5 is the way to go. Perhaps if they tried 9x5, but from what I've read, and what I've seen... the game had turned into a serve, and smash type of game, rather than the more interesting strategic games we were used to with 15x3. Anyways, I sincerely hope the IBF decides on something solid, as I can picture large media companies, are not very impressed with the indecisiveness.

[MLondon4]

My club has been using 5x7 for about a year now. We like it very much. We get in lots more games, and switch partners frequently. We get a greater variety of action and the uneven matches are over more quickly. It is always exciting playing this way. We ran a Senior Games tournament last spring and ran 37 matches on 3 courts in about 4:30. The out-of-state players who had not ever played 5x7 acclimated to the new system with no trouble. I would prefer to continue the new format.

[rachyuk]

This is very intersting Mike. At our club, we do have some members, who feel that a lot of games are 'mis-matched'. The club standard of play is varied, Thus reducing the number of people who attend club night.

I am interested to hear that it works well, what type of 'picking 'system do you use?...a peg board? Ladders?

[johng]

Has anybody seen an analysis of TV coverage since the scoring trial has been in action.

My own thoughts are that if there has been an increase in viewer numbers then that increase will be very small, which raises an interesting problem for the IBF, what degree of increase in coverage would tempt them the make such a drastic change, is 10% sufficient,or 5%.

Anyway it seems as if the point is irrelavant as the word is that the Asian countries that finally pushed for this idea have had a change of mind.

My own suggestion would have been to keep the 15 point format, to forget the one serve suggestion (as well as playing Ladies doubles to 11), but simply that the side winning the rally score a point, wether they served or received.

[MLondon4]

This is a quick response to Rachel Phillips. We are recreational players who are not yet to the level of thinking about how many games or matches we have won or lost. We just play as hard as we can, and smile and laugh and shout a lot. We have no system other than when the courts are all full, to look around at the sidelines after a match to see who has been out for a while, and then to invite that person to come in and take someone's place. However, when the good players from Europe or Asia are playing, they tend to gravitate to the same court so that the highest-level players are playing against each other. We who are still in the early phases of learning are looking out for other beginners who can be enticed onto the floor to be introduced to this game that we love so much. The point of all this is that the 7-point games get us to a break more quickly, and thus we cycle on and off the court on a regular basis.
When my wife and I played 15-point games at the University of Texas courts where everyone else was highly skilled and aggressive, we were lucky to get on a court for 30 minutes, and then when we would cycle off, we would typically have to wait for an hour or more to get back on a court.
Somehow, we like the short quick games better.

[wattsphil]

Interesting to read so many positive views on the new scoring system. My own view on the new scoring system is that it is there for the entertainment of the public. At the All Engand this year, the singles seemed to run well, with the games lasting a suitable length, though I found the doubles was over far too quickly with each game having no time to build up to an exciting finish.

From a playing point of view, I have no wish to play to seven on a clubnight as often players have been sat off for twenty minutes and aren't warm until five or six points in. I feel the new system would, therefore, favour the younger, fitter players in a club and dampen the enjoyment of the older players who can play just as well, but need a few points to get going.

[vetsa]

This is a very interesting discussion. Having arrived back from South Africa, and from the hot, sub-tropical climate, I can well imagine that it will take me a good while to get used to playing in the cold winters of the UK. I agree therefore, with one of the other writers, that the new scoring system of 5x7 is not complimentary to the older generation who do probably take a little while (even the first end) to get into a match and to warm up to the court and opposition. One must remember that it is these older players who rely more often than not on their experience and wit (tactics) than pure fitness and brawn alone!!! I do also understand the reasoning behing trying something different but 5x7 games are over all too quickly unless both sides are evenly matched. I must say that I was disappointed with some of the games shown on TV at the All England as some were over in a matter of minutes (I remember really enjoying the likes of Morten Frost taking upwards of an hour to complete a match !!!). The writer who suggested the system of either side scoring on one's serve would definitely quicken a match up but still give everyone a chance to get their teeth into a game. Looking forward to hearing other people's further comments.

[Gillian1]

I have my doubts about the new scoring system 5x7. i think it is something that has been brought in to fit in with the hope of more television ie Sky coverage and I don't think it benefits the player or the viewer.

also I think your Badders website is great - it is actually up to date (more than can be said for our governing body's own website!) and is relevant and reflective of modern badminton. Good start and keep it up!

[IanRoss]

My money is on that it will go back to 3 sets as the Far East don't like it!

[pkho]

Here's a link to a memo written by the Director of Events at IBF on a premilinary feedback on the 5 x 7 system.

My apologies as the link will pop up a commercial window.

http://www.cbca.cc/to.htm

I am hearing rumours that they will abandon the 5 x 7 as IBF is unable to get the majority of the votes needed to push it through (most of the asian members with the exception of Japan is against the 5 x 7). The knock against it is that it does not allow the players to play a strategy and endurance game. Maybe a 5 x 9 is better since it offers the same number of points as the 3 x 15.

[Michael Banks]

Peter, do you know of any feedback from spectators after all one of the original onjectives was to make the game more exciting to watch?

The feedback I hear is that most of the doubles games are finished with too quickly and the games can be much shorter.

What do people think after watching 5 x 7 this last 12 months?