A new article in worldbadminton puts the case for 5 x7 format.
Some of the advantages were stated here on BC. (you heard it first on BC!)
I have made some comments directly related to the article which I hope will present a more balanced view.
(Note, I am not against change of scoring system for improvement, but I am as yet unconvinced the stated advantages of 5 x7 for mass media and marketing are proven)
1) Who plays games up to 9 points for recreational play?
Curious to know where in the world this happens because I never ever heard of this happening.
2) If indeed many recreational players play to 9 points, would not a 5 x 9 format be suitable?
3) Because games are shorter, the rallies are not so prolonged. For rallies of shots in 3 x15, I have never ever had the pleasure of a commentator explaining the tactics of shots which gradually pull a player(s) out of position for the winning moment in English. Basically not enough time for a reply. This doesn't happen very much with 5 x 7 format either with more breaks.
4) More players are feeling comfortable with the system. Inevitable if you are forced to adapt. Similar situation happened with football when they changed the rule not allowing the goalkeeper to pick up the ball when kicked to by their own teammate
5) The same people win. Fair point. GZC didn't handle 5 x 7 very well. I think her only loss with 3 x 11 format was in WC in Seville. (Please correct me if I'm wrong) whereas she lost WGPF, S'pore Open in new format. However, this is only one player.
6) Prolonged duration of matches. Not backed up with statistical numbers. What percentage of matches of 3 x 15 have been over two hours? What percentage of 5 x 7 have been over 1 hours and 15 minutes?
7) Two hour matches are not liked much. That depends on what sort of game. The long matches that I can remember are as follows:
2001 WC Q/F Ladies doubles - Yang Wei/Huang Nan Yan vs Ra Kyung Min - my wife enjoyed it very much. For me it was a bit boring.
2001 AE S/F men's singles - Chen Hong vs Roslin. Pretty good match I thought
2000 AE final men's doubles - Ha/Kim vs Yoo/Lee. Said to be the best ever All England Men's doubles match.
1999 WC final men's singles - Sun Jun vs Peter Ramussen...speaks for itself.
8) At IBF's elite event, the WGPF this year, Star TV in asia only showed two hours of limited coverage. In previous years, more than 5 times the time has been shown. Why? perhaps one reason was 5 x 7 allowed editing of matches.
9) And finally, English commentary of many Grand Prix Events is of a poor standard. You only have to listen to the Olympic games finals for a clear example. The commentator even got Tony G and Chandra W mixed up. For me, better commentary helps improve understanding and stimulates interest in the game. I understand that this may not be in the control of IBF.
Some of the advantages were stated here on BC. (you heard it first on BC!)
I have made some comments directly related to the article which I hope will present a more balanced view.
(Note, I am not against change of scoring system for improvement, but I am as yet unconvinced the stated advantages of 5 x7 for mass media and marketing are proven)
1) Who plays games up to 9 points for recreational play?
Curious to know where in the world this happens because I never ever heard of this happening.
2) If indeed many recreational players play to 9 points, would not a 5 x 9 format be suitable?
3) Because games are shorter, the rallies are not so prolonged. For rallies of shots in 3 x15, I have never ever had the pleasure of a commentator explaining the tactics of shots which gradually pull a player(s) out of position for the winning moment in English. Basically not enough time for a reply. This doesn't happen very much with 5 x 7 format either with more breaks.
4) More players are feeling comfortable with the system. Inevitable if you are forced to adapt. Similar situation happened with football when they changed the rule not allowing the goalkeeper to pick up the ball when kicked to by their own teammate
5) The same people win. Fair point. GZC didn't handle 5 x 7 very well. I think her only loss with 3 x 11 format was in WC in Seville. (Please correct me if I'm wrong) whereas she lost WGPF, S'pore Open in new format. However, this is only one player.
6) Prolonged duration of matches. Not backed up with statistical numbers. What percentage of matches of 3 x 15 have been over two hours? What percentage of 5 x 7 have been over 1 hours and 15 minutes?
7) Two hour matches are not liked much. That depends on what sort of game. The long matches that I can remember are as follows:
2001 WC Q/F Ladies doubles - Yang Wei/Huang Nan Yan vs Ra Kyung Min - my wife enjoyed it very much. For me it was a bit boring.
2001 AE S/F men's singles - Chen Hong vs Roslin. Pretty good match I thought
2000 AE final men's doubles - Ha/Kim vs Yoo/Lee. Said to be the best ever All England Men's doubles match.
1999 WC final men's singles - Sun Jun vs Peter Ramussen...speaks for itself.
8) At IBF's elite event, the WGPF this year, Star TV in asia only showed two hours of limited coverage. In previous years, more than 5 times the time has been shown. Why? perhaps one reason was 5 x 7 allowed editing of matches.
9) And finally, English commentary of many Grand Prix Events is of a poor standard. You only have to listen to the Olympic games finals for a clear example. The commentator even got Tony G and Chandra W mixed up. For me, better commentary helps improve understanding and stimulates interest in the game. I understand that this may not be in the control of IBF.