Scoring system

[Norman Spiteri]

I think that the 5 x 7 sytem is too rapid, the game could end in a few minutes in some cases. I would like to bring to this forum my idea:- What if we still play till 15 points but with the only difference that when the server looses the rally he/she also looses the point ( like the volleyball new score system ) I think this will eliminate some of the confustion with new spectators and T.V. viewers who could not understand how could it be that a player lost a rally and the other player did not score a point.I think it is a more simple scoring system and it could be played on five ( 5 ) games just the same.
Thank you

[Cheung]

This already existed in my younger days. A few tournaments would have the "American Scoring".
If this is implemented, I'd say that tie-break rules have to be changed so that player has to win by 2 clear points to maintain excitement at the end of each game.

[Mag]

This would really be risking a lot of the fundamentals of the game. I've played a few training matches like this ("american scoring"), and it calls for very different tactics. The game really changes.

Possibly the service rules would have to be overlooked too. The serve in badminton is defensive by nature. One possibility would be to abolish the "overhand" service rule, but keep the "below the waist" rule.

I think it would be a dangerous experiment.

[Norman]

Dear Mag,
When I wrote about the scoring system I didn't have in mind to change the service method as a stroke. My idea is to keep the score simple and when someone wins a rally he wins a point no matter if he's got the service or not .

[Mag]

I think you missed my point, Norman. There is a REASON why only the server can score in badminton. If you read my post again, maybe you will find out what it is.

[Norman]

Dear Mag,
I agree that the game tactics will be changed but I think that's the point to make Badminton more attractive to the people where nowadays everything seems in a hurry and viewers especially T.V. viewers wants to see the score changes because I think it's boring to keep seeing the same score on the sreen while the players are fighting for each shuttle. Thx.

[TDotSmAsHer]

How about up to 15..... with the volleyball scoring system.... (i play volleyball too.. and love the scoring system. I think the fact that everytime you screw up no matter if your your serve or not the other team gets a point , will keep games more exciting and athletes will have to learn to play "perfect" )

[Cheung]

On the contrary, I think this aspect is part of the attraction of badminton. Though I agree that for the uninitiated it seems confusing.

[Cheung]

I preferred the old scoring systems for volleyball. I think volleyball has lost some attraction now. I really used to enjoy watching it.

[viver]

Same here for volleyball. I prefer the old system. But concerning scoring, I believe that if you like the sport (or art, music, etc) you'll try to learn more about it. I'm not interested in baseball and American football and never made any effort to learn them. And how about tennis? I found ridiculous the way they counted: how can you go from 0 to 15, to 30 and then 40 and so on... For an uninitiated I think tennis is far more difficult to understand. Should tennis change their scoring system to make everybody lives easier to understand the game? We can go on to different sports like Judo (koka, wazari, ippon, etc), boxing, gymnastics (10 points system but how many know the criteria to award the points), figure skating (6 points?) etc. Will these sports change the scoring system? I'm afraid not.

I believe different sports attract different crowds. The rules (including the scoring system) is what makes it attractive and special. If you interested you'll find ways to learn. Probably IBF should find some methods to facilitate this learning. But I'm not in favour of changing the game for people who are not interested.

[Cheung]

Well put, Viver.

My wife keeps getting confused why some matches are played with six games, seven games, why tie break, why 3 sets, why 5 sets. why 5th set 6-6 has tie break, why 5th set need to play to two clear games.
She doesn't have any problem with badminton!!

As for baseball, apologies but I will never ever understand the attraction of the game or the scoring system.

[Mag]

Anybody who can tie their shoe laces is able to comprehend the scoring rules of badminton though...

[trapped-never]

Do you consider volleyball more attractive after its scoring has changed? The only physical effect is that teams seem to be more equalized, than they are in reality. As for tactics, less of risky moves can be seen. Do you consider this to be attractive? I don't.

[Arthur]

I miss the jump serves, that are no longer done due to rally scoring at least at the olympic level

[Norman Spiteri]

To-day I read all the replies re scoring system.I wish to thank you all for the interest.I think that we have to change the scoring system so that we can get more T.V coverage.I know what you are going to say "We think that the scoring system was there for a long time and we think that if the viewers want to watch the game they have to accept it as it is." Well that is true in a way but when one start to analize the situation of the game especially in european countries what do we find?
We find that Badminton is one of the sports that you know when the game starts but cannot say how long it will take.I know that the T.V. stations don't like this situation because they like to have at least an idea of when the game is going to finnish so that they can plan the schedule.As I said before, sometimes a game comes to a stand still with the same score called over and over again with the players winning a rally each and the score is the same.
Well that's all I have to say for to-day and as you know I am trying to give this opinion because I tried the 5 X 7 system and did not like it at all so maybe we could try another system before we stick to the old one.

[Mikie]

Hmm... Volleyball, tennis... New scoring systems...
Can someone explain me how come that Formula 1 TVs are believed to be attractive (both for TV-people and fans)?
They have NO pauses during action (at least they don't plan them), NOBODY can say when the racing will end (or if it ever end), MOST of racings looks the same - train of cars one behind another with a little chance to see sth exciting, ONLY a couple of cars have chances to win, since the MIDDLE of a season a fan can easily tell you who will be a WC and they can be trusted, say 90% (and still they all keep watching racings!)... there are even more things according to you can make this sport a VERY DULL one for a TV watcher and EXTREMELLY unpopular among TV-channels.
And what we have in reality?
A constantly growing army of fans, billions of money, TVpeople PAYING for a chance to show competitions, tons of ads... - an industry is built to meet the slightest wish of a customer.
Maybe we have to adopt Formula1-scoring system? Just imagine: only 24 players that play constantly for 3-4 hours at one court every 2 weeks moving from one country 2 anorther and so on... Will then badminton be more attractive for TV? Will this attract more money for the sport?
You might think I'm completely nuts to offer such a thingy but to my mind my offer is not at all bad reasoned than yours. And IMHO it is as crazy as yours!

Why should we copy other sports? Why shouldn't we keep to good old ways? What? They are not good for TV? Reread the first part of the letter - what could be worse for TV bradcasting than F1? Yet there's no problem with telecasts.

Did introducing new 5x7 scoring system improve situation? No. What makes you think that anorther score counting system will change the situation? Can't all you see that all these TVpeople saying is northing but an excuse. They are IGNORING badminton not because it is bad (or the scoring system is bad), they simply don't want it! Why the hell should we adopt new systems than!?
What exactly is wrong with old system? Not scoring for sometimes prolonged periods of time? Personally I'm fond of the situation when players fight without scoring! They make their best at the moment! They are equals at the moment! It is really fun to play with an equal, don't you think? And to watch them play. To hell with new scoring systems!!!

[Norman Spiteri]

Dear Mikie,
We are doing this because we want to see our beloved sport incease in popularity and nothing else.
I think every Badminton player wishes to have the oppotunity to watch a good game of Badminton and can have the same chance as other sports.
What's the use in saying " O.K. we have a good product we are happy with it."
Do we wish to see our sport get more popular ?
To-day everything is run on marketting etc.
I wish to say that I am happy with the game but could we try to make it better?
How are we going to make it look better ? or can we make it look better ?
I hope we don't loose our temper and start insulting those who have different opinions then ours or say that someone is rediculas because we do not agree with him as I said before I am doing this because I love the Game. Thx and good luck to all