IBF to Introduce New Scoring System at Philiippine Open


The International Badminton Federation recently concluded its Council meeting sessions, held in the new head office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  "On 9 December 2005, the IBF Council approved the decision to experiment with the 3x21 rally point scoring system. This will apply to all IBF sanctioned events, carrying world ranking points, with effect from 1 February 2006," said Events Committee Chairman, Paisan Rangsikitpho.  Mr. Paison will be in attendance at the Philippine Open to oversee the implementation of the new system.

At the Annual General Meeting to be held in Japan at the Thomas / Uber Cup 2006, the AGM will vote whether or not to adopt this 3x21 scoring system as a permanent rule.

For singles matches, the rules are:
  • a match consists of best of 3 games.
  • the side that first scored 21 points shall win.
  • the side winning a rally shall add 1 point to its score.
  • if a score becomes 20-20, the side which scores 2 consecutive points shall win that game.
  • if the score becomes 29-29, the side that scores the 30th point shall win that game.
  • the side winning a game serves first in the next game.
  • when one side reaches 11 points, both players get a 60 second break.
  • both sides get a 2-minute break between first and second games, and another 2-minute break between second and third game. 
 
For doubles matches, the rules are:
  • One service only
  • Back service line remains and the current rule applies.
 
When asked about the new scoring system, Men’s Singles Olympic and World Champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia was quoted as saying, “I’m not sure how the new scoring system will work.  The matches may be over much faster than before as a point will be registered on every serve.  We will have to make sure that we have very few service mistakes which might give an advantage to the service receiver.  The pace of matches will be much faster and I will have to wait and see if this affects how I approach the game”.
 
The IBF last implemented a scoring system change in 2001, but decided to revert to the original scoring system within a year thereafter.
 
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Issued by IMG Badminton on behalf of the 2006 Philippine Open Badminton Championships.  Should you require more information, please contact Miss Princess Galura at +(63) (2) 751-6751.