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New Delhi: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is set continue testing its 25-second Time Clock between rallies at the upcoming Indonesian Masters. The badminton event will be held from January 20 to 25 and after the time clock rule was implemented at the Australia Open last year, it will again be tested.
BWF in a release said that: 'The system will be in effect for all matches (qualifying and main draw), with full enforcement by umpires as per regulations' BWF. During the trial phase, the time clock will be used at the HSBC BWF World Tour tournaments. Under the new regulation, players will have 25 seconds after a rally ends to get ready for the next serve.
It was also clarified that players do not need to serve within 25 seconds but just be in position and ready. Additionally, a visible countdown clock will be laced beside the badminton court and it will be the players who will be responsible for monitoring the time themselves and not the officials. The new rules also state that the receiver is also given 25 seconds but once the server is ready, the receiver will not be permitted to delay play further, even if there is time remaining on the clock.
As per the BWF statement, the initiative will make 'matches faster and more consistent, addresses player complaints that umpires judge delays differently, reduce confusion, make timing rules clearer, allow players freedom to towel, drink or talk to coaches.' The rule also has repercussions as umpires may penalise players for undue delay, with sanction ranging from a warning to a yellow or red card.
The badminton body also clarified that a player is deemed ready when both feet are stationary and on the ground in the correct serving or receiving position, the server is holding the shuttle, the receiver’s hand is down, and both players are facing each other.
Players will be allowed to talk to coaches, towel off, drink, tie shoelaces or self-apply cold spray or other treatment within the 25-second window without seeking umpire permission, though they must comply immediately with any umpire instructions after losing a rally.
(With PTI inputs)
