What is test time-clock system? BWFs new step to add more pace to badminton matches
Here's all you need to know about the time-clock system, BWF's new initiative to add more pace and continuity to badminton matches.
New Delhi: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has come up with a step to ensure fast and continuous badminton matches. The global governing body has approved the testing of a time-clock system at select World Tour tournaments starting in 2026 in a fresh bid to add more pace to badminton matches.
The move is aimed at preparing the shuttlers to play within 25 seconds of a completed rally, thereby speeding up the game.
BWF, at its Council meeting on 29 August 2025, had confirmed that the first official enforcement trials will begin during Week 47 of 2025, between 18–23 November at select BWF World Tour tournaments.
The trials will go on till 2026, when the system will be tested more broadly.
"The regulations will allow BWF to continue its testing of the time clock, including the full application of the system where players must be ready to play the next rally within 25 seconds," BWF said in a release.
According to the regulations in the test time-clock system, players will get only 25 seconds between rallies and must be ready to play the next point within the stipulated time of 25 seconds. The countdown between the two rallies will begin once the umpire updates the score and requires the server to be ready and the receiver to be in position to receive the serve before the end of the 25 seconds.
Umpires will have the power of discretion to give additional time to the players between rallies under special circumstances, like medical time-outs or significant court maintenance.
"Players have freedom to undertake normal activities between rallies, including towelling-off and getting a drink which currently require the permission of the umpire, and the freedom to apply cold spray to themselves, if they are ready to serve/receive within the 25 seconds," the apex body said.
Following data analysis from several matches across Major Championships and World Tour events, BWF came up with the 25-second rule.
As per the analysis, for the matches that had minimal disruptions, the average time between rallies was 22 seconds. Meanwhile, the average rally duration was nine seconds.
Hence, 25 seconds, according to BWF, is a perfect time frame to allow players to recover and maintain continuous play between the rallies.
A preliminary non-enforced trial of the system has already been conducted during a recent World Tour event, where experiments, focusing on optimal court placements for the time clock, ensuring visibility for players, coaches, and officials, were run.
More trials are planned for the coming months, during which national federations will have the opportunity to conduct internal testing and consultations with their players, coaches, and support staff.