Time Clock Consultation Opportunity

Time Clock Consultation

A key concept introduced during the “Events Innovation” session during the BWF Members Forum on 26 April 2025 was the BWF’s intention to implement a time clock system in selected Major Championships and at World Tour tournaments starting in 2026, as part of its overall sport presentation and continuous play strategies.

Clause 16.4 of the Laws of Badminton allows the umpire to deal with delay. Because this is subjective, BWF Council believes a time clock (a set maximum time between rallies for the server to be ready to serve) makes this an objective task.

The BWF Council approved the following principles for implementation:

• Players are allocated 25 seconds between each rally;
• The clock starts when the umpire updates the score;
• The server must be ready to serve before the end of the 25 seconds;
• The receiver must be ready to receive when the server is in position to serve;
• Umpires have the discretion, using their best judgment, to allow more than 25 seconds between rallies (i.e. not enforce), depending on circumstances (e.g. medical intervention, significant mopping required, etc.); and
• 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 play within the 25 seconds.

Data analysis from hundreds of Major Championship and World Tour tournament matches showed that when 80% of the time between rallies had no incidents (e.g. medical intervention, mopping, broken string, etc.), there was an average of 22 seconds between rallies versus nine seconds per rally, and a median of 19 seconds between rallies versus six seconds per rally.

As such, the BWF believes 25 seconds best balances appropriate rest for players with overall continuous play.

Testing Plan

The BWF has already undertaken a preliminary systems test (no enforcement) at a recent World Tour tournament, including options for the best locations on the court to display the time clock for players, coaches, and technical officials.

Thank you to those participating stakeholders who provided their feedback to BWF.

Further testing will take place in the coming months.

Next Step: Member Consultation Opportunity

Before we progress with comprehensive tests later this year, the BWF invites Members to do your own internal testing and consultation amongst your team leadership, coaches, players, and other stakeholders, and to share your views on the aforementioned time clock principles, and in particular, the amount of allowable time between rallies.

For example, do you believe 25 seconds is a reasonable balance between appropriate rest for players AND ensuring continuous play?

As Members, you are encouraged to work with your national teams to run your own tests on time between rallies and the intended implementation principles, including surveying your key stakeholders on their experiences.

In due course, the BWF will circulate an online survey which we would like each of you to complete and submit by Friday 19 September 2025.

Thank you in advance for your important role in the development of this key initiative.

More Information / Contact Person

Please contact Events Director – Technical Operations, Christopher Trenholme ([email protected]), should you have any questions.