Does a decade of the rally-point scoring system impact the characteristics of elite badminton matches?

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate game characteristics in men’s singles badminton matches at world championships under a decade of rally-point scoring system. Time interval has been hypothesised to affect timing factors, such as game duration, rally time, rest time, rest at point 11, and rest time between games. Overall, 56 matches (n = 127 games) were analysed using video footage. We found that year affected all variables from 2006 to 2017, except for the total points played. Consequently, game duration, rally time, rest time, rest time at point 11 and rest time between games increased by 54.0% (p = 0.002, r = 0.407), 62.2% (p = 0.000), 49.3% (p = 0.000), 44% (p < 0.001, r = 0.36) and 74.9% (p = 0.000, r = 0.50), respectively. Furthermore, we suggest that game characteristics in men’s singles badminton matches evolve towards longer rallies with longer rest time, rest time at point 11 and rest time between games, exceeding the limits of the badminton regulation. Therefore, stricter rule enforcement, the introduction of a time limit for the rest time between the rallies, which is similar to the shot clock implemented in tennis for the service execution or a change of the scoring system appears to be necessary to ensure a further reduction of the game duration.