For a more exciting badminton game.

The badminton community officially welcomed a historic change in the rules of competition, as the World Badminton Federation decided to switch from the 3x21 format to 3x15.

Players with powerful playing styles like An Se Young are likely to be even better suited to the new rules - Photo: BWF

3x21 is a shortened way of writing the format of playing a maximum of 3 rounds, with each round worth 21 points. And now, the game will be simplified with the formula 3x15.

Why did the BWF make this historic change? It was all for one purpose: to make the game more exciting.

For much of the 20th century, badminton used a scoring system called side-out scoring. Under this system, only the player currently serving could score a point. If the receiving player won the serve, they only regained the right to serve but did not score a point. This system made the duration of the match unpredictable, sometimes lasting significantly longer if both sides continuously exchanged serves without gaining a point.

As sports entered the era of global television broadcasting, this became a major issue. Broadcasters needed stable time slots, organizers needed precise schedules, and the general public wanted to follow a sport with a clearer rhythm. Therefore, in 2006, the BWF decided to switch to a rally point system, meaning the winner of the rally gets the point regardless of who serves, using a 3x21 format.

This is a fundamental change because it transforms the entire rhythm of the match. From long, back-and-forth rallies with stagnant scores, now every rallies directly impact the outcome. The Olympics website has stated that the new system makes badminton "more accessible to a global audience and more suitable for international television."

This successful precedent served as the basis for the BWF to continue reforming after two decades of stability with the 3x21 format. The BWF stated that the goal of the newly announced 3x15 format is to create more exciting matches, maintain a more consistent duration, and support the health of the athletes.

BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul explained: "We want to build a sport that can communicate with the new generation, while also investing in the long-term future of athletes." According to the BWF's argument, when each set is down to 15 points, players are forced to start quickly, reducing the time spent exploring and increasing the value of each shot.

Some opinions outside the BWF also see the positive side. Former Indian national team player and coach Shlok Ramchandran told The Indian Express that explosive power will be more important and tactics can shift to a more direct, attacking style. In other words, viewers can expect a high tempo right from the start of the match.

Of course, there are always differing opinions when major changes are introduced. With the new 3x15 rule, matches are estimated to be reduced by about 20% and will follow a much faster pace. This means that players who prioritize endurance and a slow, steady approach will face difficulties.

But that's why the BWF has invested a considerable amount of time in the preparation phase, starting with a trial of the new rules in some tournaments from 2025, and now dedicating eight months before officially implementing them. The 3x15 format will only officially begin in 2027.

Don't worry too much about top players, who have a whole training system around them to always be ready to adapt to any situation. As for amateur players, badminton now promises to be more dramatic and intense right from the start.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-mot-cuoc-choi-cau-long-hap-dan-hon-20260427080344243.htm