A time clock which will allow players 25 seconds between each rally will be tested by the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) Council at certain World Tour tournaments from the 2026 season, the governing body said on Wednesday.
At its latest meeting on 29 August 2025, the BWF Council approved regulations to allow for comprehensive testing of the time clock at certain BWF World Tour tournaments. 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. “The regulations, under Section 4.1.1, will come into effect during Week 27 of this year (18-23 November 2025),” the BWF said.
Like we see in tennis between serves, badminton players will be allocated 25 seconds between each rally. Right now, there is no fixed time gap between points, as the rules suggest that the play must be continuous. Players often have to request umpires for towelling down or having a water break. Sometimes the umpires give the go-ahead but if the players are perceived to be wasting time, then they are often denied.
BWF said that the principles on which the regulations are based are that the clock starts when the umpire updates the score. The server must be ready to serve before the end of the 25 seconds, and simultaneously, the receiver must be ready to receive when the server is in position to serve. Chair umpires have the discretion, using their best judgement, to allow more than 25 seconds between rallies (i.e. not enforce), depending on circumstances (e.g. medical intervention, significant mopping required, etc.). Presumably, after really lengthy rallies where the players dive around the ground, the courts need to be cleaned to avoid subsequent slipping of player.
“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 BWF statement added.
The global governing body said that data analysis from hundreds of Major Championship and World Tour tournament matches showed that when 80%of the time between rallies had no incidents (such as medical intervention, mopping, broken string, etc.), there was an average of 22 seconds between rallies versus nine seconds per rally.
What can players do during the 25-second interval?
“As such, the BWF believes 25 seconds is the appropriate period to balance sufficient rest for players and overall continuous play,” BWF said. Currently, Clause 16.4 of the Laws of Badminton allows the umpire to deal with delay. “Under no circumstances shall play be delayed to enable a player to recover strength or wind or to receive advice. The umpire shall be the sole judge of any delay in play,” the rule reads. But because this is subjective, a time clock (a set maximum time between rallies for the server to be ready to serve) makes this an objective task, as per the BWF Council.
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A change of shuttle between rallies should be completed before the time clock has expired.
During a match played with the time clock a player may undertake following activities at the side of the court before the clock has expired:
– A quick towel;
– A drink;
– A self-applied cold spray;
– Applying ice;
– Adjusting taping or strapping; and
– Cutting their strings.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
