Execution of new service rule leaves much to be desired

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s a good move to introduce the new service rule in badminton but it’s the implementation that is flawed.

But Badminton Association of Malaysia ( BAM) secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai said it would be a matter of time before the new service rule is established and accepted.

It was the BAM who proposed the use of a new service rule last year and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) have been experimenting with it in all tournaments since March this year.

“There have been complaints in recent tournaments (German Open and All-England) but the problem is not the rule but the implementation by service judges,” said Chin Chai.

“It’s new for the service judges and they are not familiar with looking at the line (from two plexiglass).

“Obviously, there are grey areas and it resulted in many being faulted.

“But moving forward, these service judges will become more experienced.”

Chin Chai said the new rule was better and gave the Asian players a slight advantage.

“Under the old rule, service judges look at the last rib bone of a player for the height of the service – that’s very subjective.

“Then, there is the rule where the racquet must be slanting down, otherwise a player is faulted.

“The old rules were arguable ... now we have a fixed height at 1.15m with a line to help the judges – there is more clarity.

“Asian players are generally shorter, so the new rule does give them an advantage because they now have a higher contact point when they serve.”

Chin Chai said they had conducted in-house sessions for head coaches and players to explain the new service rule last week.

“The world body are still experimenting with it. With better technology like laser beam or review camera in future, we will only get better at this.

“One thing is for sure – it was harder to gauge under the old rule but now there is clarity but with practice, it’ll be better,” added Chin Chai.