Electronic Scoring System

[Jeff Butterworth]

A few weeks ago several members of our school attended the 2008 Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships in Winnipeg, Canada. I was very impressed with the quality of the sparring, and the entire venue was up close and personal with all the athletes. All in all it was a fantastic experience.

However, it was the first time I witnessed the electronic scoring system being used. I am being kind when I say that it still has a long way to go. Numerous kicks that were clear points went unscored, while other “light taps” scored all too often. Also, while the judges awarded (manually scored) points for kicks to the head, there was no mechanism for awarding points for punches, regardless of their power. IMHO a few matches were won by the lessor fighter.

In all my sparring experience (several regional and inter club tournaments that were all well below the elite level) I have never used the electronic scoring system. My sense is that the athletes themselves did not particularly like it either.

Anyone have actual sparring experience wearing this gear, or thoughts on how long this system will be around?

Jeff Butterworth

[Eliz]

Glad to hear the tourny went well.

We have not switched to electronic scoring yet. My officials re-certification is in January so perhaps I will hear more news on future plans at that time.

Personally I would not be over anxious to use electronic scoring vests. But then again, I am not a huge fan of half of the equipment currently in use. Take it for what it is worth.

[tbmonti]

I've done it several times and am not a big fan. I was at a tournament in Puerto Rico in 2006 and helped out judging. We had a malfunction, where one of the clicker things was not working so points were not being scored accurately. Give me a paper slip and a pencil any day.

Respectfully,
Anthony B. Monti

[Jeff Butterworth]

Anthony,

From what I saw, I tend to agree with you. As long as the judging is unbiased, I would take the occasional "human error" over the technological limitations anyday.

Jeff Butterworth

[ezzthetic]

Electronic scoring is killing amateur boxing... I can't imagine it doing any better for TKD. Horrible idea that costs a lot of money to implement and then people won't back out of it for that very reason, even if it's been proven again and again that it doesn't work.

[CEB]

IMO Electronic scoring murdered the art of Fencing.

[Eliz]

Woops,
I thought the OP was referring to electronic scoring vests. My mistake.

We use the hand held electronic scoring devices. I do not mind them - the corner ref's see a point and punch the corresponding button. I can monitor all the referees from the computer and I know exactly who is scoring what. I also know if someone is not qualified to be scoring at all and can quickly have that remedied. As for malfunctions, each year that is improving. At anytime during the match an equipment check can be called.

I will also add that our program was custom designed by a computer guy in our organization and he is present at every major tournament. I do not think too many competitors/coaches have complaints about the system.

[Jeff Butterworth]

Liz,

No need to apologize, I was referring to the electronic vests in the OP. Slight thread drift, but I am also not a big fan of "ectronic display" of the current score. I think it tends to allow for a more conservative fight when one competitor is ahead.