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Why is electronic scoring important?

Electronic scoring, when it is done well, is important because it improves the tournament experience for competitors, spectators, referees and tournament organizers.

Competitors benefit from scoring that is fast, accurate and fair. Well-designed electronic scoring systems usually keep a record of how judges voted (pushed their scoring buttons) during a match and this information can be used to detect and/or resolve scoring inequities, should they occur.

Spectators benefit in that they are better able to follow the action. None of us would enjoy a baseball game where the score was unknown for nine innings, so why should we expect our spectators to enjoy watching a sparring match where the score is not known until it's all over? Electronic scoring resolves this problem and involves the spectators in the action, making for a much more exciting tournament.

Spectators and tournament organizers can also benefit from electronic scoring in another important way, although the mechanism by which this occurs is somewhat subtle.

Consider a closely contested sparring match where electronic scoring is not used. Both competitors and their supporters go into the match with high hopes. Since the match is closely contested, both groups emerge from the match hoping that their competitor has won. These two groups hold onto this hope while the outcome of the match is decided. The referee confers with the judges, and then moves to the center of the ring. And then, in the time it takes to raise an arm, one group sees their hopes vindicated, while the other group sees their hopes dashed.

This sudden transition can create heated exchanges, shoving matches and even punches being thrown. This kind of behavior doesn't serve our sport, but can anything be done about it? We think the answer is yes.

Please consider the same match, but with electronic scoring being used. More than likely, the match is close, but not a tie. If this is the case, then one group will observe that time is running out for their competitor. While they will rally to support their competitor, they will also begin mentally preparing themselves for the possibility that their competitor will be defeated. The scoring system, in fact, gives them time to get used to the idea that their competitor may very well lose the match.

By letting these people down slowly, the number of post-match altercations can be reduced. By eliminating or greatly reducing the number of altercations, the tournament experience is improved for everyone, and the threat of lawsuits is reduced.

And what if the match is, in fact, a tie? With electronic scoring, both groups know that it's going to be close, and that their competitor may not win. This is much better than having the match end with each group holding onto a false belief that their competitor was ahead when the match ended.

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