Colored belt matches shall each normally consist of two rounds of 60-90
seconds (Black belts two to three rounds of 120 seconds), with a thirty (30)
second rest in between rounds.
Safety Equipment
All contestants shall wear approved trunk protector, head protector, groin
guard, forearm protector, shin-instep protector, and a mouth protector. Jewelry
is to be removed and finger and toenails are to be neatly trimmed. Eye glasses
are not permitted. Contestants shall have two (2) minutes to conform.
Legal Techniques (Duk-jeom)
One (1) point shall be awarded for each closed fist or kicking technique
delivered accurately and with sufficient power to the mid-section area and sides
of the torso covered by the protector, in the absence of any violations.
*Authorized scoring implements are the fore fist and any part of the foot below
the ankle.
Points shall be awarded for each kicking technique delivered to the front or
sides of the head including contact with any part of the ear areas, as well as
the face excluding the neck area. Under Senior (Full-contact) rules for U.S.A.T.
sanctioned tournaments, one (1) point is awarded for legal strikes to the trunk
protector, with two (2) points being awarded for legal kicks to the head. One
(1) additional "bonus" point will be awarded for legal techniques which result
in staggering or a knockdown. A knockdown consists of an 8-count required by
the Referee due to the strike impact of a legally scored technique, whereupon
any part of the body other than the foot touches the ground.
No punching to the head is allowed.
Scoring techniques shall not be delivered to unauthorized areas including the
spine and back of the head. Foot sweeps and throws are not allowed.
Gaining a 7-point lead: When there is a 7-point gap between scores, the match
will be stopped and a winner declared. Being the first to reach the
point-ceiling: When a competitor scores a maximum of 12 points, the match will
be stopped and a winner declared.
PROHIBITED ACTS
Warnings (Kyong-go) -1 Point for every 2 warnings
1. Falling down.
2. Evading by turning the back to the opponent.
3. Grabbing, Holding, or Pushing the opponent.
*Pushing is allowed with the fore fists without moving forward in order to
create distance.
4. Pretending injury.
5. Butting or attacking with knee.
6. Attacking below the waist.
7. Hitting the opponent's face with hand or fist.
8. Avoiding the match.
9.Crossing the Boundary Line.
10. Uttering undesirable remarks.
Deductions (Gam-jeom) -1 Point
1. Throwing down the opponent by grabbing the opponent's attacking foot in the
air with the arm or by pushing the
opponent with the hand.
2. Intentionally attacking the fallen opponent after declaration of "Kal-yeo"
(break).
3. Intentionally attacking the opponent's face with fist.
4. Interrupting the progress of the match on the part of a contestant or a
coach.
5. Violent or extreme remarks or behavior on the part of a contestant or a
coach.
DISQUALIFICATION
1. Total of 4 minus points.
2. Competitor or coach intentionally disobeys the referee or the competition
rules. Competitor has (1) minute to
conform.
3. An intentional, illegal strike to an opponent which results in rendering him
or her unable to continue the match.
(4) **An excessive kick to a Junior's head which results in abrasion or
bleeding.
__________________________________
**Junior Safety Rules regarding contact to the Head:
U.S.A.T. (U.S.A. Taekwondo)Junior
rules state that no contact to the head is allowed for ages 11 and
under. Light,
controlled contact is allowed to the facial area for colored (non-black) belt
levels age 12-17, and "Ultra"
divisions age 35
and over. Full
Contact rules apply to all Belt levels age 18-34, and all Black belts age 12 and
over.
Junior Rules include a non-differential point scoring system, with only one (1)
point awarded for each legal scoring technique, and without awarding of bonus
points. Excessive contact to the head will stop the time in order for a penalty
to be issued, rather than for an 8-count.
NOTE: Inability or lack of desire to continue the match due to a legal technique
is
not
grounds for the disqualification of an opponent.
__________________________________
The winner is determined by superior point totals of successful hits (solid
contact) using hands and feet.
With an Electronic scoring system, a point must be confirmed by a majority of
the corner judges within one (1) second in order to be recorded onto the
Scoreboard. Deductions will be taken into account at the time they are
recorded, and will appear on the scoreboard.
Decision of Superiority
1. In the case of the tie score by deduction points, the winner shall be the
contestant awarded any point or more points throughout the course of the match.
2. In the case of a tie score other than case 1. above [where both contestants
received the same number of points and/or deductions] the winner shall be
decided by an additional
"Sudden Death/Overtime" round.
The winner will be declared as the first contestant to be awarded a legal point
during this additional round, absent any violations.
3. Absent an Electronic Scoring system, and in the case of a tie score other
than case 1. above [where both contestants received the same number of points
and/or deductions] the winner shall be decided by all refereeing officials based
on superiority throughout all rounds of the match.
4. Refering to case 3. [in case that the
decision of the judges is not unanimous, the referee shall decide the winner
based upon the competitor who has shown
the initiative through:
a. Technical
dominance of an opponent
through aggressive match management.
b. The
greater number of techniques executed.
c. The use of
the more advanced techniques,
both in difficulty and complexity.
d. Display of the better competition manner.
Penalties and prohibited acts are declared by the referee. In the case of
multiple penalties being committed
simultaneously,
the heavier penalty is declared. Penalties are divided into Kyong-go (warning
penalty) and
Gam-jeom
(deduction penalty). Two Kyong-go are counted
as a deduction of one (-1) point. However, the last
odd Kyong-go is not counted in the grand total. A Gam-jeom is counted as a minus
one
(-1) point. All Gam-jeom
are counted in the grand total.
ITF
Sparring Rules
The ITF follow largely identical rules to the WTF
with a few important differences. Punches to the head
are allowed but no strikes whatsoever to the back
of the head, jumping punches and kicks are scored more
highly than their standing variations and the
competition area is slightly smaller, measuring 9
metres
squared. Competitors do not wear a torso
protector but they must use official feet and hand protectors.
Points are awarded as follows:
Flying attack to the head or mid-section: One Point.
Jumping hand attack to the mid-section: One Point.
Foot attack to the mid-section: One Point.
Perfect block: One Point.
Kick to the head: Two Points.
Flying hand attack to the head: Two Points.
Flying kick to the head: Three Points.
Much like the WTF and Olympic rules, single points are deducted for attacking
with the knees, elbows or
forehead, extra heavy contact,
loss of temper, or attacking a downed opponent.
