I’ve been practicing Taekwondo for a long time, and I’ve competed or seen tournaments at the local, state, national, and international levels. I’ve learned a lot about the rules of Taekwondo competition over the years, and I’m excited to share them with you in this article.
I have tried to keep it basic, as I am assuming that most people that will read this are looking for a basic introduction to the rules of Taekwondo Competitions so when to going or competing in a tournament you have a better idea of the scoring system. Ready? Let’s get started!
Types of Taekwondo Competitions
There are two main types of Taekwondo competitions: sparring and poomsae. Sparring is a full-contact, one-on-one competition, while poomsae is a choreographed set of techniques performed against imaginary opponents.
Sparring Competition
Sparring competitions are the most common type of Taekwondo competition. They are typically held in a ring, and the competitors wear protective gear, such as a helmet, chest protector, shin guards, and forearm guards.
The goal of sparring is to score more points than your opponent by landing legal strikes. Legal strikes include punches, kicks, blocks, and takedowns. Strikes to the head are worth more points than strikes to the body.
Sparring competitions are a great way to test your skills against other Taekwondo practitioners. They can also help you to improve your technique, strategy, and fitness.
Here are some of the rules of sparring competitions in Taekwondo tournaments:
- Matches are typically three rounds long, with each round lasting two minutes.
- There is a one-minute rest period between rounds.
- The competitor with the most points at the end of the match wins.
- If the match is tied at the end of the third round, an extra round is fought.
- The competitor who scores the most points in the extra round wins.
- Strikes to the head are worth more points than strikes to the body.
- Strikes to the groin, back of the head, or neck are illegal.
- Competitors must wear protective gear, such as a helmet, chest protector, shin guards, and forearm guards.
Sparring matches are typically scored by a panel of three judges. The judges award points for each legal strike that lands. The competitor with the most points at the end of the match wins.
Poomsae Competition
Poomsae competitions are a test of a competitor’s technical skill and knowledge. In a poomsae competition, the competitor performs a choreographed set of techniques against imaginary opponents. The poomsae is scored by a panel of judges, who look for accuracy, power, and speed.
Poomsae competitions are typically held on a mat, and the competitors do not wear protective gear. The poomsae is performed to a specific set of commands, and the competitor must follow the commands exactly in order to score points.
The goal of poomsae competitions is to score the highest number of points possible. The judges award points for each technique that is performed correctly. The poomsae with the highest score wins.
Poomsae competitions are a great way to test your understanding of Taekwondo techniques and to improve your overall technical skill. They can also help you to develop your discipline and concentration.
Here are some of the rules of poomsae competitions in Taekwondo tournaments:
- Competitors must perform the poomsae exactly as it is written.
- Competitors must follow the commands of the referee exactly.
- Competitors must maintain proper form throughout the poomsae.
- Competitors must use the correct techniques.
- Competitors must demonstrate power and speed.
Scoring Methods
There are two main scoring methods used in Taekwondo competitions: electronic scoring and traditional scoring.
Electronic Scoring
Electronic scoring is the most common scoring method used in Taekwondo competitions. In electronic scoring, there are sensors attached to the competitors’ helmets and chest protectors. When a legal strike lands, it registers on the sensors and is displayed on a scoreboard.
Electronic scoring is a very accurate way to score Taekwondo matches. It is also very fast, as the points are displayed on the scoreboard immediately after the strike lands. This makes electronic scoring ideal for high-level competitions, where matches are often close and every point counts.
However, electronic scoring is not without its drawbacks. It can be expensive to set up and maintain, and it can be susceptible to interference from electronic devices. Additionally, some people believe that electronic scoring takes away from the human element of Taekwondo, as the judges are no longer involved in the scoring process.
Overall, electronic scoring is a very effective way to score Taekwondo matches. It is accurate, fast, and reliable. However, it is important to be aware of its drawbacks before making a decision about whether or not to use it in a competition.
Here are some additional benefits of electronic scoring in Taekwondo tournaments:
- It eliminates the possibility of human error from the scoring process.
- It makes the scoring process more transparent and fair.
- It speeds up the scoring process, which can help to keep matches moving at a brisk pace.
Here are some additional drawbacks of electronic scoring in Taekwondo tournaments:
- It can be expensive to set up and maintain.
- It can be susceptible to interference from electronic devices.
- It can take away from the human element of Taekwondo, as the judges are no longer involved in the scoring process.
Traditional Scoring
Traditional scoring is a less expensive alternative to electronic scoring. In traditional scoring, the judges award points for each legal strike that lands. The judges watch the match closely and keep track of the points scored by each competitor.
Traditional scoring is not as accurate as electronic scoring, but it is still a reliable way to score Taekwondo matches. It is also more affordable, as it does not require the use of electronic equipment.
Here are some additional benefits of traditional scoring in Taekwondo tournaments:
- It is more affordable than electronic scoring.
- It is more flexible, as it can be used in a variety of settings.
- It allows for more human judgment, which can be seen as an advantage by some.
Here are some additional drawbacks of traditional scoring in Taekwondo tournaments:
- It is not as accurate as electronic scoring.
- It can be more time-consuming, as the judges need to keep track of the points scored by each competitor.
- It can be more subjective, as the judges’ interpretation of what constitutes a legal strike can vary.
The 4 Key Differences of Electronic and Traditional Scoring
Here are the key differences between electronic scoring and traditional scoring in Taekwondo tournaments:
Accuracy
Electronic scoring is more accurate than traditional scoring. This is because the sensors in the electronic scoring system register when a legal strike lands, while the judges in traditional scoring need to visually assess each strike to determine if it is legal.
Speed
Electronic scoring is faster than traditional scoring. This is because the points are displayed on the scoreboard immediately after a legal strike lands, while the judges in traditional scoring need to keep track of the points scored by each competitor and announce them at the end of each round.
Cost
Electronic scoring is more expensive than traditional scoring. This is because the electronic scoring system requires the purchase of sensors and a scoreboard, while traditional scoring only requires the purchase of scorecards for the judges.
Human element
Traditional scoring is seen as having more of a human element than electronic scoring. This is because the judges in traditional scoring are able to use their own judgment to determine if a strike is legal, while the electronic scoring system is only able to register when a strike lands.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to the tournament will use electronic scoring or traditional scoring is up to them. There are both benefits and drawbacks to consider, and the best choice will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the competition in your area.
Other Rules
In addition to the rules for sparring and poomsae, there are a few other rules that all Taekwondo competitors must follow. These rules include:
- No contact to the head or neck
- No strikes to the groin or back of the head
- No grabbing or tripping
- No excessive force
Competitors who violate any of these rules may be penalized or disqualified from the competition.
Penalty System
The penalty system in Taekwondo tournaments is designed to ensure that matches are fair and that competitors do not engage in dangerous or unsportsmanlike conduct. There are two types of penalties in Taekwondo tournaments: kyong-go and gam-jeom.
Kyong-go is a warning, and it is given for minor violations of the rules. For example, a kyong-go might be given for stepping out of the ring or for using excessive force.
Gam-jeom is a point deduction, and it is given for more serious violations of the rules. For example, a gam-jeom might be given for punching or kicking to the head, or for grabbing or tripping an opponent.
If a competitor receives two kyong-go in a match, they will be given a gam-jeom. If a competitor receives three gam-jeom in a match, they will be disqualified from the match.
The penalty system is an important part of Taekwondo tournaments, and it helps to ensure that matches are fair and that competitors compete within the rules.
Here are some of the most common reasons for penalties in Taekwondo tournaments:
- Illegal techniques: This includes punches or kicks to the head, grabbing, tripping, or excessive force.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct: This includes taunting, arguing with the referee, or refusing to follow the referee’s instructions.
- Delaying the match: This includes stalling, taking too long to reset after a break, or leaving the ring without permission.
If a competitor is penalized, they will lose points or be disqualified from the match. The severity of the penalty will depend on the severity of the violation.
The penalty system is an important part of Taekwondo tournaments, and it helps to ensure that matches are fair and that competitors compete within the rules.
Additional Information
In addition to the information I have already provided, here are some additional things to keep in mind about Taekwondo competitions:
- Matches are typically three rounds long, with each round lasting two minutes.
- There is a one-minute rest period between rounds.
- The competitor with the most points at the end of the match wins.
- If the match is tied at the end of the third round, an extra round
Final Thoughts
These are just some of the rules of Taekwondo competitions. If you are interested in competing in Taekwondo, I encourage you to learn more about the rules and regulations. You can find more information on the website of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).