In a taekwondo match, the referee is the official inside the contest area who starts and stops the fight, gives penalties, protects the athletes and declares the winner. In World Taekwondo (Olympic-style) sparring, the referee does not score most points: kicks are scored by the electronic protector and sensor system (PSS), and judges at the side of the mat score punches and some technical points. This guide explains what the referee and judges do, the Korean commands, the penalties, video replay and how to become a taekwondo referee.
| Referee | Controls the match inside the contest area: commands, penalties, safety, counts and the final decision |
|---|---|
| Judges | Usually 2 or 3 at the side of the mat; score punches and technical points with handheld devices |
| Electronic scoring | The PSS body and head protectors register valid kicks |
| Penalty | Gam-jeom: each one gives the opponent a point |
| Video replay | Instant video replay (IVR) can review certain calls on request |
| Other officials | Recorder, IVR operator, technical delegate and the review jury |
Officials
Who officiates a taekwondo match?
| Official | Role |
|---|---|
| Referee | Runs the match from inside the contest area: gives commands, stops and restarts action, issues penalties, counts knockdowns, stops the contest for safety and declares the winner |
| Judges | Sit at the corners or side of the mat; score punches and technical points (such as turning kicks) with handheld scoring devices |
| Recorder | Runs the clock and the scoreboard, and stops and restarts time on the referee’s commands |
| IVR operator and review jury | Show and review video when a replay is requested, and confirm or change the call |
| Technical delegate | Oversees the officiating and the competition rules for the whole event |
The number of judges depends on the event: World Taekwondo rules allow three judges, two judges or one judge at the operation table. Points scored by the electronic system cannot be changed by the referee, which is a big difference from older taekwondo and from point sparring, where officials scored everything by eye.
Duties
What the referee does during a match
- Starts and controls the match: calls the athletes in, checks they are ready, and starts and stops each round.
- Enforces the rules: watches for prohibited acts and gives gam-jeom penalties.
- Keeps the athletes safe: separates clinches, stops action after a fall or injury, counts after a knockdown and can stop the contest if an athlete cannot continue.
- Calls for the doctor: pauses the match for an injury and allows time for treatment.
- Requests video review: for example, when a head kick clearly lands but the electronic system does not score it.
- Declares the winner: raises a hand toward the winner after the final bow, and in best-of-three matches declares each round’s winner.
Before the match, officials and inspectors check that each athlete’s uniform, protectors and electronic gear meet the rules. See taekwondo sparring gear.
Commands
Taekwondo referee commands
Referees give commands in Korean at every level of competition, so athletes everywhere hear the same words.
| Command | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chung, Hong | Blue, red: calls the two athletes into the contest area |
| Cha-ryeot | Attention |
| Kyeong-rye | Bow |
| Joon-bi | Ready |
| Shi-jak | Begin |
| Kal-yeo | Break: stop and separate; the clock stops |
| Kye-sok | Continue: action and the clock restart |
| Keu-man | Stop: the end of a round |
| Kye-shi | Time out, for example for an injury |
| Hana to Yeol | The count from one to ten after a knockdown |
See taekwondo terminology for more Korean terms.
Penalties
Penalties: gam-jeom
The referee penalizes prohibited acts with a gam-jeom, which gives the opponent one point. Common reasons include:
- Stepping over the boundary line or falling down
- Avoiding or delaying the match
- Grabbing or pushing the opponent
- Lifting a leg to block or kicking the opponent’s leg to stop a kick
- Kicking below the waist
- Kicking the air or holding a leg up to block the opponent
- Attacking after “kal-yeo” or attacking a fallen opponent
- Punching the head, kneeing or head-butting
- Misconduct by the athlete or coach, such as ignoring the referee
Too many penalties end the match. Under World Taekwondo rules, ten gam-jeom means the referee declares the opponent the winner by punitive declaration, and in the best-of-three format five gam-jeom in one round loses that round. Serious misconduct can lead to disqualification. Full details are in taekwondo sparring and tournament rules.
Safety
Knockdowns, injuries and stopping the contest
When an athlete is knocked down or staggered by a legal technique, the referee separates the athletes and counts in Korean from hana (one) to yeol (ten). The athlete must show they are fit to continue; if they cannot by the count of ten, or the referee judges they cannot continue safely, the referee stops the contest and the opponent wins. When an athlete is injured, the referee calls “kye-shi” to stop the clock and calls the doctor, and the athlete has a limited time to recover.
Protecting the athletes always comes first. The referee can stop the contest at any time if one athlete is clearly outclassed or at risk.
Video replay
Instant video replay (IVR)
Major World Taekwondo events use several cameras around each mat. A coach can ask for a video review of certain calls, such as a missed punch, a penalty or a turning kick, and the review jury checks the replay and confirms or changes the decision. The number of requests is limited. Kicks scored by the electronic system generally cannot be reviewed, with one main exception: when a kick clearly lands on the head but is not scored, the referee can request a replay.
Winning
How the referee declares the winner
- By points or rounds: the most points, or the most rounds won in the best-of-three format.
- Golden round or tiebreak: used when the score is tied.
- Referee stops contest: when an athlete cannot continue safely, including after a knockdown count.
- Punitive declaration: when an athlete reaches the gam-jeom limit.
- Withdrawal or disqualification: for example, failing to report, failing the weigh-in or serious misconduct.
Other rule sets
Referees in ITF and point sparring
Not every taekwondo competition uses electronic scoring. In ITF tournaments and in point-sparring systems such as those used by many US schools and associations, a center referee controls the match while corner judges score techniques by hand, with clickers, flags or raised hands. The referee’s role in starting, stopping, penalizing and protecting the athletes is much the same. See how to prepare for a tournament.
Becoming a referee
How to become a taekwondo referee
- Earn a black belt: most organizations require at least a 1st dan, and higher ranks for national and international levels. See black belt levels.
- Learn the rules: study the competition rules for the organization you want to officiate, and know the kicks, punches, blocks and stances well enough to judge them at full speed.
- Take a referee course: national federations and associations run seminars with written and practical tests.
- Officiate locally: start as a judge or referee at local and regional events to build experience.
- Move up the levels: strong officials are promoted to national events and, through World Taekwondo courses, to international referee status.
- Stay current: rules change often, and most organizations require refresher courses to keep a license.
Good referees are calm, consistent and impartial, and they follow the tenets of taekwondo themselves. For more on the competition side, see taekwondo at the Olympics, the World Taekwondo Championships and sparring tips.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does a referee do in taekwondo?
The referee controls the match: gives the commands, stops and restarts action, issues gam-jeom penalties, counts knockdowns, protects the athletes and declares the winner.
Does the referee score points in taekwondo?
Not in World Taekwondo sparring. Kicks are scored by the electronic protector system, and judges score punches and technical points. In point sparring and some ITF events, judges score by hand.
How many officials are in a taekwondo match?
A referee, usually two or three judges, a recorder and, at major events, a video replay operator and review jury, under a technical delegate.
What does “kal-yeo” mean?
Break. The referee uses it to stop and separate the athletes, and the clock stops until “kye-sok” (continue).
What is a gam-jeom?
A penalty given by the referee for a prohibited act. Each gam-jeom gives the opponent one point, and ten in a match lose it.
How do you become a taekwondo referee?
Earn a black belt, learn the competition rules, pass a referee course with your national federation or association, officiate locally and attend refresher courses to keep your license.
The short version
The taekwondo referee controls the match from inside the contest area: commands, penalties, safety, knockdown counts and the final decision. In World Taekwondo sparring, kicks are scored electronically and judges score punches and technical points, with video replay for certain calls. Referees need a black belt, a referee course and experience at local events.