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Olympic Taekwondo Competition Overview

History

Tae Kwon Do is a martial art form that evolved over many centuries starting in Korea. It's method is primarily strikes, predominantly administered by the feet. Various hand, foot, knee and elbow techniques may be applied. Competition rules limit blows to closed fore-fist and feet only. No punching above the throat base is allowed, although kicks to the face are legalTaekwondo has developed into both a traditional martial art . Today, and an Olympic medal sportOlympic Committee (IOC) is the World Taekwondo Federation . The governing body that is recognized by the International (Kukkiwon work together to regulate both the traditional <Kukkiwon> WTF) headquartered at the Kukkiwon building, Seoul Korea. The WTF and and sport <WTF> aspects of this martial art throughout the world.

Distinctive spellings by Tae Kwon Do version

Olympic/WTF Taekwondo
ITF Tae Kwon-do
Original/generic Tae Kwon Do

Olympic Modified Rules

For purposes more suited to community events some minor variations are commonly adopted, these changes generally apply to non Black Belt competition or non Black Belt children, competitors under the age of 15. This does not effect scoring nor punitive deductions. These guidelines are at the discretion of the event host only, set in advance. Below are a list of popular adjustments

Color Belts 2 rounds @ 1 minute each 1- 30 second break
Black Belts 2 rounds @ 2 minutes each 1- 60 second break
Black belt eliminations 3 rounds @ 2 minutes each 2- 60 second break

  • Kicking to the head may be eliminated in color belt children.
  • Contest area may be reduced.6M x 6M (20'x20') should be considered a bare inner minimum. Recommend 8M x 8M minimum for color belt adult.
  • Categories may be restricted (Example, Light and Heavy or Light, Middle, Heavy) Categories may be re-assigned with consideration for height as well as weight. In some cases categories are created to fit the need (Example: a middle division, where only light and heavy were originally arranged.)

A complete set of Olympic rules may be found on the internet at http://archive.www.worldsport.com/worldsport/sports/taekwondo/rules/rules3.html

Competitors can compete in one category only and must supply their own suitable equipment, in good condition chest protector, head gear, groin guard, mouth guard, shin & instep. Forearm guards are also recommended.

It may be arranged that an inspection table be setup. This is best, but the referee may still reject equipment or it's adjustments if he/she feels the competitor(s) is at risk.

Olympic Contest Area

The contest is conducted on an eight meter by eight meter square, called the contest area. Twelve-meter surrounds this area by twelve-meter square called the competition area. The inside line (8x8) is the ALERT LINE. The outside line (12x12) is the BOUNDARY LINE. There are three corner judges and one center referee. The corner judge's job is to register the valid point when they see it. Penalties are indicated on the scoreboard as the center referee declares them. The referee's job is to open and close the match, declare penalties, declare the match results and in case of a tie score, declare the winner. The center referee also must ensure safety of the competitors, ensure a fair game and promote ideal technique by managing the match through application of the rules.

There are six ways to win

Taekwondo contests (and this is a contest, not a fight) have very specific and complex rules and regulations designed to ensure the safety of the competitors, to create a fair environment in which to compete and to promote ideal and appropriate technique. The object of the contest is to demonstrate technical superiority over ones opponent.

  1. win by superiority (more points)
  2. win by disqualification of opponent
  3. win by knockout
  4. win by withdrawal of opponent
  5. win by referee stopping contest
  6. win by referees punitive declaration

Scoring, Permitted area & technique

The corner judges are looking for power, accuracy and permitted technique applied to the legal scoring area when determining the valid point.

The part of the body from the top of the hips to the collarbone that is covered by the chest protector is permitted are for hand (forefist only) and foot (below the ankle) technique. The colored portions are the scoring areas. The head and face (including the throat) form approximately the ears forward and the top of the forehead down is a legal scoring area for foot technique only.

Hand signals are used as a universal way to indicate warnings and penalties to the competitors and judges. Solely the center referee performs these. The corner judges award points. At the ring head is a table where a score keeper records points and a timekeeper records and indicates round & break ends. (Time is shouted and in the case of a round end, a wrapped belt is tossed into the ring to attract the referee’s attention)

Prohibited Acts

There are two kinds of prohibited acts, Kyong-Go (Warning) and Gam-Jeom (Deduction point). Two warnings equals one full minus point. If the competitor accumulates a total of three minus points he/she shall be disqualified. Prohibited acts are defined as follows:

Kyong-go Penalty (Completes with Referee sweeping his/her arm horizontally, pointing to competitor)

1. Touching Acts

  1. Grabbing the opponent.
  2. Pushing the opponent with the shoulder, body, hands or arms.
  3. Holding the opponent with the hands or arms.
  4. Touching the opponent with the trunk.

2. Negative Acts

  1. Intentional crossing of the alert line.
  2. Evading by turning the back to the opponent.
  3. Intentionally falling down.
  4. Pretending injury.

3. Attacking Acts

  1. Butting or attacking with the knee.
  2. Attacking the groin intentionally.
  3. Intentionally stomping or kicking any part of the leg or foot.
  4. Hitting the opponent's face with hands or fist.

4. Undesirable Acts

  1. Gesturing to indicate scoring or deduction on the part of the contestant or coach.
  2. Uttering undesirable remarks or any misconduct on the part of the contestant or the coach.
  3. Leaving the designated mark on the part of the coach during match.

Gam jeom Penalty (Completes with Referee extending arm and finger straight up)

1. Touching Acts

  1. Throwing the opponent.
  2. Intentionally throwing down the opponent by grappling the opponent's attacking the foot in the air with the arm.

2. Negative Acts

  1. Crossing the boundary line.
  2. Intentionally interfering with the progress of the match.

3. Attacking Acts

  1. Attacking the fallen opponent.
  2. Intentionally attacking the back and back of the head.
  3. Attacking the opponent's face severely with the hand.

4. Undesirable Acts

  1. Violent or extreme remarks or behavior on the part of the contestant or the coach.

Tournament Rules:

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