1. Bout/match duration

  1. High Performance
    1. The duration of each round may be adjusted to 1 minute x 3 rounds, 1 minute 30 seconds x 3 rounds, 2 minutes x 2 rounds or 5-minute x 1 round (with 1 time out for 30 seconds to each contestant) upon the decision of the Technical Delegate for the pertinent championships.
  2. Recreational
    1. The duration of each round may be adjusted at the discretion of the host.

2. Scoring methodology

  1. High Performance
    1. Official High Performance – best of three (3) system. Match score shall be the sum of the number of rounds won of the three rounds.
  2. Recreational
    1. Discretion of the host, for example accumulation of points from rounds or best of three.

3. Legal scoring techniques

  1. The valid points are as follows:
    1. One (1) point for a valid punch to the trunk protector.
    2. Two (2) points for a valid kick to the trunk protector.
    3. Four (4) points for a valid turning kick to the trunk protector.
    4. Three (3) points for a valid turning kick to the head.footnote *
    5. Five (5) points for a valid turning kick to the head.footnote *
    6. One (1) point awarded for every one “Gam-jeom” given to the opponent contestant.

4. Legal scoring targets

  1. Legal scoring targets
    1. Trunk: The blue or red colored area of the trunk protector.
    2. Head: The entire head above the bottom line of the head protector.footnote *

5. Illegal scoring techniques

  1. The following acts shall be classified as prohibited acts, and “Gam-jeom” shall be declared.
    1. Crossing the Boundary Line.
    2. Falling down.
    3. Avoiding or delaying the match.
    4. Grabbing or pushing the opponent.
    5. The following are considered prohibited acts:
      1. Lifting the leg to block.
      2. Kicking the opponent’s leg to impede the opponent’s kicking attack.
      3. Kick was aiming to below the waist.
      4. Lifting the leg above waist for kicking in the air for four (4) times or more.
      5. Lifting a leg or kicking in the air for more than three (3) seconds to impede opponent’s potential attacking movements.
    6. Kicking below the waist.
    7. Attacking the opponent after "Kal-yeo".
    8. Hitting the opponent’s head with the hand.
    9. Butting or attacking with the knee.
    10. Attacking the fallen opponent.
    11. Attacking trunk PSS with the side or bottom of the foot in clinch position.
    12. Attacking back of head PSS in clinch position.
    13. Following misconducts of contestant or coach:
      1. Not complying with the referee’s command or decision.
      2. Inappropriate protesting behavior to officials’ decisions.
      3. Inappropriate attempts to disturb or influence the outcome of the match.
      4. Provoking or insulting the opposing contestant or coach.
      5. Unaccredited doctor/physicians or other team officials found to be seated in the doctor’s position.
      6. Any other severe misconduct or unsportsmanlike conduct from a contestant or coach.
      7. When a contestant commits a prohibited act followed by an attack after “Kal-yeo” or any other unsportsmanlike behavior the Referee may give a 2nd “Gam-jeom” for ‘Attack after “Kal-yeo”’ or ‘Misconduct’.
    14. When a coach or contestant commits excessive misconduct and does not follow the referee’s command the referee may declare a sanction request by raising a yellow card. In this case the Competition Supervisory Board shall investigate the contestant’s and/or coach’s behavior and determine whether a sanction is appropriate.
    15. If a contestant intentionally and repeatedly refuses to comply with the Competition Rules or the Referee’s orders, the referee may end the match raising yellow card and declare the opposing contestant the winner.
    16. If the referee at the inspection desk or officials in the Field of Play determines, in consultation with the PSS technician, if necessary, that a contestant or coach has attempted to manipulate the sensitivity of PSS sensor(s) and/or inappropriately alter the PSS to affect its performance, the contestant shall be disqualified.

6. Result declarations

  1. When a contestant receives ten (10) “Gam-jeom”, the referee shall declare the contestant loser by referee’s punitive declaration (PUN).
  2. In the best of three (3) system, when a contestant receives five (5) “Gam-jeom” in a round, the opponent will be declared the winner of that round.

7. Athlete attire and required equipment

  1. Head Gear
  2. Groin Protector
  3. Shin Protector
  4. Arm Protector
  5. Chest Protector
  6. Mouthguard
  7. Hand Protector
  8. Foot Protector
  9. World Taekwondo approved uniform
  10. An official will inspect the equipment of all contestants prior to competition to ensure that the contestant’s equipment meets minimum standards and is in good repair.

Footnotes