Introduction to Taekwondo Sparring

Taekwondo has evolved over time to become a popular martial art, self defence system
and competitive sport. In its competitive sport mode, the Taekwondoist learns how to
employ his or her knowledge and skills in a controlled full contact sparring match of of
three, three-minute rounds against an opponent.

Protective equipment is worn over designated body target areas (a chest protector covers
the front and sides of the trunk and a helmet protects the head), and the range of
allowable techniques is restricted to provide for a demanding, challenging and yet safe
competition.

Because of its full contact nature and the risk of injury, sport competition at provincial or
state, national and international level is normally restricted to Black Belt holders who, at
that high performance level of proficiency, have the skills necessary to both deliver the
required techniques as well as block and evade them.

Non-contact or light contact competition is usually held locally or regionally to provide a

safe learning experience in competition techniques and strategies for the coloured belt
Taekwondoist.

In both cases, a Head of Court presides over the ring as chief official. Corner judges score
the match, and a Centre Referee controls the match and assures compliance with the
rules, assessing penalties where required.

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Olympic Sport, Martial Art, Self Defence

For reasons of safety, the sport allows only a limited range of Taekwondo techniques and
also requires the wearing of protective equipment. The full range of Taekwondo martial
art techniques include many which could cause severe injury or possibly death. These
more damaging and potentially lethal techniques, although taught as part of the martial
art of Taekwondo and for self defence, cannot be used for safe competitive sport.

As a popular competitive sport, Taekwondo is included in virtually all of the major

national, continental and world level sports programs, such as the Summer Olympic
Games, the World Games, the Pan American Games, the Conseil International du Sport
Militaire program of world military sports championships, the Federation International du
Sport Universitaire program of world university level sports championships, and many
more.

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Competition Basic Facts

Taekwondo sparring competition consists of three rounds, each of which is three

minutes, with a one minute rest period between rounds.
Matches are fought in an 8 meter by 8 meter contest area in the center of a 12
meter by 12 meter competition area, normally on a high density foam rubber mat.
A centre referee controls the match and enforces compliance with the rules. The
centre referee can award penalty points for violations of the rules.
Four corner judges award scores.
A Head of Court supervises the referee and the corner judges. Valid points must
be scored by at least two of the four corner judges. The Head of Court decides on
the point scores based on the score sheets submitted by corner judges at the end of
each round.
In the case of a tied score at the end of the match, the referee decides the winner
based on superiority - which contestant technically dominated the other, used a
greater number of techniques, used more advanced techniques, or displayed the
best competition manner.
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Valid Scores
For a point to be scored, the strike must be successfully delivered with suffcient power to
abruptly displace the opponent's body or head.

The valid scoring areas are:

the abdomen and flank areas which are covered by the chest protector, normally
from the top of the pelvis (where the belt is worn) to the pectoral area of the chest
anywhere on the chest protector provided that the opponent falls down as a result
of the power of the blow
the front half of the head, from the ears forward.

One point is successfully scored by:

a punch successfully delivered with the first two knuckles on the mid part of the
body (on the chest protector)
a kick successfully delivered on the front half of the head or on the body (on the
chest protector)
a kick anywhere on the chest protector provided that the opponent falls down as a
result of the power of the kick
when, as the result of a powerful kick or punch, the opponent is staggered, dazed
or falls, and is momentarily unable to continue, the referee will start a count and a
point will be awarded

If the staggered, dazed or fallen opponent recovers by the referee's count of eight, the
match may continue. If the referee's count goes past eight, the staggered, dazed or fallen
competitor will lose by knock out.

Striking below the belt ( the legs and groin area) and striking the back of the body or head
(from the ears back) are prohibited.

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Tied Score and Superiority

In the event of a tied score at the end of the match, the Head of Court will instruct the
Referee to make a superiority decision. The Referee will take the following into account
in making a superiority decision:

if the determination of the tied score involves a tie through the deduction of
penalty points, the competitor who scored more points will be declared the winner
technical dominance of one competitor over the other
greater number of techniques
the more advanced techniques
best competition manner

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Penalties - Warnings and Deductions

The Referee will award Warnings (1/2 point deductions) and Deductions (full point
deductions) for violations of the rules.

Warnings (1/2 point deductions) will be awarded for:

holding
grabbing
pushing with the shoulder, chest or hand
attacking the face with a fist
attacking with the knee
attacking the groin
attacking the leg (the body below the belt)
turning the back on the opponent
falling down on purpose
going out of the 8 meter by 8 meter contest area on purpose
pretending injury
misconduct
gesturing to indicate scoring

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Deductions (full point deductions) are awarded for:

attacking the back of the body or head on purpose
attacking a fallen opponent
butting
throwing an opponent
 injuring the opponent's face with a fist
intentionally attacking after the Referee orders "break"
intentionally going out of the 12 meter by 12 meter competition area
misconduct

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Competition Weight Classes

Fin Weight
o Men < 50 kg
o Women < 43 kg
Fly Weight
o Men 50 - 54 kg
o Women 43 - 47 kg
Bantam Weight
o Men 54 - 58 kg
o Women 47 - 51 kg
Feather Weight
o Men 58 - 64 kg
o Women 51 - 55 kg
Light Weight
o Men 64 - 70 kg
o Women 55 - 60 kg
Welter Weight
o Men 70 - 76 kg
o Women 60 - 65 kg
Middle Weight
o Men 76 - 83 kg
o Women 65 - 70 kg
Heavy Weight
o Men > 83 kg
o Women > 70 kg

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Taekwondo Championships
The following is a partial list of the major Taekwondo competitive events:
o World Championship - normally held every two years
o World Cup - normally held every year
o Olympic Games - every four years
o World Games - held every four years
o Regional Games (Pan Am, Asian, All Africa, etc) - held every four years in
the year before the Olympic year
o CISM Championships - as arranged by CISM
o FISU Championships - as arranged by FISU