Rules to play Taekwondo
1. Introduction
Which translates as the ways of hands and feet consists of a number of ancient martial arts unified into one sport. It came to the fore in the 1950s when Korean martial arts leaders decided it should be promoted internationally although the first world championships were not held until 1973. Since then, the popularity of taekwondo has been on a rapid increase and the sport has been confirmed for the Olympic Games programme to be held in London in 2012.
2. Scoring in taekwondo
In taekwondo one point is scored for each legitimate strike on the body, and two points are given for kicks to the face. Competitors get an additional point for a knockdown.
One referee and three judges oversee the contest, and a point is awarded only when two or more judges register a hit at the same time.
Kicks to the head and body are only awarded points if they are landed with parts of the foot below the ankle.
Blows to the body must be with the front of the index and middle finger knuckles of a tightly clenched fist if they are to be awarded points. Fighters are not allowed to punch to the head.
One referee and three judges oversee the contest, and a point is awarded only when two or more judges register a hit at the same time.
Kicks to the head and body are only awarded points if they are landed with parts of the foot below the ankle.
Blows to the body must be with the front of the index and middle finger knuckles of a tightly clenched fist if they are to be awarded points. Fighters are not allowed to punch to the head.
3. Penalties in taekwondo
Penalties in taekwondo are awarded for offences such as grabbing, holding, feigning injury, pushing, and turning ones back on an opponent.
The most serious taekwondo offence is Gam jeom, which leads to one point being deducted. Examples of Gam jeom include throwing an opponent, deliberately stepping over the boundary line, pulling an opponent to the ground, and attacking the face with anything but the feet.
If an opponent is knocked to the ground then the referee begins a 10 second count. A knockdown occurs if any part of a contestants body touches the floor apart from the foot. There is a mandatory eight second count before the referee decides whether the bout should continue.
A knockdown becomes a knockout if a competitor cannot regain his or her feet by the count of ten seconds or if the referee decides he or she is unfit to continue at the end of an eight count.
If a contest ends with the competitors level on points, then the contestant with the most points before penalties were deducted is the winner. If the scores are still level after this, then the referee awards the contest to the fighter he believes to have been the most willing to attack. The only exception to these rules occurs in the final of a competition, when a tied contest will go to an extra sudden death round where the first to score a point wins. If no result is achieved during this round then the final decision once again lies with the referee.
The most serious taekwondo offence is Gam jeom, which leads to one point being deducted. Examples of Gam jeom include throwing an opponent, deliberately stepping over the boundary line, pulling an opponent to the ground, and attacking the face with anything but the feet.
If an opponent is knocked to the ground then the referee begins a 10 second count. A knockdown occurs if any part of a contestants body touches the floor apart from the foot. There is a mandatory eight second count before the referee decides whether the bout should continue.
A knockdown becomes a knockout if a competitor cannot regain his or her feet by the count of ten seconds or if the referee decides he or she is unfit to continue at the end of an eight count.
If a contest ends with the competitors level on points, then the contestant with the most points before penalties were deducted is the winner. If the scores are still level after this, then the referee awards the contest to the fighter he believes to have been the most willing to attack. The only exception to these rules occurs in the final of a competition, when a tied contest will go to an extra sudden death round where the first to score a point wins. If no result is achieved during this round then the final decision once again lies with the referee.
4. Olympic competition rules for taekwondo
The Olympic taekwondo competition takes the form of an elimination tournament to decide the gold and silver medals.
After this initial tournament, two groups are then drawn up of all the competitors except the semi finalists who have lost to either of the finalists. Another knockout process then produces two pool winners. Each pool winner then faces the beaten semi finalist from the other side of the draw, and the winners of these two bouts compete for the bronze medal.
The weight divisions for an Olympic taekwondo competition are as follows Men under 58kg; under 68kg; under 80kg; over 80kg. Women under 49kg; under 57kg; under 67kg; over 67kg.
After this initial tournament, two groups are then drawn up of all the competitors except the semi finalists who have lost to either of the finalists. Another knockout process then produces two pool winners. Each pool winner then faces the beaten semi finalist from the other side of the draw, and the winners of these two bouts compete for the bronze medal.
The weight divisions for an Olympic taekwondo competition are as follows Men under 58kg; under 68kg; under 80kg; over 80kg. Women under 49kg; under 57kg; under 67kg; over 67kg.
5. Terminology explained
Feeling confused by some of the confusing terms used in Taekwondo? Weve got you covered. Taekwondo is a highly popular martial art which originated in Korea, hence some of the terms are Korean in origin. So, to make sure you know your Deuk jeom from your Gam jeom, here is a quick guide to some of the key taekwondo terms you can expect to hear when getting started in the sport.
6. Beginners
Want to get started in taekwondo? As with any sport, getting started in taekwondo may seem daunting to the beginner, particularly if you are a newcomer to the world of martial arts. However, finding a taekwondo club and getting involved in it is not a difficult task. Heres a quick guide on getting involved in taekwondo.
7. Purpose
The purpose of this Standing Procedure is to manage fairly and smoothly all matters pertaining to Taekwondo competition of the Olympic Games on the basics of the WTF Competition Rules.
8. Competition Area
The Competition Area for the Olympic Games shall be installed on a platform 1m high from the base, and the outer part of the Boundary Line shall be over 2m wide, being inclined with a gradient of less than 30 degrees from point of over 2m from the Boundary Line, for the safety of the contestants.
9. Head of Team Meeting and Drawing Lots
Head of team meeting and drawing lots shall be conducted under control of the Technical Delegate of the WTF jointly with the Olympic Organizing Committee within 3 days prior to the first competition.
Drawing lots may be conducted before the head of tea meeting in consideration of the TV relay, etc. as the case may be.
Drawing lots may be conducted before the head of tea meeting in consideration of the TV relay, etc. as the case may be.
10. Competition Method
Taekwondo competition of the Olympic Games shall be conducted in a single elimination tournament systems with double repechage for the 3rd place. The double repechange shall be conducted among all losers of the contestants on the final match.
In case of a tie score in a final match for the champion, the 4th round of three minutes will be conducted with the sudden death overtime system. Any points, Gam jeom, Kyong go or superiority of the last three rounds shall not be calculated in the 4th round. When a contestant receives one time of Gam jeom in the 4th round, the opponent shall be declared as the winner. In the event of still tie score by no point, the winner shall be decide by the Referee on the superiority of the 4th round in accordance with the criteria of superiority prescribed in Article 15 of the WTF Competition Rules.
In case of a tie score in a final match for the champion, the 4th round of three minutes will be conducted with the sudden death overtime system. Any points, Gam jeom, Kyong go or superiority of the last three rounds shall not be calculated in the 4th round. When a contestant receives one time of Gam jeom in the 4th round, the opponent shall be declared as the winner. In the event of still tie score by no point, the winner shall be decide by the Referee on the superiority of the 4th round in accordance with the criteria of superiority prescribed in Article 15 of the WTF Competition Rules.
