Colored belt matches shall each normally consist of two rounds of 60-90 seconds (Black belts two to three rounds of 2-3 minutes), with a 30-60 second rest in between rounds.
Safety Equipment
All contestants shall wear approved trunk protector, head protector, groin guard, forearm protector, shin-instep protector, and a mouth protector. Jewelry is to be removed and finger and toenails are to be neatly trimmed. Eye glasses are not permitted. Contestants shall have two (2) minutes to conform.
Legal Techniques (Duk-jeom)
One (1) point shall be awarded for each closed fist or kicking technique delivered accurately and with sufficient power to the mid-section area and sides of the torso covered by the protector, in the absence of any violations. Authorized scoring implements are the forefist and any part of the foot below the ankle.
Points shall be awarded for each kicking technique delivered to the front or sides of the head including contact with any part of the ear areas, as well as the face including the neck area. Under Senior (Full-contact) rules for U.S.A.T. sanctioned tournaments, one (1) point is awarded for legal strikes to the trunk protector, (2) points awarded for a valid turning kick to the trunk protector, with three (3) points being awarded for legal kicks to the head. No punching to the head is allowed.
One score will automatically be awarded for legal techniques which result in staggering or a knockdown. A knockdown consists of an 8-count required by the Referee due to the strike impact of a valid technique, whereupon any part of the body other than the foot touches the ground. A competitor must demonstrate the ability to continue the match safely, or the referee will continue the count to 10, there upon declaring the winner.
Scoring techniques shall not be delivered to unauthorized areas including the spine and back of the head. Foot sweeps and throws are not allowed. One (1) additional point will be awarded to the opposing contestant for two *Kyong-go's and a *Gam-jeom. National and International competition will require a competition ring size of eight meters by eight meters.
PROHIBITED ACTS
Warnings (*Kyong-go) -1 Point for every 2 warnings
1. Falling down.
2. Evading by turning the back to the opponent.
3. Grabbing, Holding, or Pushing the opponent.
(Pushing with the forefists--without moving forward is allowed only to create distance)
4. Pretending injury.
5. Butting or attacking with knee.
6. Attacking below the waist.
7. Hitting the opponent's face with hand or fist.
8. Avoiding the match.
9.Crossing the Boundary Line.
10. Uttering undesirable remarks.
Deductions (*Gam-jeom) -1 Point
1. Throwing down the opponent by grabbing the opponent's attacking foot in the air with the arm or by pushing the opponent with the hand.
2. Intentionally attacking the fallen opponent after declaration of "Kal-yeo" (break).
3. Intentionally attacking the opponent's face with fist.
4. Interrupting the progress of the match on the part of a contestant or a coach.
5. Violent or extreme remarks or behavior on the part of a contestant or a coach.
DISQUALIFICATION
1. Total of 4 minus points.
2. Competitor or coach intentionally disobeys the referee or the competition rules. Competitor has (1) minute to conform.
3. An intentional, illegal strike to an opponent which results in rendering him or her unable to continue the match.
(4) **An excessive kick to a Junior's head which results in abrasion or bleeding.
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**Junior Safety Rules regarding contact to the Head:
U.S.A.T. (U.S.A. Taekwondo) Junior rules state that no contact to the head is allowed for ages 11 and under. Light, controlled contact is allowed to the facial area for colored (non-black) belt levels age 12-17, and "Ultra" divisions age 35 and over. Full Contact rules apply to all Belt levels age 18-34, and all Black belts age 12 and over.
Junior Rules include a non-differential point scoring system, with only one (1) point awarded for each legal scoring technique, and without awarding of bonus points. Excessive contact to the head will stop the time in order for a penalty to be issued, rather than for an 8-count.
NOTE: Inability or lack of desire to continue the match due to a legal techinique is not grounds for the disqualification of an opponent.
The winner is determined by superior point totals of successful hits (solid contact) using hands and feet.
With an Electronic scoring system, a point must be confirmed by a majority of the corner judges within a one (1) second "scoring window" in order to be recorded onto the Scoreboard. Once a scoring window is opened upon one judge indicating a point seen, this window will remain open for one (1) second to be confirmed, even after the match duration time runs out. Deductions will be taken into account at the time they are recorded, and will appear on the scoreboard. International competition will include the use of an instant video replay system.
1. In the case of the tie score by deduction points, the winner shall be the contestant awarded any point or more points throughout the course of the match.
2. In the case of a tie score other than case 1. above [where both contestants received the same number of points and/or decuctions] the winner shall be decided by an addtitional "Sudden Death/Overtime" round. The winner will be declared as the first contestant to be awarded a legal point during this additional round, absent any violations.
3. Absent an Electronic Scoring system, and in the case of a tie score other than case 1. above [where both contestants received the same number of points and/or deductions] the winner shall be decided by all refereeing officials based on superiority throughout all rounds of the match.
4. Refering to case 3. [in case that the decision of the judges is not unanimous, the referee shall decide the winner based upon the competitor who has shown the initiative through:
a. Technical dominance of an opponent
through aggressive match management.
b. The greater number of techniques executed.
c. The use of the more advanced techniques,
both in difficulty and complexity.
d. Display of the better competition manner.
Penalties and prohibited acts are declared by the referee. In the case of multiple penalties being committed simultaneously, the heavier penalty is declared. Penalties are divided into Kyong-go (warning penalty) and Gam-jeom (deduction penalty). Two Kyong-go are counted as a deduction of one
(-1) point. However, the last odd Kyong-go is not counted in the grand total. A Gam-jeom is counted as a minus one (-1) point. All Gam-jeom are counted in the grand total.
