Welcome to :: Tigers School of Taekwondo

Article 1. Purpose

The purpose of the Competition Rules is to manage fairly and smoothly all matters pertaining to Poomsae competitions of all levels to be promoted and/or organized by the WTF, Regional Unions and member National Associations, ensuring the application of standardized rules.

Article 2. Application

The Competition Rules shall apply to all the competitions to be promoted and /or organized by the WTF, each Regional Union and member National Association. However, any member National Association wishing to modify some part of the Competition Rules must first gain the approval of the WTF.

Article 3. Competition Area

The Competition Area shall comprise Contest Area measured 14m x 14m in metric system and have a flat surface without any obstructing projections. The Contest Area shall be covered with an elastic mat. However, the Contest Area may be installed on a platform 0.5m - 0.6m high from the base, if necessary, and the outer part of the Boundary Line shall be inclined with a gradient of less than 30 degrees for the safety of the contestants.
1.    Demarcation of the Contest Area
1)    The 14m x 14m area shall be called the Contest Area.
2)    The demarcation of the Contest Area shall be distinguished by a white line with
5cm wide in case of wooden competition area.
2.    Indication of positions
1)    The position of the Chief Competition coordinator shall be marked at a point 1 .5m inwards from the right top corner facing the judge’s table.
2)    The position of competition coordinator shall be marked outside from the line of the right side.
3)    The position of the competition coordinators shall be marked outside from the line of the left side facing the judge’s table.
4)    The position of the contestant shall be marked at I m back from the center of the contest area in the opposite direction of the Judges table.
5)    Judges table shall be marked at I m from the contest area and I m between the judges
6)    Recorders desk shall be marked at 1.5m behind away from the judges table.
7)    Medical desk shall be marked at 3m away from the recorders desk.

3.Diagram of the competition area

Medi                                                                          Medical table
Rec                                                                                Recorder
R1,2,3,4,5            1,2,3, 4, 5 Judges
C1                      Contest Area
C2                      Contestants waiting area for contest
C3                     Contestants waiting area for result
XI                      Chief Competition Coordinator
X2                      Contestant’s mark
X3                                                                                     2nd Competition Coordinator
X4                      3rd Competition Coordinator

4.Diagram of the competition platform

To set up this platform, the safety area with I m wide from the contest area should be secured.

1.    Qualification of contestants
1)    Holder of the nationality of the participating team
2)    One recommended by the national Taekwondo Association
3)    Holder of Taekwondo Dan certificate issued by Kukkiwon.
2.    Costume for contestants
1)    Contestants shall wear only the WTF approved uniform at the WTF sanctioned Poomsae Championships.
2)    There is no dress code for fabric for Creative Poomsae and Taekwondo Exercise contestants. However, the dress must be similar with the official Taekwondo uniform. Contestants who wish to wear Taekwondo uniform must wear those duly recognized by the WTF.
3.    Medical Control
1)    At the Taekwondo events promoted or sanctioned by WTF. any use or administration of drugs or chemical substances described in the WTF anti-doping laws is prohibited.
2)    The WTF may carry out medical testing deemed necessary to ascertain if a contestant has committed a breach of this rule, and any winner who refuses to undergo this testing or who proves to have committed such a breach shall be removed from the final standings, and the record must be transferred to the contestant next in line in the competition standings.
3)    The Organizing Committee shall be liable for arrangements to carry out medical testing.
4)    The details of the WTF Anti-Doping Regulation shall be enacted as part of the bylaws.

1.   Individual competition will be divided according to age, and gender.
2.   Team competition by gender
3.   Individual Creative by gender
4.   Creative team by gender
5.   Team mixed gender
6.   Mixed gender creative
7.   Combined team competition
8.   Combined creative team competition

1.   Men, women and mixed divisions shall be divided according to age
2.   There is no specific limitation to Poom, Dan for group competition.
3.   The team shallbe composed of 5 contestants.
4.   The division shall be divided as follows.
Junior Division (14-17 years old)
J/Male/Individual J/M/Team J/M/Indiv.Creative J/M/Team/Creative i/Female/Indiv. J/F/Team J/F/Indiv.Creative J/F/Team/Creative
Senior Division (Over age of 18 and not exceeding 40)
S/Male/Individual S/M/Team S/M/Indiv.Creative S/M/Team/Creative S/F/Individual S/F/Team S/F/Indiv.Creative S/F/Team/Creative
Masters Division (Over age of 40)
M/Male/Individual M/M/Team M/M/Indiv.Creative M/M/TeamlCreative M/F/Individual M/F/Team M/F/Indiv.Creative M/F/Team/Creative
Total 24 Divisions

*    Every division will be accepted if there are 5 or more applicants
*    Every team division will be accepted if there are 5 or more teams applied
A.   Elimination
Elimination will be up to before quarterfinal that depends on the number of contestants.
B.   Final
Winners up to ~ place shall be decided at quarterfinal
1.    Individual Competition
1)    Contestants shall conduct two designated poomsae out of the I ~ Compulsory poomsae. Contestants of same division shall present the same compulsory poomsae.
2)    Contestants shall conduct designated poomsae out of the 2nd Compulsory poomsae. Contestants of same division shall present the same poomsae.
3)    The above three poomsae shall be done with 3 different appearance.
2.    Team Competition
I)    Participating team in team competition shall conduct a designated poomsae among the 1sr compulsory poomsae. Conduct one of two different Poomsae with twise different appearance.
2) Creative Poomsae:
Present twice the creative poomsae as submitted.

Division	1st Compulsory Poomsae	2nd Compulsory Poomsae
Junior Division (14-17 years old)	Taeguek 5,6, 7, 8 Jang	Koryo, Keumgang, Taeback
Senior Division (18 - 40)	Taeguek 6, 7, 8, Koryo	Koiyo Keumgang, Taeback, . Pyongwon, Shipjin
Masters Division (Over age of 40)	Taeguek 8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taeback	Taeback, Pyongwon, Shipjin, Jitae, Hansu

I.    Contestant who wishes to participate in Creative Poomsae Competition must submit the detailed program in advance.
1)    The total number of movements shall be limited to 60, and minimum 50 movements.
2)    The maximum steps shall be limited to 40, and at least 30.
3)    75% of the movements shall be Taekwondo techniques.
2.    The movements to be included in Creative Poomsae

I. Individual contestants or team shall begin the contest within 10 seconds after the referee’s declaration of “Junbi (Ready)”.
2. After 10 seconds from the referee’s declaration, 5 points per I second shall be deducted. Deduction will be declared by the referee, and the judges shall execute.

1.    The drawing of lots shall be conducted one day prior to the first competition in the presence of the WTF officials and the representatives of the participating teams, and the drawing of lots shall be done in the English alphabetical order of the official names of the participating teams in accordance with the order of classification of the Article.6.
2.    Officials shall be designated to draw lots on behalf of the officials of participating teams not present at the drawing.
3.    The order of the draw may be changed according to the decision of the Head of Team meeting.

I. Upon receipt of the application, Dan or Poom certificate and nationality shall be confirmed.
2. Contestant and the application shall be identified before the competition.

1.    Competition coordinator shall make contestants stand in a row in order of the drawing.
2.    Competition coordinator shall guide the contestants with the application to the Court C2 for line up in order
3.    Hand over the application and contestants to X3 (Judges).
4.    Judge shall screen the application and the name of contestant.
5.   Xl referee shall admit the contestant in the competition area and stand in the X2 position.
6.    Referee shall choose one of the 1st compulsory poomsae among and conduct the 1st Preliminary round.
7.    All contestants who completed the 1st preliminary shall return to the previous position and stand by.
8.    Referee shall choose one of the 1st compulsory poomsae and conduct the 2ndPreliminary round.
9.    All contestants who completed the 2nd preliminary shall return to the previous position and stand by.
10. The name of contestants advanced to the next round or the team results shall be publicized on the monitor set up at the competition venue.
11. Finalists will be called by official in due time.

The Valid points shall be combined considering correctness of technique and presentation.
1. Technical aspects
1)    Accuracy of Poomsae:
Conduct of designated techniques and technical accuracy (Mistakes, change, additional .techniques or movements) shall be observed.
2. Technical Accuracy
1)    Correctness of Poomsae
2)    Direction to “Look”
3)    Stance
4)    Hand technique (In accordance with standard techniques)
5)   Accuracy of kicking technique (Front foot, foot brade, kicking height and power)
6)    Power and speed
7)    Breathing
3.    Presentation
1)    Artistic merit
2)    Attitude and etiquette
3)    Connection and coordination of movements
4)    Presentation of combination technique

Scoring is divided into technical aspects and presentation. 50 points will be equally given these two parts respectively.
1.    Technical accuracy
1)    Scoring begins from the full mark (50 points).
2)    Each mistake will cause deduction from 50 points.
3)    –1 point shall be deducted for each mistake.
4)    In case of repeated mistakes, points shall be deducted case by case.
5)   Considering A, Article 11, –4 or –5 points could be deducted for one movement.
6)    The final score for technical aspects shall be publicized upon completion of Poomsae.
2. Presentation
5)    It begins with the minimum points of 20.
6)    3 points shall be added for each excellent movement.
7)    In case of repeated excellence, points shall be added case by case.
8)    For scoring, connection of movements, distribution of power, breathing and spirit shall be taken into consideration.
9)    The final score for presentation shall be publicized upon completion of Poomsae.

1. Technical accuracy
I)    In case of using the electronic instruments, the left button shall be used for deduction points of technical matters.
2)    By pressing the left button, I point shall be deducted every time.
3)    The final score shall be publicized upon calling of chief of coordinator after completion of poomsae.
4)    In case of scoring manually, mark the mistake each time.
5)   Tick the short diagonal for each mistake.
6)    Count all ticks after completion of poomsae.
7)    Write down the final points deducted from 50.
2. Presentation
1)    In case of using the electronic instruments, the right button shall be used for addition of points.
2)    From the total points (20 points) three points shall be added for each press.
3)    The final score shall be publicized automatically after completion of Poomsae.
4)    In case of scoring manually, mark the points every time.
5)   Tick the short diagonal for each score.
6)    Count all ticks after completion of poomsae.
7)    the total score by adding the score to the basic 20 points.

1.    Total score shall be counted by adding sub-totals for technical aspects and presentation.
2.    The final score shall be notified to each contestant or publicized at the scoring board.
3.    The total score shall be publicized in accordance with the referee’s declaration.
4.    In case of manual publication, the score shall be publicized simultaneously.
5.    The final score shall be publicized with deletion of the highest and lowest points.
6.    The final selected judges’ scores shall be flashed for 5 seconds on the scoreboard.

1.    The winner shall be the contestant who got the most points.
2.    In case of tie score, re-contest shall be conducted between tie scorers.
3.    One of the compulsory poomsae shall be conducted for re-contest. The previous score does not affect the score of re-contest.

1. If contestants stopped the contest due to some reasons, they may restart the contest with the –10 points deducted. This time, the full points shall be 40 points and 10 points on presentation.
2. If contestants demonstrate wrong techniques, –5 points shall be deducted each time.

1.    Refereeing officials shall fall into the 3rd, 2nd and 1st class.
1)    3rd class refereeing officials shall be holder of Kukkiwon 5 or 6 dan, and must have passed the Referee seminar. 3rd class refereeing officials can only officiate all junior divisions.
2)   2nd class refereeing officials shall be holder of Kukkiwon 7 dan and must have passed the Referee seminar. 2nd class refereeing officials can only officiate the junior & senior divisions.
3)   1st class refereeing officials shall be holder of Kukkiwon 8 or 9 dan and must have passed the Referee seminar. lst class refereeing officials can officiate all divisions.

1.    In case of using the electronic instruments, the score shall be publicized on the scoreboard automatically.
2.    In case of scoring manually, record the score on the scoring sheet.
3.    Publicize the total score.
4.    One or two recorders shall be designated to undertake the recordings.

1.    5 judges shall be allocated according to the divisions.
2.    One chief coordinator shall conduct the contest.
3.    Two competition coordinators shall confirm the contestants and let contestants in or out.

3.    Gyoungrye (Bow)
4.    Poomsae Junbi (Ready)
5.    Shijak (Begin)
6.    Keuman(Stop)
7.    Charyot (Attention)
8.    Gyoungrye (Bow)
9.    Jeomsoo Balpyo (Publication of score)
10. Sunsoo Toejang (Dismissed or exit the court)

Article. 24 Arbitration and Sanction

1. Composition of the Board of Arbitration
1)    Qualification of the members: Member of Executive Council of the WTF or person with sufficient Taekwondo experience recommended by the WTF President or Secretary General. One Technical Delegate shall be the Ex-officio member.
2)    Composition: One Chairman and less than six members plus the Technical Delegate.
3)    Procedure of Appointment: The Chairman and members of the board of Arbitration will be appointed by the WTF President on the recommendation of the WTF Secretary General.
2. Responsibility: The Board of Arbitration shall make corrections of misjudgments according to their decision regarding protests and take disciplinary action against the officials committing the misjudgment or any illegal behavior and the results of which shall be sent to the Secretary General of the WTF, The Board of Arbitration Shall also be entitled the Extraordinary Committee of Sanction concurrently at the competition for the matters in the relation to competition management
3. Procedure of Protest
I)    In case there is an objection to a referee judgement, an official delegate of the team must submit an application for re-evaluation of decision (protest application) together with the prescribed fee to the Board of Arbitration within 10 minutes after pertinent contest.
2)    Deliberation of re-evaluation shall be carried out excluding those members with the same nationality as that of either contestant concerned, and resolution on deliberation shall be made by majority.
3)   The members of the Board of Arbitration may summon the refereeing officials for confirmation of events.

4) The resolution made by the Board of Arbitration will be final and no further means of appeal will be applied.

4.           Procedure of Sanction
1)   The WTF President or Secretary General (in case of their absence, the Technical Delegate) may request the Extraordinary Committee of Sanction for deliberation when any of the following behaviors are committed by a coach or a contestant.
–                                     Interfering with the management of contest or stirring up the spectators for the same purpose.
–                                     Interfering with the operation of the competition conducted by the WTF and the Organizing Committee.
–                                     Spreading false rumor for the purpose of exerting an unwarranted influence on the judgement.
2)   When judged reasonable, the Extraordinary Committee of Sanction shall deliberate over the matter and take disciplinary action immediately. The result of deliberation shall be announced to the public and reported to the WTF secretariat afterwards.
3)   The Extraordinary Committee of Sanction may summon the person concerned for confirmation of events.