Watching Continuous Sparring
The following guidelines may help spectators in enjoying and appreciating Taekwondo sparring matches that use the Olympic, continuous sparring, style.
Valid Scoring Areas
- Punching front of the chest protector
- Kicking front of the chest protector
- Kicking to the front or side of the head
Indications of a Valid Score
- Striking the above listed areas by a clean, powerful blow (trembling shock), which may be indicated by:
- Sharp burst of sound upon impact on the chest protector
- Abrupt displacement of the body upon impact
- Player is knocked to the floor by a forceful blow
- Generally a point is scored by any legal technique landing accurately to the face
Warnings and Deductions (Penalties)
The referee declares a foul when any of the following prohibited acts are committed. A warning is subject to deduction of 0.5 point and more for serious violations.
Warnings
- Grabbing the opponent
- Pushing the opponent with the shoulder, body, hands or arms
- Holding the opponent with the hands or arms
- Intentionally crossing the alert line
- Evading by turning the back to the opponent
- Intentionally falling down
- Pretending injury
- Attacking with the knee
- Attacking the groin intentionally
- Intentionally stomping or kicking any part of the leg or foot
- Hitting the opponent's face with the hand or fist
- Gesturing to indicate scoring or deduction by raising hand (self cheering), etc.
- Uttering undesirable remarks or any misconduct on the part of the contestant or the coach
Deduction of Points
- Attacking the fallen opponent
- Intentional attack after the Referee's declaration of Kalyeo (break)
- Attacking the back and/or the back of the head intentionally
- Attacking the opponents face severely with the hand or fist
- Butting
- Crossing the boundary line
- Throwing the opponent
- Violent or extreme remarks or behavior on the part of the contestant or the coach
Characteristics of a Taekwondo Match
To appreciate Taekwondo competition more fully , the spectator must look beyond the results of the match, toward the inherent beauty of the techniques, which are an expression of the competitor's Taekwondo spirit. Taekwondo is an intense combat sport using kicking and punching techniques that are known for their destructive power and astonishing beauty of form. Taekwondo competition is different from other combat sports because of its fighting strategies. These strategies, developed through scientific inquiry and experience, are the key to appreciating the beauty and complexity of the Taekwondo match. Another significant aspect of Taekwondo is found in its kicking techniques, which have the destructive power to bring the match to an end instantly and unexpectedly by a knockout.
The nature of Taekwondo's competitive spirit is embodied in the competitor who displays a true warrior spirit, both when winning and losing.
Match Outcomes
The decision of the match is determined by valid scores that were awarded or deducted. A valid score is +1 point, a kyunggo warning is -1/2 point and a gamjeom warning is -1 point per award of declaration. Two or more judges must score the technique for the point to be awarded. If one 1/2 point deduction is given to a competitor, it will have no effect on his or her score. If two 1/2 point deductions are given, a full point will then be deducted from the competitor's score.
In adding the total score, the greatest positive values, or in the case of deductions, the least negative value shall be awarded the match. In the case of a tie, the player having been awarded the valid score shall be declared the winner. If the match outcome cannot be decided by these methods, the player being awarded the greater number of rounds on superiority by the referee's scoring will be declared the winner. If a valid score or deduction point occurs in the course of a round, superiority shall automatically be determined by the score of the round. If no valid score or deduction points are recorded, or in the case of a perfect tie, superiority, as determined by the referees, shall be displayed by a "V" on the appropriate side of the scoreboard.
In viewing a Taekwondo match, the following guidelines are essential for full appreciation:
- Comparing the perceived score with the score posted by the officials at the end of each round.
- Recognizing and comparing each competitor's special techniques and habitual style of attack and defense with that of their opponents.
- Recognizing which style is more effective in the course of each match, the attacking style that uses aggressive, powerful techniques and big motions, or the counter attacking style that uses accurate techniques.