What Are the 5 Rules of Taekwondo 4?
Taekwondo is a martial art with five core tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance and self-control.
Taekwondo matches typically consist of three two-minute rounds. The fighter with the highest point total at the conclusion of each bout wins the bout.
Fighters must land kicks and punches to target specific areas – the torso and head in particular – in order to score points. Kicks must also land powerfully.
1. Points are scored for punches and kicks to the body
Taekwondo uses points as a method for scoring strikes against different parts of the body, with strikes to the torso, legs or arms scoring points for fighters. Referees and judges evaluate each strike’s cleanliness to assign specific amounts of points per fighter in three-round matches that last two minutes per round with one minute breaks between rounds for breaks for fighters.
Fighters may earn points for body attacks, but can lose points for making unsportsmanlike gestures or employing illegal techniques – including kicking their opponent while they attempt to block or attack, throwing their leg into an area not designated for kicks, pushing or grabbing opponents, or stepping outside of the fighting area. A fighter may also forfeit one point if they step outside the fighting arena during a match.
Taekwondo’s fighting area, or mat, typically resembles an octagon with an eight meter diameter and provides ample surface area. Fighters use its boundaries strategically; when beginning an opponent bout they usually begin by lining up on one of its edges – usually the right.
Each competitor is only permitted to employ a limited range of techniques, yet still must punch and kick their opponent as effectively as possible. Kicks to the torso, for example, should aim for heel or outside edge of foot; back kicks may hit powerfully but miss altogether, leaving bruises in their wake; rising block (chookya makgi) provides protection by absorbing impact with forearm.
2. Points are not scored for punches to the head
Taekwondo rules prohibit punches to the head from scoring points, as these blows could result in serious injury and are less accurate or powerful than strikes to the body. Furthermore, to count for scoring purposes all strikes must be precise and powerful enough for counting; most matches are scored manually but high-level tournaments like Olympics feature sensors built into protective equipment which enable electronic scoring of every match.
As well as scoring points with kicks and punches, fighters may also receive penalties during a fight for other acts such as grabbing, pushing or holding their opponent, attacking with knee or head contact and other illegal attacks – any violation will incur a gam-jeom fine of 150 won per offense committed by them.
Gam-jeom penalties deduct one point from each contestant’s score, making a serious offense even more likely to lead to disqualification from a match – such as attacking with hands, turning your back on an opponent or intentionally crossing over boundary lines.
Punches and kicks earn points depending on where and how hard they hit, with one punch to the torso earning one point and kicks to either head or body two points each. A spinning attack may earn five points; however, its execution requires great flexibility and discipline from competitors. At the conclusion of three rounds, the winner of a Taekwondo match is determined by who has amassed more points; otherwise a sudden death round will be held to decide this final matchup.
3. Points are not scored for punches to the torso
Taekwondo is a martial art that improves flexibility, stamina, agility and power while cultivating courtesy and discipline. As such it can be practiced by people of all ages and abilities – from children to senior citizens – from beginners to advanced martial artists. Taekwondo has become extremely popular across many countries with competitions taking place worldwide in which fighters of similar gender are organized into weight categories to ensure fights are as evenly matched as possible.
At the end of three rounds, a fighter’s score is determined by their point total at the conclusion of their fight. A winner may be determined through knocking out their opponent; however, at higher levels this may not always be possible.
Taekwondo scoring systems can be extremely complex; however, they generally work similarly to other sports. Points are awarded for permitted, accurate, and powerful techniques that hit legal scoring areas such as the body (blue or red area of trunk protector) or head (area above neck and both ears). Blows must be delivered using straight techniques that cause enough power to cause damage; strikes on other parts of the body including torso or spine are not permitted.
Kicks must be delivered using the front part of the foot below the ankle, not with either shins or knees, while lifting legs or kicks for more than three seconds is not permitted; attacking an opponent after “Kal-yeo” (break) also incurs penalties; other violations include stepping outside bounds, pushing opponents away, or protesting referee decisions are also penalties.
4. Points are not scored for punches below the waist
Taekwondo is a sport that demands agility, power and discipline as well as courtesy and respect for others. An important tenet of Taekwondo is creating an inclusive and positive gym atmosphere while encouraging good sportsmanship – for instance students should bow respectfully when speaking with higher belts, treat their seniors the way that they would wish them to treat them and don’t correct their mistakes or use their techniques against them.
Taekwondo involves scoring points by striking an opponent within their legal scoring areas of their body, such as their trunk protector’s blue or red covered areas and head (above neck, both ears, and back of head). Attacks must only come from either hand (using front knuckle of clenched fist as weapon) or foot (any part below ankle bone), with strikes must be powerful yet accurate to gain points.
Taekwondo matches consist of three rounds, each lasting two minutes, with an interval of one minute between rounds. A match is won by either knocking out their opponent or having more points by the end of three rounds; otherwise if there is no clear winner after all rounds have concluded a “golden point” round may be held whereby the first fighter who scores one is declared as such and declared victor.
Taekwondo matches typically take place in an enclosed arena resembling either an octagon or square with an eight meter diameter, lined with padded walls to reduce any possible injuries from accidental collisions. Electronic scoring systems may be utilized, with judges pressing buttons when they recognize an effective strike as part of a panel of judges’ scoring system.
5. Wins must be correctly declared
At Taekwondo competitions, victories can be determined either by points scored against an opponent or through knock-out. Competitors aim to land punches and kicks on scoring zones such as the torso or head; light contact does not count. Furthermore, they must fit within their weight category standards.
Refereeing a sparring match requires impartial oversight from an impartial standpoint and making on-the-fly decisions to enforce sport’s rules, as well as making judgement calls regarding violations to sportsmanship rules that lead to ejection from matches. They should also monitor safety for competitors and ensure equipment functions efficiently.
A fight will officially commence when a center referee calls “Chung, Hong.” Both contestants should enter the arena with their head protectors tucked under their left arms and bow to the referee before walking towards each other and taking a stance before entering. At that time, a referee will check their mouth guards before starting the match.
Most often, a winner is announced at the conclusion of each round; however, in other sports it may differ significantly. Some sports determine winners through another round while taekwondo gives priority to the first fighter who scores a point due to its being a striking sport where kicks can do more harm than punches; additionally it is essential that referees can identify which techniques were effective or ineffective before awarding points according to which fighter won based on total points totalled up by each fighter.
