General Rules

• All competitors in sparring must weigh in. Weigh-ins will be held the night before the competition (August 5) from 4:00-9:00 pm
• Competitors that are not at or below their registered weight will be subject to disqualification.
• Juniors will be given a 2-pound uniform weight allowance. The minimum clothing requirement is a pair of uniform pants and a T-shirt.
• Standard USAT (modified WTF) sparring rules will apply, including differential scoring in appropriate divisions. The latest version of the USAT Competition Rules is available from the USAT.
• There are NO point ceilings, but there is a 12 POINT GAP rule at ANY time during the match.
• The match numbering system will apply. Competitors must arrive at the ring with their coach three matches prior to their match number. Match numbers will be posted at the rings and in the warm-up area. Competitors who are not present at the time of their match may be disqualified.

Mandatory Equipment for Sparring (all ages)

• Standard white, V-neck taekwondo uniform (black collar for black belts, white collar for everyone else including red belts) in good condition.
• Properly-fitting chest protector with red and blue scoring zones that wraps around and covers the entire back except the spine of the athlete in the valid scoring area. This rule will be strictly enforced for the safety of every competitor.
• Foam, cloth, or vinyl shin protector and forearm guard. Forearm guards with hand protectors attached are not allowed.
• WTF-approved open-finger gloves are optional for color belt competitors and mandatory for black belts age 14 and up.
• Open-toe foot protectors (aka socks) or foam, cloth, or vinyl instep pads, but not both. If instep pads are taped on, they must adhere to the rules published below.
• Knee pads and elbow pads are optional, but if worn, they must be made of foam, cloth, or vinyl.
• Groin protection (required for males), worn under uniform.
• Properly-fitting USAT or WTF foam head gear, with no damage or cracks. White, red or blue only.
• Mouth guard.
• Head gear, gloves, and foot protectors can be white, red, or blue, and, if not white, must correspond to the color of the chest protector. If both foot protectors and gloves are worn, they must be of the same color (white, red, or blue).
• Examples of acceptable and unacceptable chest protectors appear below:

All competitors are responsible for adhering to these Athletic Taping and Padding Rules (file in Adobe's PDF format).

Poomsae/Forms Rules:

The only poomsae accepted is the Taegeuk series for color belts, and Koryo, Keumgang, Taebaek, Pyungwon, Sipjin, Jitae, Cheonkwon, Hansoo, and Ilyo for black belts. These are all recognized by USAT and WTF. The poomsae must match the rank.

Scoring/Contact Rules:

Kyorugi divisions will be formed around these belt levels: Yellow/Orange, Green/Purple,Blue/Brown,Red/Red-Black and Black. The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify divisions at his discretion. A sudden death overtime match will be used to determine the winner in case of a tie score.

Adult Black Belt Weight Categories

Weights are in pounds. The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify divisions at his discretion.

Points

Coaches

Each coach must register and pay the coach's fee in order to coach an athlete. In addition, the coach must check in at the appropriate time (designated in the Schedule section of our website). Coaches/Instructors will have access to the competition floor only while accompanying a competitor three matches prior to the competitors match and must present the pass at that time. Coaches/Athletes must leave the competition floor immediately after their match. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior on the part of the coach may result in disqualification of the competitor and/or expulsion from the tournament.