Olympic Sparring Rules 

We are following the USAT Rules, details can be found here.

Flag Sparring Rules

Perfect for younger competitors, this event is no-contact but teaches basic sparring principles. Matches are 1v1. Each competitor will be given a belt with 3 flags on it, attached to the belt using velcro. The velcro attachments must be facing away from the competitor. The goal is to obtain the most flags in the given time frame while not losing your own flags. Objective: 1. Keep your flags from being captured through footwork, body movement, and blocks 2. Capture all of your opponent’s flags for the round 3. Have captured more flags than your opponent when the round ends Gear: White uniform (to ensure fairness of scoring). NO JEWELRY, especially bracelets, watches, bands, or rings. Ring Size: 3 mats by 3 mats, or 9m x 9m Rounds: Two 30 second rounds with a 30 second break. Flags will be returned to competitors between rounds so that each round they start with 3, regardless of how many they lost the previous round. Before starting a match, the Referee should check to ensure that both competitors’: • Belts are securely tied. • All flags are placed appropriately. • There are no other conditions which may negatively impact the fairness or safety of the match. Prohibited Attacks: • Removing a flag after the judge has paused/stopped the match. • Removing a flag while a body part other than the foot is in contact with the ground. • Removing a flag by or during the commission of a penalty. • Removing a flag in a way which, in the opinion of the Referee, is dangerous or likely to cause injury to one or both competitors. Prohibited Defenses: • Holding one’s own flag • Falling down • Delaying the match (running away, refusing to engage) Penalties: • Stepping out of bounds (no feet in the ring) • Striking, tackling, pushing, or grappling • Having more than 2 points of contact with the ground (ie, kneeling or purposefully diving/falling to the ground) • Grabbing hold of an opponent’s body or arms (particularly if not done as part of an attempt to score). • Moving, repositioning, or otherwise handling one’s own flag after the match has begun. • Taunting an opponent or otherwise demonstrating poor sportsmanship. • Behaving in a way which is dangerous or likely to cause injury. The Referee will determine if competitors’ behaviors are dangerous. Behaviors which may be dangerous include, but are not limited to: • Competitors standing off from one another and then one or both charging at the other. • Competitor raising hands and arms to an opponent’s head level. • Competitor leaning forward, esp. for an extended length of time / not part of a specific attempt to score. Penalties should escalate only if necessary. • 1st offense: Verbal warning. The Ref may choose not to stop the match unless it would be unfair. • 2nd offense: Stop match and repeat verbal warning. • 3rd offense: Stand directly in front of offending competitor and issue another verbal warning. • 4th offense: Remove/replace one flag. Avoid ending a match by removing a flag for penalty. • 5th offense: Disqualification. Notes: • You may only grab your opponent’s flag or block their attempts to grab yours – no other contact is allowed. • Time does not stop when a flag has been captured. • Competitors must hold onto their captured flags. Flags left on the ground will not be added to your score. • Time is stopped by the judge in order to issue warnings. • The round ends once a competitor has lost all of their flags or if time is up. Tie breaker round: If after two rounds the competitors are tied, then they will go into sudden death. They will have 30 seconds and the first one to get a flag wins. If no one gets a flag in those 30 seconds, then the judge will determine the winner based on skill, technique, and dexterity.

Board Breaking Routine Event Rules & Regulations:

Area: 4 meters by 4 meters minimum

Time: 3 minutes to set up, 2 minutes to break

Notes: Competitor weight must be accurate. Judging is based on your weight class, so if you fall outside your registered weight class it will greatly affect your technical score.

Competition Rules & Regulations

1. Competitors must use the Beyond Sports Taekwondo Board Breaking System to create their outlines.
2. Competitors must submit their Board Breaking outline by the specified due date.
3. Competitor must perform at least 5 breaks but may break as many as 10 within the time limit.
4. Once your outline is submitted we will contact you to pay for the boards separately. We will then mark your boards with the order and breaks you selected. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us before the board breaking outline deadline.
5. Competitor should provide his own holders. Board Supports will be available for power breaks.
6. Competitor Score is based on the Combination of your technical score (the difficulty of the break in relation to the competitor’s weight class) and your presentation score (the creativity, originality, entertainment value, etc).
7. Students should be in their full white Taekwondo uniform.
8. Taping is not allowed. If you have not conditioned enough to break a board without taping it is best to either drop a board size or save the break until you are properly conditioned. This also applies to socks, shoes, or other protective barriers. 
9. Competitors will have 3 minutes to set up and 2 minutes to break.

Hand Technique Down Event Rules & Regulations

 Area: Both of the participant’s feet must remain in the designated area (approx. 2 meters x 2 meters)

Striking Surface: Hand only. Common striking surfaces include palm heel, hammer, ridge, or knuckles.

Board Size: ¾-inch pine boards (Demo 3) with no spacers. Boards must be prepaid with registration or purchased at the tournament venue to ensure fairness.

Height of Break: Approx 12-18”. All Boards will be placed on a board holding stand resting on the floor.

Notes: The participant will be allowed 60 seconds to set up the board(s) on the stand. No spacers or tape is allowed. After the judge says “Si-Jak,” they may not touch the boards except to attempt to break them.

1. Participants will break as many boards as they can with a hand technique moving down. Common techniques include palm strike down, hammerfist down, or knife hand down.
2. Each Participant will have one attempt to perform their chosen break.
3. Once the Referee declares “Si-Jak,” the Participant may not touch their boards except to execute their one breaking attempt. They will have 30 seconds to execute their break.
4. Participants may not cover their striking appendage with any bandages, tape, or any other material. The referee must approve any injuries that may need to be covered.
5. The participant who breaks the most boards will be declared the winner.
6. If two or more participants break the same number of boards, the participant who attempted to break the greatest number of boards will receive a higher score. (Example: P1 attempts to break 5 boards, but only 4 break.  P2 attempts 4 boards and all break. P1 will score higher in the division.)
7. In the event of a tie for 1^st place only, there will be one overtime round.

Overtime:

1. Overtime can be caused by:
   • Participants breaking the same number of boards. In this case participants will each attempt the same break again, but with 1 additional board each.
   • Neither Participant breaks any boards. In this case participants will each attempt the same break again, or with one less board each, as determined by the referee.
2. Both participants must use the same breaking machine to ensure fairness.
3. If both participants attempt the same number of boards, but neither one breaks all the boards, then the one who broke the most will be declared the winner.
4. If there is still a tie, the winner will be determined based on body weight – the lighter participant will be declared the winner. A scale will be provided at the event.

Deductions:

1. Participant exceeds the 30-second time limit (1 board deduction)
2. Participant steps outside of the designated area (1 board deduction per occurrence)
3. Participant disobeys the referee’s instructions (1 board deduction)
4. Unsportsmanlike conduct, such as being disrespectful to or trying to distract other participants (1 board deduction per occurrence)

Grounds for Disqualification (Score of 0):

1. Participant attempts to break the boards twice
2. Participant uses any other part of their body besides the designated striking surface to break.
3. Participant falls down during the 30-second attempt, or touches the ground with any part of the body besides the feet
4. Touching the boards after the referee declares “Si-Jak”. Any touch, no matter how light, is considered to be your one and only attempt. Any other touching will result in a score of zero.

Continuous Spin Hook Kick Speed Break Event Rules & Regulations:

Area: Both of the participant’s feet must remain in the designated area (approx. 2 meters x 2 meters) Participant may not step down in holders’ territory.

Striking Surface: Heel/bottom of foot only. Calf, side, and top of foot breaks will not be counted.

Board Size: ¼ -inch pine boards (Demo 1). Boards are included in registration and will be provided in the ring.

Height of Break: Boards must be held above the breaker’s waist to be counted.

Notes: Keep in mind that touching the ground with anything besides the bottom of your foot will result in disqualification. It is better to pause for a second to regain equilibrium than to fall over or touch your hands to the ground, even briefly.

1. Participant will attempt to break as many 1/4 -inch pine boards (Demo 1s) as possible in 30 seconds.
2. Participants must break with their heel or the bottom of their foot.
3. Participants may not cover their striking appendage with any bandages, tape, or any other material. The referee must approve any injuries that may need to be covered.
4. During their attempt, if their foot touches the board but the board does NOT break, the holder CANNOT reuse that board for the next attempt. The holder must reload a NEW board. If the participant does not touch the board, then the holder can reuse that board for the next attempt.
5. The maximum number of holders allowed is four, with 2 holders in front. The front two holders must wear chest protectors and headgear.
6. Holders will be provided, but participants may use their own holders if desired. Their holders will only be allowed on the competition floor during the participant’s event and should wear a TKD uniform or black slacks & a white shirt. Only Martial Arts shoes are allowed on the mat.
7. The Breaker may determine the height of the board so long as it is above their waist and may have their holders place the boards as high as they want.
8. Holders may only use one hand to hold the board the participant is attempting to break.
9. Holders and participants must remain in their respective, separate, 2 meter x 2 meter squares.
10. The participant who breaks the most boards will be declared the winner.
11. In the event of a tie for 1^st place only, there will be one overtime round.

Overtime:

1. Participants will attempt to break as many 1/4 -inch pine boards (Demo 1s) as possible in 30 seconds.
2. If there is still a tie, both participants will be awarded 1^st

NOT Counted – Broken boards will NOT be included in the final score for the following infractions:

1. The bottom of the board was held below the participant’s waist
2. Participant stepped outside of their designated area
3. Broke with something other than the HEEL/BOTTOM of the foot, such as with the foot edge or instep.
4. The holder moved their wrist/hand to assist the breaking

Deductions:

1. Participant disobeys the referee’s instructions (1 board deduction)
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct, being disrespectful, trying to distract other participants (1 board per occurrence)

Grounds for Disqualification (Score of 0):

1. Participant falls down or touches the ground with any part of the body besides the feet.
2. Participant or Holder crosses over any boundary line more than 3 times.
3. Participant breaks the board with foot edge or instep more than 3 times.

We follow the USAT Sport Poomsae Rules

(Detailed rules coming soon)

(Detailed rules coming soon)