Competition Guidelines

TRADITIONAL FORMS GUIDELINES

  • Allowed patterns are defined in the AAU Taekwondo Handbook. Kukkiwon, ITF, & TSD patterns will be allowed to compete at this championship.
  • The official Forms/Patterns accepted for competition shall be: Kukkiwon (Taegeuk & Pal Gwe), ITF, and TSD/MDK
  • Forms/Patterns Cannot Be Altered or Modified. Do not add or leave out kicks or movements. Doing so can result in disqualification.
  • These events will be offered for all ages and all belt levels
Belt Colors KUKKIWON ITF TSD/MDK
White/Yellow/Orange Taegeuk 1-2

Pal Gwe 1-2

 Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun, Do-San Ki-Cho (KiBon) 1-3

Pyung-An/Pinan 1
Green/Purple/Blue Taegeuk 2-6

Pal Gwe 2-6

 Do-San, Won-Hyo, Yul-Gok,

Joong-Gun, Toi-Gye

 Ki-Cho (KiBon) 3-5

Pyung-An/Pinan 2-3
Red & Brown Taegeuk 6-8

Pal Gwe 6-8

 Toi-Gye

Hwa-Rang, Choong-Moo

 Pyung-An/Pinan 4-5

Passaai (Bassai) Dai

Passaai (Bassai) So
1st Dan Koryo Choong-Moo, Kwang-Gae,

Po-Eun, Ge-Baek

 Passaai (Bassai) Dai

Passaai (Bassai) So

Jin Do
2nd Dan Keumgang Eui-Am, Choon-Jang, Ko-Dang, Juche Ro-Hai
3rd Dan Taebaek Sam-Il, Yoo-Sin, Choi-Yong Kong San Kun Dai

Kong San Kun So
4th Dan Pyongwon Yon-Gae, Ul-Ji, Moon-Moo Wan Shu
5th Dan Sip Jin So-San, Se-Jong Ji-On
6th Dan Jitae Tong-Il O Sip Sa Bo
7th Dan Chonkwon Tong-Il Sei-Shan
8th Dan Hansu Tong-Il Sip Soo (Jit Te)
9th Dan Ilyeo Tong-Il Sip Soo (Jit Te)

Kukkiwon: (ALL BELTS – SPORT POOMSAE STANDARDS DO NOT APPLY)

  • Allowed patterns are defined in the AAU Taekwondo Handbook under WT forms
  • This event will be offered for all ages & all belt levels
  • Judging criteria includes Beauty, Grace, Rhythm, Focus, Power, & Technique

ITF: (ALL BELTS)

  • Allowed patterns are defined in the AAU Taekwondo Handbook under ITF forms
  • This event will be offered for all ages & all belt levels
  • Judging criteria includes Beauty, Grace, Rhythm, Focus, Power, & Technique

TSD: (ALL BELTS)

  • Allowed patterns are defined in the AAU Taekwondo Handbook under TSD forms
  • This event will be offered for all ages & all belt levels
  • Judging criteria includes Beauty, Grace, Rhythm, Focus, Power, & Technique

Creative: (ALL BELTS – YOUR CHOICE OF ANY FORMS, ALL STYLES)

  • Any forms or patterns from all martial styles will be allowed to compete together in this Open Poomsae Division
  • Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Karate, and all other styles will be accepted
  • This event will be offered for all ages & all belt levels & No music Allowed
  • Judging criteria includes Beauty, Grace, Rhythm, Focus, Power, & Technique

Traditional Team Forms: (NOT SPORT POOMSAE – MIXED AGES & MIXED BELTS)

  • All traditional Taekwondo forms accepted (Kukkiwon, ITF, TSD)
  • Team of 3 (Mixed Ages & Mixed Belts)
  • Any combinations of 3 Members: {1 male & 2 females} {2 males & 1 female} {3 males} {3 females} {mom, dad, & son}
  • Judging criteria includes Beauty, Grace, Rhythm, Focus, Power, & Technique

Weapon Forms: (ALL BELTS, ALL STYLES)

  • No live blades will be allowed
  • Weapon releases are allowed in this division
  • Inverted aerial maneuvers are allowed in this division
  • Weapons are subject to inspection by Chief Referee and may be prohibited if deemed unsafe
  • Judging criteria includes Beauty, Grace, Rhythm, Focus, Power, Technique & Creativity

Demo Team Competition:

Composition of Team

  • Three (3) to twenty (20) member teams (any rank)
  • All Demo Team members must participate in individual event(s) and MUST select Demo Team as their 2nd or Additional Event
  • A Coach from each Demo Team MUST Register Demo Event and PAY for his Team.
  • All demo members, coaches, volunteers (board holders) must be current AAU members.

Demo Time

  • Maximum one (1) minute set up, maximum eight (8) minutes performance, maximum one (1) minute for cleanup

Judging Criteria

  • All technical Taekwondo skills are graded for execution, presentation, and difficulty. Teams are granted freedom to add creativity to their demonstration, however synchronization may or may not be part of the team demonstration. Demo Team performance criteria must include elements from forms/poomsae, board breaking, and self-defense.

Scoring

  • Each judge will provide three (3) sets of scores with a maximum of ten (10) points for Originality, ten (10) points for Technique and ten (10) points for Difficulty.
  • Five (5) judges will score each performance, with the highest and lowest scores being excluded. Final score is cumulative. In case of a tie, all lowest scores will be added back in, then all highest scores will be added back in to break the tie.
  • Penalties: Exceeding time limit
    • (1). Over six (8) minutes will be a five (5) point penalty from the overall score.
    • (2). Over six (8) minutes 30 second will be a ten (10) point penalty from the overall score.
    • (3). Over nine (9) minutes will be disqualified.

Additional Information

  • All props are subject to inspection of Chief Referee and may be prohibited if deemed unsafe.
  • No jumping or flying over individuals will be allowed.
  • Normal uniform and equipment requirements are waived for demo competition and may be selected by the team.
  • Music and sound effects can be used.
  • Boards are to be purchased at the competition venue unless authorized by the tournament director and are the only type of breaking material allowed in the demonstration.
  • Handheld board holding poles and devices will be allowed as props for breaking (nothing can make contact with the floor)
  • Any music containing vulgarity or profanity is an automatic disqualification.
  • Performance will be done in a matted ring on competition floor

Para Taekwondo Division Rule Modifications (Forms / Breaking):

Para Taekwondo competition follows the same rules and equipment requirements as specified in current AAU Taekwondo Handbook with the following modifications. Divisions are defined in the AAU Taekwondo Policy Handbook

Merits

  • Merit will be awarded on the basis of SPIRIT, focus, technique, power, rhythm, grace, and beauty; listed in order of importance.

Judging Procedure: The scoring method used for forms is Individual Scored Method ONLY.

Board Breaking Guidelines:

Athletes MUST use AAU Official 8mm/11mm boards / Available at the tournament site $5/each

Board holders – Must have current AAU Membership

Repetitive Speed Spin Hook Breaking: (Human Hold Only)

  • Single break format: One (1) board per strike. Allowed technique is SPINNING HOOK KICK. 10 board competition
  • Timed competition, fastest competitor to break 10
  • Allowed 1 holder & 1 feeder
  • Fastest competitor to break 10 wins gold. 2nd fastest competitor to break 10 wins silver. 3rd fastest competitor to break 10 wins bronze

Repetitive Speed Side Kick Breaking: (Human Hold Only)

  • Single break format: One (1) board per strike. Allowed technique is SIDE KICK. 10 board competition
  • Timed competition, fastest competitor to break 10
  • Allowed 1 holder & 1 feeder
  • Fastest competitor to break 10 wins gold. 2nd fastest competitor to break 10 wins silver. 3rd fastest competitor to break 10 wins bronze

Repetitive Speed Hand Breaking (Human Hold):

  • Single break format: One (1) board per strike. Allowed technique includes HAMMER FIST, KNIFE-HAND, RIDGE, PALM or FIST/PUNCH. 10 board competition.
  • Timed competition, fastest competitor to break 10
  • Allowed 1 holder & 1 feeder
  • Fastest competitor to break 10 wins gold. 2nd fastest competitor to break 10 wins silver. 3rd fastest competitor to break 10 wins bronze

Power Hand Breaking: (Center Blocks will be Provided at the event)

  • Single Break Format: One (1) attempt allowed. Athletes compete in an individual manor. One (1) Station per competitor; Spacers allowed. Acceptable techniques include: Fist, Hammer Fist, Palm Heel, Knife Hand, Ridge Hand.
  • Judging criteria is based on the number of boards broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most (or, in the event of a tie, has the highest percentage broken) is the winner.
  • Human Holder/s are not allowed for this event
  • Tie Example “A” broke at 100%; competitor “B” broke at 83%. Competitor “A” is the winner.
  • If more than one competitor has the same percentage broken after their initial break, there will be a break off to determine the winner.

Power Foot Side Kick Breaking (Human Hold):

  • Single Break Format: One (1) attempt allowed. Athletes compete in an individual manor. Acceptable technique is Side Kick. No spacers will be allowed.
  • Judging criteria is based on the number of boards broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most (or, in the event of a tie, has the highest percentage broken) is the winner.
  • Tie Example “A” broke at 100%; competitor “B” broke at 83%. Competitor “A” is the winner.
  • If more than one competitor has the same percentage broken after their initial break, there will be a break off to determine the winner.

Point Sparring:

Visit www.aautaekwondo.org to download the handbook for competition rules

Sport Poomsae: (NOT TRADITIONAL FORMS – BLACK BELTS ONLY)

  • Sport Poomsae is for Black Belts ONLY ages 8 & up.
  • Sport poomsae divisions will be officiated by WT International Referees with current WT rules and AAU modified guidelines.
  • Divisions: Recognized Individual, Recognized Mixed Pair, Recognized Team

Poomsae contestants may wear either the standard V-neck USA/WT uniforms or WT Y-neck competition poomsae uniforms appropriate to the contestant’s division.

2024 AAU PACIFIC REGIONAL POOMSAE DRAW

COMPULSORY POOMSAE – BLACK BELTS
INDIVIDUAL DIVISION POOMSAE
TIGER (8-9) Taegeuk 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Jang, Koryo
YOUTH (10-11)
CADET (12-14) Taegeuk 4,5,6,7,8 Jang, Koryo, Keumkang
JUNIORS (15-17) Taegeuk 4,5,6,7,8 Jang, Koryo, Keumkang, Taebaek
UNDER 30 (18-30)
UNDER 40 (31-40) Taegeuk 6,7,8 Jang, Koryo, Keumkang, Taebaek, Pyongwon, Sipjin
UNDER 50 (41-50) Taegeuk 8 Jang, Koryo, Keumkang, Taebaek, Pyongwon, Sipjin, Jitae, Chonkwon
UNDER 65 (51-65)
OVER 65 (66+)

 Rules: Scoring shall be made in accordance with the World Taekwondo Poomsae and AAU modified Competition Rules.

In Sports Poomsae, athletes are judged based on the rules and criteria set forth by World Taekwondo and have been adjusted by AAU Taekwondo. These criteria for judging include technical skills, such as using the correct execution, techniques, and movements. To keep it brief, forms are scored based on a specific criterion in two categories, Accuracy & Presentation. Poomsae referees/judges are trained and certified to judge the competition. This Sport Poomsae is an event by itself different from Traditional or Open forms event.

General Rules and Regulations for Olympic-Style Sparring

Protective Equipment

Mandatory Equipment for Non-PSS Matches. All competitors must wear:

  • Olympic style chest protector.
  • Headgear (the blue competitor must wear blue headgear and the red competitor must wear red headgear), exception, a white headgear will be allowed for the state/district qualifier; other than the headgear, no other item shall be worn on the head with the exception of religious headwear which shall be worn under the headgear and inside the uniform and shall not cause harm or obstruct the opposing competitor.
  • Shin and instep protectors (white only and must be worn underneath the dobok).
  • Forearm protectors (white only and must be worn underneath the dobok).
  • Mouth-guard – May be any color except solid red. Athletes with dental braces must wear special mouth guards for braces that cover both upper and lower teeth.
  • Males are required to wear groin protection (hard cup). Female groin protection is optional. All groin protection must be worn inside the Dobok.
  • Foot Gloves (in lieu of manufactured insteps) and Hand Gloves are optional for colored belts and any divisions that are not using PSS, but if used must be white and WT approved.

Mandatory Equipment When Using Electronic Protector and Scoring System (PSS).

  • Both competitors shall wear the same size chest protector with the following exception: When combining weight divisions resulting in extreme size differences in the competitors, a competitor may be allowed to wear the PSS Electronic Protector appropriate for their weight class, at the discretion of the Head Referee for the event, however, they will be required to use the pressure settings of the division they are moved into.
  • Headgear – the blue competitor must wear blue headgear and the red competitor must wear red headgear Other than the headgear, no other item shall be worn on the head with the exception of religious headwear which shall be worn under the headgear
  • Shin protectors (white only, no instep, and must be worn underneath the dobok)
  • Forearm protectors (white only and must be worn underneath the dobok)
  • WT approved white gloves
  • Mouth guard – May be any color except solid red. Athletes with dental braces must wear special mouth guards for braces that cover both upper and lower teeth
  • Males are required to wear groin protection (hard cup). Female groin protection is optional. All groin protection must be worn inside the dobok.

 Equipment Color at Tournaments Other Than National Events

  • At tournaments other than national events ONLY, the tournament director has the option to waive the color requirement for the hand, foot, and headgear equipment. 2024 AAU Taekwondo Super Regional Championship (National Qualifier) will allow white headgear for both red and blue competitors. However, this rule only applies to this event only and that the gear color requirements will be strictly enforced at all national events.

Personal Requirements

Competitors shall keep their nails short and are forbidden to wear any metallic article that may injure or endanger an opponent. Hair shall be tucked inside the head gear.

  • Metallic Articles. The phrase “metallic articles” includes all hard objects, which may cause injury. It is not sufficient to cover a hard or metallic article such as a ring with tape or other covering.
  • Personal Hygiene. The personal hygiene of all competitors shall be of the highest standard. Any competitor wearing an excessively unkempt or dirty uniform will be required to change it immediately. If the competitor cannot or will not comply, the Referee shall declare the opponent the winner.
  • Medical Tape. A maximum of three layers of tape are allowed except in the case of an injury. For an injury, the minimum amount of tape that will protect the area should be approved by the tournament medical team. Under no circumstances will a hard splint or cast be allowed, no matter how small.
  • The administration or use of any drugs (except antibiotics or other medically prescribed therapeutics), alcohol, stimulants, or injections in any part of the body, either before or during a match, to or by any competitor is absolutely prohibited. Any competitor violating these rules will be disqualified.
  • Eyeglasses. For all belt ranks 5 to 11 years of age (excluding the mini-cadet black belt division age 10-11), “sport” eyeglasses will be allowed in Olympic Sparring competition. Soft contacts are highly recommended. Regular eyeglasses are not allowed.

Compliance

  • If a competitor, upon being called to the center of the ring to compete, is found in violation of Protective Equipment and Personal Requirements, that competitor will receive one minute to come into compliance. If within that one minute the competitor returns to the center ready to compete, he/she will receive a gam-jeom and the match will begin. If he/she does not return to the center ready to compete at the end of one minute an additional one-minute count down will begin. If that competitor returns to the center within the second one-minute period, then the competitor will receive a second gam-jeom and the match will begin. If the competitor does not return within the total two-minute grace period, that competitor may be disqualified.

Weight (lbs) and Age Divisions in General

Weight charts can be found in the Policy section of the handbook in the Olympic Sparring section. The charts are established as a general guideline for all licensed events. The event director, of course, has the right to establish those age and weight categories best suited for his/her event based on the number of competitors. However, careful consideration must be given when contemplating changes to the recommended classes.

Duration of Competition

  • Match Times. All match times shall consist of three (3) 90-second rounds with a 30-second rest between rounds.
  • Rest Time Between Semi-Final and Final Matches. Competitors shall be allowed at least a two-minute rest between semi-final and final matches.
  • For District and Regional competition, the tournament director has the option to modify the match times as desired. Match times being used at local events must be specified on tournament flyer if varied from above prescribed times.
  • Rest Time between Semi-Final and Final Match – Competitors shall be allowed at least two-minutes rest between semi-final and final matches.

 Best of three (3) system – No golden round

Permitted techniques

  • Fist technique: A straight punching technique using the knuckle part of a tightly clenched fist
  • Foot technique: Delivering techniques using any part of the foot below the ankle.

Permitted areas

  • Head Area (Foot techniques only permitted). The “head area” is all areas above the bottom of the headgear, including face, ears, top and back of head.
  • Trunk. This area includes the entire trunk which is covered by the chest gear between the armpit and the pelvis. This includes the back, except for the spine. Attacks by fist and foot techniques are permitted. If a legal implement hits a legal target area, but part of the striking implement also lands in an illegal area, it will be considered a legal strike.

Points (Valid Scores)

Points shall be awarded when permitted techniques are delivered accurately and powerfully to legal scoring areas of the body (The blue or red colored area of the body protector). Points shall be awarded when permitted foot techniques are delivered accurately to the head.

  • Scoring Areas
    • Body: The blue or red colored area of the trunk protector
    • Head: The entire head above the bottom line of the head protector

Criteria for Valid Points

Points shall be awarded when permitted techniques are delivered accurately and powerfully to legal scoring areas of the body (The blue or red colored area of the body protector). Points shall be awarded when permitted foot techniques are delivered accurately to the head.

  • Points Awarded for Legal Attacks to Legal Scoring Areas:

Contact Area

 Point
a valid turning kick to the head (continuous) 5 Points
a valid turning kick to the trunk protector (continuous) 4 Points
a valid kick to the head 3 Points
a valid kick on the trunk protector 2 Points
a valid punch on the trunk protector 1 Point
Gam-jeom Penalty 1 point

 

Point Gap (per round) Gam-jeom (per round)
12 5

If using PSS, determination of the validity of the technique, level of impact, and/or valid contact to the scoring area shall be made by the electronic scoring system. These PSS determinations shall not be subject to challenge from a coach.

  • Match score shall be the sum of points for all rounds.
  • Invalidation of Points. If a competitor records the point (s) while performing a prohibited act, the following actions will be taken.
  • If the prohibited act was instrumental to the scoring of the point(s), the Referee shall declare the penalty for the prohibited act and invalidate the point(s)
  • If the prohibited act was not instrumental to earning the points, the Referee may penalize the prohibited act, but not invalidate the point(s).
  • When Using Electronic Protector and Scoring System (PSS) points scored on the mid-section of the trunk shall be recorded automatically by the transmitter in the electronic trunk protector. If Electronic Headgear is utilized, only points scored by the headgear shall be recorded automatically by the transmitter in the headgear.

 

KP&P PSS System: World Class Sparring Divisions from 10 and Up Black Belt will use the KP&P PSS System. Please, bring your own E-foot gear.

Prohibited Acts

The following shall be classified as prohibited acts, and Gam-jeom shall be declared.

  • Crossing the boundary line with one foot touching the mat
  • Avoiding or delaying the match
  • Falling down
  • Grabbing, holding or pushing the opponent
  • Kicking below the waist
  • Lifting the leg to block, and/or kicking the opponent’s leg to impede the opponent’s kicking attack, or lifting a leg and/or kicking in the air for more than 3 seconds to impede the opponent’s potential attacking movements, or a kick aimed below the waist
  • Butting or attacking with the knee
  • Hitting the opponent’s head with the hand
  • Attacking and making contact to the opponent after Kal-yeo
  • Attacking and making contact to a fallen opponent
  • *Misconduct on the part of a competitor or a coach

*When a competitor or coach commits a second (2nd) excessive misconduct infraction, they will receive a yellow card and immediately be disqualified from that and any remaining competitions for that tournament

IVR (Instant Video Replay) and Appeals

Each coach shall have the following quantity of Challenge Cards for Appeals per match:

  • Non-IVR matches: 2 cards
  • IVR matches: 1 card
  • Coach’s appeal is limited to only (1) action which has occurred within (5) seconds of the appeal. Once the coach raises the Challenge Card to request an appeal, it will be considered that the coach has used their allocated appeal, unless the Judge’s meeting satisfies the coach. If the coach’s appeal is successful and the contested request is corrected, the coach shall retain the appeal right for the match.

Coach may only appeal the following:

  • IVR/Non-IVR matches
    • Non-Head PSS / PSS: Attack to the head area for only their own contestant.
    • Technical Point for either contestant.
    • Wrong identification of fist attacking contestant by judges.
    • Mechanical malfunction (1st round – center referee, 2nd & 3rd round – coach challenge card and gamjeom penalty will be given if no mechanical malfunction)
  • IVR matches ONLY
    • Penalties by either contestant as follows:
      • falling down
      • crossing the boundary line
      • attacking the opponent after kal-yeo
      • attacking the fallen opponent.
  • If the referee perceives a contestant to be staggering, bleeding or knocked down by a kick to the head, and so begins counting, but the attack was not scored by the head PSS, the referee may request IVR or judges review to make the decision for awarding or not awarding points after the count.

Protests

Filing a Protest. In case there is an objection to a decision; the appointed coach (and he/she alone) representing the athlete may file a written protest to the event head Referee or Tournament Director, along with a fee of $75 (cash only). The protest will be submitted on the official protest form. The appointed coach MUST inform the Referee or Team Leader of that match immediately that it is their intent to protest the match. The written protest itself must be filed within 5 minutes after the end of the match. However, if the protest involves an error in the management of that division, such as miscalculating the score or misidentifying an athlete, the correction must take place immediately.

Deliberation Process

After reviewing the protest application, the content of the protest must be arranged according to the criterion of “acceptable” or “unacceptable.” If necessary, the arbiter can hear opinions from the Referee, Judges, or Team Leader.

  • If necessary, the arbiter can review the material evidence of the decisions, such as the written data (score sheets). Video WILL NOT be admitted as evidence to confirm or disconfirm the protest.
  • Errors in determining the match results: Mistakes in calculating the match score or misidentifying a competitor shall result in the decision being reversed.
  • Error in application of rules: When it is determined by the arbiter that the Referee made a clear error in applying the competition rules, the outcome of the error shall be corrected, and the Referee shall be disciplined and/or sanctioned.
  • Errors in factual judgment: When the arbiter decides that there was clearly an error in judging the facts such as impact of striking, severity of action or conduct, intentionally, timing of an act in relation to a declaration or area, the decision shall not be changed and the official(s)s who have made the error shall be disciplined and or sanctioned.
  • The decision of the arbiter will be final and there will be no means of further appeal.

Safety Rules Governing Olympic-Style Sparring for Youth Competitors

The following special section of the Competition Rules shall apply to all belt ranks 5 to 14 years of age and colored belts 15 to 17 years of age competing in the Olympic Style Division.

  • General Rules. In the local/preliminary, District, Regional, and National level competition, the rules concerning a kick to the head area shall be as follows:
    • The competitor is encouraged to kick to the head area; however, the kick must be light contact with absolute control, or the appropriate penalty shall be invoked.
    • The competitor who executes a successful technique (light contact) to the head will be awarded three or five points, whichever is applicable based on the type of kick.
    • The competitor who executes a kick to the head or neck, which does not cause injury, but, in the judgment of the Referee, is deemed excessive, will receive a one-point penalty (gam-jeom).
    • The competitor who executes a kick to the head or neck, which results in a minor injury, shall receive a one-point penalty. A minor injury is defined as an abrasion or bleeding caused by excessive contact. The Referee, with or without consultation with the tournament physician, shall determine if the abrasion or bleeding is a minor injury and if the attack is a non-excessive one.
  • The competitor who executes a kick to the head or neck, which results in the inability of the opponent to continue, due to the injury, shall be disqualified. The Referee, with or without consultation with the tournament physician and or Team Leader, shall determine if the attack is excessive contact, and disqualification.

NOTE: Inability to continue because of fright, crying, or loss of will following a legal kick to the head does not constitute grounds for disqualification of the attacker.