1. Poomsae Competition

2. Navigation Learning Outcomes Poomsae Competition Rules Contest Area
Divisions
Methods of Competition
Scoring
Freestyle Competition
Para Competition
Additional Resources
Assessment
Review of Learning Outcomes

3. Poomsae Competition By the end of this session you will be able to:
Explain
the purpose of Poomsae Competition rules
The poomsae competition rules including context area, divisions and methods of competition
The overall scoring systems adopted for poomsae competition
Understand the approaches for Freestyle and Para competition
Demonstrate your understanding of the key aspects of Poomsae Competition

4. Poomsae Competition Rules
The purpose of the Poomsae Competition Rules is to fairly and smoothly manage all matters pertaining to poomsae competitions at all levels promoted and/or organized by the World Taekwondo Federation, and its Continental Unions and Member National Associations (MNA), ensuring the application of standardized rules.
The objective of the rules is to ensure the standardization of all taekwondo poomsae competitions worldwide.

5. Contest Area – 7 Judge System
Rec
Ref J1 J2 J3 1m 1m C
Rec – Recorder
Ref – Referee
J1-J6 – Judges
C – Contestant Controller
Con - Contestant
Con
10m
10m J6 J5 J4

6. Contest Area – 5 Judge System
Rec
Ref J1 J2 J3 J4 1m 1m C
Rec – Recorder
Ref – Referee
J1-J4 – Judges
C – Contestant Controller
Con - Contestant
10m
Con
10m

7. Divisions
Men, women and mixed divisions shall be divided according to age.
The age limits for the cadet, junior and senior divisions are based on the year, not on the date, when the championships are held.
Contestants may compete in more than one category of competition, unless he or she is limited by gender or age
Men’s Individual
Women’s Individual
Male Team
Female Team
Pair

8. Divisions and Compulsory Poomsae
Age Limits
Compulsory Poomsae
Individual Cadet
12-14 years old
Taeguek 4,5,6,7,8, Koryo, Keumgang
Individual Junior
15-17 years old
Taeguek 4,5,6,7,8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taebaek
Individual Under 30
18-30 years old
Taegeuk 6,7,8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taebeak, Pyongwon, Shipjin
Individual Under 40
31-40 years old
Individual Under 50
41-50 years old
Individual Under 60
years old)
Koryo, Keumgang, Taebeak, Pyongwon, Shipjin, Jitae, Chonkwon, Hansu
Individual Under 65
61-65 years old
Individual Over 65
65 years old or older
Cadet Mixed Pair
years old
Junior Mixed Pair
Under 30 Mixed Pair
Over 30 Mixed Pair
31 years and older
Taeguek 8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taebeak, Pyongwon, Shipjin, Jitae, Chonkwon
Cadet Team Male/Female
Junior Team Male/Female
Under 30 Team Male/Female
18-30 years old)
Over 30 Team Male/Female

9. Method of Competition
The systems of competition are divided as follows:
Single elimination tournament system.
Round robin system
Cut off system.
Combination - Cut off system/Single elimination tournament system.

10. Scoring for Recognised Poomsae
Accuracy (4.0)
Accuracy of details of each poomsae (0.3 Deduction)
Accuracy of each movement & balance (0.1 Deduction)
Presentation (6.0)
Speed and power ( )
Strength, rhythm & tempo ( )
Expression of energy ( )

11. Accuracy
Judges score accuracy as the poomsae is being performed. Contestants start with 4.0 points:
A deduction of 0.1 is made for each inaccuracy
A deduction of 0.3 is made for each major error
There is no minimum score for accuracy.

12. Accuracy – Inaccuracy Errors
A deduction of 0.1 is made for each inaccuracy for example:
A stance is performed too wide or too long
The weight distribution is incorrect
The angle of the feet is incorrect
A punch, strike or thrust is off target
A block is performed with a bent wrist
Leaning or wobbling

13. Accuracy – Major Errors
A deduction of 0.3 is made each time the contestant performs a major error, such as:
Failing to kihap (shout) with the appropriate movement
Kihap with the wrong movement
Performing a back stance when it should be walking stance
Omitting a block, strike or thrust
A big loss of balance
A hesitation lasting more than 3 seconds
Failing to finish the poomsae within one foot length of the start position (with exception of Keumgang and Jitae)

14. Accuracy - Restarts
If a contestant stops midway through a poomsae and has to restart, the accuracy score is reset to 4.0 and the judges make a deduction of Therefore, for the second attempt, the accuracy score starts at 3.4.
If the contestant forgets the poomsae for a second time they will be shown a red card by the referee and a score of 0.0 is awarded.

15. Presentation
At the end of the poomsae judges award a score out of 6.0 for the presentation.
Up to 2.0 points are awarded for the speed and power displayed throughout the poomsae.
Up to 2.0 points are awarded for the strength, rhythm and tempo displayed throughout the poomsae.
Up to 2.0 points are awarded for the expression of energy displayed throughout the poomsae.
The minimum that can be awarded for each presentation section is 0.5.

16. Total Score
The contestant(s) perform two poomsae drawn prior to the contest.
After each poomsae the judges scores for accuracy and presentation are displayed separately. The highest and lowest of the scores are removed and the remaining scores are averaged out to give an overall score out of ten.
The contestant(s) with the highest score will be deemed the winner.

17. Freestyle Competition - Introduction
Introduction Freestyle Poomsae is a performance based on taekwondo techniques with the contestants choice composition of music and choreography. Duration of performance is between 60 and 70 seconds and must include specific defined compulsory techniques determined by the WTF Poomsae committee. Contest area is 12m * 12m for Freestyle.

18. Freestyle Competition - Divisions
Men’s Individual
Women’s Individual
Pair (1 male/1 female)
Mixed Team (Composing of 5 members, 3 male/2 female or 2 male/3 female)
Age Split
Individual & Pair
12 to 17 years
Over 17 years
Mixed Team
12 & Over

19. Freestyle Competition - Scoring
Technical Skills (6.0)
Level of difficulty of kicking techniques
Accuracy of movements
Degree of completion of Poomsae
Presentation (4.0)
Creativity
Harmony
Expression of Energy
Music & Choreography

20. Para Competition
Both the WTF, which in 2015 became a full member of the International Paralympic Committee, and British Taekwondo are actively developing Para Poomsae Competition
Key growth opportunity
Still changing so if you are interested please discuss with a member of the British Taekwondo Poomsae Committee
Competition open to both Kup and Dan grades
Competitors are placed in categories for competition based on their impairment, these are called sport classes. This is intended to ensure fair and equal competition

21. Additional Resources
WTF Poomsae Rule
British Taekwondo Poomsae Links
Recommend Reading GM Ikpil Kang – The Explanation of Official Taekwondo Poomsae II Kukkiwon – The Textbook of Taekwondo Poomsae

22. Now Test Your Knowledge
The assessment will consist of three sections covering knowledge of the rules, poomsae and deductions. Please navigate through the assessment using the NEXT, PREVIOUS, RESTART buttons on each page.
Once you have completed your assessment you will be given a score for each section and an overall score. Each section carries equal weight and an overall score of 70% is required for a pass.

23. Test your knowledge on the rules

24. Test your knowledge on the rules

25. Test your knowledge on the rules

26. Test your knowledge on the rules

27. Test your knowledge on the rules

28. Test your knowledge on the rules

29. Test your knowledge of the poomsae

30. Test your knowledge of the poomsae

31. Test your knowledge of the poomsae

32. Test your knowledge of the poomsae

33. Test your knowledge of the poomsae

34. Test your knowledge of deductions
Select whether the following would constitute a deduction for accuracy and if so whether it should be a 0.1 or 0.3 deduction.

35. Assessment Results Knowledge on the rules Knowledge of the poomsae
Knowledge of deductions
Overall score

36. Poomsae Competition You should now be able to: Explain
the purpose of Poomsae Competition Rules
The poomsae competition rules including context area, divisions and methods of competition
The overall scoring systems adopted for poomsae competition
Understand the approaches for Freestyle and Para competition
Have demonstrated your understanding of the key aspects of Poomsae Competition