Notice Regarding the 2009 Junior Olympics & 2009 Senior National Taekwondo Championships

USA Taekwondo April 30, 2009
 
In June of 2009, the WTF will incorporate new competition rules for Olympic Sparring.  USA Taekwondo has decided that it will incorporate the new competition rules for certain divisions at the Junior Olympics and Senior Nationals in Austin Texas, June 30 – July 5, 2009.
 
Coaches and athletes should be aware that there are multiple changes to the competition rules and should familiarize themselves with the new rules prior to competition. These rule changes will apply to the 14-17 year old Junior Black Belt divisions and all Senior Black Belt sparring divisions ONLY.  Some of the changes include court size, scoring values, weight categories and protest procedures. All competition rules will be applied with the same exception of the instant video replay review process. Junior Safety rules divisions will not be affected by these changes. Those are USAT Rules that will not change until we have time to fully evaluate the implications of the new WTF rule and Junior Safety rules.
 
One major change to the competition rules deals with the senior weight categories. There are changes to many of the senior weight categories. Because of these changes and the fact that athletes have already qualified for the World Class division in specific weight categories through 2009 Sanctioned Qualifiers and the 2009 National Qualifiers, USA Taekwondo has decided that the following procedure will be applied for athletes declaring weight for the 2009 Senior National – World Class Division:
 

1. All World Class qualified athletes will have the opportunity to select the weight category in which he/she will participate in the 2009 Senior National Taekwondo Championships – World Class Division (July 5, 2009). All qualified athletes will be afforded the opportunity to move up or down one weight category from their qualified weight category/categories or remain in the same category from their qualified weight category/categories.

    a. All athletes will be required to declare their new weight category by the late registration deadline of the 2009 Senior National Taekwondo Championships. 
 
The new weight categories can be found by clicking HERE.

The new competition rules can be reviewed by clicking HERE.
 
For any questions or concerns, please contact USA Taekwondo at 719-866-4632.

NEW CHANGES TO USAT/WTF COMPETITION RULES!
 
For Complete Update on WTF/USAT Competition Rules, click link above:
 

Article 12 Valid Points
1. Legal Scoring Areas
1) Body: The blue or red colored area of the body protector
2) Head: The area above the collar bone (i.e. whole part of the face including both ears and the back of the head)
2. Points shall be awarded when permitted techniques are delivered accurately and
powerfully to the legal scoring areas.
3. The valid points are divided as follows.
1) One (1) point for attack on trunk protector
2) Two (2) points for a valid turning kick to the trunk protector
3) Three (3) points for a successful attack to the face
4. Match score shall be the sum of points of the three rounds.
5. Invalidation of points: When a contestant performs a scoring attack that incorporated
the use of prohibited acts, the points scored shall be annulled.
 
(Guideline for officiating)
When any part of the foot touches the opponent’s head, it will be regarded as a valid point.
Competition Rules & Interpretation Page
18 of 54
 
(Explanation #1)
Accurately: This means the proper aspect of a legal attacking technique, fully contacting the opponent
within the designated limits of a legal target area.
 
(Explanation #2)
Powerfully
a. Trunk protector not equipped with electronic sensor: Sufficient power is demonstrated as the
opponent’s body is abruptly displaced by the impact of the strike.
b. In the use of electronic scoring trunk protector: Force of impact is measured by the electronic sensor of
the protector with the level of force by which points are scored varying by weight division and sex.
 
(Guideline for officiating)
-The criterion of “Kye-soo”
When a contestant is knocked down, the referee should first check over the condition of the contestant
and then count.
-The criteria of “Knock-down” shall be in accordance with the Article 17
 
(Explanation #3)
Invalidation of a point: It is a rule that points gained through illegal techniques or actions cannot be valid.
In this case, the referee must indicate invalidation of the point by hand signal and declare the appropriate
penalty.
 
(Guideline for officiating)
If the above situation, the referee shall immediately declare “Kal-yeo” and shall first invalidated the point
by hand signal, and then declare the appropriate penalty.