Taekwondo (World Taekwondo) — Official Rules

Taekwondo competition governed by World Taekwondo (WT) has two main disciplines: Kyorugi (full-contact sparring) and Poomsae (forms). This rulebook covers Kyorugi, the Olympic discipline. Two contestants — Chung (blue) and Hong (red) — face off and score points by delivering permitted kicking and punching techniques with a proper level of impact to the opponent's valid scoring areas. Validity, impact and contact are determined electronically by the Protector and Scoring System (PSS) for most techniques. The athlete with the higher score wins, subject to the match format in use.

The Contest Area has a flat, elastic, non-slippery matted surface and may be raised on a platform 0.6–1 m high. Two shapes are permitted:

• Octagonal: the Contest Area measures approximately 8 m in diameter, with each of the eight sides about 3.3 m long.
• Square: the Contest Area is 8 m × 8 m, including a 60 cm boundary line. The Contest Area sits at the centre of a larger square Competition Area of no less than 10 m × 10 m and no more than 12 m × 12 m; the band between the Boundary Line and the Outer Line is the Safety Area. The outer line adjacent to the Recorder's Desk is Outer Line #1; lines are numbered clockwise.

From the 1 January 2026 edition, an Alert Area is introduced: a continuous 60 cm-wide band extending inward from the outer edge of the Contest Area toward its centre, following the perimeter shape (octagon or square). Its purpose is to visually warn athletes and referees of their proximity to the boundary, improving spatial awareness and helping prevent accidental exits. The Alert Area is not marked with lines or tape but is shown in a clearly different colour from the rest of the Contest Area; it does not affect the conduct or scoring of matches. The Alert Area is distinct from the 60 cm Boundary Line.

Each contestant wears the official dobok and the prescribed WT-approved protective equipment: trunk protector (hogu) — coloured blue for Chung and red for Hong — head protector, groin guard, forearm and shin guards, hand protectors (gloves), mouthpiece, and, where the electronic system is used, PSS electronic socks/foot sensors and an electronic head protector or sensor. Body and head protectors equipped with PSS sensors register valid impact automatically. Trunk protectors are coloured (blue/red) to identify each contestant. All equipment must be WT-approved; contact lenses are at the athlete's own risk.

Kyorugi is contested by gender and weight. The senior World weight categories are:

• Men: −54, −58, −63, −68, −74, −80, −87 and +87 kg.
• Women: −46, −49, −53, −57, −62, −67, −73 and +73 kg. The Olympic programme uses four condensed categories per gender:
• Men: −58, −68, −80 and +80 kg.
• Women: −49, −57, −67 and +67 kg. Separate Junior and Cadet weight divisions also exist. Contestants must satisfy the official weigh-in for their category; failing or missing weigh-in results in disqualification (DSQ).

A standard Kyorugi contest is three (3) rounds of two (2) minutes each, with a one (1) minute rest period between rounds. The clock is running time, stopped by the referee's 'Kal-yeo' (break) or 'Keu-man' (stop) and resumed with 'Gye-sok' (continue). For other levels the Technical Delegate may adjust the format to 1 min × 3, 1 min 30 s × 3, 2 min × 2, or a single 5-minute round (with one 30-second time-out per contestant). A contest begins on 'Shi-jak' (start) after the bow and the call to ready positions.

In the cumulative-points format, the match score is the sum of all points scored across the three rounds. If the score is tied after the 3rd round, a 4th 'Golden Round' of one (1) minute is conducted after a one-minute rest (see Chapter 6). This format also features the 20-point gap win and the 10-Gam-jeom punitive declaration (PUN) loss. It is the traditional format used in many championships and is distinct from the best-of-three system below.

In the best-of-three (3) format the match score is the number of rounds won, and the first contestant to win two (2) rounds wins the match — there is no 4th Golden Round. Each round is won by the contestant with more points; a tied round is decided by superiority (Chapter 6). A round may also be won by a 12-point gap in that round, by 5 Gam-jeom committed by the opponent in that round, or by RSC. The 20-point gap, the Golden Round and the 10-Gam-jeom PUN loss do not apply in this format. Decisions follow RSC, Final Score (PTF), Withdrawal (WDR), Disqualification (DSQ) and DQB.

Valid points are scored to the permitted areas as follows (Article 12.3):

• 1 point — a valid punch to the trunk protector.
• 2 points — a valid kick to the trunk protector.
• 4 points — a valid turning (spinning) kick to the trunk.
• 3 points — a valid kick to the head.
• 5 points — a valid turning (spinning) kick to the head.
• 1 point — awarded to a contestant for every Gam-jeom given to the opponent. A turning kick must involve rotation of the head and shoulders (e.g. back kick / dwichagi) to earn the bonus value; a kick without that rotation scores only the basic value.

The scoring areas are: the trunk (the blue/red coloured zones of the trunk protector) and the head (the entire head above the bottom line of the head protector — back of the head is excluded as a target). A technique scores only when it is delivered with a proper level of impact to a scoring area. From the 2026 edition, head techniques must also register a proper level of impact to score. Validity, impact and valid contact are determined by the electronic PSS, except fist (punch) techniques which are judged by the corner judges. PSS determinations are not subject to IVR — except head kicks.

If a contestant commits a prohibited act and then scores, the referee declares the Gam-jeom for the prohibited act and invalidates the point(s) that followed (Article 12.5). Scores are displayed live on the scoreboard from the PSS and judges' input. Where review reveals an earlier valid technique (e.g. a head kick before a registered body kick), the later point may be invalidated and the correct technique scored, subject to IVR procedure (Chapter 7).

Current WT rules use a single penalty, the 'Gam-jeom' (the former 'Kyong-go' warning has been abolished). Every Gam-jeom declared against a contestant awards one (1) point to the opponent (Article 14.3) and is counted in the score. Penalties are declared only by the referee. A Gam-jeom is given for any prohibited act listed in Article 14.4, and accumulated Gam-jeom trigger the loss thresholds described below.

A Gam-jeom is declared for any of these prohibited acts:

• Crossing the boundary line.
• Falling down.
• Avoiding or delaying the match (passivity, evading combat).
• Grabbing or pushing the opponent.
• Leg/kick misuse: lifting the leg to block; kicking the opponent's leg to impede a kick; aiming a kick below the waist; lifting the leg above the waist to kick in the air 4 or more times; or lifting/kicking in the air for more than 3 seconds to impede the opponent.
• Kicking below the waist.
• Attacking after 'Kal-yeo' (after the break command).
• Hitting the opponent's head with the hand.
• Butting or attacking with the knee.
• Attacking a fallen opponent.
• Attacking the trunk PSS with the side/bottom of the foot, or the back-of-head PSS, in a clinch.
• Misconduct by contestant or coach (ignoring the referee, improper protest, disturbing the match, provoking/insulting, or other unsportsmanlike conduct).

Accumulated Gam-jeom can end a contest:

• Cumulative-points format: when a contestant receives ten (10) Gam-jeom, the referee declares the opponent winner by referee's punitive declaration (PUN).
• Best-of-three format: when a contestant receives five (5) Gam-jeom in a single round, the opponent is declared the winner of that round (Article 14.7.1). The referee may also raise a yellow card to request a sanction by the Competition Supervisory Board, or end the match and declare the opponent winner if a contestant intentionally and repeatedly refuses to comply with the rules or the referee's orders.

A contest may be decided by: RSC (Referee Stops Contest), PTF (win by final score), PTG (win by point gap), GDP (win by golden points), SUP (win by superiority), WDR (win by withdrawal), DSQ (win by disqualification), PUN (win by referee's punitive declaration), or DQB (disqualification for unsportsmanlike behaviour). RSC is declared when a contestant cannot resume by the count of 'Yeo-dul' (eight) after a legitimate knock-down, ignores the command to continue three times, or when safety/medical reasons require it.

Point-gap ends a contest early once a sufficient lead is reached:

• Cumulative-points format: a 20-point difference at the completion of the 2nd round and/or at any time during the 3rd round ends the contest in favour of the leader.
• Best-of-three format: a 12-point difference within a round ends that round in favour of the leader (per-round point gap). Point-gap does not apply in the senior division semi-finals and finals.

If the cumulative-points contest is tied after the 3rd round, a 4th 'Golden Round' of one (1) minute is held, and all scores from the first three rounds are voided. The first contestant to score two (2) points, or whose opponent receives two (2) Gam-jeom, wins. If neither reaches two points, the winner is decided by superiority, in order: (1) the contestant who scored a point by a punch in the golden round; (2) the higher number of PSS-registered hits in the golden round; (3) more rounds won in the first three rounds; (4) fewer Gam-jeom across all four rounds; (5) the referee and judges' decision on the content of the golden round.

In the best-of-three format, a tied round is decided by superiority in this order (Article 15.5): (1) most points scored by turning/spinning kick; (2) if technical scores are equal, the contestant who scored more by higher-value techniques in the order Head > Trunk > Punch > Gam-jeom; (3) the higher number of PSS-registered hits; (4) if still equal, the referee and judges determine superiority by hand signal. Each round must produce a winner — there are no drawn rounds, and the match is won by the first to take two rounds.

A coach who objects to a refereeing judgment may request an Instant Video Replay (IVR) by raising the blue or red card. The coach is allocated one (1) appeal per contest; if the appeal is successful and the contested call is corrected, the coach retains the appeal right. The scope is limited to the single action that occurred within five (5) seconds of the request. IVR may be requested for: penalties (falling down, crossing the boundary line, attack after Kal-yeo, attacking a fallen opponent), a technical point, a penalty against one's own contestant, a head kick that was not scored, a missed point-invalidation after a Gam-jeom, wrong identification of the fist-attacking contestant, or a mechanical/time error.

On appeal, the center referee asks the reason and refers the matter to the Review Jury (not of the same nationality as the contestants). The Jury reviews the replay and informs the referee of the final decision within thirty (30) seconds. In the last five (5) seconds of any round, the center referee may request IVR to check possible penalties for falling, crossing the boundary, attack after Kal-yeo, or attacking a fallen opponent — any points scored after a prohibited act are invalidated. Appeals are not admissible for points scored by foot or fist on the trunk or by foot on the trunk PSS; head-kick appeals are allowed regardless of head PSS use. The Review Jury's decision is final.

Each Kyorugi contest is run by a center referee and a panel of corner judges (typically three; two are also permitted, and when the PSS is fully utilised only one judge may be used). The 2026 edition defines the seating positions for one-, two- and three-judge panels, allowing a single judge to be seated at the Operation Table. A Review Jury supports IVR. No official may share the nationality of a contestant. The referee controls the contest with Korean commands — Shi-jak (start), Kal-yeo (break), Gye-sok (continue), Keu-man (stop) — and declares scores, penalties and the result.

The electronic Protector and Scoring System (PSS) registers valid kicks to the trunk and head automatically, determining valid contact, level of impact and technique. Punches are judged by the corner judges, not the PSS. The WT Technical Committee sets the required impact threshold and sensitivity, using different scales by weight category, gender and age group; the Technical Delegate may recalibrate as needed. Any contestant or team member found manipulating the PSS sensors is disqualified (DQB).

On a knock-down, the referee calls 'Kal-yeo', stops the clock and counts from 'Hana' (one) to 'Yeol' (ten) at one-second intervals. A contestant who cannot resume by 'Yeo-dul' (eight) — or whom the referee judges unable to continue — loses by RSC. The referee may suspend the match (calling 'Kal-yeo' and stopping time) for injury, equipment, or to consult; the Commission Doctor's assessment governs whether the contest continues. A contestant injured by the opponent's prohibited act may be given recovery time; a withdrawal (towel thrown by the coach, or inability to continue) yields a WDR win for the opponent.

World Para-Taekwondo Kyorugi follows the WT Kyorugi rules with adaptations for athletes with upper-limb (and other) impairments, organised into sport classes (e.g. K41–K44) by degree of impairment. The head is not a legal target in Para Kyorugi — points are scored to the trunk only — and the point and penalty structure is otherwise aligned with the WT Competition Rules. Para-Taekwondo debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and has its own competition rules edition maintained by WT.

Poomsae is the non-sparring discipline: the solo, pair or team performance of a prescribed sequence of defensive and offensive movements, judged on accuracy (technical) and presentation (expression of power, speed/rhythm, energy). WT Poomsae includes recognised (standard) and freestyle categories, the latter with required difficulty elements set to music. Poomsae has its own WT Competition Rules & Interpretation document; this rulebook focuses on Kyorugi.

The edition in force from 1 January 2026 (last amended 23 October 2025) introduced several refinements: the new Alert Area (a 60 cm visual buffer band inside the Contest Area); a requirement that head techniques register a proper level of impact to score; an allowance for the center referee to request IVR for an unscored head kick (Article 21.3.2); revised judge positions enabling a single-judge panel when the PSS is fully utilised; and simplification of scoring-related provisions. The 1/2/3/4/5-point scale, the 3×2-minute rounds, the Gam-jeom system and the two match formats are unchanged.

At the 40th WT General Assembly on 11 April 2026, Member National Associations approved two headline amendments effective 1 June 2026, designed to increase match pace and clarify boundaries:

• Passivity in the last 10 seconds: a Gam-jeom given for passive behaviour during the last 10 seconds of any round will award two (2) points to the opponent, instead of the usual one.
• Boundary line: a boundary violation (Gam-jeom) is declared if any part of a contestant's foot crosses the boundary line, unless the movement was caused by a prohibited act of the opponent. These amendments are approved but not yet in force under the 1 January 2026 edition; they take effect on 1 June 2026.