Tournament Competition

Things to Expect:

1. 1. Tournament rings will be visible and specific
   2. Ring assignments can be found on the TA Event App. See your instructor for the download to add to your smart device.
   3. Arrive at your assigned ring 15-20 minutes early. Arrive in full gear for any of the Sparring Divisions (Continuous Sparring and Point/Break Sparring, not one steps or sparring combinations)
   4. For White, Yellow, and Orange Belts (choosing to do sparring combinations), we begin with patterns. Competitors will be called one at a time to do their pattern. Competitors may do their previous pattern as long as the new rank was achieved at last testing (i.e. a purple belt who received their rank during the August testing cycle may perform Won-Hyo at the September National Tournament). Scores will be awarded by the 3 judges when the competitor is finished. We score on a tenth of a point scale. The same judging will be used for all “Forms Only” rings (Orange Belts who are sparring and for all green belts and above)
   5. If the judges ask for the pattern to be redone, the student has the option. The penalty is 1 point overall deducted from score.
   6. Ties result in a tie breaker. Each competitor will receive 1 attempt. Ties for 1^stand 2^nd will be awarded 8s and 9s. Ties for 3^rd and 4^th will be awarded 7s and 8s.
   7. Our sparring brackets are a modified double elimination format. This means that a competitor must lose twice to be fully eliminated from sparring competition. Modified means that a competitor may not “win their way” back into gold medal consideration.
   8. There are two types of sparring. Continuous (1 minute of continuous sparring for the most points) and Point/Break (1 minute or first one to 5 points). These sparring options will take place at different times of the day. They will also take place aside from the Forms competition for Orange Belts and Above)
   9. Points are awarded by judges for either the best one-step or for legal contact to target areas during free sparring. Matches are for 1 minute.
   10. During point/break sparring, there will be a called “break” after each point.
   11. Points are awarded by judges for either the best one-step or for legal contact to target areas during free sparring. Matches are for 1 minute.
   12. Medals are awarded after the ring is complete.
   13. Board Breaking, although done in the taekwondo school, will receive medals at the designated Board Breaking table at the tournament.