Who Can Compete?

• All students are welcome to participate, but those looking to compete at the East of England Martial Arts Competition (17th November) must compete in this event to qualify.
• Students of Green Belt and above must bring their own sparring equipment.
• For students below Green Belt, sparring equipment will be provided.
• Competitors 8 years old or younger will not be doing headshots during sparring for safety reasons.

Competition Rules

1. Poomsae and Sparring: All competitors will be required to participate in both Poomsae (forms) and Sparring. Registration is for both events combined.
2. Sparring Gear:
   • Green Belts and above must bring their own sparring equipment (headgear, gloves, foot protectors, mouthguard, etc.).
   • Lower belts will have access to borrow gear, but we encourage students to start investing in their own equipment.
3. Headshots: Sparring rules for competitors aged 8 years or younger will exclude headshots for safety reasons.
4. Scoring System: In sparring, competitors earn points by landing clean, accurate strikes on their opponent’s target areas. Here’s how the scoring works:
   • Body Kicks: Kicking your opponent in the torso (protected by the chest guard) earns 2 points.
   • Spinning Body Kick: If the kick involves a spin, it earns 4 points.
   • Head Kicks: Kicking the opponent’s head earns 3 points.
   • Spinning Head Kick: A spinning kick to the head earns 5 points.
   • Punches: A punch to the torso (which must be clean and powerful) earns 1 point.

   Losing Points: Competitors can lose points if they commit infractions such as stepping out of the ring, falling, or hitting the opponent in illegal areas (like below the belt). Penalties can result in point deductions.

   Poomsae (Patterns): In poomsae, competitors perform a set of movements designed to demonstrate their technique, precision, and control. Here’s how the scoring works:

   • Starting Score: Each participant starts with a perfect score.
   • Point Deductions: Judges watch for mistakes like losing balance, incorrect stances, or poor execution of techniques. Points are deducted for each mistake.
   • No Points Added: Unlike sparring, there are no extra points added in poomsae. The goal is to perform as flawlessly as possible to avoid losing points.

Why Compete?

• It’s a great opportunity to gain competition experience in a familiar and friendly setting.
• Competing helps students grow in both skill and confidence, and it plays an important role in preparing for higher-level tournaments and towards exams.
• For advanced students, competition is a key part of progressing toward black belt and beyond.

Categories: Students will be divided into appropriate categories based on age, belt level, and weight. We follow Olympic-style Taekwondo rules, and the points system during sparring will also reflect that standard. For competitors 8 years old and younger, there will be no headshots during sparring.

Mandatory for Higher-Level Competitions: For students aiming to compete in larger competitions like the East of England event, this in-house competition will serve as a qualifier. Points from your performance in both poomsae and sparring, along with your sportsmanship, behavior, and etiquette, will help determine if you qualify for higher-level events.

Your Taekwondo Journey: While points are based on Olympic-style rules during the competition, your overall journey in Taekwondo includes more than just winning medals. In both class and competition, we assess not only your technical ability but also your sportsmanship, behavior, punctuality, and commitment to Taekwondo values. This is why participation in events like these is important for your growth and progress toward future opportunities, including exams, seminars, and bigger competitions.

How to Register

Fill out the form below.

• Deadline to sign up: 10th October
• Deadline to sign up with early bird discount: 30th September

We highly encourage all students to participate and show their commitment to their Taekwondo journey!