Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Match Format
A standard match consists of 3 rounds of 2 minutes each, with a 1-minute rest period between rounds (Article 7.1.1). If the score is tied after the 3rd round, a 4th round of one minute is contested as the Golden Round, after a one-minute rest following the 3rd round (Article 7.1.1). Under the best-of-three system the same three-round, two-minute structure applies, but no Golden Round is contested — a tied round is instead decided under Article 15 (Article 7.1.2). During the rest period, the competitor returns to their designated area, where their coach may provide instructions, water, and tactical advice. The clock stops during referee interventions (penalties, equipment adjustments, medical checks, IVR reviews).
5.2 Valid Techniques
WT taekwondo permits two categories of striking techniques:
- Kicks: Any kicking technique delivered with the part of the foot below the ankle bone (instep, ball of foot, sole, heel). Kicks may target both the trunk protector and the head protector. Common scoring kicks include the roundhouse kick (dollyo chagi), back kick (dwi chagi), spinning hook kick (dwi huryeo chagi), axe kick (naeryeo chagi), and push kick (mireo chagi).
- Punches: Only the straight punch (jireugi) delivered with the front of a properly clenched fist to the trunk protector is permitted. Punches to the head are strictly prohibited and result in a penalty. Backfist strikes, hammer fists, and open-hand techniques are not permitted.
5.3 Valid Scoring Areas
The two valid target areas are:
- Trunk protector: The front and side areas of the electronic trunk protector (hogu), from the base of the neck to the hipbone. Strikes to the spine or back of the protector do not score.
- Head: All areas of the head protector above the collarbone, including the sides and back of the head. Only kicks (not punches) may target the head.
5.4 The Golden Round
If the score is tied at the end of 3 rounds, a Golden Round (4th round) of 1 minute is contested. The first competitor to score any valid point wins immediately (sudden death). If neither competitor scores during the Golden Round, the winner is determined by superiority decision: the referee and judges evaluate which competitor demonstrated greater initiative, more valid technique attempts, and more aggressive attacking throughout the entire match, including the Golden Round.
5.5 Point Gap Victory
Where there is a 20-point difference between the two athletes at the completion of the 2nd round and/or at any time during the 3rd round, the referee stops the contest and declares the winner by point gap, PTG (Article 16, Explanation #3). The gap is therefore not applied earlier than the end of round 2. Under the best-of-three system the threshold is a 15-point difference per round, and in the twelve-point variant a 12-point difference per round, each decided for the corresponding round (Article 16, Explanation #3). Win by point gap shall not be applied in senior-division semi-finals and finals where the tournament outline so provides (Article 16, Explanation #3). The rule prevents unnecessary continuation when the outcome is no longer in doubt and protects the trailing competitor from sustained one-sided action.
5.6 Knockout and Referee Stop Contest
If a competitor is knocked down by a valid technique and cannot resume within a 10-second count by the referee, the standing competitor wins by knockout (KO). If the referee determines a competitor is unfit to continue due to injury or accumulated damage, the match is stopped (RSC — Referee Stop Contest). A competitor who is knocked down three times in a single round from scoring techniques also loses by RSC.