changes in WTF

[neryo_tkd]

as some of you might have heard, there have been several suggestions for changes/reforms in taekwondo and one aspect of this martial art that is going to be affected by those changes is sparring.

one of those suggestions will be tested on January 22nd, 2005 at the Dragon Cup of the Stuttgart University (Germany). some people think that it might lead to more attractive fights.

- fights will consist of only one round that'll last 5 minutes.
- the winner is
a) the competitor who has a 4 point lead. if the result is 1:4, and then both fighters score and it is 1:5, i.e. 2:5, the fighter with 5 points is immediately the winner,
b) the competitor who reaches 7 points first, so in that case the fight doesn't last 5 minutes.
c) the competitor who at the end of the fight has a better score.
- if at the end of the fight there is a tie score, the winner is the one who scored first at the beginning.
- if there are no points during the fight, the winner will be the one who, according to the judges, paid more respect to etiquette and courtesy.

- the coach has the right to call a ''time out'' lasting 30 sec, but not when s/he wants to, but only when the judge gives one of the fighters ''kyonggo''. during those 30sec the coach can advise his/her fighter, but this doesn't mean that both coaches can do that. the coach who called the time out can talk to his/her fighter while the other is not allowed to do so and the other fighter has to remain on the tatami.

many hope that these rules will increase the dramatic and dynamic fighting scenes. this should also bring an end to slowing down the fight by the one who is leading. so when you start the fight, you want to score first, because it might decide the end of the fight in your favour. if you lead 3:0, you won't stop, but keep attacking to score one more point to win, or if you already have 6 points, you keep attacking to score one more to win.

the duration of the fights will be significantly shorter because good fighters have the chance to win before the end of the fight. this way those fighters will not lose their strength, so an increase of the technical performance level is to be expected.

one more thing regarding the age:
- seniors are fighters older than 18
- in the junior division there are 3 categories:
a) junior A: 16 - 17 years
b) junior B: 13 - 15 years
c) junior C: 10 - 12 years

[Capt Ann]

Help!!!!! I HOPE not!!

I am so tired of rules changes in TKD sparring. Leave the rules the same, and I will train/work/practice to those.

Any word on when/if these will officially be added to the ammended WTF rules?

[Artikon]

Don't like it.

The one round means that competitors don't have time to develop a strategy. Although the one round should be packed with constant action, there is more of a chance for injury in my opinion because of this.

The winning by only four points. Don't like it. That's two head shots, or one head shot with a count and a cheap point. I've seen matches that have gaps of seven points and the other player has still come back to win. Four point mercy rule is not a large enough gap in my opinion. This rule may be a little better if they said ten points.

Don't like how they will decide ties. Right now the sudden death round is a good idea. I've done a couple of those and they are ridiculously fun to watch and be a part of. Usually don't last that long either so time isn't that huge of a factor.

Time out. With the one round I can see how this is useful, however that's why there needs to be multiple rounds. What about two five minute rounds then. I don't like the idea of the coach being able to call time out. Especially if I have momentum going my way. Even if it is my coach that calls it I'd be a little more than miffed.

I can see the reasoning behind this but I would think it would be much simpler to keep the rules the way they are and actually add a rule the clearly states how long a competitor has before they have to initiate an attack.

I don't like this at all.

[neryo_tkd]

this is only a test, to see how competitors will behave and what the general atmosphere would be. high ranked officials will be there to personally supervise it.

there has been no mention of penalty points.

there has been no mention of the scoring system either, so i guess it's unchanged then.

the date is not very conveninent because of the holidays and the weather conditions. it is not uncommon that at that time of year, january, germany is under snow.

if i can squeeze it in my agenda, i'd love to go and take part, so i could give you a report first hand, but i am not sure yet. one weekend later there is another important competition, and the weekend after that too, so it could be too tiring for me because all those competitions are abroad and involve a lot of travelling. still, if i don't go, i'm looking forward to hearing and reading about the new rules.

[gnarlie]

actually, these reforms are still in progress under the WTF, if you go to their website, www.wtf.org, you can have a say in this and other issues. As the WTF are "under new management" theres a major reform committee on the go. When you go to the website a separate window pops up with a questionnaire detailing some of the proposed / possible changes. Not sure about the mention of coloured uniforms on there though :bang: :bang: like TKD doesn't get enough stick already!

Gnar

[Artikon]

That would be great if you got a chance to do that Neryo. . . . our own little MAP spy as it were.

I really hope they don't plan on changing the scoring criteria or the penalties. Seem to be doing that so often lately it keeps changing the game.

[kabba kick]

i dont like those rules,the etiquette is kinda stupid, not saying that the idea is stupid but it shouldn't be used to judge who won the fight
i kinda want longer matches though anything under 2 mins is just too short,the match ends before you even realize it

[evilkingston]

in contrast to the rest of you i like it...
being an agressive starter and then (after 2 min) mostly changing to counterattacks, this could be my thing! :love:

[neryo_tkd]

i dont like those rules,the etiquette is kinda stupid, not saying that the idea is stupid but it shouldn't be used to judge who won the fight
i kinda want longer matches though anything under 2 mins is just too short,the match ends before you even realize it


under 2 minutes? you mean rounds?

- as far as the new rules are concerned, in a way it's better to test the rules at competitions to see how it works, instead of having to follow them without having a say about them.

- Artikon, I truly hope that I'll manage it with my training and my work and everything else. to be honest i didn't expect to have a tournament in january. it's early. i am probably going to a tournament in february and then another one in march. but we'll see.

[angry]

Sound good to me. Our rules for our schools intra club tournaments are along a similar line of thought but even less time and points required. It does improve the standards of sparring for my experience. These ideas have been around for a while now. I hope they can settle on a fair format everyone can agree to.

Those who don't like change must understand it is only to improve the game. At least I hope so! :)

[Andy Cap]

Seniors are those over 18? LOL What does that make me at 35? Venerable. hehe

[neryo_tkd]

Seniors are those over 18? LOL What does that make me at 35? Venerable. hehe


why are you surprised? fighters over 18, at some tournaments even over 16, fight in the senior division. that has been so at every single tournament i went to.

nobody will ask about your age. maybe you could even lie that you are like 27. do you look like a 27 year old? :D :D :D

[Artikon]

- Artikon, I truly hope that I'll manage it with my training and my work and everything else. to be honest i didn't expect to have a tournament in january. it's early. i am probably going to a tournament in february and then another one in march. but we'll see.

Great, hope you can make it, but if not I'm sure we'll see how it goes regardless. Let us know how your tournaments go in the coming months however. I have 1st weekend in January, and that's way to early for my liking but had to be bumped that early this year. Oh well.

being an agressive starter and then (after 2 min) mostly changing to counterattacks, this could be my thing

You can still be that way under the current rule set. Actually if you can get early points it can be a huge advantage. Especially with an inexperienced opponent.

Adding on to the comments. My big concern is right now that officials may become hesitant to score that extra point to end the match after the 4 point gap. Why I'm concerned about this is because if a person takes continuous kicks to the head without the points being scored it can become a big safety concern. Although it seems like this shouldn't happen, the goal is to make the game more exciting to watch, and if after 20 seconds two head kicks have made contact and the match should be over officials may prolong the duration to keep it spectator friendly. I hope this is not the case in Germany when they test this out.

Those who don't like change must understand it is only to improve the game. At least I hope so!

Completely agree, however I don't think this is a change to improve the game, I think this is a change to improve the spectator appeal personally. I've said this in my previous post on this thread, but I think a kick clock needs to be put into place. Essentially this is simply the time limit a competitor has before they have to throw a kick or initate an attack. Both competitors would have one and having the clock run down would result in a half point penalty for the offending player. That is one way to keep the action going. Course this isn't my idea, although I wish it was. It's something the WTL tried to incorporate into their rules.

[Slindsay]

I dont like the idea of it being a 5 minute round with a time out, I would prefer two 2 and a half minute rounds.

Other than that I kindof like it but I think the gap needs to be increased from 4 points to 5 or 6 and rather than first to seven have it first to nine or ten so as to keep the possibility of K.Os in it.

The idea of a kick counter might be a good one but I just cxant see how you could implememnt it well enough.

[neryo_tkd]

however I don't think this is a change to improve the game, I think this is a change to improve the spectator appeal personally.

spectator appeal? that's the first thing that was written in the article about these TKD reforms.

if we can improve something, then ok, i'm all for it, but i only hope that the new rules will be tested out well before having to apply them.

according to new rules,a fighter can end the fight when s/he has a 4 point lead or reaches 7 points. that was introduced to avoid results like 15:0, 10:2 etc.

a year or two ago i went to an international open championship abroad and in the fight for silver i KOed my opponent at the beginning of the 2nd round and i was leading 21:0 at the time. i personally don't really care much for the score, but if i can KO my opponent, i certainly will, and i will try to do it as soon as possible because i want to maintain my strength for the next fight.

and let's face it, when you have to travel abroad, it's exhausting, you have to spend the entire weekend at the competition, it's exhausting, and till gold you have at least 3 fights, sometimes 4, it's also very exhausting.

at the competition this month i won my fight for gold 14:5 and my fight for silver 10:0. at the competition in november i also won some of my fights with a huge point lead and it is only natural that if i am leading let's say 10:3 and i still have a hard fight for gold that i'll try to rest in the fight for silver as much as possible and of course avoid getting injured.

so on one hand, i can understand this new rule about ending a fight with a 4 point lead or 7 points, but i don't understand what they wanted with a 5 minute round!

[glenchuy]

what about another rumor i hear that knockdowns will now net an additional point for the stricker? (meaning, even if it gets blocked, but it causes a knockdown, or the attacker was just clumsy with his attack that he lost balance and fell to the ground, the other fighter gets a point) has anyone else heard of this?

[neryo_tkd]

what about another rumor i hear that knockdowns will now net an additional point for the stricker? (meaning, even if it gets blocked, but it causes a knockdown, or the attacker was just clumsy with his attack that he lost balance and fell to the ground, the other fighter gets a point) has anyone else heard of this?


no, i haven't heard such a thing. it is only natural that tons of rumours will start, so let's not make a big deal out of it.

[Yudanja]

World Taekwondo Federation to Move to New Headquarters

SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- The headquarters of the world governing body for the Korean martial art of taekwondo will be relocated this week from the center of Seoul to the southern part of the capital, officials of the organization said Tuesday.

"We will move on Thursday and have an opening ceremony for the new office in the Diplomatic Center Building in Seocho-Dong, Gangnam-gu District, next Tuesday," said an official at the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).


Just thought I would share the information...

[DJHalliB]

I like those rules alot actually. Sounds like a fun set of rules to play under if you ask me. The spectator appeal is also enourmous, which for me as a competitor is also good, because I fight maybe 2-3 fights per tournament but I watch alot more. Too many fights are slow and one sided and a kick-clock is really hard to implement (2 more officials? one on each clock, making 3 corners, one judge in the ring, one official sitting at a desk handling technical issues (scoring etc) and then 2 for the clocks, making 7 officials required). I live in a small community and its hard enough to get 3 in the corner.

One 5minute round would also require quite alot of endurance and I assume the scoring rules would be a bit stricter, more force needed and better technique etc, since so few points are needed.

10 points to end the match and 5 to win by lead sounds alot better though.

[neryo_tkd]

this is the latest info from WTF/ETU

The WTF established a reform committee for reorganizing the competition rules and other matters concerning a better media representation for Taekwondo. Dr. Nat Indrapana, the Chairman of this Reform Committee gave now a short information about the status (shortened):

"It is my honor and pleasure to inform you on the progress achieved by the WTF Reform Committee, which is now in the midst of its second and final meeting in Bangkok Thailand. As you may already know, the Reform Committee was launched in early November 2004, in tandem with President Chungwon Choue’s vision of creating a “New Taekwondo” that is more thrilling and action-packed to spectators, and with a governing body that is more transparent, more professional, and more globally oriented.

The Reform Committee membership comes from both within and outside the Taekwondo community, from African, Asian, Pan-American and European regions. It features experts in such fields as development, marketing, finance, and organizational management.

At our first meeting in Seoul from Dec. 8th to 11th, 2004, the Reform Committee’s primary objective was for all members to understand the current situation of Taekwondo and the WTF and then evaluate and consider any changes for the reform agenda, which was developed earlier with assistance from members of the Olympic community including ASOIF and other international sport federations. Committee members received presentations from 30 experts, including WTF staff and outside professionals.

They also engaged in brainstorming sessions on the full range of issues, such as competition format, refereeing, finances, and headquarters administration. Afterward, members came together on their own for dialogue to develop an overall strategy for putting recommendations into action.

Here in Bangkok, our objective is focusing on each of the issues within the 16 areas, and developing concrete recommendations that will be forwarded to the Executive Council and then the General Assembly for their review and approval.

We have issued several recommendations for a modified competition format that will lead to more exciting games, such as shrinking the size of the competition floor and ensuring that fist techniques earn points. Also, to encourage contestants to be more aggressive, we support awarding an additional point for difficult moves such as flying or jumping kicks.

Let me stress that it is our overa hing goal to provide a more supportive – and more fair – competition environment to all athletes. For at the end of the day, they are the WTF’s most valuable asset.

To this end, the Reform Committee has developed proposals for better refereeing, such as more training opportunities, stricter evaluations, and better overall treatment of judges. Boosting the marketing program at the WTF is another key recommendation.

By raising the appeal and reputation of the sport worldwide, the WTF will command greater attention from global companies, and more income from sponsorships and licensing agreements. These funds, in turn, can be used to assist your national federations in achieving your goals and in supporting the host cities of our championship events.

In the area of organizational structure, we are putting forth policy that will make the WTF more accountable and transparent, through such means as continuous training of staff and employment of more experts in such fields as public relations and finance.

The process of reform will not occur overnight, and it will not take place in a vacuum. The World Taekwondo Federation needs, and expects, full cooperation from each of our member national federations to keep in step with other sports federations and the Olympic movement for a better future for our athletes."

So far Dr. Nat Indrapana, Chairman of the WTF Reform Committee

There will be more grave changes on the competition rules for sure in the near future. How the details will be has not been decided yet but some interesting times lie ahead of all competitors.

[neryo_tkd]

here are some of the changes:

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (March 10, 2005) - The Executive Council of the World Taekwondo Federation approved in principle a series of policy recommendations developed by the Reform Committee at the IOC Headquarters here today, that could form the foundation for a major overhaul of the WTF.

The Executive Council also endorsed the formation of a temporary task force at the WTF that would develop detailed action plans for reform recommendations, which require changes to Taekwondo competition rules and other WTF regulations.

Among the recommendations to be applied starting at the 2005 World Taekwondo Championships in Madrid, Spain, next month, are changes to the competition format such as a shortened duration for the men’s contest, and a new “sudden death” overtime round. The amendments call for a shortened contest duration for men, from three minutes per round to two minutes, based on the existing three-round system, and the introduction of a sudden death round that will decide a match that is tied after three rounds.

The Taekwondo competition area would become more compact, shrinking from the present 12-by-12 meters to a 10-by-10 meter square. At the same time, the number of judges would be increased to four - one at each corner of the competition floor - from the current three. These two revisions would apply to WTF-promoted competitions starting in 2006.

Executive Council members also endorsed in principle the awarding of points by fist techniques, while making it compulsory for athletes to wear gloves as an added safety measure.

Besides those changes, council members endorsed a series of promotional and marketing programs, along with a strengthened Solidarity Program for the WTF’s 177 member National Associations. They also shared the view that the proposed task force should research further before deciding on other matters of great concern, such as the introduction of electronic protectors and colored uniforms.

“Today’s meeting was extremely meaningful and historic,” said WTF President Chungwon Choue. “What the Executive Council decided today is that we should ceaselessly carry out our reform plans with determination and conviction.”

Choue also said, “With the Executive Council’s approval, I strongly believe that not only the Executive Council members, but also all members of the Taekwondo family will take part in the reform initiatives, thus greatly enhancing our status as an Olympic sport federation.”

Also attending the extraordinary Executive Council meeting was IOC President Jacques Rogge, who expressed a great deal of interest in the WTF’s ongoing reform efforts.

After four months of research and discussion, the WTF Reform Committee, chaired by Dr. Nat Indrapana, an IOC member from Thailand and vice president of the WTF, produced a set of recommendations for the world governing body of Taekwondo in late February.

The 11-member Reform Committee was charged with drawing up recommendations aimed at making Taekwondo more action-packed and appealing to global audiences, and transforming the WTF into a more global-minded and professional organization.

Their recommendations spanned a broad area of competition format, refereeing, public relations, marketing, doping, development and solidarity, membership, WTF organizational structure, headquarters administration, ethics guidelines, finance, competition management, international relations, IT and internal communications, and a Reform Fund.

[Kwajman]

Seniors is over 18? Man that is a real handicap for the older guys with a lot less stamina and speed. I don't think I like that at all. But thank you Neryo for the information.

[neryo_tkd]

Seniors is over 18? Man that is a real handicap for the older guys with a lot less stamina and speed. I don't think I like that at all. But thank you Neryo for the information.


didn't you know that seniors are over 18???

there are competitions in which 16 year olds are already allowed to take part in senior competitions. for example, one of my students, a girl, is 17 and next week she'll be taking part in the national senior championship.

[Stormrider]

Executive Council members also endorsed in principle the awarding of points by fist techniques, while making it compulsory for athletes to wear gloves as an added safety measure.


This is a good start, though I assume its still only fist techniques which impact the hogu.

I am interested to see what the regulations are on the gloves. I have a pair that I used to use for sparring in Kenpo which look like a boxing glove on the top over the knuckles but are open on the bottom and I really dislike them. I'd like to use something more along the lines of MMA gloves honestly. It will be interesting to see what sort of designs are developed and approved for competition. Hopefully not integrating the forearm guard and glove into one bulky piece.

My next hope is that with the introduction of gloves as approved and mandatory equipment, maybe the Executive commitee will reconsider allowing scoring hand strikes to the head.

[Nightstrike]

Yeah, my mma gloves would be perfect.
WTF needs to add face punches if it wants to get anywhere as a public sport.
most people that watch tkd think its boring or laugh at how stupid it looks.
At my last tournaments he said something along the lines.."What a joke, they just look like a bunch of mules."
It also would proove you would have to be a good fighter to win.

[glo_in_da_dark]

:eek:

[glo_in_da_dark]

in my opinion i think they are trying to make tkd into mma... but that's why i took tkd: BECAUSE IT'S NOT MMA!!! (i think mma is too rough 'n tough... a bit too aggressive for me...) i know tkd is "the art of the hand and foot" but it usually consists of leg techniques and i liked it that way because i have a weak upper body (i know i know, i have to be a well balanced MAist... :p )

waaaahhh!!!!

[neryo_tkd]

you could also use the EDIT button :D

[Ikken Hisatsu]

so when are they going to unsuck the rules in regards to punching and kicking the legs

[neryo_tkd]

so when are they going to unsuck the rules in regards to punching and kicking the legs


this is TKD, not muay thai.

[logsig]

I haven't seen much detailed discussion about this apart from a bit in the WTF Sparring Gear thread and am really curious as to what you guys think about it all.

For those who for some reason haven't read it:
http://www.wtf.org/site/wtf/notice.htm?realnum=15&mode=view
It's 190 pages long but most of the bits that will interest the average person are in the sections about Competitions and Referees (sections A and B, pages numbered 17 to 49).

Personally, I think it's a great report. Taken as a whole, it gives a lot of insight about the current problems and intended future direction of the WTF. Plus, it's pretty amusing in the way it's written as well (at least to me).

[JohnG]

Shrink the competition area to 10x10 meters and eliminate the Attention Area and Attention Line.
Reduce the length of a men’s competition to 3 rounds of 2 minutes each, with 1 minute of rest between rounds.

Good idea. It should speed things up a bit, although i would just have 2 rounds, cos round 1 is just a bounce-a-thon.

No penalties shall be given to contestants who act showy, such as shouting after an attack, as these are considered part of the sport’s appeal to spectators.

Well, ok. As long as players don't start prancing around at the slightist hint of a scoring kick, and if they don't stick thier arm in the air and holler every time their foot goes within 3" of the hogu

Consider colored uniforms in principle. Form a special subcommittee to research color and design issues, pant-leg control, possibility of transparent and lighter headgear, and changes to design of women’s uniform.

Sounds good and will allow spectators to tell one player from another. You could even have team colours. I don't know how there gonna do transparent headgear though. Air filled?

Competitors shall wear gloves. Sporting goods experts shall be consulted to develop the specific style.

Why? Punching a hogu only really hurts if your hand position isn't correct, and a glove won't help that. I suppose they are trying to promote more punching that will score, which is good. But gloves.... not necessary imo

Theres loads more, thanks for adding the link.

[neryo_tkd]

Consider colored uniforms in principle. Form a special subcommittee to research color and design issues, pant-leg control, possibility of transparent and lighter headgear, and changes to design of women’s uniform.

Sounds good and will allow spectators to tell one player from another. You could even have team colours.

I'm not really sure that coloured doboks are a good thing. Imagine in the 1st fight you have to wear a red dobok, then you have to go change for the 2nd fight in which you might have to wear a blue one, and then for the 3rd fight again the red etc

all this means more expenses. all fighters will have to have 2 doboks.

[Slindsay]

Not if they make a reversible dobok like the Judo gi's.

[JohnG]

Neryo tkd, after the last Olympic Games, I think the WTF will consider anything to give the fights more sparkle. I like the idea of coloured uniforms in principle, but like you say, it will be more expensive.

According to the report, the WTF want spectators to be able to readily identify each player easily, to help create a more passionate following.

Whether different coloured doboks will do this remains to be seen, but at least they are willing to consider new things.

[simon mudo]

So the W.T.F are going to have 4 judges, like the old days, smaller fighting area like the old days. And if you got hit in the old days only one round.
W.T.F is getting to be like a game of tiggie. (I am W.T.F background)
It is all these changes (and the fact they are trying to make it more watchable for the arm chair warriors) That I moved my clubs to the World Taekwondo and Mudo Academy.

[simon mudo]

This is a martial art for gods sake (Sorry) weres the tradition gone. I.T.F ware all diferent types of suits and I have been around when senior Masters who have given out some verbal abuse about it. Now thay want us to go around looking like a sweet shop NO THANK YOU. Vote with your feet and leave before its to late.

[neryo_tkd]

next time you can simply use the EDIT button if you want to add something to your post or change it :)

[Stormrider]

Anyone care to explain what tiggie means?


Gloves will be ok if they are more like mma gloves than boxing gloves. And I hope they aren't one piece with the arm pad. I like the idea of a thinner hogu although I will be in the super super heavyweight division.

Speaking of weight classes I couldn't believe they are adding a new lower weight class for men. Its like almost down to 100 lbs which is tiny. It was nice of them to add the super superheavyweight class. Having the weight cut off at 184lbs has been kind of a joke. I am a bit over 6 foot and cant get down that low without losing some serious muscle, and I am not real big at all. Of course they said they may re-align the classes so we will see.

New Doboks will be good too. I am tired of how constricting they are on the upper body and always having to hem my pants up. I don't really care about color, the more the merrier imo. It would be cool to see schools with their own dobok design as long as it doesnt get too crazy.

[simon mudo]

Tiggie is a game played in school yards in England. You touch a friend and then they chase you or someone else and try to tig or tag them. Played by young kids. No one gets hurt unless they fall on the ground

[Slindsay]

Ive just heard on the grapevine that the introduction of gloves to WTF sparring is a certainty now, thats come from somewhere high up in my org passed down to me via one of our competitive sparring guys.

Does anyone have any idea how this is going to affect the rules? Does anyone have any confirmation of this or do they know for a fact this isnt true? Are we going to see full contact to the head in WTF sparring?

[estranged13]

Ive just heard on the grapevine that the introduction of gloves to WTF sparring is a certainty now, thats come from somewhere high up in my org passed down to me via one of our competitive sparring guys.

Does anyone have any idea how this is going to affect the rules? Does anyone have any confirmation of this or do they know for a fact this isnt true? Are we going to see full contact to the head in WTF sparring?


now at my last ref seminair i heard that they were getting rid of that idea, the main reason they wanted that was for electronic scoring but that set up is too expensive for most places so they were moving away from that thought.

i heard that pushing might become legal again too.

[tekkengod]

i think the round changes in time are positive, but only one round? come on, dosen't exactly leave much space for a comback. and determining a winner based on politeness and respect isn't a good idea in ANY sport in my opinion. the point changes are also a good idea. but its not like i'm competeing in TKD sparring anyway.

[neryo_tkd]

but only one round? come on, dosen't exactly leave much space for a comback.

there are 3 rounds. out of the accepted reform proposals, 2 were applied in Madrid: men's rounds are not 3 x 3min anymore, but 3 x 2min, and the golden point system, i.e. the 4th round in case of a tied score after the 3rd round.

[oni_sensei]

This is a martial art for gods sake (Sorry) weres the tradition gone. I.T.F ware all diferent types of suits and I have been around when senior Masters who have given out some verbal abuse about it. Now thay want us to go around looking like a sweet shop NO THANK YOU. Vote with your feet and leave before its to late.

Excuse me? Old post, I know, but in ITF competitions, wearing anything but an ITF dobok in compeition is strictly FORBIDDEN. Of course, club tracksuits can be worn over the dobok on the sidelines, but you can't wear anything other than the official uniform, much like WTF competitions.

[tekkengod]

there are 3 rounds. out of the accepted reform proposals, 2 were applied in Madrid: men's rounds are not 3 x 3min anymore, but 3 x 2min, and the golden point system, i.e. the 4th round in case of a tied score after the 3rd round.

oh, i see. that make better sense.

[neryo_tkd]

here, have a look: http://www.wtf.org/site/wtf/notice.htm?realnum=16&mode=view

[Artikon]

I'm not sure I like the glove rule. Reason being is I don't see the reason why we need to wear gloves when they haven't looked at reforming how competitors are scoring with punches.

I do like that the ring is smaller, there is less time, and that an overtime round will be used to determine a tie.

One thing I am not so sure on yet is the 4 corner judges. I like the fact that they are moving to four; however I don't like the fact that now 3 of the four judges must score the point before it is awarded. Essentially it makes it more difficult for a competitor to score as now there are less angles for 3 judges to see a point.

I do like that they have also introduced a point spread, I would rather it be 8 points instead of 7, and I do like that they have a point ceiling. The point ceiling should be higher in my opinion, more like 15.

[neryo_tkd]

yeah, many people find in these new rules things they like and dislike. i guess we'll have to see how they work in reality, but the majority of people i've talked to about this is not really pleased with all these changes.

[Artikon]

i guess we'll have to see how they work in reality,

There's the catch. We'll have to see how these rules work. I really just wish they would leave the rules the way they are for a little while, instead of changing them every couple years.

[Sirasoni]

http://taekwon.net/eng/webzine/news_view.asp?news_no=1022

Do you think the new rules including the couting of punch points will make Olympic sparring close to kickboxing rules?

Will we see more hand strikes in the 'lympics now cause of thse rules?

Will TKD comp. be more fun and dynamic to watch as they so claim?

Thoughts and op. appreciated

[Sirasoni]

Opinons?

[Sang]

Punches are still only allowed to the body so it won't be like western kickboxing. The gloves used http://shop.mooto.com/korean/shop_ItemDetail.asp?group_no=4880 only offer protection against hard hogus and are very thinly padded as you can see. Therefore, they are not designed for head punches as they will cause great damage to the opponent.

Also, tkd instep guards http://shop.mooto.com/korean/shop_ItemDetail.asp?group_no=4896 are allowed. The gloves and instep guards were worn in the 2005 Korean Open. Still, I didn't see many fighters use their punches, mostly kicks.

[neryo_tkd]

Do you think the new rules including the couting of punch points will make Olympic sparring close to kickboxing rules?

a good punch has always been scored, but it's the people who don't really know what a good punch is.

second of all, i don't want to train kickboxing, i want to continue training TKD.

[miles]

The USA TKD Team Fight-Offs will be conducted using the new rules except the gloves won't be worn. This is according to the USA TKD website which also says the event will be open to the public and no admission will be charged!!!

Miles

[neryo_tkd]

"At last WTF has decided about the introduction of the long awaited electronic score protector for competition. Decades of development have passed and now it seems that this process will finally come to the practical test. WTF has opened the time schedule for application of recognition to developing companies. From Dec. 30th 2005 until Jan. 14th 2006 companies can apply for official WTF recognition of their electronic scoring protector.

A very detailed specification sheet of 42 pages has been worked out by WTF which describes every physical requirement of the electronic protector. Size, dimensions, materials, colors and types of transmitting devices - everything has been covered in this sheet.

Until March 2006 the samples will be tested and certified by the Korea Institute of Sports Science (KISS). A field test will be done until July 2006, followed by a specific examination and inspection through the WTF Ad-Hoc Committee. On August 2nd 2006 the list of recognized companies and products will be announced.

This means that from the second half of 2006 on electronic score protectors will be available to competitors for practice. This will mark an important point in the development of Taekwondo competition. It is planned to hold regular inspections once every two or three years by WTF to guarantee the further development of this device.


WTF has published the specifications for new hand protectors to be used in competition. Those who traveled to Korea last year could already see some samples of these new devices. Producing companies are invited to sign a license contract with WTF according to this specifications. WTF sanctioned Taekwondo hand protectors will look like this:"


http://www.etutaekwondo.org/news/2006/Articles/handprotector.jpg

B-a: Line that can be folded

B-b: Part where ventilating material is used or where the palm of hand is exposed

B-c: Fastening band of the wrist
F-a: Essential part of the Bareun Jumeok technique, 4-6mm thick

F-b: Part to protect thumb, 4-6mm thick

F-c: Back of hand, 8-10mm thick

F-d: Lines that can be folded

S-a: Side of the little finger, 4-6mm thick

[Kwajman]

I wish the WTF could make up its mind regarding the rules. Seems like they change them like crazy.

[pulp fiction]

Those gloves look like the ones that goal keepers use in football/soccer.

So what is the point of gloves, if still there aren't head punches??

Is it like for judges to watch points??

Does anybody know if they are going to change the white dobok for colored doboks?

[neryo_tkd]

I wish the WTF could make up its mind regarding the rules. Seems like they change them like crazy.
i wouldn't say that they change them like crazy. they started to think about the changes a long time ago and when the info started to get published, it's actually the same info that we have been dealing with the entire time.


So what is the point of gloves, if still there aren't head punches??

Is it like for judges to watch points??

Does anybody know if they are going to change the white dobok for colored doboks?

there was no mention of punching the head, but i guess the gloves will have their use now that the new electronic hogus are being introduced. they're probably part of the new system and they also serve to protect the hands a bit.

no info yet on the colors of dobok. honestly i would like them to stay white.

[TraditionalTKD]

I would want the doboks to stay white as well. Judo uses blue gis in addition to white and I hate that. Kano never used blue gis and I doubt he would have.

Keep the doboks white.

[neryo_tkd]

yes, keep the doboks white.

a student of mine has got 2 coloured doboks. her dad bought them in canada, a blue one and a red one. so, the first time she came to class, it was cute, she is only 9 years old and a very nice girl. but i wouldn't want to see my entire class wear doboks in colour.

[pulp fiction]

I like black doboks, but wearing blue and red doboks :eek:

Do you really think that these gloves are going to work? Honestly you damage more your hands by punching a heavy bag without gloves than hitting a hogu.

[Artikon]

Do you really think that these gloves are going to work? Honestly you damage more your hands by punching a heavy bag without gloves than hitting a hogu.

Yes they will work, but I think you are missing the point in their purpose and design.

Size, dimensions, materials, colors and types of transmitting devices - everything has been covered in this sheet.
bold added by me

I believe the gloves are going to act as part of the electronic scoring system that is starting to be established. With the use of foot and hand guards the system will be able to determine if the hogu/helmet is being struck by a hand or a foot. This will probably be accomplished by a secondary transmission system where they foot and hand pads will have transmitors in. When pressure is sent onto a scoring area it must agree with pressure transmitted by either foot or hand.

This is simply theory and I don't really have any documentation to go along with this, but it makes sense in my mind. For right now the color difference of the gloves make it easier for the judges to see a clean punch on a hogu. Hopefully this will help in scoring punches.

As for punching to the head. With these gloves I don't see it happening. They are simply to light, even lighter than the 4 oz MMA gloves. I don't see punching to the head ever coming into WTF type competition, at least not in the next 10 years or so. After that, who knows.

[neryo_tkd]

I don't see punching to the head ever coming into WTF type competition, at least not in the next 10 years or so. After that, who knows.

10 years? hahahah yeah, we probably won't be competing then :D

[HwaRang]

so will those competitions be similar to an electronic fencing match, without the swords of course, only wireless. because in my experience anything like that you are going to have to assume:

it will break down often
so very often

can you really imagine something worse than being in a match and your transmitter has cut our for your feet and hands. every time you are hit you lose points - but try as you might your scores dont get counted. it takes halfway through the match for this to be discovered by the authorities and all scores has to be reset and match restarted.
man
ouch

[Slindsay]

Gonna be interesting to see what level of force they set on the scoring pads and even more interesting to see whther or not competitiors start trainning to hit with that force and no more to see if they can get a benefit from it.

[pulp fiction]

Yes they will work, but I think you are missing the point in their purpose and design.


.


I got the point. Punches can be scored by an electronic system and judges can see punches with the gloves in different colors.

But what is not clear is that they say that these gloves are for protecting your hands against hard hogus. It is almost impossible to hurt your hands by punching a hogu with bear knuckles.

[neryo_tkd]

I got the point. Punches can be scored by an electronic system and judges can see punches with the gloves in different colors.

But what is not clear is that they say that these gloves are for protecting your hands against hard hogus. It is almost impossible to hurt your hands by punching a hogu with bear knuckles.


well, we haven't seen the new hogus with the electronic stuff yet, but i'm sure they won't be as 'soft' as the current once are.

[Artikon]

But what is not clear is that they say that these gloves are for protecting your hands against hard hogus. It is almost impossible to hurt your hands by punching a hogu with bear knuckles.
Could be a psychological thing as well. Cover the hands and say it will be easier to punch may make punching a more viable technique in some competitors minds. I'm hoping to see much more punching personally, and hopefully the judges will start scoring them consistantly.

[hminitrez]

Personally, I would like to see more hand techniques being used and counted as points to really display "The way of the hand/fist and foot/feet." As of now, the rest of the martial arts world taunts TKD by calling it "the way of the roundhouse and "hopping." Watch any olympic match and you'll see what I mean...lots of hopping...hopping..and then finally a roundhouse or back hook kick. Nothing like the spectacular displays in the 1960s through 1980s karate matches with Chuck Norris, Bill Wallace, etc....In 1988, the WTF decided they wanted to look completely different than any of the Japanese art forms that allegedly were the basis for TKD....so they eliminated punching, which Karateka were famous for using in the ring to win, especially with the reverse punch against any of the spinning TKD kicks. Since 1988, sport TKD practitioners in the WTF have found ways to improvise existing kicks into sparring matches; i.e., the tornado kick or non-stop roundhouse kicks. I can stop any of these including the back hook kick by simply stepping into my opponent and slamming my fist into their chest guard (hogu) and I do it constantly. No, I don't get a point (though I do in open Karate tourneys) but it totally trips up my opponent and I then score easily with a roundhouse. My point -- bring back hand techniques!! It's more realistic! My two cents...

[neryo_tkd]

I can stop any of these

it's not like you sparred everyone in the world, right?! :D :Angel: :D

[Artikon]

I like jamming in hard as well, but it can lead to trouble against a seriously experience opponent. I've seen a person get knocked out by charging in on someone who was doing a spin round kick. Jam came in, punch landed, but the round kick was a fake to a crescent and came over the arm and scored a clean KO. I don't know if I could do that but it was pretty impressive none the less.

[hminitrez]

No, I have not sparred everyone in the world...but I've been sparring since the mid 1980's...in the US and Europe...and my technique hasn't failed me yet....but thanks for asking.


I only jam in hard when it warrants it. Mostly, I simply step inside their kick...very easy and effective...and while one punch has landed on the chest, the other hand is by my face, ready to block when needed...I've encountered the fake to a crescent Artikon mentions and was able to easily block it and counterattack with my own roundhouse. It's all about knowing how to use the hands as well as the feet. Getting back to my point, I just wish WTF would make hand tecniques in sparring part of the reform.

[pulp fiction]

. I'm hoping to see much more punching personally, and hopefully the judges will start scoring them consistantly.

Yeah, me too.

Hminitrez: Hand techinques have always been used in TKD. Even right now without gloves you get a point for a solid punch to the chest.

[hminitrez]

Yeah, me too.

Hminitrez: Hand techinques have always been used in TKD. Even right now without gloves you get a point for a solid punch to the chest.

Pulp -- Yes, hand techniques have always been used in TKD. The point though is with scoring them in Olympic Style WTF TKD. You can punch all you want, but the scoring is inconsistent. All 14 Masters that I work with, who are all Referee Qualified through Kukkiwon, teach that punching is not worth it because likely, even if you land a hard punch, it won't be counted. Again, just watch any olympic match....as far as ITF matches, yes, they do count as points and I have won plenty of ITF and Open Karate matches that way.

[HwaRang]

what about (not that im suggesting it as a good sparring technique) landing a Doo Ap-Joomuk Jirugi, with a resultant motion from the opponent?

surely any judge would call the points for that?

[neryo_tkd]

UNIFORMS (http://www.wtf.org/WTF_NEW_LOOK/DOCUMENT_ROOT/site/rules/rules1/view3.htm)

GLOVES (http://www.wtf.org/WTF_NEW_LOOK/DOCUMENT_ROOT/site/rules/rules1/view7.htm)

DIFFICULT TECHNIQUES (+1 POINT) (http://www.wtf.org/WTF_NEW_LOOK/DOCUMENT_ROOT/site/rules/rules1/view8.htm)

JUDGES (http://www.wtf.org/WTF_NEW_LOOK/DOCUMENT_ROOT/site/rules/rules1/view16.htm)

[Faminedynasty]

It bothers me that more points will be awarded for difficult techniques to some degree... If someone is effective solely with punches to the solarplexus, they are effective nonetheless. But it bothers me more that "greater leniency will be shown to contestants who attempt difficult moves, ie., those who fall while executing difficult moves...shall not be penalized." Does this not perpetuate the notion that TKD is not an effective martial art? And, since in my opinion it certainly can be an effective martial art, should not the sporting element of it be more concerned with what is effective than what is difficult? It seems to me that some of the most innefective techniques imaginable would be some of the hardest to execute.

[Another Muay Thai Guy]

"greater leniency will be shown to contestants who attempt difficult moves, ie., those who fall while executing difficult moves...shall not be penalized."
So Olympic/WTF practitioners already get deducted points for falling whilst sparring? We get one deducted for "loss of balance" every time you fall over or put your hand down to stop yourself falling, but I didn't know the same was true for WTF, surely they'd have as many points taken away as they score. :D

[neryo_tkd]

yes, penalty points are given,

but now we're talking about 'efficient more difficult' techniques and not difficult techniques that one can't perform :D

[Slindsay]

Looks like it's very much oriented towards being crowd pleasing.

[Artikon]

Yup I agree about trying to be crowd pleasing.
I like the gloves, I like the four judges, I like the additional point. I HATE the uniforms. Why wear color uniforms when we put stuff over top of it anyways. I can see it in patterns competition but until that recieves the same international success as the sparring then why bother.

[TraditionalTKD]

We already have red and blue hogu. Why do we need colored uniforms to go under them?
Judo has blue uniforms and I hate them too. And I don't even practice judo.

[neryo_tkd]

i also don't quite understand this thing with uniforms. sometimes in a fight you wear the red hogu and sometimes the blue one. so does that mean that we'll have to buy two uniforms and change them during the competition which is really weird or will it be one uniform that is blue on one side and red on the other? but in that case you have to change as well, so as i see it it's a lot of hussle. :confused:

[TraditionalTKD]

So what happens if two fighters have to face each other and both are wearing the same colored uniform? Much easier to simply turn the hogu inside out.

[neryo_tkd]

haven't you read my previous post? it'll probably be 2 uniforms or one uniform with 2 colors.

[neryo_tkd]

as of 2006 we started using the following new rules:

- the fighter who leads by 7 points wins

- the fighter who has 12 points wins

- mouthguard is a 'must' for everyone

- kadets (aged 8-14) will use mouthguard and shin+instep protection gear

2 weekends ago we took part in the national kadet championshoip and we won GOLD :). with the new rules the fights are quicker. my girl who became the national champion finished the first 2 fights in one minute.

[Another Muay Thai Guy]

2 weekends ago we took part in the national kadet championshoip and we won GOLD :). with the new rules the fights are quicker. my girl who became the national champion finished the first 2 fights in one minute.
Cool stuff, congrats! :)

[baron]

I am totally in favor of reducing the round lenghts to 2 minutes. It would make the fights a lot faster paced People wouldnt have to worry as much about conserving energy and running out the clock, so there would be a lot more action.

I am totally not in favor of giving more points to fancy moves. It would reduce some of the fights to people just flinging themselves through the air with wild kicks.

I also dont like this 12 point win thing. Its kind of a strange number. Why not 15?

[pulp fiction]

In a tournament last week, I saw this new gloves that supposedly we are going to use. They look like bycicle gloves.

Another thing that happened at this tournament is that the new rules of the first one who reaches 12 points wins and the one of the 7 point difference were also applied.

[neryo_tkd]

you all know that the electronic protectors are supposed to be used at the Olympics. Here is the evaluation report of 2nd demonstration:

"The ad-hoc Committee on Electronic Protectors of the World Taekwondo Federation announced its evaluation results of an electronic protector demonstration on March 28, 2006.

The demonstration, the second of its kind by WTF after the demonstration on July 20, 2005, took place at Kyung Hee University on March 25, 2006.

The demonstration attracted four companies: LaJUST of Korea, ATM of Austria, True Score (Impact Measurement), a U.S.-Korea joint venture, and Daedo of Spain.

With regard to the electronic protector system comprising of just the body protectors, LaJUST was the only participant that passed the “acceptable” level of the basic technical requirements to be applied to taekwondo competition.

The systems of two other companies, ATM and Daedo, failed to meet the requirements in the category of “differentiation of valid impact and invalid impact.” The system of True Score failed to meet the acceptable level in two categories: “accuracy of the sense-impact level” and “differentiation of valid impact and invalid impact.”

The other two basic technical requirements are “consecutive impacts” and “calibration.”

In demonstrations of electronic protector systems comprising of both the head and body protectors, however, the two demonstrators - LaJUST and Daedo – failed to meet the acceptable level of the basic technical requirements.
The company that passed the evaluation is required to undergo both laboratory and field tests. Laboratory tests, which will be conducted by the Korea Institute of Sports Science (KISS), will involve sense-impact level tests, transmission systems, safety on electricity and electronics, and endurance of materials.

Fields tests, whose contents and criteria will be made by the ad-hoc committee, aim to determine the conformity of the system to real-life competition, testing the system in a “live” competition setting.

After evaluating the overall tests, the ad-hoc committee is scheduled to present its final evaluation report to WTF, which will be used for WTF’s selection of official electronic protector companies.

WTF is to make a progress report on the electronic protectors before the WTF Executive Council meeting and the General Assembly during the 6th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships scheduled for July 26-30, 2006 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam."

[Another Muay Thai Guy]

Still quite a way to go then.

[neryo_tkd]

Still quite a way to go then.


definitely, what they want to achieve is great, almost like SciFi but as you sait it's quite a way to go.

[the only eagle]

Has anyone got the new gloves and instep guards that are being introduced to tournaments. I got the insteps and theyre really good but apparently theyre going to be compulsary.

[Liam Cullen]

I didn't know they were introducing the instep guards as well as the gloves. I like the look of the gloves and have ordered some from Mooto, I've kind of hoping the xtra protection means there will be some changes in the rules in the next year or so.

[neryo_tkd]

kadets (-14 years) use insteps (they have already started using them), mouth guards are a must for all ages.

next month Adidas will have a demonstration of the new electronic gear at a tournament in croatia.

[TKDmmafiter]

1. It's definitely good that the WTF is encouraging and recognizing punching now. It will make TKD more "exciting" and will develop the combat sport further as well.

But do you think that the encouraging of punching and the introduction of gloves will ultimately lead to more and more punching by WTF fighters, or no?

2. In addition to punching, the WTF now gives an extra point to competitors who perform flying or jumping attacks to get more points... I honestly think this is a terrible idea.

Giving an extra point to competitors will encourage impractical jumping/flying techniques, won't it? Do you think competitors will start using these impractical moves a lot more or just a little more or no difference at all?

Now the competitors stick to roundhouses, back kicks and axes for the most part. I hope WTF TKD matches don't become dancing matches. What do you think? Besides, even for the extra point, isn't using jumping/flying moves too risky anyway, because of the points. So they'll probably save these moves for the PERFECT opportunity, no?

[Artikon]

Personally you won't see a lot of flying unless the person is absolutely sure they are going to hit and land. Remember that there is also a rule that stipulates staying on feet. Personally I leave the ground on occasion, usually when the other player is off balance and moving backwards. I'll take that opportunity to chase and hit with a jumping side kick for the knockdown. Hard to score a point, but they may get a warning out of it.

Punching, at the last few international and national events I've seen and competed in, I have seen new tactics involving punching. I think punching will come more into play as long as judges are scoing the punches. This has always been in the rules but they just aren't scored.

[Liam Cullen]

1. What in particular are you refering to? I wasn't aware that the points scored for punching had changed. Gloves have been introduced, some thought this was an indication that punches to the face were on the cards. But as a couple of people have pointed out, this is most likely more linked to the new electronic body armour being introduced. Time will tell I guess. :)

I don't think people will start using punches more in WTF until the way points are scored with them changes.

2. I'm on the opposite side of the fence on this one. I think it's going to make it much more interesting to watch, and to take part in. I think you'll soon see the general level of fighters rise as a lot of schools realise they can no longer win by relying just on turning kick attacks and back kick counters.

I'm not sure how you can use the term "impractical" as if they hit and score they work. Combined with the extra points scored for knocking down your opponent, I think we'll see some fast flashy combinations with a lot of power behind them to get that extra point. Again, time will tell!

[TKDmmafiter]

What...? Encouraging flashy techniques is horrible for learning practical martial arts. TKD may be a sport... but it is also still a martial art and as a martial art it has its obligation to remain practical. Flashy, jumping spinning flying things are NOT practical.

[Liam Cullen]

I think you're mistaking competition sparring with what you think people would use "on the street".

[TKDmmafiter]

Well, I think you're forgetting that even competition sparring shoudl encourage practical stuff.

Anyone else have any input?

[Liam Cullen]

Again, what do you mean by "practical"? If a technique lands and can knock your opponent down, or out, then how can that not be practical?

[MadMonk108]

As long as you are looking for techniques that score, then within the ruleset, practical techniques will always end up being favored.

For example, say they award 3 points for any jumping, spinning technique to the head, and one point for any other kick, plus a bonus for knockdown.

If my opponent wants to go for that flashy technique to get extra points, he has to score it. I should be able to prevent this with practical technique, ie. a push kick to the body to knock him down while he's attempting his kick.

The beauty of a full contact format, even with rules as limiting as WTF TKD, is that practical technique will always end up being favored.






Now if only we could just get rid of the damn hogu...

[TKDmmafiter]

As long as you are looking for techniques that score, then within the ruleset, practical techniques will always end up being favored.

For example, say they award 3 points for any jumping, spinning technique to the head, and one point for any other kick, plus a bonus for knockdown.

If my opponent wants to go for that flashy technique to get extra points, he has to score it. I should be able to prevent this with practical technique, ie. a push kick to the body to knock him down while he's attempting his kick.

The beauty of a full contact format, even with rules as limiting as WTF TKD, is that practical technique will always end up being favored.






Now if only we could just get rid of the damn hogu...

After thinking about what MadMonk just said above, I am now totally reassured competitors will stick to practical techniques most of the time. THis is a good thing.

And as for the hogu removal... I very much doubt that the Kukkiwon and the WTF would allow WTF sparring to be full contact AND no-hogu at the same time. One would have to be sacrificed for the other. Personally, I'd rather keep the full contact rather than have it be semi or light contact with no hogu.. It may happen but I doubt it. Besides, the WTF just recently invested loads of money into creating a new electronic protector.

What needs to happen is Pro-Taekwondo. Many South Koreans, including myself, have been advocating or proposing the start of a professional WTF Taekwondo league with less rule restrictions, full contact, and no hogu. Because of the huge demand, professional Taekwondo will probably come into being soon. Keep in mind the guys that go to the Olympics aren't pros. They're technically amateurs.

But what do you guys think about the encouraging of punching + the introduction of gloves? Do you think people will start punching more now?

[neryo_tkd]

"Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam --- The World Taekwondo Federation designated Sept. 4 as the official “Taekwondo Day” at its extraordinary General Assembly here on July 25, 2006.

In line with the WTF’s ongoing reform programs, the General Assembly approved a package of proposals for amendments to the WTF Rules and Regulations and the WTF Poomsae Competition Rules.

Under the changed WTF Rules and Regulations, the term “regional” will be changed into “continental,” thus the regional taekwondo unions shall be continental taekwondo unions. Article 2.4 on Amateurism was also deleted to help activate professional taekwondo.

The WTF Executive Council will be renamed into the WTF Council, with the creation of the Executive Committee consisting of the president, six vice presidents, the secretary general and the treasuer.

Under the new WTF Rules and Regulations, the General Assembly shall be held every year at the same location where the WTF World Taekwondo Championships and the WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships. The fiscal year of the WTF shall commence on Jan. 1 and end on Dec. 31 of each year.

The General Assembly also approved the creation of the Paralympic Committee within the WTF, in line with the WTF’s policy to include taekwondo in the official sport of the Paralympic Games in the near future.

In a show of solidarity among the global taekwondo family members, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on recent terrorist incidents in Iraqi, condemning the kidnapping of Iraqi taekwondo athletes two months ago and wishing them an early return to their homes.

The Assembly approved three new memberships: Kiribati in the Oceania region and Zambia in Africa as full members, along with Isle of Man as an associate member.

With the new memberships, the WTF has a total of 182 member national associations.

At the Assembly, Izmir of Turkey was chosen as the host site for the 7th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships on May 8-11, 2008, with Incheon of Korea the venue for the 2nd WTF World Poomsae Taekwondo Championships in the fall of 2007.

On July 24, the WTF’s Executive Council approved the new referee uniforms for Kyorugi and Poomsae competitions.

At the Council meeting, Manchester of Great Britain outbid Baku of Azerbaijan to win the bid to host the World Olympic Qualification Tournament.

On a more heartwarming note, the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation offered its heartfelt appreciation to the WTF for offering condolences and monetary support to the National Olympic Committee of Pakistan during the devastating earthquake that struck Pakistan on October 8, 2005. The WTF was the only federation that offered such support.

The 6th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships will start on July 26 for a five-day run at the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.

The biennial event drew more than 1,000 athletes and officials from over 75 countries."

[zoltan]

This is my first time posting on here but as WTF fighter that is the stupidest thing i have ever heard. A second round can make all the difference in a fight and i have seen tides turn so fast to take that out would be a terrible thing.

[neryo_tkd]

http://www.wtf.org/comp/uboat/PDS_DIR/wtf_news/1158025762.jpg

The World Taekwondo Federation signed a recognition contract with LaJUST on electronic protectors at the headquarters of the WTF in Seoul on Sept. 11, 2006.

The contract period is five years. With the signing, the WTF is able to use the electronic protectors in the taekwondo competition of the 18th World Taekowndo Championships scheduled for in May 2007 in Beijing, China, at the earliest.

The introduction of electronic protectors is expected to greatly enhance the image of taekwondo and the WTF, as they could reduce possible controversies arising from judgment and refereeing at taekwondo competitions.

“The signing bears a great significance in that the use of electronic protectors could make judgment at taekwondo competitions more objective and transparent,” said WTF President Chungwon Choue. “It makes a milestone in the history of taekwondo and the WTF.”

According to the recommendations of the now disbanded WTF Reform Committee on fairer judgment and refereeing at taekwondo competitions, the WTF set up an ad-hoc Committee on Electronic Protectors in July 2005.

The WTF held a demonstration of electronic protectors on July 20, 2005 in Seoul.

In accordance with the recommendations of the ad-hoc committee after the first demonstration, the WTF commissioned the Korea Institute of Sports and Science (KISS) to produce a report on basic specifications of electronic protectors. On Dec. 30, 2005, the WTF announced the KISS-produced specifications on electronic protectors.

The WTF held another demonstration of electronic protectors on March 25, 2006 in Seoul. The demonstration drew four electronic protector manufacturers – LaJUST of Korea; ATM of Austria; True Score (Impact Measurement), a joint venture between the Untied States and Korea; and Daedo International of Spain.

The ad-hoc Committee on Electronic Protectors announced its evaluation results of the electronic protector demonstration on March 28, 2006.

Of the four participating demonstrators, LaJUST was the only participants that passed the “acceptable” level of the basic technical requirements in four categories to be applied to taekwondo competition.
The four categories are accuracy of the sense-impact level, differentiation of valid impact and invalid impact, consecutive impacts and calibration.

According to the KISS report to the WTF in June this year, LaJUST also passed the laboratory tests, which involved transmission systems, safety on electricity and electronics, and endurance of materials.

On July 29, 2006, there was a JaJUST demonstration of electronic protectors during the 6th WTF World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, drawing a positive response from spectators.

LaJUST started developing electronic protector systems in 1982 and has since conducted electronic-protector demonstrations at about 130 official and unofficial taekwondo competitions. As recently as in October 2003, LaJUST electronic protectors were used at the 24th Yonsei University President’s Flag Taekwondo Championships in Seoul.

[Sang]

The day I'm forced to wear those horrible robocop outfits is the day I retire from WTF TKD competitions. What a joke and how embarassing.

[MadMonk108]

This is so sad...

[Origami Itto]

The protectors in the pic are probably coloured that way to demonstrate the electronic sensors, obviously the "production models" will be white!

I have my doubts if the human body is suited for such sensors though. How will the sensors be able to consistently detect - judge, if you will - what was a good strike ("valid" and "invalid" impact)? Some kind of performance envelope taking into account force and surface? They probably have a way to get satisfying results, but i have a feeling that there will still be disputes with scoring, but at least noone will be blaming the refs :).

[Liam Cullen]

I think any martial art that makes people velcro their face up before stepping on the mat is headed the wrong way. I wonder at what level of competition this kit will be introduced at? I doubt most people will be willing to shell out for it at low level competitions.

And no that's not the colour of the 'production models'.

They'll be pink.

[Origami Itto]

Pink???

As for headgear, it is a bit controversial, but many styles use it, most notably amateur boxing, and it is doing pretty well. Amateur thai boxers begin virtually covered in protective gear (shins, knees, chest, gloves, elbows, head) but it is removes as you progress :).

[MadMonk108]

Protective headgear is one thing. Those facemasks are something completely different.

[Origami Itto]

They do look pretty similar to all these: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=boxing%20headgear&btnG=Google+Search&sa=N&tab=wi

If you just mean that they are not there to protect, then they will be even less restricting :).

[Liam Cullen]

Does anyone know where the sensors actually are? I Thought they were the dark areas, but I think that might just be a logo after looking at :
http://www.wtf.org/comp/uboat/PDS_DIR/wtf_event_photo/1125279023.JPG

Either that or there's a big target right on the top of the head and at the top of the spine.

[neryo_tkd]

i think the sensors are where those shiny dark things are.

[Liam Cullen]

there don't appear to be any on the collar bone area though, which is odd. :confused:

[neryo_tkd]

i haven't found any new info on the electronic equipment, but i'm really looking forward to the olympics

[neryo_tkd]

''The World Taekwondo Federation held a demonstration of electronic protector systems in Seoul on Jan. 12, 2007.

The WTF-organized demonstration, the third of its kind, attracted two electronic protector manufacturers - Daedo International of Spain and adidas (ATM) of Germany.

The two companies which attended the previous demonstration by the WTF on March 25, 2006, failed to pass the WTF-set basic requirements.

The one-day demonstration, which took place at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, was conducted before WTF President Chungwon Choue and members of the ad-hoc WTF Electronic Protector Committee.

The ad-hoc committee is led by Mr. Soo-nam Park, vice president of the WTF. The nine-member committee includes Mr. Eui-min Ko, chairman of the WTF Technical Committee; and Mr. Hong-ki Kim, chairman of the WTF Refereeing Committee.

One day after the demonstration on Jan. 13, the ad-hoc committee held its meeting at the headquarters of the WTF to evaluate the demonstrators’ performance.

In line with the WTF Reform Report, the WTF set up the ad-hoc committee in July 2005. The report recommended the introduction of a highly effective and accurate electronic protector system as a valuable addition to the sport by helping make judgment more objective.

On Sept. 11, 2006, the WTF signed a contract with Korea’s LaJUST on the WTF’s official electronic protector supplier.
The WTF plans to hold a special electronic protector test event in early March in Korea with detailed information to be finalized soon.

If the test event concludes successfully, then the electronic protector system will be highly likely to be used at the forthcoming World Taekwondo Championships in May 2007 in Beijing, China, and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing.''

[Counter]

This is a really strange development.. Okay, so it makes for better judgement. I can tell you I've had the feeling i didn't get my points multiple times during tournaments, but I still prefer the referees to these things.
Look at the headprotector, it looks more like a ski-mask. I can't see myself with such a thing, I would probably get tired much quicker because my whole face is covered with fabric and i can't breathe properly.
Also, I've heard that these bodyprotectors have sensors that react to impact. Funny thing is, the larger the protector, the harder you have to hit it. That's because the taller are usually heavier and they should make firmer contact to get a point. Agreed. But.. I'm kinda tall, I'm 1,94m and i normally get smaller opponents. This would mean that I have a larger protector and that would mean that my sensors would react differently to contact than my opponents with smaller ones. In my case it would mean that they have to hit me harder to get points than I have to hit them.

Cool!

[neryo_tkd]

if you're not going to the olmypics, you don't have to badger yourself with such things.

[Artikon]

I agree with Neryo . . . no goal of international or olympic competition . . . no worries.

The one thing I do like about this is that it will take away the subjectivity of what has enough power for a point. Either its hard enough and on target, or its not. It is no longer up to the officials to make a snap decision if the technique had the power or not.

I still have lots of beefs with the system but there are some positives, but I'm sure my beefs are being addressed within the testings so I reserve my more "negative" comments until they are actually cleared and used at the olympics.

[Counter]

I actually heard at tournaments that they are planning to use the electronic protectors at normal tournaments as well in the future. And Kwon also released some info about their own protectors which you can most probably buy in the near future..

[Artikon]

I don't see that happening. Not practical. First you need the chest guards, second you need the hardware to work with the chest guards, then you need the software to record and adjust the chest guards. After that you need to buy more chest guards to outfit the entire tournament, varying in sizes of course.

The money needed to do this simply can't be covered at a "normal" tournament.

I'd be interested in seeing that article from Kwon though if you have a link.

[neryo_tkd]

i agree with Artikon. i don't see eletronic equipment at all tournaments. it simply is not going to happen.

[Counter]

Well you don't really need any hardware or software except for the protectors and the regular judging equipment I think.. The protectors make a "beep" sound when they get hit hard enough, depending on the size of the protector how much power you need to get a beep (see a few posts back for a detailed explanation). So de judges just need to hear the beep and push the +1 point button on the computers they already use at tournaments. Okay, so everyone would have to purchase a protector, but I guess it would also be possible for clubs to buy just one in each size and just use the "old" ones for training purposes..

Oh and I unfortunately couldn't find the source of the email I received about the Kwon-protectors but I can show you a small quote. I will later upload some images too but I'm at my parents place right now so I can't really put them online (or at least I don't know how..):


Newly-developed, electronic vest in WTF-design.
With this newly developed electronic body protector, the power of a hit is determinded by sensors and signalized acoustical (beep tone). The vest in size S already signals light hits, size M medium powerful and size L only signals powerful hits.
Power supply by rechargeable battery. Delivery incl. charger and rechargeable battery.
[img]

[neryo_tkd]

http://www.wtf.org/site/news/wtf.htm?realnum=148&mode=view

[neryo_tkd]

The WTF Electronic Protector International Taekwondo Championships kicked off for a two-day run in Chuncheon, Korea, on March 4, 2007.

The event, which took place at the Hoban Gymnasium in downtown Chuncheon, drew about 160 athletes and officials from 19 countries.

Among the participating countries are China, Chinese Taipei, Egypt, France, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and Korea.

...

The opening ceremony was followed by a demonstration of taekwondo practitioners with a disability, and a demonstration of competition uniforms for taekwondo poomsae.

...

The opening day of the championships using electronic protectors featured two male and two female Olympic categories.

...

The existing kyorugi competition rules of the WTF were applied to the electronic protector event, except some changed rules.

According to the newly applied rules are as follows: No time limit was given to the sudden-death round until any contestant scores a point. In the decision of the sudden-death round, only positive points count. The win by a 12-point ceiling was not applied this time, but the 7-point gap was applied.

In case of attacks on the front face where there are no sensors, points will be valid if two out of three referees (center referee and corner judges) give points when one of the center referee or corner judges raise an objection.

Samsung, the global partner of the WTF, participated in the event as a sponsor.

[narcsarge]

Be interesting to hear what the reaction to the electronic scoring is! Thanks for the post NTKD! :cool:

[neryo_tkd]

the tournament took place last weekend. i'm sure in a few days there will be some feedback online.

[Artikon]

Thanks Neryo . . .any pictures of the poomse dobak?

[neryo_tkd]

i think i posted it somewhere before :confused:

the new electronic equipment will not be used at the world championship this may and it won't be used at the olympics 2008.

after the first tournament with electronic equipment was held, WTF realised that the athletes would not a bit more time to get used to it, and that they needed more time to improve it.

[Liam Cullen]

At first I didn't think the new kit would be any good at all. However, I think it's actually going to be a very good thing for the art now. OR could be. Looking at this clip (http://www.mookas.com/tv_view.asp?news_no=5772) it seems you really have to land a heavy strike for the system to pick it up, so it could spell the end for your opponent getting points for stupid tappy-tappy kicks that you didn't even feel them land.

However, they still seem to need a lot of work :
“Automatic Scoring System, Still Far From Perfect” (http://www.mooto.com/eng/webzine/news_view.asp?news_no=1059)

[neryo_tkd]

that's not the fault of the competitors. it's the fault of the judges who scored such points. i went with my students to the national senior championship last weekend. you should have seen the fights. no point was awarded if it wasn't hard.

[neryo_tkd]

http://www.etutaekwondo.org/

check out the ETU page. on the right there is an article: THE FUTURE OF TAEKWONDO. there you have also 3 links to fights with the new electronic equipment.

[neryo_tkd]

At the upcoming Taekwondo World Championships in Beijing (May 18th to 22nd) the world's Taekwondo leaders will gather again. WTF will hold its General Assembly on May 17th and again the Competition Rules for Kyorugi will be changed.

We have taken a look on the proposals and here are the most important topics that will have an influence on competition training and tactics - provided that all changes are accepted by the General Assembly:

Hand and foot protector will become mandatory.
New definition of legal attack zones.
3 points for successful attacks to the face.
7 point gap and 12 point ceiling will be deleted.
New definitions of Kyonggos (reduced number).
4th round with sudden death with prolongation (if no decision is made in the 4th round, then the fight will go on in more rounds until one competitor scores).
After a KO to the head the competitor can still fight again within 30 days if a doctor gives a written permission.
Furthermore, an Ethics Committee against the violation of ethical values will be established.

A lot of work for the delegates at the G.A. and a lot of responsibility. All those proposed changes have been prepared by the respective commissions in regard to a better and smoother competition management. Hopefully it will come out that way.

Regarding Poomse tournaments, new doboks for Poomse competition have been designed. There will be a difference between male and female dobok and between those for Poom grades, low Dan grades (from 1st to 6th Dan) and high Dan grades (from 7th to 9th Dan). Design resembles closely traditional koran clothing but has been generally well acepted by those who have seen a sample already.