| Tae Kwon Do is perhaps the most commonly | | | | points of contact include the belt and above. |
| practiced martial art in the world today. | | | | |
| Developed in Korea, it is a combination of | | | | Typically, full contact is not permitted in |
| combat technique, self defense, exercise, | | | | free Tae Kwon Do sparring for safety reasons. |
| sport, entertainment and philosophy. It is | | | | Students are only allowed to strike specific |
| the national sport of Korea and an Olympic | | | | target areas. Hand techniques, for example, |
| sporting event. | | | | may only be used on the front and side of the |
| | | | body from the belt to the shoulder. This also |
| Tae Kwon Do sparring is generally divided | | | | means that no hand technique may be delivered |
| into two forms: one-step sparring and free | | | | to the face or head. |
| sparring. | | | | |
| | | | Foot techniques may only be executed on the |
| One-step Tae Kwon Do sparring involves | | | | front and sides of the body from the belt to |
| prearranged movements performed by two | | | | the head. Intentional kicks to the back and |
| participants in concert. One of the | | | | back of the head are strongly illegal. Also, |
| participants employs punching and kicking | | | | there should be no throwing, knee attacks, |
| techniques while the other uses various | | | | head butts, or elbows are allowed. These |
| combinations of blocking and counterattacking | | | | rules are generally maintained by the World |
| techniques. | | | | Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF). |
| | | | |
| One-step sparring helps familiarize the | | | | Taekwondo sparring tournaments consist of |
| students with the fundamentals of kicking, | | | | three rounds, each of which is three minutes, |
| punching, and blocking movements. The | | | | with a one minute rest period between rounds. |
| students will learn to develop and manage | | | | In competition, matches are held in an |
| their reaction time for accurate | | | | 8×8 meter contest area in the center of |
| counterattacks. One-step sparring is | | | | a 12×12 meter competition area. A |
| essential in preparation for free Tae Kwon Do | | | | referee controls the match and enforces |
| sparring. | | | | compliance with the rules. The event is |
| | | | judged by four corner judges who award the |
| Free sparring in Tae Kwon Do is the practical | | | | scores. |
| application of self defense techniques. The | | | | |