2008 Santa Cruz Open Tae Kwon Do Championship Rules of Competition 

• Safety Equipment
  • All contestants shall wear an approved trunk protector, head
    protector, groin guard, forearm protector, shin-instep protector, and
    a mouth protector. 
  • Jewelry is to be removed and finger and toe nails are to be neatly trimmed.
  • Only two layers of tape are allowed except in the case of an injury where the minimum amount of tape that will
    protect the area should be used.
• Legal Scoring Area
  • Mid-section of the trunk: the abdomen and both sides of the torso.
  • Head: the front, top and sides, excluding the back of the head.
• The valid points are divided as follows:
  • 1 point for attack on trunk protector
  • 2 points for attack on face
  • 1 additional point shall be awarded in the event that the contestant is knocked down and the referee counts
  • A competitor will be declared the victor by accruing more points than the opponent by taking the sum of points from each round in a match.
  • In the event of a tie, the center referee will make the final decision.
• Warnings (Kyong-go):
  • Two Kyong-go shall be counted as deduction of one [1] point.
  • However, the odd Kyong-go shall not be counted in the grand total
    • Crossing the Boundary Line
    • Falling down
    • Grabbing the opponent
    • Holding the opponent
    • Touching the opponent with an open hand
    • Faking injury
    • Butting or attacking with knee
    • Stomping or kicking any part of the leg or foot
    • Hitting the opponent?s face with hands or fist
    • Interrupting the progress of the match on the part of contestant or the coach
    • Avoiding the match
• Deductions (Gam-Jeom):
  • A Gam-Jeom shall be counted as minus one [1] point.
    • Throwing down the opponent by grappling the opponent's attacking foot in the air with the arm or hand.
    • Intentionally attacking the fallen opponent after declaration of Kal-yeo.
    • Temporary suspension of the match due to violent remarks or behaviors on the part of the contestant or coach.
• Disqualification:
  • Total of 4 Point Deductions (8 warnings)
    • Competitor or coach intentionally disobeys the referee, the competition rules, displays unsportsmanlike conduct, or does not show up in time for the match
    • Heavy contact to the head with the hand or foot that results in an injury, or injuring any opponent and rendering him or her unable to
      continue. (childrens rule).