Taekwondo is a Korean martial art which combines combat and self-defense techniques

with sport and exercise. In Korean, tae (, ) means "to strike or break with the foot"; kwon (, ) means
"to strike or break with the fist"; and do (, ) means "way of life". Thus, taekwondo may be loosely
translated as "the way of the foot and the hand."
Taekwondo is traditionally performed in bare feet, although there are specialist training shoes that can
sometimes be worn. Taekwondo competition typically involves sparring, breaking, patterns, and self-defense
(hosinsul). In Olympic taekwondo competition, however, only sparring (using WTF competition rules) is
performed.
COMPETITION
Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may
also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks.
There are two kinds of competition sparring: point sparring, in which all strikes are light contact and the clock
is stopped when a point is scored; and Olympic sparring, where all strikes are full contact and the clock
continues when points are scored.
World Taekwondo Federation
Under World Taekwondo Federation and Olympic rules, sparring is a full-contact event and takes place
between two competitors in an area measuring 8 meters square.

A win can occur by points, or if one
competitor is unable to continue (knockout) the other competitor wins. Each match consists of three semi-
continuous rounds of contact, with one minute's rest between rounds. There are two age categories: 1417
years and 18 years and older.
Points are awarded for accurate techniques. The only techniques allowed are kicks (delivering a strike using
an area of the foot below the ankle) and punches (delivering a strike using the closed fist). Punches to the
head are not allowed. In most competitions, points are awarded by three corner judges using electronic
scoring tallies. At the end of three rounds, the competitor with most points wins the match.
International Taekwon-Do Federation
The International Taekwon-Do Federation's sparring rules are similar to the WTF's rules, but differ in several
aspects.
Hand and foot attacks to the head are allowed.
The scoring system is:
1 point for: Punch to the body or head.
2 points for: Kick to the body.
3 points for: Kick to the head.
The competition area may vary between 10 meters square and 20 meters square in international
championships.
At the end of two minutes (or some other specified time), the competitor with more scoring techniques wins.
Fouls in ITF sparring include: attacking a fallen opponent, leg sweeping, holding/grabbing, or intentional
attack to a target other than the opponent.

EQUIPMENT
Tae Kwon Do gear typically consists of a Tae Kwon Do uniform comprised of a white jacket and pants. For Tae
Kwon Do sparring, combatants typically wear protective headgear, protective chest pads, groin pads, mouth
guards, and shin guards. This Tae Kwon Do gear allows safe but unrestrained Tae Kwon Do tournaments.
Other Tae Kwon Do gear, which is typically not worn in Tae Kwon Do tournaments but is used in Tae Kwon Do
training includes, padded Tae Kwon Do shoes for protected kicking and Tae Kwon Do sparring gloves.