RO INSLER TAEKWONDO - TOURNAMENT
PROTOCOL
Read the Tournament Rules
All tournaments have rules and regulations, which are
usually supplied with the tournament applications. Make sure that you read
these rules in advance and memorize them as best as you can. The rules should
be read and discussed in class prior to any tournament, and if you have any
questions, don’t hesitate to ask your instructors.
Be on time
Most tournaments will open their doors at 8:30 a.m.;
you should arrive on time but no later than 9:00 a.m. You’ll need the time to
acclimate yourself to the environment and to warm up. Check in at the front
desk and get your ring assignments. Competitors may receive ring assignment
cards. Keep the cards with you, tuck
them in your belt or put them in your equipment bag. If you arrive early
enough, you’ll have time to use the locker rooms to change into your clean uniform, otherwise you should
wear your uniform pants and tee-shirt for the drive, but carry your jacket and
belt on a hanger, then you can put them on at the tournament -- this will
prevent your uniform from getting wrinkled.
Know and be where you have to be
Families should go immediately to their seats after
check-in. We recommend that you try to sit with other families from our school,
if possible. Parents: look for our instructors or senior ranking students to report
that you are there. Your children may need to go with their team mates right
away or may need to report to their rings. Please listen to announcements in
case there are any ring assignment changes.
We recommend that competitors get together with their classmates
before the tournament begins. The highest ranking students should take charge
of the younger or less experienced students by gathering them together and beginning
a stretching routine. This will help the younger ones to stay more focused and
will help calm everyone’s nerves.
It will be noisy and confusing at first, but things
will settle down as we get closer to competition time. Be sure to listen to all
announcements made over the loudspeakers. All competitors must go where they
are directed. Most tournaments have an opening ceremony, usually at 10:00 am.
Some tournaments require the schools to line up with their team mates and to
enter in a procession; other tournaments may announce that all competitors
report to their rings. The participating school names may be announced, if so, be
sure to stand up and cheer loudly for our school!
Report to your ring
Competitors will be told when to report to their
rings, so have your ring assignment cards with you. The cards will list your
name, rank, division, and the ring numbers. You will not be called to your ring
by name. Instead, they will announce each rank division and age group as well
as the ring number. Keep your equipment bag with you and report immediately to
your ring when you hear the announcement. Sometimes ring assignments may
change, so make sure you know which division you are in, and follow directions.
If you’re not sure, ask one of the staff people or go to the main officials’
desk (in the gym) to ask for help. Pay close attention to any and all
announcements you hear over the loud-speaker.
Proper behavior is essential at all times
Treat everyone (and everything) with respect. Pay
attention and be courteous. Don’t embarrass yourself or our school. Children
should use the buddy system when going somewhere without their parents, and
should notify their parent(s) or an adult from their school if they have to
leave the gym. Go to the bathroom as soon as you get to the tournament so you
won’t have to leave unnecessarily. DO NOT LEAVE THE GYM OR BUILDING AT ANY TIME
UNTIL YOU ARE DONE WITH YOUR COMPETITION. Be sure to let your instructors know
when you are done and are about to leave.
Bow and smile whenever you encounter a Black Belt
It would be very advisable that you treat any Black
Belt with the proper respect due them, so bow! Since most Black Belts present
will be acting as officials, it’s twice as important -- they will notice you
and may remember your courtesy if you are assigned to their ring. Some
tournaments do not require black belts to wear uniforms, it won’t hurt to bow
to anyone you think might be one. Don’t forget to bow to our Black Belts!
Practice whenever you have nothing to do
There may be long waiting periods between events. If
you’re not called to a ring, use your waiting time to stretch and to practice
your techniques and forms. Get together with the other students from your
school and practice with them.
GETTING
READY TO COMPETE
Once you’re in the ring, pay attention, don’t get
distracted by the noise and confusion. Listen to the ring officials and follow
their directions - they are the ones who will tell you what to do. Be courteous
at all times and do not talk during the competition. Watch the
other competitors, see what they do, look for their strengths and weaknesses.
Also, look for the judges’ reactions and how they score the other athletes -
this may help you to do better. Go over your forms and techniques in your head
– visualize yourself doing them strongly and with intensity. This will help you
to focus and stay sharp. Also try some deep breathing exercises to help you
stay focused and alert.
When you hear your name called, yell out “YES, MA’AM”
or “YES, SIR” (depending on the official’s gender), then stand up immediately
and wait for directions. They may tell you that it’s your turn in the ring or
that you’re “on deck”, which means you’ll be up next.
Stepping into ring for Forms
SNAP to attention facing the judges and bow before you
step into the ring. Immediately run up to within 1-2 feet of the judges,
snap to attention and bow again. Look directly at the Center Judge, announce yourself: “Judges
my name is..., my school is…, my form is…., with your permission Judges, may I
begin?” Wait for them to either nod
or say “yes” or “uss”, then snap to attention again, BOW and
run backwards to the middle of the ring. (Never turn your back to the
judges!) Bow again, count to 3 in your head and immediately begin
your form. When you finish, count to 3 again and turn to face the judges. Bow
once more and wait for directions. They will either motion you to sit down or
to wait for your score. Usually, the first 3 are called up then each is called
back for their scores. Then the 4th, 5th, 6th
person will be scored right after their form. When your scoring is
complete, bow again and exit the ring by walking backwards, step
out of the ring, and bow again. (You can never bow too much!)
For Team Forms, all three team members will
stand up and say “YES, MA’AM” or “YES, SIR”, all three will run
up to the judges, all three will snap to attention, all three will
bow, but only one person will announce the team and form. All
three will then run backwards after permission to begin is given,
and all three will bow again, count to three in their heads and will begin the
form at the same time. Look straight ahead and don’t turn your head to look at
the other team members. Listen for their breaths and try to see them out of the
corners of your eyes. Timing is essential in team forms, so practice with your
partners before the tournament.
Do your form with INTENSE, STRONG, POWERFUL,
PRECISE TECHNIQUES, make them crisp and with a snap to your uniform! Don’t rush the form, let it flow smoothly.
Eyes should be focused straight ahead, and each movement must be balanced and
precise. Exaggerate the techniques, strongly, and believe that they are real attacks. Don’t forget to yell loudly
when you have to. Above all, do the very best you can. Imagine you are a Black
Belt about to win the Grand Championship with a magnificent performance!
Stepping into ring for Sparring
The same protocol is used as for forms: you will shout
out “YES, MA’AM” or “YES, SIR” when your name is called, and wait for
directions. The officials may have a chart with pre-determined matches, or they
may “size you up” with the other competitors right there in the ring, whatever
the case may be, do as the officials tell you and never show any disrespect to
the officials or competitors.
Just stay focused and keep breathing. While you’re
waiting for your turn, and if you are able to stand up, hop lightly on your
toes to stay warmed up, keep breathing deeply to increase your heart rate, this
will energize you a little bit. If you can’t stand up, keep breathing deeply,
you should flex and relax your muscles repeatedly, so you don’t get too
relaxed.
When it’s your turn, you will bow before stepping into
the ring facing the Center Referee, then to the other officials. Wait
for directions from the Center Referee. The officials may give commands in a
foreign language, so watch their hand motions carefully. Be sure to tap gloves
with your opponent before the match, and wait until the Center Referee commands
you to begin.
Be fast, accurate, and carefully protect yourself at
all times. You may not get a chance to score if you wait too long for the
opponent to make a move. Move in quickly and look for an opening. Carefully
move around the ring in a circular motion, do not run away or walk backwards
out of the ring.
If the opponent comes at you fast, do not give up.
Keep a continuous forward action - go at them even if they’re fast, it’s your
only chance to score. Be sure to block their strikes and protect yourself at
all times.
When a Referee yells out “STOP” or “Yah-meh”, stop
immediately and follow the Center Referee’s instructions. Be sure to look ONLY
at the Center Referee for the scoring of a point--do not look around at
the other Referees, it’s considered disrespectful.
Do not celebrate a point by raising your fist or hands,
it is considered disrespectful and unsportsmanlike.
Do not complain about a non-call, or if the opponent
receives a point - this is also considered disrespectful or unsportsmanlike. In
most tournaments it may be grounds for disqualification. Be gracious and
respectful and a good sport.
Remember that you are there for the learning
experience. It does not matter if you do not win - what matters most is how
well you did and how good you feel about yourself. Also remember that your
instructors will be proud of you - no matter what happens - it takes a lot of
courage to enter into a ring to compete and all officials will respect that and
you!
Be sure to shake hands with your opponent after a
match and bow to all the officials. Above all, DO YOUR BEST AND HAVE FUN!