Tae Kwon Do has evolved over time to become a popular martial art, self defence system, and competitive sport.  In its competitive sport mode, the Tae Kwon Doist learns how to employ his or her knowledge and skills in a controlled full contact sparring match of three, two minute rounds against an opponent. 

Protective equipment is worn over designated body target areas (a chest protector covers the front and sides of the trunk, and a helmet protects the head.   Groin guard, forearm guards, shin guards, gloves and a mouthpiece are also worn), and the range of allowable techniques is restricted to provide for a demanding, challenging and yet safe competition. 

Because of its full contact nature and the risk of injury, sport competition at provincial or state, national and international levels is normally restricted to Black Belt holders who, at that high performance level of proficiency, have the skill necessary to both deliver the required techniques as well as block and evade them.

 Non-contact or light contact competition is usually held locally or regionally to provide a safe learning experience in competition techniques and strategies for the coloured belt Tae Kwon Doist.

 In both cases, a Head of Court presides over the ring as chief official.  4 Corner Judges score the match and a Centre Referee controls the match and assures compliance with the rules, assessing penalties where required.

• Tae Kwon Do sparring competition consists of three rounds of 2 minutes each with a one minute rest period between rounds.

• Matches are fought in an 8 meter by 8 meter contest area in the center of a 10 meter by 10 meter competition area, normally on a high density foam rubber mat.

• A centre referee controls the match and enforces compliance with the rules.  The center referee awards penalty points for violations of the rules.

• Four corner judges award scores.

• A Head of Court supervises the referee and the corner judges.  Valid points must be scored by at least two of the four corner judges.  The Head of Court decides on the point scores based on the score sheets submitted by corner judges at the end of each round.

• In the case of a tied score at the end of the match, there will be a sudden death round to decide the winner.  In the case of a tied score at the end of the 4^th round, the refereeing officials decide the winner based on the initiative shown in the 4^th round.

For a point to be scored, the strike must be successfully delivered with sufficient power to the opponents body or head. 

The valid scoring areas are: 

·        The abdomen and flank areas which are covered by the chest protector, normally from the top of the pelvis (where the belt is worn) to the pectoral area of the chest. 

·        Anywhere on the chest protector provided that the opponent falls down as a result of the power of the blow. 

·        The front half of the head, from the ears forward.

One point is successfully scored by:

·        A punch successfully delivered with the first two knuckles on the mid part of the body (on the chest protector).

·        A kick successfully delivered on the front half of the head or on the body (on the chest protector).

·        A kick anywhere on the chest protector provided that the opponent falls down as a result of the power of the kick.

·        When, as the result of a powerful kick or punch, the opponent is staggered, dazed or falls and is momentarily unable to continue, the referee will start a count and a point will be awarded.

If the staggered, dazed or fallen opponent recovers by the referee's count of eight, the match may continue if the referee's count goes past eight, the staggered, dazed or fallen competitor will lose by knock out. 

When there is a 7 point difference (gap) in score between contestants, the match will be ended and the winner declared. 

When a contestant reaches 12 points, this will be known as a point ceiling and the match will be ended and the winner declared. 

Striking below the belt (the legs and groin area) and striking the back of the body or head (from the ears back) are prohibited.