1. Poomsae Seminar USAT Referee Development Program
NOTE: Add location and date of seminar in the box provided.
Revision PP-DR-1: 3/25/12
Updated to include new information in latest WTF & USAT rules: Change of Division names, change of tie breaker procedure.
Revision 4 (1/21/13)
Updated divisions and made other changes to bring into line with latest WTF Competition Rules.
Revision 5 (1/22/13)
Minor edits.
Revision 6 (2/14/13)
Revision 7 (1/28/14)
Revision 8 (3/1/15)
Rev. 8, 3/1/15

2. Today’s Schedule
9:00 am – 9:30 am Competition rules – World Poomsae Competition
9:30 am – 10:30 am Scoring system, basic movements
10:30 am – 10:45 am Break
10:45 am – 12:30 pm Poomsae Instruction: Taeguek 4, 5, 6, 7
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch Break
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Poomsae Instruction: Taeguek 8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taebaek (Pyongwon, Sipjin)
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Practical scoring criteria and scoring mechanics
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Testing Written (50%) Scoring (40%) Practical (10%)

3. Sport Poomsae is Here!
USAT is working to raise the overall level of poomsae competition, and to bring USAT judging better in line with WTF standards.
WTF technical criteria apply, even in “traditional” poomsae.
Referees need to know the poomsae! (Do you?)
USAT Poomsae Seminars will teach technical criteria and how to judge.
Poomsae certification must be fully integrated into USAT referee curriculum.
Certified Poomsae IRs and poomsae qualified USAT referees will conduct Poomsae Team Trials.

4. Poomsae Judging Proficiency
To become a competent poomsae judge, you have to:
Know (not necessarily perform) the correct execution of all basic techniques, moves and stances
Know the correct order of techniques for each poomsae
Understand the correct timing, rhythm and phrasing of the movements and pooms of each poomsae
Independently study all of the above in published texts, videos and online resources

5. Today’s Agenda Competition Rules Methods of Competition
Divisions and Compulsory Poomsae
Contest Procedures & Referee Commands
Scoring Criteria
Accuracy
Presentation
Scoring Method
Score Sheet
Freestyle Poomsae

6. Today’s Agenda Scoring Criteria Generalities Basic Motions
Stances (Seogi)
Blocks (Makki)
Punching (Jireugi)
Striking (Chigi)
Thrusting (Tzireugi)
Kicking (Chagi)

7. Today’s Agenda Poomsae Judges Score Sheet Referee Commands
Score sheet – Accuracy Portion 40%
Score sheet – Presentation Portion 60%
Score Sheet calculations
Scoring Sheet Example
Referee Commands
Examples of Deductions
0.1 (minor) & 0.3 (major) for Accuracy
Proper Range of Presentation Score (0.5 – 2.0 for each category)
Gamjeom Penalties
Other Deductions

8. Today’s Agenda Poomsae Key Points Taegeuk 4 – 8 Koryo Keumgang Taeback
Pyongwon (Level 2 only)
Shipjin (Level 2 only)
Jitae (Level 2 only)
Chonkwon (Level 2 only)
Hansu (Level 2 only)

9. Methods of Competition
1) Single elimination
Competitor is eliminated from competition after one loss
2) Round robin
Each competitor competes with every other competitor
3) Cut-off
Preferred (and most widely used)
4) Combination System: Cut-off + Single elimination
Preliminary round to reduce number
Elimination system determines final placing

10. Cut-Off Tournament Format
Maximum of three rounds
Preliminary round
Semi-final round
Final round
20 or more competitors, competition starts from preliminary round
9 to 19 competitors, competition starts from semi-final round
8 or fewer competitors, competition starts from final round

11. Cut-Off Tournament Format, cont.
Preliminary round
Each contestant performs two assigned forms
Scores are totaled
Top 50% advance to the semi-final round
If an odd number, round up (e.g., with 23 contestants, round up to 24, and 12 contestants advance to semi-final round)
Semi-final round
8 contestants advance to the final round
Final round
Top 4 contestants receive medals

12. Cut-Off Tournament Format, cont.
For each round, poomsae are randomly assigned from the WTF list of Compulsory Poomsae for each division
Assignment is done in advance of the competition, and publicized for competitors
Order of competitors is randomly determined for the start of the preliminary and semi final rounds
The final round order shall be determined by the placement in semi final by lower score to higher score
For preliminary round, division may be split into groups, with each group judged by different judges
The top four contestants / pairs / teams are awarded prizes
Winners determined by points on round-by-round basis
3rd and 4th places receive bronze medals

13. Competition Area Rec: Recorder R: Referee J1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Judge
C1: Competition Area
C2: Contestants
C3: Standby Area for Contestants and Coach
C4: Competition Coordinator
1, 2, 3, 4 Boundary Lines

14. Contest Area Matted section is called the Contest Area 10m x 10m
Exception: Freestyle Mixed Team: 12m x 12m
USAT-approved mats only
Must provide safe, secure footing for the competitors

15. Duration of Contest Recognized Poomsae Free Style Poomsae
30 – 90 seconds
Individual, Pair and Team
Free Style Poomsae
60 – 70 seconds
Individual, Pair and Mixed Team
Waiting time between Poomsae
30 – 60 seconds

16. USAT Poomsae Divisions
Recognized Poomsae Competition
Men, women and mixed divisions divided according to age.
No specified limitation to Poom or Dan rank for team competition
(Refer to Chart for specific divisions)

17. USAT Poomsae Divisions
Shaded cells = official WTF divisions
Unshaded cells = USAT divisions

18. Compulsory Poomsae (Black Belts)

19. Compulsory Poomsae (Color Belts)
Team and Pair Competition: Taegeuk 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Jang

20. Referee Duties Referee Judges Document all valid points Declare winner
Issue Gam-jeom
Summon judges when needed
Judges
State their opinions when requested

21. Scoring Criteria Accuracy (4 points) Presentation (6 points)
Accuracy of basic movements
Balance
Accuracy of details of each Poomsae
Presentation (6 points)
Speed and power
Strength / speed / rhythm
Expression of energy

22. Presentation (6.0 Points)
Scoring Criteria
Details of Scoring Criteria
Points
Accuracy (4.0 Points)
Accuracy of details of each Poomsae
4.0
Accuracy of basic movements and balance
Presentation (6.0 Points)
Speed and power
2.0
Strength / speed / rhythm
Expression of energy

23. Decision and Declaration of Winner
Final score is the average of the scores for Accuracy plus the average of the scores for Presentation
The highest and lowest scores are dropped before calculating the average
If using the three judge format, the highest and lowest score will not be dropped
Scoreboard shows the score for Accuracy, Presentation and the Total Score
Penalties, if any, are deducted from the final score

24. Decision and Declaration of Winner
In any round, the winner is the contestant with the highest total points
In case of a tie, the winner is decided based on the presentation score
If still tied, the dropped high and low scores are added back in
If still tied, a rematch is conducted
The rematch consists of one compulsory Poomsae designated by the Referee
In case of tie, the highest point total with high and low scores added in shall be the winner

25. Technical Considerations
Low (“arae”) is below the waist
Blocks and strikes to this area should start from above the shoulder
Middle (“momtong”) is between the waist and the top of the shoulders
Blocks and strikes to this area should start from between the eyes and waist.
High (“olgul”) is above the shoulders to the top of the head
Blocks and strikes to this area should start at or below the waist

26. Technical Considerations
Outside to inside techniques end at the centerline of the body
Middle block (inside block)
Reverse knife hand strike
Inside to outside techniques end at the outer edge of the body
Side blocks (outside block)
Knife hand guarding block (single or double)
Blocks are performed with the blocking hand on the outside
Strikes are performed with the striking hand on the inside

27. Technical Considerations
All poomsae begin and end in about the same spot (within one foot’s length)
Exception may be made for Keumgang and Jitae
Audible breathing or hissing results in a deduction
In general, breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth
The feet should not move in an inward-to- outward “swinging” motion
The head should remain level and not bob up and down between stances

28. Technical Considerations
In stances, the knee is bent to just cover the tip of the toes (from the competitor’s perspective)
Kicking is always to a realistic target
First choice is to the head — area between the nose and mouth 
Second choice is to the body — the solar plexus
In some Poomsae, a specific other target is defined; for example:
Low side kick in Koryo, or jumping front kicks in Taegeuk 8

29. Technical Considerations
Fists should remain closed (or open) during the entire movement
The fist and wrist should be straight — not bent up or down
Hands and feet should complete their movements at the same time
Transitions between movements should be on the balls of the feet

30. Stances (Seogi) Close Stance (Moa Seogi)
The feet should be touching at both the heels and the toes
Both legs are straight

31. Stances (Seogi) Ready Stance or Parallel Stance (Naranhi Seogi)
One “foot” wide
The feet are parallel with each other
The legs are straight — no bend at the knees

32. Stances (Seogi) Horse Riding Stance (Juchoom Seogi) Two “feet” wide
Feet are parallel with each other
Legs are bent — only the end of the toes are visible from the competitor’s eye
Weight should be concentrated inwardly and the abdomen should be tightened
Upper body should be straight
Knees should be in line with the hips and feet 

33. Stances (Seogi) Forward Inflection Walking Stance (Ap Seogi)
Distance from the toe to the heel should be about one foot length
The inside edges of the feet should be on the same line (the back may be rotated up to 30˚)

34. Basic Motions Forward Inflection Front Stance (Ap Kubi)
Distance from the toe to the heel should be about two and a half foot lengths
Inside edges of the feet should be approximately one fist width wide
The back foot may be rotated 30˚ at most
Front leg should be bent to be even with the toes of the foot from competitor’s viewpoint
Rear leg heel needs to stay on the floor
About two-thirds of the weight on the front leg

35. Stances (Seogi) Backward Inflection Stance (Dwit Kubi)
The rear foot should be turned to 90˚
The rear leg should be bent to be even with the toes of the foot when you look down 
The distance from the rear foot to the front foot should be two foot lengths
About 2/3rds of the weight on the rear leg
The rear foot, knee, hip and shoulder should be in the same vertical line

36. Stances (Seogi) Left / Right Stance (Oreun / Wen Seogi)
The rear foot should be turned to 90˚
Both legs remain straight 
The distance from the rear foot to the front foot should be one foot length
Weight is evenly distributed

37. Stances (Seogi) Back Cross Stance (Dwit Kkoa Seogi)
Front leg 45˚ and carries the weight
Ball of foot of the rear leg is about one fist width away from the heel of the front foot

38. Stances (Seogi) Front Cross Stance (Ap Kkoa Seogi)
The rear leg about 30˚ bearing most of the weight
Ball of foot of the front leg is about one fist away from the rear leg

39. Stances (Seogi) Tiger Stance (Beom Seogi)
The rear foot is turned about 30˚
The rear foot support all of the weight
The rear knee bent to have the knee even with the toes when you look down
The front foot is put one foot ahead on the same line with only the ball of the foot touching the ground lightly 
Alignment of shoulders depends on hand movements
The upper body should almost be straight
The knees should be close together

40. Stances (Seogi) Crane Stance (Hakdari Seogi)
The height of the crane stance should be the same as the horse riding stance
Rear leg is bent
Lifted leg has the inner crook of the foot on the inner crook of the knee
Lifted leg is does not have pointed toes
The lifted leg should be straight forward

41. Basic Movements

42. Basic Movements

43. Basic Movements

44. Basic Movements

45. Basic Movements

46. Basic Movements

47. Basic Movements

48. Basic Movements

49. Basic Movements

50. Basic Movements

51. Slow Movements - 5 seconds movements

52. Slow Movements - 8 seconds movements

53. Poomsae Score Sheet

54. Poomsae Score Sheet
Accuracy is scored as the competitor performs the Poomsae 
Presentation criteria are scored after the completion of the Poomsae
This is similar to the “old way” — but don’t include accuracy errors, as they have already been penalized

55. Poomsae Score Sheet Accuracy accounts for 40% of the total score
Subtract 0.1 for minor errors
Use a slash mark ( / ) to indicate each error
“Correct technique performed incorrectly”
Bent wrist, sloppy stance, slight imbalance etc.
Subtract 0.3 for severe errors
Use an “O” to indicate each error
Major mistakes in execution
No Kiyap, extra Kiyap, extra technique, incorrect technique, looking the wrong direction, not returning to starting point (except Keumgang, Jitae etc.

56. Poomsae Score Sheet Presentation accounts for 60% of the total score
2.0 is perfect, not realistically attainable (so don’t use it)
Guideline: Think of 1.4 as an average score for a world class competitor for each category
1.7 – 1.9 Excellent
1.4 – 1.6 Very Good
1.1 – 1.3 Good
0.8 – 1.0 Fair
0.5 – 0.7 Poor 
Circle the score for each of the three categories

57. Poomsae Score Sheet Totaling the Score Sheet
You will report two scores to the head table:
Your Accuracy score (ranging from 0.0 to 4.0)
Your Presentation score (ranging from 1.5 to 5.0)
The head table then computes the total score
Drops the low and high from each of the two scoring categories (Accuracy and Presentation)
Adds the remaining scores in each category together and averages them
Adds the scores of both categories to arrive at an overall total for each competitor

58. Poomsae Judges Score Sheet
Totaling the Score Sheet
Because each competitor performs two forms, the process is repeated for the second performance
Finally, the two total scores for both forms are averaged together for the competitor’s overall score for that round

59. Poomsae Score Sheet Score Sheet Example
There is a blank score sheet in the appendix, and additional copies will be provided for practice
Notice that there are two scores to report to the recorder’s table — Accuracy and Presentation
The total on the score sheet is for your use only
Also note that with this method, you have two opportunities to participate in the scoring process
If you are the high or low in either the Accuracy or Presentation, only that portion of your score gets dropped

60. Coordinator Procedure
Commands for 2 Poomsae

61. Examples of Minor Deductions
– 0.1 minor deductions for technical
Incorrect angle of feet in stances
Poor chamber or recoil of kicks
Blocking past midline of body (when midline is the target)
Incorrect motion (for correct technique)
Slightly poor balance (if it affects the accuracy of the movement)
Kicking with wrong part of foot
Hand wrapped around elbow strike (fingers should be straight)
Incorrect thumb placement

62. Examples of Minor Deductions
– 0.1 minor deductions for technical
Incorrect number of motions (dongjak) in one sequence (poom)
Stance and hand technique do not finish at the same time
Blocking / striking not at the realistic target height (e.g., groin, solar plexus, philtrum)
Blocking motion starts on inside of opposite arm rather than outside
Striking motion starts from outside of opposite arm rather than inside

63. Examples of 0.1 Deductions
Important! Every minor mistake is a – 0.1 deduction
No maximum deduction for the same error
Deductions for presentation (what to consider while formulating score)
Slight hesitations
Lack of rhythm
Lack of alternating relaxation and tension
Lack of flexibility and grace
Incorrect or unkempt uniform

64. Examples of Major Deductions
– 0.3 major deductions for technical
Wrong or omitted movement
Missed Kiyap or Kiyap at the wrong movement
Ending position differs from the starting position by more than a one foot
Exceptions: Keumgang, Jitae
Unnecessary foot noise in stance or stepping
Confusion or pausing for more than 3 seconds during performance
Stamping movement performed without enough power and sound

65. Examples of Major Deductions
– 0.3 major deductions for technical
Looking in the wrong direction
Significant loss of balance in performing a movement

66. Examples of Major Deductions
Major deductions for presentation (what to consider while formulating score)
Eye focus or breathing not corresponding to the movement of motion
Lack of fluency in movement
Movements show lack of flexibility
Lack of energy or force

67. Other Major Deductions
Crossing the boundary line (– 0.3)
Exceeding or below the time limit (– 0.3)
These should be determined by the recorders’ table
Referee may bring any such violations to recorder’s attention
These deductions are taken off the final form score
Restart (– 0.6)
Forgive any accuracy mistake before restarting, then take –0.6 off from accuracy
i.e., After restarting, accuracy score should start with 3.4.

68. Gam-jeom Penalties
The Referee declares any penalties for prohibited acts
Gam-jeom penalties include:
Uttering undesirable remarks or any misconduct on the part of a contestant or a coach
Any act that intentionally interferes with another competitor, coach or official
If a competitor is assessed two Gam-jeom deductions, they are declared loser on penalties

69. Freestyle Poomsae Duration: 60 – 70 seconds Competition area:
Individual and Pair: 10m x 10m
Mixed Team: 12m x 12m
Must perform with music
No music: Disqualification

70. Freestyle Poomsae Divisions
Pair: 1 Male, 1 Female
Mixed team: 3 Males 2 Females, or 2 Males 3 Females
One substitute (optional)

71. Freestyle Poomsae Scoring Criteria
Total score: 10 points
Technical score: 6 points
Mandatory kicking techniques: 5 points
Basic movement and practicality: 1 point
Presentation score: 4 points
Creativeness
Harmony
Expression of Energy
Music and Choreography

72. Freestyle Poomsae Scoring Criteria

73. Mandatory Kicking Techniques
Height of jump kick
Jumping side kick
Number of kicks in a jump
Jumping front kick
Gradient of spin
Jump spinning kick
Performance level of consecutive kicks
Kyorugi style kicks
Must start with bouncing steps
Acrobatic actions
No kick, no score

74. Mandatory Kicking Techniques
Must be performed in sequence
No point for any technique performed out of sequence
Perform the same kicking technique multiple times, count only the first one for technical score
Any subsequent kick can be considered for presentation score

75. Mandatory Stances Back stance (Dwitkubi) Tiger stance (Beom seogi)
Crane stance (Hakdari seogi)
May perform in any part of the routine
May perform in any order
Missed mandatory stance: -0.3 each

76. Freestyle Poomsae Scoring Sheet

77. Freestyle Poomsae Videos
2014 World Poomsae Championships
Senior Female Individual, Gold (USA)
Senior Mixed Team, Gold (PHI)