The rare cases people argue about
Rare situations, and the ones people argue about.
A · Advanced · 5 rules · Step 3 of 4Penalties
- Why are taekwondo athletes penalised for holding a leg in the air?Because a raised leg used as a barrier stops the opponent from attacking without being an attack itself.
- What attacks are illegal in taekwondo?Kicking below the waist, hitting the head with the hand or arm, butting, attacking with the knee, attacking an opponent who is down and attacking after the referee has called "Kal-yeo".
- What happens when a taekwondo athlete or coach behaves badly?Misconduct by the athlete or the coach costs the athlete a gam-jeom.
Knock downs, replay and entry
- How long does an injured taekwondo athlete get, and who wins if they cannot continue?The referee stops the clock and allows one minute of first aid, which the doctor may ask to extend by up to two minutes.
- How does team taekwondo work?Teams of two, three or four fight as a tag team: one athlete from each side is on the mat and can be swapped as often as the coach likes.