How do judges score taekwondo poomsae?
B · Beginner · The forms and the score · 2 of 2Out of 10. Accuracy is worth 4.0 and starts full, losing marks for each mistake. Presentation is worth 6.0, split equally between three things: speed and power, rhythm and tempo, expression of energy. For each part the highest and lowest judges' marks are dropped and the rest averaged.
How it works
- Total: 10.0.
- Accuracy: 4.0, for the basic movements and the individual movements of the form.
- Presentation: 6.0.
- Speed and power: 2.0.
- Rhythm and tempo: 2.0.
- Expression of energy: 2.0.
- Two marks: accuracy "shall be scored separately from presentation".
- Dropping marks: the final score is the average "except the highest and lowest points" in each part.
- The panel: seven officials, or five. Four judges sit facing the athlete and three behind in the seven-judge layout.
- Announced at once: the score is shown immediately after the judges enter it.
- Two forms: an athlete performs two in a round.
The glossary has the poomsae scoring entry, poomsae, the corner judges, the poomsae deductions entry, the recognised poomsae entry and the referee.
Tricky cases
What is "expression of energy"?
The rule book describes quality and dignity that come from mastery: the size of the action, concentration, courage, sharpness and confidence. The eyes, the shout and the athlete's bearing are all taken into account.
Does each mistake take marks off presentation?
No. Presentation is marked for the overall performance, not mistake by mistake.
An athlete starts each movement with great force. Is that good for speed and power?
No. The rule book says too much strength at the start slows the movement at its most important point, and marks are deducted.
With five judges, how many marks count?
The highest and lowest are dropped, so three count for each part.
Why the rule exists
Splitting the mark keeps two questions apart: was it correct, and was it good? Dropping the highest and lowest marks protects the athlete from one judge who saw things very differently, whether by mistake or by bias.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recognised poomsae | Accuracy 4.0, presentation 6.0 | WT Poomsae Article 14.1 |
| Freestyle poomsae | Technical skills 6.0, presentation 4.0 | WT Poomsae Article 14.2 |
| Seven-judge or five-judge system | The size of the panel | WT Poomsae Article 3.3; 22 |
| Para poomsae | Starting points differ by sport class | WT Poomsae Article 23 |
From the rule book
World Taekwondo, Poomsae Competition Rules & Interpretation (in force 30 September 2024), Articles 3.3, 14 and 15, with the scoring chart for recognised poomsae. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WT Poomsae Competition Rules & Interpretation, 30 September 2024 (PDF).