ATA Tournament Rules for 2024-2025 

The 2024-2025 Tournament Season will end on Saturday, May 3, 2025 The final day for ATA Licensees to host a sanctioned Class “C” event will be April 15, 2025.  All tournaments held after those dates will have points posted in the following season’s standings.  All class C results must be submitted to ATA headquarters within 7 business days after the April 15 deadline.  


*ATA International reserves the right to make changes or adjustments to the rules & procedures as it sees fit during the competition season*


Signup for our email alerts to get access and stay informed about the latest news, tournament information, and other important training events in your area.  Event newsletter signup http://eepurl.com/biRC4f


'''Unless it is expressly stated that something is permissible in these rules, it is illegal.”  If you are unsure about a particular situation, submit your question in writing to ATACMRivera@gmail.com .  For questions regarding the new chevron test, please contact Senior Master Tony Rosa: masterrosa82@gmail.com



Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Page   #

Section 1 - TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS AND THEIR DUTIES Page 01 

Section 2 - DUTIES OF ATA SENIOR INSTRUCTORS AND JUDGES Page 04

Section 3 - JUDGING LEVELS and CERTIFICATIONS Page 06

Section 4 - UNIFORMS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT & WEAPONS Page 09

Section 5 - COMPETITION OPPORTUNITIES Page 15

Section 6 - COMPETITION DIVISIONS AND RING ASSIGNMENTS Page 16

Section 7 - TOURNAMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES Page 25

Section 8 - TRADITIONAL FORM COMPETITION Page 33

Section 9 - TRADITIONAL WEAPONS COMPETITION Page 39

Section 10 - COMBAT WEAPONS SPARRING COMPETITION Page 44

Section 11 - TRADITIONAL POINT SPARRING / ONE-STEP COMPETITION Page 50

Section 12 - ATA-CREATIVE COMPETITION Page 59

Section 13 - ATA-XTREME COMPETITION Page 65

Section 14 - ATA TEAM SPARRING COMPETITION Page 70

Section 15 - ATA TIGER COMPETITION Page 82

Section 16 - SPECIAL ABILITIES COMPETITION Page 84

Section 17 - CHAMPION PROGRAMS Page 89

Section 18 - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM Page 97

Section 19 - DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM Page 99

Section 20 - WORLD CHAMPION PROGRAM Page 103

Section 21 - TEAM SYNCHRONIZED COMPETITION Page 107

Section 22 - TEAM DEMONSTRATION COMPETITION Page 111

Section 23 - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Page    115

Section 24: - SUMMARY RULES UPDATES Page    117


SECTION 1 - TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS AND THEIR DUTIES

As in every organization, there is a specific and detailed chain of command that must be followed to achieve consistent success. Any person having a question concerning an aspect of a tournament should adhere to the chain of command listed below to obtain the answer:


International Chairman of Tournaments


The International Chairman of Tournaments is the overseer of all aspects of tournaments. He/she is part of the ATA International Headquarters staff and is appointed by ATA International Headquarters. The Tournament Department is responsible for maintaining all tournament sanction paperwork, the oversight of tournament judging certification, the preparation for world and national tournaments, the arbitration of disputes, and rule revisions. The International Chairman of Tournaments is:

  Chief Master Betsy Stevens — 8th Degree Black Belt - betsy.stevens@ataonline.com


Authority of the International Tournament Director

The International Tournament Director is the final arbiter of these rules. Any determination concerning the interpretation, applicability or necessary exceptions to the rules shall be made in the sole discretion of the International Tournament Director.

National Tournament Director

A National Tournament Director is appointed by the Grand Master of Songahm Taekwondo with the input of the International Chairman of Tournaments based upon their experience with the individual and any recommendations of the organization’s seniors. This person is in charge of the general operations of world and national tournaments and supplies a great deal of input on operation procedures and rule revisions. The ATA currently has one National Tournament Director and several Assistant National Tournament Directors.


USA - National Director of Tournaments (NTD)/LATAM Tournament Liaison:

Chief Master Izel Rivera - 8th Degree Black Belt- ATACMRIVERA@gmail.com

USA - Assistant National Tournament Directors:

Chief Master Jack Hornbuckle - 8th Degree Black Belt

Senior Master Michelle Pavlik - 7th Degree Black Belt

European - National Tournament Director: 

Mr. Antonio Monteiro - 6th Degree Black Belt

Latin American - National Tournament Director: 

Patricio Magaña-5th degree black belt


Director of Development -Team Sync and Team Demo - Chief Master Scott Skiles - 8th Degree Black Belt

Director of Development - Team Sparring - Master Jesse Isaacs - 7th Degree Black Belt

National Tournament Staff - Master Kevin Pavlik - 6th Degree Black Belt

National Tournament Staff - (Team and Social Media)– Senior Master Tony Rosa, 7th degree Black Belt

National Tournament staff (Special abilities-Chair) – Master Susan Winter, 7th degree Black Belt

National Dividing Coordinator – Chief Master Karla Capobianco- 8th degree Black Belt

National Data Entry Manager- Master Andrea Jung- 6th degree black belt

National Director of Services – Ms. Janetta Pickett


Regional Tournament Team Leader


The Regional Tournament Team Leader (RTTL) for each region is appointed by the Grand Master in consultation with the International Chairman of Tournaments. This volunteer leadership position is based upon the International Chairman's experience with the individual, the person's willingness to volunteer, plus the recommendation of the seniors of the region.


The duties of this position vary according to the region in which they are involved. These duties include, but are not limited to:

One should check with one’s Instructor as to the region in which the student belongs.  


The Regional Tournament Team Leaders for the 2024-2025 season are listed below:


Region RTTL Email Address:

101 Sr. Master Tony Rosa masterrosa82@gmail.com

102A Master Jim Wade           Jim_wade24@yahoo.com 

102B Sr. Master Seth Birky           starmakick@gmail.com  

103A Mr. Jonah Magness igniteata@gmail.com

103B Mr. Jacob Kadel karatekidjacob@yahoo.com

104 Master Iliana Garcia Ilarcia@integrityata.com

105 Sr. Master Rex Willems Willemsata@gmail.com  

106 Master Tammy Parker (Co-RTTL) indyatatp@gmail.com

106 Master Beth Moreland (Co-RTTL) roblin8693@att.net

107 Master Nicholas Schafer schafekwon@gmail.com

108 Master Jimmy Bell jimmykbell@gmail.com

109 Ms. Christy Overby c.overby@thriveata.com

110A Sr. Master Susan Winter srwinter@princetonata.com

110B Mr. Cody Obropta cobropta@gmail.com ,

111A Sr. Master Julia Wegmann jsbeddow@yahoo.com

111B Master Melynda Cordry fourkix@gmail.com

112 Mr. Kalob Cox coxata@me.com

114 Master Matthew White mwhite@triumphma.com 

115 Ms. Courtney Thuston           pridemathuston@gmail.com 

116 Ms. Becky Hammond rebeccaphammond@gmail.com

117 Senior Master Michelle Pavlik rct117@pickata.com

118 Senior Master J. Rueckert masterrueckert@gmail.com 

119A Master John Meyer jameyer540@gmail.com

119C Mr. Timothy Mallard sunshineridgebba@telus.net

119D Master Joshua Schultz 119drttl@gmail.com  



Assistant Regional Tournament Team Leader


Many regions have elected to ask for volunteers to serve as Assistant Regional Tournament Team Leaders or as part of the Regional Tournament Volunteer Staff. 

Two main reasons for this are:


Assistant Regional Tournament Team Leaders, whose names are suggested by the RTTL, are selected by the Grand Master in consultation with the International Chairman of Tournaments based upon the chairperson's experience with the individual, the person's willingness to volunteer, plus the recommendation of the seniors of the region.


The responsibilities of these assistants are assigned by Regional Tournament Team Leaders.

One should check with their instructor as to the name of the Assistant Regional Tournament Team Leader and the Regional Tournament Volunteer Staff members for one’s region.


Tournament Arbitrators


The position of Tournament Arbitrator is a temporary volunteer assignment during an individual tournament. It is not a permanent volunteer position. The International Chairman of Tournaments or the Regional Tournament Team Leader is in charge of supervising the event and the arbitrators are under their guidance. If a tournament arbitrator is used for a tournament, they should be selected from the tournament staff. During National or World Tournaments, the International Chairman of Tournaments, the National Tournament Director and/or the Assistant National Tournament Directors will perform the duties of arbitrator. Under no circumstances should a senior/master of a region take it upon his/herself to arbitrate a ruling in a ring.  He/She may ask for a ring to stop for the purpose of getting the tournament arbitrator to the ring.


An arbitrator is responsible for:


Tournament Secretary / ATA Records / Data Entry Personnel


The tournament staff includes the tournament secretary, and Data Entry Personnel.  These are volunteer positions to the RTTL and approved by the International Chairman of Tournaments. These persons duties include, but are not limited to:

SECTION 2 - DUTIES OF ATA SENIORS, INSTRUCTORS, AND JUDGES


General Guidelines

It is the duty of all adult black belts, regardless of rank or position, to earn appropriate judging levels and volunteer to judge at any ATA event they are attending. This rule applies to every black belt in attendance. One should check with his/her instructor for guidance on how to obtain appropriate chevrons.

All adult black belts shall arrive before the judge's meeting held at every regional event, attend the meeting, and remain at the tournament until the final “Bow-out” has been completed. Under “Special Circumstances” they may attempt to receive permission to leave early from the RTTL and the Senior Rank in attendance . It is the duty of every senior instructor to ensure that their junior instructors and black belts comply with this rule. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of any points earned at that event and repeatedly leaving early can lead to additional sanctions from the ATA's tournament department. 

Senior instructors shall refrain from interfering in the competition. If anyone, especially a Senior Rank, feels there is a problem in the ring they shall notify the RTTL. He/she should NOT enter a ring, or take any further action unless instructed. Any person may ask that a ring be suspended for a rule violation arbitration, and/or safety issue until the appropriate RTTL staff members can be notified. 


If a black belt does not follow proper protocol at the tournament, the following steps will be taken:


Black Belt Meetings


All black belts ages 15 and above, eligible for chevrons and regardless of rank, are required to attend the Black Belt Meeting held prior to the beginning of each tournament.  Any black belt mentioned above may be denied the right to compete if he/she does not attend this meeting.  This decision is at the discretion of the RTTL in charge of that event.  Jr. Black Belts age 14 and under are encouraged, but not required, to attend Black Belt Meetings. 


The Regional Tournament Team Leader or his/her assistant is to coordinate a Black Belt judges’ meeting prior to every regional tournament. The purpose of such meeting is to:





Dress Code at an ATA Tournament


Black belts are held to a higher standard, in regard to their attire and conduct, due to their position in the organization and in the eyes of the color belt students. Black Belts in attendance (whether competing or not) should wear either an official traditional white dobok or certified instructor suit (see picture below). Black belts in attendance should remain in this attire until they are dismissed from the event.  Changing into “street clothes” is not acceptable.


Before and after their competition, color belts may wear regular “street” clothes, bearing in mind appropriate styles for the occasion.  Shorts/tank tops etc. are never acceptable.


The dress code for tournaments does not change for tournaments held over multiple days.  NO INSTRUCTOR should arrive in “street clothes” so they can “watch” their students.  


It is understood that younger junior black belts have “trouble” keeping nice clothes clean, and they will be given special consideration. Teenagers and above should be able to care for themselves and are expected to comply with the dress requirements. This dress code is in effect from the first appearance at the tournament site until away from the tournament site. 


SPECIAL NOTE:  There have been multiple occasions where black belts have been at a tournament, changed because they were “catching a flight soon” or “just here to watch my students' '. If a black belt is not in the proper attire because they are leaving, they should exit the facility.  A black belt should not be in attendance just to “watch”. While we all wish to see our child compete, it is not always possible.   All RTTL’s have been asked to be as accommodating as possible for the parents of children under 12. For parents whose children are over the age of 12, fulfilling the judging needs of the tournament is the 1st priority of an RTTL.  





SECTION 3 - JUDGING LEVELS and CERTIFICATIONS

 

The ATA takes great pride in the training of black belts to be judges at regional, district, national, and world tournaments. Black belts are trained over a period of time to be qualified as a Level 1 Corner Judge, a Level 2 Center Judge, or a Level 3 Chief Judge. Each competition ring (except ATA Tiger rings) will have three qualified black belts to judge the competitors. All certifications are valid for one year. This requirement is mandatory for all ranks 1st through 9th Degree Black Belt. Permission to test will be withheld for those whose judging chevrons are not current.

 

Note: Judges, whose competition age is 17 or younger, may not judge any division that contains competitors older than their age.  This rule does not apply to adult judges.

 

***** When calling competitors to the ring, all competitors will be addressed by first and last name only.  This will avoid any mistakes among competitors with similar first names. Please avoid any other characteristics or descriptions when calling competitors to the ring. *****


Level 1

The following rules and guidelines apply to a Level 1 judge:


 A Level 1 judging chevron is a 1-inch-wide blue chevron to be put on the right sleeve of the uniform jacket. The chevron should be centered (on a diagonal) on the crease in the right edge 4 inches from the sleeve bottom and on the left edge (as you look at the uniform) 2 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. Wearing of chevrons is not required, but highly recommended.


Level 2

The following rules and guidelines apply to a Level 2 judge:


 A level 2 judging chevron is 1-inch-wide red chevron to be placed on the right sleeve of the uniform jacket. This chevron should be placed 1/4 inch above the blue chevron. Wearing of chevrons is not required, but highly recommended.




Level 3

The following rules and guidelines apply to a Level 3 judge:


The level 3 judging chevron is 1-inch-wide black chevron to be placed on the right sleeve of the uniform jacket. This chevron should be placed 1/4 inch above the red chevron. Wearing of chevrons is not required, but highly recommended.


OBTAINING JUDGING LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS 

The requirements to certify or recertify for any level of judging chevron are the same.



 At the completion of the chevron clinic, the RTTL will forward all passing scores via mail, fax or email to the tournament department at International Headquarters. At that time, the student may order, through their instructor, the appropriate chevron. The RTTL will not be responsible for collecting money or ordering chevrons for judges. All judging chevron clinics are at no cost to the student.


Only one level of judging chevrons can be obtained in any 30-day period.


*****************************

Chevron tests taken online will be kept for 30 days.  If you have any questions or disputes, please contact Chief Master Rivera up to 30 days from the day of taking the test.  After 30 days, the results will be deleted from the database.  atacmrivera@gmail.com

*****************************

Special Notes:

 

Responsibilities of Judges

During competition, judges will:

Judging Ethics

At any ATA tournament, demonstrations of prejudice, lack of attentiveness in the ring, etc., shall be cause for warnings and reprimands from tournament officials and the International Chairman of Tournaments. The use of cell phones, Bluetooth devices, etc. used for the purpose of communication with non-tournament staff, such as sending and receiving text messages, receiving calls, etc. is strictly prohibited for judges as well as scorekeepers and timekeepers during the running of their ring. Failure to follow this rule will subject the offender to immediate disciplinary action by the RTTL. Additional disciplinary actions are determined by the International Chairman of Tournaments and may include mandatory suspension from all official activities, including judging, participating in tournaments and/or testing for two years.


JUDGES SHOULD NOT JUDGE THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS:


If a member of a judge’s immediate (SPOUSE, SIBLING AND/OR CHILD) family is sent to a ring that they are judging, the judge should change rings with another judge to avoid the impression of favoritism. 

A judge’s focus should be entirely on the competitors in their ring. Any such warnings shall become part of the judge’s permanent record. Three warnings within a one year period of time shall incur disciplinary actions to be brought forth by the International Chairman of Tournaments.


SECTION 4 - UNIFORMS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT & WEAPONS



Traditional White Dobok

An Official ATA uniform is acceptable for all tournament events. 


EXAMPLE:


It 

An official traditional white uniform MUST:

An official traditional white uniform MAY include the following: 



***SPECIAL NOTE:

A competitor is NOT in the leadership program until they have received the official approval letter from headquarters.  Even if you have purchased and received a uniform, the competitor is not officially in the leadership program until the official letter has been sent and received from headquarters. Date of entry to the leadership program will not be “back-dated”.



Instructor Collar Stripes shall be worn by Instructors only when they have received a letter from ATA International Headquarters informing them of their successful promotion to that collar level.


 

It is the ATA Licensee’s decision as to the number of patches allowed on a uniform for his/her school. A traditional dobok IS REQUIRED to be worn by all competitors and judges during traditional forms, weapons, sparring, and combat weapons sparring competition at ATA sanctioned tournaments. It MAY also be worn by competitors involved in ATA-Xtreme forms, ATA-Xtreme weapons, creative forms, creative weapons, and all types of Team competitions. (all members of a team must wear the same uniform)


 ATA Creative / ATA-Xtreme Uniform

The official ATA Creative/ Xtreme Black Uniform – Must have the Xtreme logo on the back and Songahm Taekwondo in Korean calligraphy on the leg of the pants. This uniform may be worn by competitors or judges involved in either ATA-Xtreme or ATA-creative events and team synchronized form competition or team demo competition (as long as all members of the team are wearing the same uniform). It may not be worn in traditional forms, weapons, sparring, or combat weapons sparring events regardless of whether or not the events are held on the same day. This uniform may not be altered in any way, including but not limited to rolled sleeves.


The New Adidas Black Uniform, used for Creative/Xtreme competitions, may be altered to shorten the sleeves as long as the altered sleeve reaches the midpoint of the competitor's forearm - meaning the overall length of the sleeve is no shorter than the midpoint between the bend of the wrist and the bend of the elbow.  If the sleeve is not altered, the competitor may roll the sleeve under one time. 


Effective January 1, 2022, red uniforms can be worn for creative and Xtreme competition at ATA tournaments. The following are ATA tournament approved uniforms that can be worn for creative and Xtreme competition:

These uniforms may not have team lettering on the back of the uniform.


Black XMA Middleweight Uniform

Red XMA Program Uniform

Red ATA Adidas Open Uniform

Red ATA Adidas Team Uniform (stripes on the sleeves)

Black ATA Adidas Open Uniform

Black ATA Adidas Team Uniform (Stripes on the sleeves)

 

SPECIAL NOTE:   If, in the opinion of the center judge, the altered sleeve does not reach the midpoint of the forearm, the competitor will be asked to change back into his/her white traditional uniform. At this time, the RTTL should be notified by the center judge. Failure to change uniforms will result in the competitor being removed from competitions.  Any fees paid for this competition will be forfeited by the competitor.



Team Sparring/Combat Uniform 


Teams may elect to wear one of the new Adidas Team Uniforms beginning with the 2020-2021 season.  Uniforms may have Team Names, participant names and team titles sewn by WMA on the backs of the uniforms.  The team uniforms come in the colors, blue, black, red, or white.  All Team members must be in the same color uniform. Team uniforms (with lettering on the back) MAY NOT be worn in traditional, creative, or xtreme competitions.  


ATA Tiger Uniform


There are two different traditional uniforms a tiger competitor may wear, the traditional uniform or the ATA Tiger uniform. Only students competing as a tiger may wear the ATA Tiger uniform. The ATA Tiger uniform may not be worn in a junior division.


 Belts

 For tigers competitors, only the following colors and marking are permitted:

 


For color belts, only the following colors and markings are permitted:


 For black belts, the following rules for markings apply:


Tang Bagee Pants

Tang Bagee (“hakama”) all black, including the pleats, pants may only be worn when competing with the Gum Do weapon. The judges will not pause the ring for a competitor to put on Tang Bagee pants. Pants should touch the top of the competitor’s instep.  The belt can go either under or over the pants.


Shoes

The only shoes acceptable to wear with any ATA uniform, traditional, creative or xtreme, are those that are predominantly white or black sports shoes.  ATA sliders are acceptable. Other color sports shoes, flip-flops, sandals, etc. are not acceptable.

. 

For judges in their dobok, you must be barefoot or wearing athletic shoes. ATA sliders are not acceptable footwear for judges who are wearing a dobok.


Competitor Appearance During Competition

The following is a guide for proper appearance while competing at an ATA Tournament:


Required Safety Gear

The following safety gear is required by all competitors in a sparring competition including combat weapon sparring:

 

All gear MUST be in good repair. (Torn, taped, or worn-out gear will NOT be allowed). No one, including Instructors or parents, can give permission to alter the rules pertaining to the use and wearing of safety gear. A competitor who does not have all of his/her proper equipment may borrow from another competitor or purchase the equipment at the event if possible, however, it is not required that one student lend another student his/her gear.


Color of Safety Gear

The following guidelines apply to the color of safety gear:

 

If a competitor has mismatched safety gear or gear of the wrong color, the student will be allowed to compete. It should be brought to the attention of the RTTL and a note made on the outside of the ring packet. The RTTL will address the issue with the student's instructor. That day, a competitor with illegal or mismatched gear may borrow from others in the ring so they may compete. If, after consulting with the competitor’s instructor, the student continues to arrive at tournaments with incorrect gear, they may be prevented from competing.


Types of Weapons


ATA competition weapons include the following: 

 


Style of Weapons

During a weapon's competition, there are three styles of weapons that may be used.

 

Note:

 




Size of Weapons - 2024-2025 Season.


*** Consult with your instructor for the appropriate or best fitting length of weapon given the competitor's height.***



Adornment Restrictions


Decorating a weapon is defined as:

Putting anything on the weapon that was not included in the manufacturing of the weapon. Using two weapons that are identical except for the color falls under the category of decorated weapons. 

Altering the weapon is defined as: 

Changing the weapon from its original size, shape, or form by any means.

 


SECTION 5 - COMPETITION OPPORTUNITIES

Tournament Classifications

The ATA provides many opportunities for members to compete at a variety of levels. Currently, there are five classifications of tournaments. 

The classifications are:


Aspects of Competition

There are currently 8 different competitive events in which a student can compete at every ATA sanctioned tournament. Those events are:

 

There are currently two team competitions which will be held at every ATA sanctioned Regional, National, or World tournament. Those events are:

 

 At National and World events there are two team creative/xtreme competitions. Those events are:


Participants are not required to compete in all aspects of competition. The student should consult his/her instructor to determine the extent of his/her participation at every event. An instructor or judge should not force or intimidate students into something in which they are not confident.




SECTION 6 - COMPETITION DIVISIONS and RING ASSIGNMENTS


Permission / Eligibility to Compete

 

THIS APPLIES TO ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF RANK

To compete in any sanctioned Songahm Taekwondo event, a competitor must comply with all three of the following requirements:

 

Failure to comply with any of the three requirements listed above will result in the competitor being denied the opportunity to compete, or if discovered after the completion of the event, any points or place winnings will be nullified. The eligibility requirement is applicable for all competition divisions including Traditional Forms, Traditional One-Step Sparring, Traditional Point Sparring, Traditional Weapons, ATA-Xtreme Forms, ATA- Xtreme Weapons, Creative Forms, Creative Weapons, Combat Weapons Sparring, Team Synchronized Forms, Team Demo Competitions and Team Sparring/Combat Competitions. This rule will also apply to all future competition divisions.


Division Definitions


Divisions are classified as either “CHAMPION” or “RECREATIONAL”.

Champion Divisions are a higher competitive level and provide the competitor opportunities to earn points towards State titles as well as eligibility toward District/World Tournament of Champion titles.  The first/second/third place winners, who are registered in the OFFICIAL ATA LEADERSHIP/LEGACY Program at ATA HQ, will be eligible to earn points, depending upon the tournament classification, and other guidelines.  See Championship Program.

Recreational Divisions, formerly referred to in previous seasons as NOVICE divisions, do not award points regardless of the competitors age, rank, or status in the ATA Official Leadership/Legacy Program. See RECREATIONAL BLACK BELT DIVISIONS for additional guidelines.


One can check their Program Status viewing their ATA Member Profile at www.atamartialarts.com. All Tiger Divisions are Recreational divisions.

Competition Rank


All Rank Competitors:

For all Regional/National/World tournaments student is considered to have earned their rank when either of the following criteria have been met:


For the District Championships, the competitor’s rank/belt is determined by their Official Rank/Belt listed at     ATA HQ by May 15th of the current tournament season. See District Championships for additional District guidelines.

 

Color Belt Competitors:

Color belt competitors must wear the proper belt and compete in the division for the rank that they currently hold regardless of how long they have held that rank. A student should take pride in what they have earned and be honored to wear the correct belt. If the student has been awarded a rank at their school, they should wear that belt even if the instructor has not “officially” sent in the results to headquarters. The ATA reserves the right to combine and/or separate divisions pending competitor turnout.


Example #1:  A new camo belt is not comfortable with free sparring; he/she may choose to only compete in the form and/or weapons portion of the competition. He/She should not wear their yellow belt. 


1st Degree Recommended Black Belts may choose to either compete with either Color Belts or with Black Belts at any tournament.  


At each tournament, Recommended Black Belt students have a choice to participate as a Color Belt or as a Black Belt but not as both. If a student participates as a Black Belt for one event in a tournament, then they must participate as a Black Belt for all events at that tournament. Conversely, if a student competes as a Color Belt for one event in a tournament, then they must compete as a Color Belt for all events at that tournament. (Traditional and Creative/Xtreme) If a Recommended Black Belt competes in a Color Belt Division, his/her TOP TEN State or World points for that tournament will not be moved to a Black Belt Division.  








SECTION I: REGULAR TOURNAMENT SEASON: 

The following guidelines apply if a 1st recommended black belt competes in a 1st degree black belt decided division:




SECTION II: DISTRICTS AND TOC COMPETITION 

The following guidelines apply to 1st recommended black belt who has qualified for a 1st degree decided black belt ring: 


A The competitor must be a decided 1st degree black belt for post season competition (Districts and TOC).

B. FORMS

C. WEAPONS

      a. He/she MUST perform a weapon from the 1st degree decided black belt curriculum *            when competing for a title. 


This above scenario also applies to 2nd degree recommended: 



*Those weapons forms are for:

Single Ssahng Jeol Bong, Single Bahng Mahng Ee, Oh Sung Do, Gum Do, or Mid-range Jahng Bong 


In order to compete at Districts and or Tournament of Champions, in the 1st Degree division, the competitor must obtain his/her 1st Degree Black Belt Decided, and it must be recorded at ATA HQ  by May 15th of the competition season.  Failure to meet this requirement will result in forfeiture of all State/World Top Ten Points, thus making the competitor ineligible for Districts and/or World TOC competitions as a black belt competitor.

At the Worlds “Tournament of Champions” competition, the 1st Degree Form, Shim Jun, must be performed in order to earn a World Champion Title. No color belt form can be performed at the Worlds “Tournament of Champions”.  


***Special Note:  If a 1st Degree Recommended Black Belt competes at a tournament in the 1st degree division, he/she may also compete in Team Sparring/Team Combat.  If he/she competes as a Color Belt at that tournament, he/she is not eligible to compete in Team Sparring/Team Combat at that tournament.       (See Team Sparring/Team Combat Rules) 



Black Belts Competitors:


Competitors that are 1st Degree Decided Black Belt rank or higher who are planning to test for a higher rank during the current tournament season, MAY opt to compete in the next higher rank division. If a black belt chooses to compete in a higher rank division, and qualifies to compete at Worlds in the Tournament of Champions (TOC), he/she must obtain the Decided Rank of that division, and compete with one of the forms of that division at the TOC.  Failure to meet this requirement will result in forfeiture of that person’s eligibility to compete in the TOC.

See State and World Champion programs for additional information.

 

District Competition has specific rank rules and dates. Please see the District Championship section in these rules for exact information.

  


Competition Age


A competitor's competition age is determined by their age as of 11:59 pm, December 31st of the tournament season.   EXAMPLE:  A competitor’s birthday is September 1, 2010, for the 2022-2023 season.  That competitor is 12 for the entire season, including the tournaments held in July and August.

The age that they are at that date will indicate the division in which they should compete in throughout the entire tournament season.



General Procedure for Creating Divisions


The ATA reserves the right to combine and/or separate divisions pending on competitor turnout. Division breakdowns are handled by the Regional Tournament Team Leader or his/her assigns. The one rule that is standard is that divisions at regional tournaments will be limited to no more than 12 competitors.


The following procedure will be followed to divide divisions for regional tournaments.




Black Belt Divisions

The divisions for the black belts are set by the International Tournament Department and are designed to give everyone an equal chance. Divisions are based on gender, the age of the competitors, and rank. At the conclusion of each tournament season, the International Chairman of Tournaments will evaluate the number of competitors in each division and determine if any changes are to be made for subsequent tournament seasons. The ATA reserves the right to combine and/or separate divisions pending on competitor turnout.


The current Black Belt divisions for individual competition in Traditional Forms, Traditional Point Sparring, Traditional Weapons, Combat Weapons Sparring, Creative Forms and Weapons and Xtreme Forms and Weapons events are:

Junior Boys

8 & under

1st, 2nd & 3rd degrees

 

9 & 10

1st degrees

2nd & 3rd degrees

11 & 12

1st degrees

2nd & 3rd degrees

13 & 14

1st degrees

2nd & 3rd degrees

15, 16 & 17

1st degrees

2nd & 3rd degrees

Junior Girls

8 & under

1st, 2nd & 3rd degrees

 

9 & 10

1st degrees

2nd & 3rd degrees

11 & 12

1st degrees

2nd & 3rd degrees

13 & 14

1st degrees

2nd & 3rd degrees

15, 16 & 17

1st degrees

2nd & 3rd degrees


Adult Men

18 - 29

1st degree

2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

30 - 39

1st degree

2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

40 - 49

1st degree

2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

50 - 59

1st degree

2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

60 - 69

1st, 2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

 

70 - Up

1st, 2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree


Adult Women

18 - 29

1st degree

2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

30 - 39

1st degree

2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

40 - 49

1st degree

2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

50 - 59

1st degree

2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

60 - 69

1st, 2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree

 

70 - Up

1st, 2nd & 3rd degree

4th & 5th degree





Guidelines for Dividing or Combining Champion Black Belt Rings


At National and World events, the national tournament staff will try to adhere to the divisions listed above.   However, even at National/World events age divisions may be combined depending on the number of registered competitors. On a regional level,it is often difficult to strictly follow these divisions. On a regional level, black belt divisions MAY be combined. The Regional Tournament Team Leader (or their assigns) has the ability to combine divisions where necessary. They will follow the guidelines given to them by the International Chairman of Tournaments. The ATA reserves the right to combine and/or separate divisions pending on competitor turnout.


Notes:


Black belts are vying for World Champion points and need to have the experience of going against the taller or shorter opponent throughout the year.


White-Orange-Yellow belts Champion Division:  In the case where there are not enough competitors for either gender, white-orange and yellow belts will be combined by gender but the gender with only ONE competitor will not spar or combat spar (Gets automatically first place).  If the WOY only competitor wants to be able to spar/combat spar they may decide to compete up with Camo and above for all events. For this specific situation you need to get verbal permission from the International chairman of tournaments.

 


Recreational Black Belt Divisions


"Recreational" competition, previously referred to as NOVICE competition, is for any student wanting to compete but not yet ready to be placed in a "Champions Competitive" ring. This applies to black belts as well as color belts. The purpose of the Black Belt Recreational division is to give inexperienced black belt competitors the option to gain tournament experience in black belt divisions before moving into the Champions more competitive divisions. 

A competitor, with guidance from his/her instructor, may choose to be placed in a recreational division indefinitely. Instructors should determine if a competitor should be placed in a "Recreational Division" ( no points awarded) or a "Champion Division" (points awarded).


 Dividing Recreational Black Belts Divisions


 



Color Belt Divisions


In trying to promote color belt competition at regional events and provide them with a positive experience, color belt rings will be either classified as Recreational or Champion.



Champion Divisions Guidelines


“Champion” divisions are available for the student who wishes to compete at a higher competitive level and possibly earn points for the State/World Top Ten standings. Only color belts and/or black belts "officially" registered in the ATA Leadership Program or ATA Legacy Program at ATA International headquarters receive points for State top ten standings. 


Dividing Champion Divisions - Color Belts


The ATA reserves the right to combine and/or separate divisions pending competitor turnout. Due to the vast difference from region to region of the number of competitors at each event, it is not feasible to issue comprehensive rules concerning how the color belt divisions will be formed. 


Special Note: 

In Champion Divisions at Class A tournaments, for the purpose of awarding points, IF the number of competitors for an event (forms/sparring, weapons, etc.) determined a full division, PRIOR TO the split of the ring, full points will be awarded to all rings of that split division, regardless of the number of competitors in each separate ring.  Conversely, if the number of competitors did not meet the requirement for full points prior to the split, full points will not be awarded for that EVENT.


Recreational Division Guidelines - Color Belt 


The ATA reserves the right to combine and/or separate divisions pending competitor turnout. The purpose of the recreational color belt division (formerly referred to as novice division) is to give an inexperienced student the option to gain tournament experience before moving into the more competitive divisions.

 

The following guidelines apply for all Recreational division:

 


Dividing Recreational Divisions - Color Belts.



SECTION 7 - TOURNAMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES


Ring Size

Ring dimensions for competition shall be square and should measure in the range of 14 - 18 feet per side, depending on the type of division (adult or junior). For ATA Tiger divisions, the previously described rings can be “cut” in half, and two divisions may be run side-by-side.

Each ring should:


Order of Events

The host of each tournament will publish the tournament schedule, provided by their Regional Tournament Team Leader, for that particular tournament. If the host has a particular schedule in mind, the host must submit their proposed tournament schedule to, and receive approval from, the Regional Tournament Team Leader before it is published to the general public.


The order of competition at regional, national, and world events will be: 


At all sanctioned regional events, ATA-Xtreme and ATA creative competitions will immediately follow the traditional events for all divisions and be held in the same ring as the traditional events. 



The competition schedule at National and World events, ATA Creative and ATA Xtreme events will be posted before registration opens.  These events may be on separate days from the traditional events. 


 

Tournament Registration

For regional tournaments, all competitors are encouraged to pre-register with their instructor. The following guidelines apply to all registrations and registration cards:

 

To better prepare for world and national tournaments, all competitors, regardless of their rank, are asked to pre-register to compete. All registration cards must be filled out completely. ADULT BLACK BELTS, who register onsite at a world or national event, will be charged a “late” fee of $50 in addition to the on-site registration fees. Adult black belt competitors will also only be eligible for ½ regular points. 

(Half points will be rounded up. For example: A “late” competitor earns ½ of 9 points in his/her ring. The 4.5 points will be rounded up to reflect 5 points earned). The International Chairman of Tournaments reserves the right to waive this in extenuating circumstances. 


Arrival and Competition Times 

It is recommended that each participant arrives before opening ceremonies in time to be on the main floor to line up and bow-in before the competition. However, many regional and all national and world events now post the approximate competition times for each division. In those instances, each color belt competitor should arrive at the tournament site approximately 30 to 45 minutes before their posted competition time unless otherwise notified in the tournament information packets. All Black Belts age 15 and older should arrive in time to attend the Black Belt meeting prior to opening ceremonies being held.  If for some unforeseen legitimate reason, a competitor is late for his/her division, the center judge will allow the competitor to enter the division, if possible, based on the following:

 


Traditional forms competition is closed when one of the following events have occurred: 

 

At that time, the Regional Tournament Team Leader will determine if there is another ring available. At national and world events, that decision will be made by the National Tournament Director or his/her assigns.

 

If, in the opinion of the RTTL, the student has purposefully arrived late in order to receive an advantageous position, the RTTL may refuse entry into any competition.

 

For the sake of competition, the Regional Tournament Team Leader will make every effort to see that a junior competitor is allowed to compete. If their ring is completed the Regional Tournament Team Leader MAY, create another ring of competition for the purpose of awarding trophies. These specially created rings will not receive points in the World or State Champion Top Ten standings. 


Rule exception:  If the RTTL determines that it was the fault of the RTTL or his/her staff as to why the competitor missed his/her ring, and a special ring is created, the competitor will receive points.  The maximum points given in this instance is 3. 

 


Ring Procedures


 The following procedures are indicative of how each ring is to be run at every ATA tournament:

Traditional One-Step / Point Sparring competition.




Special Notes: Sparring and or Combat Sparring


AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE TIME ALLOTTED TO CHANGE CLOTHES,UNIFORMS, THE CREATIVE/XTREME COMPETITIONS WILL BEGIN IN THE SAME RING.

 

Announce Awards: Awards should now be given for the Creative/Xtreme events in the following manner:.




White/Orange/Yellow Belt - Sparring and Combat Eligibility


All W/O/Y belts will be allowed to compete in traditional sparring and combat weapons sparring as well as traditional one-steps at all tournaments. 

For traditional sparring, W/O/Y belt students may choose to:

 

A competitor who chooses to do both one-steps and traditional sparring will have an additional competition fee unless this event is their 6th/7th/8th/or 9th event. In that case, the traditional sparring will be at no charge.

 

Genders will be separated only for traditional point sparring and combat weapons sparring.


Example: There are five boys and five girls combined to form a ring at a tournament. They will compete together for forms, weapons, and one-step sparring. However, the genders will be separated for traditional sparring and combat sparring.



Weapons Inspections 

The center judge will call for each weapons competitor to come forward and present the weapon intended for use in that competition.  The weapon shown will be inspected to insure that: 

1.  Based on the competitor's rank, they are eligible to compete with that type of weapon.

2.  The weapon is an appropriate style for their rank and competition event.

3.  The weapon is the appropriate size for the height of the competitor.

4.  The weapon does not violate weapon adornment restrictions in any way.

5.  The weapon is in good repair and safe to use in competition.

 



Groin Protector Check Procedures

All male competitors must wear a protective cup prior to the beginning of combat or sparring competition. 

 

Injuries

Every effort has been made to ensure that competing in a Songahm Taekwondo tournament is as safe as possible. However, injuries may occur. The following guidelines will be applied to all injuries during competition:

 

The injured competitor will only be allowed to continue when a certain criterion is met. The criteria are as follows:


Injuries and Concussions: ALWAYS err on the side of caution and safety of the competitor. Judges are not expected to “diagnose” a concussion, as that is the job of an appropriate health-care professional. If an appropriate health-care professional on the side determines that the athlete HAS NOT suffered a concussion, the athlete may return to competition. If an appropriate health-care professional determines an athlete HAS suffered a concussion, that athlete MAY NOT return to competition that day under any circumstances. No one may “overrule” the health-care professional. This includes parents, instructors, competitors, guardians, other judges, and spectators.

 






TOURNAMENT AWARDS

Placement Awards for Competition 

There will be three places awarded in all Competitive and Recreational divisions based on the criteria below for Traditional Form, Traditional Weapon, ATA-Xtreme Form, ATA- Xtreme Weapon, Creative Form, Creative Weapon, Synchronized Team Form and Team Demo competitions. They are as follows:

 

Combat Weapons Sparring, One-step Sparring, and Traditional Point Sparring competitions will culminate with the following awards given:

 

Tournament Commemorative Pins

 



COMPETITOR CONDUCT / COACHING / CORRECTABLE ERRORS / ATTITUDE  


Correctable Errors


As in most competitions, there exists the possibility of "correctable errors". Judgment calls such as scores given or points called in sparring are not considered a correctable error. An instructor/parent/competitor may ask for clarification if they believe a "correctable error" has been made. The Regional Tournament Team Leader will be responsible for this determination, and his/her decision will be final. If an instructor/parent/or competitor would like to discuss the decision of the Regional Tournament Team Leader, they may do so after the conclusion of the tournament. This should occur through the proper "chain of command."


VIDEO REVIEW


A Regional Tournament Team Leader, or National Tournament Director is allowed, but not required, to review video for the purpose of reversing a “Correctable Error”.  Video review will not occur on any judgement call.  EXAMPLE:  After looking at all 3 scores in sparring, the Center Judge calls one point red, but the scorekeeper inadvertently awards the point to white.  This is a correctable error.  Assuming the video shows all aspects of the call, the RTTL may award the appropriate point.  The review of whether a competitor actually scored a point, is not a correctable error.  There is no “instant replay”.  Judgment calls are final, and not subject to review.


 

No Coaching

It is the responsibility of the judges to ensure that no one is allowed to receive coaching during any competition except the team sparring/combat events. There will be no coaching from the sidelines by anyone, including color belts, black belts, instructors, family members or friends. This no-coaching rule is in effect from the time the competitors are “bowed into their ring” through the time they are “bowed out of their ring.” This includes quietly telling a student what to do between matches in sparring, or before a tie-breaker in forms/weapons. Cheering and offering encouragement is indeed allowed and encouraged. A competitor receiving coaching will be penalized in the following manor:

 


Competitor Attitude and Conduct

One of the most important tenets of Songahm Taekwondo is the concept of DISCIPLINE. While it is important to show the discipline of being a good loser, it is equally important to exhibit the discipline of being a good winner. Songahm Taekwondo students are known for their discipline, courtesy, and respect. Any exhibition of disgust, frustration or dissatisfaction with the outcome of competition will not be tolerated. This includes leaving the ring or ring area before awards are given and the ring being formally dismissed. Neither will over-exuberance with winning be allowed.


Unsportsmanlike Conduct Warnings

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Warnings are at the sole discretion of the center judge. Unsportsmanlike conduct warnings may, in the sole discretion of the center judge, result in a penalty point and/or disqualification. 

 

Awarding Points: 


Background:  When the pandemic hit the US, many schools had to close and instructors used the virtual method to teach to help students continue with their Songahm journey.  As restrictions were lifted and face-to-face instruction was permitted, many schools decided to continue teaching virtually.  Other schools were not able to sustain themselves and closed.  For this reason there are very few students that continue to learn virtually. Therefore, there could be students that due to closure and lack of schools in their vicinity live in one State but train in another.  To this end….




SECTION 8 - Traditional Forms Competition


Admissible Competition Forms


Color Belts


Color belts that participate in the forms portion of the competition will demonstrate the form selected by their instructor. For integrity reasons, the instructor should not have a color belt student do a form that would be considered below his/her current ability level. However, competitors will not be questioned by the judges about the appropriateness of the form a color belt demonstrates. 

There will not be any special consideration given regarding the color of the belt the students are wearing and the form with which they compete (neither higher scores for a higher level form nor lower scores for a lower level form). The students will be judged according to their performance in comparison to the others in their division that day.


If a Recommended Black Belt Competes in a 1st Degree Decided Black Belt Division, he/she must perform with either Choong Jung 2, Choong Jung 1, or In Wha 2 forms. He/she may not compete with a lower belt form or with the 1st Degree form, Shim Jun during the regular season.


However, If the recommended black belt qualifies for District or top Ten title, He/she must perform the black belt decided form for that division.


************************

If any competitor has a legitimate medical condition and is not able to jump, this does not constitute a qualifying condition to compete in Special Abilities,  Any competitor who suffers from a condition that doesn’t allow them to jump should approach judges and inform them prior to the start of forms competition.  Judges will continue judging the quality of the techniques and not whether the competitor jumped or not.  This competitor may still receive full points from all 3 judges.


************************


Black Belts


Black Belts may not compete with a form designated for a rank higher than their current rank, even if they are “competing up” for the tournament season.


1st Degree Black Belt competitors:

 

2nd Degree Recommended Black Belt competitors:

 

2nd Degree Decided Black Belts and higher competitors:

 

Note: Please see the District and World Championship section of the rule for additional information on selecting the appropriate form for your competitive goals.

 



Judges Area of Concentration


Scoring of traditional forms is divided into three judging aspects. Judge A, Judge B, and Center Judge. Each judge is scoring a different aspect of the competitor’s presentation. An important aspect of judging forms is not letting personal preferences concerning techniques influence scoring. It is not feasible to expect every member of Songahm Taekwondo to do every technique the same. Differences in body styles, age, and other criteria can make a difference in how an Instructor may teach a student certain techniques. Form judges must base their score on the overall look and effectiveness of the techniques. The best “rule of thumb” is to watch the competitor as a judge and not as an Instructor. When seated, Judge A will be on the left hand side of the Center Judge and Judge B will be on the Center Judge’s right hand. While judging one’s respective areas, scoring should be based on the following ten attributes. The competitor who can demonstrate the highest quality and the most consistent of these attributes should be given the highest score.

 



Corner Judge A:

Will grade only stances and kicks.

For stances, the judge should look for:

 For kicks, the most important things to judge are proper:

 Note:

 




Corner Judge B: 

Will grade only hand techniques.

For hand techniques, the most important things to judge are proper:

 

Judge B will only judge the techniques that are shown and will not make point deductions for moves left out, the wrong type of block or strike, or an incomplete form. Those areas are the responsibility of the center judge.


The Center Judge

Will grade the overall form presentation.

The center judge will score the overall presentation of the form. In addition to the criteria of Judge A and B, the additional criteria for the center judge are proper:


 Score Keeper / Time Keeper

The scorekeeper and timekeeper at an ATA tournament play an important part in the overall running of a ring. While these volunteers are not considered to be judges, they have responsibilities and obligations that must be followed. The Center Judge should select a student who is in dobok to fill the role of the scorekeeper or timekeeper. Street clothes are not considered appropriate attire for this position.


The Scorekeeper/Timekeeper should:

 

Traditional Form Competition Procedures

The following procedures are indicative of how each ring is to be run at every ATA tournament:

 

Determining and Administering a Score

It is important to understand how to determine a competitor’s score.

 

For rings where there are three or fewer competitors


Score Range & Meaning

The meaning of the scores are as follows:

9 = Considered among the best of the group.

6 thru 8 = Better than the average of the group.

5 = The group average.

1 thru 4 = Below the group average.

0 = Incomplete (only to be given by the center judge on the incomplete first attempt.

 

Notes:

 

Incomplete Form

An incomplete form is defined as a competitor leaving out at least four or more consecutive moves or stopping any time during the form and not continuing the presentation. 

 

During form competition, the Center Judge may assist a competitor in completing their form through verbal cues and possible physical demonstrations if the competitor is unable to complete their form. This is done solely to help the self-esteem of the competitor by giving them the opportunity to finish their form in front of their peers and audience. 


Example: A competitor demonstrating Songahm #3 leaves out both knife hand high blocks, or does sidekicks in place of the two round kicks, but does correct techniques during the rest of the form. The Center Judge, who is responsible for the overall presentation of the form, may make score deductions for the competitor doing the wrong techniques or leaving out techniques, while Judge A and Judge B should give scores that only reflect the quality of the techniques demonstrated when compared to the other competitors.

Resolving Ties 

Should two or more competitors have the same score for first, second, or third place, there is a tie in the division.

 

The following method for determining the winner is in place:

 

Example #1: There is a two-way tie for first place and a two-way tie for third place. The Center Judge would have the two competitors tied for third place demonstrate their forms again and a decision would be made as to the victor. Then the two that tied for first place would perform next and a decision would be made.


Example #2: Sue, Mary, Jane, and Betty tied for first place. All four competitors demonstrate their form a second time. All four competitors’ line up in front of the judges and at the direction of the Center Judge, each judge points to the competitor they felt earned first place. If each judge points to a different person, one competitor is eliminated from the first place voting (for this illustration Mary was eliminated). Once the first place has been decided per the above procedures, the second place needs to be determined. To do this, Mary would be brought back to be eligible to earn second place. This procedure would be used if there are four or more tied for first or second place; those eliminated in the deciding for one place will be brought back for the next place.


Example #3: There is a three-way tie for 1st place in one division. The top finishers are Ellen, Sally, and Jane. After all three competitors have completed their form a second time, the center judges call for the judges to point to the competitor they feel should win 1st place for the best form and Judge B votes for Ellen. The other judges each vote for Sally and Jane. When the Center Judge calls Ellen and Sally to step forward and the judges to vote, Judge B must vote for Ellen again. If Ellen wins that vote and then goes against Jane, Judge B must vote for Ellen again.

 

 

SECTION 9 - Traditional Weapons Competition


Color Belt Rules & Guidelines


Type & Style of Weapons Available to Color Belt

The color belt student must confer with their instructor concerning the weapon they will use in competition. If competing in weapons, a color belt MAY ONLY compete with one of the following:

 

Color belts may use only Protech safety weapons for traditional weapons competition except for the Jahng Bong and the Jee Pahng Ee, which any style is acceptable.

 

Content of Color Belt Weapons’ Demonstration


Color belt weapons curriculum becomes effective at World’s 2024(Champion divisions).  Starting on Saturday, all color belts are expected to demonstrate forms from the new weapons’ curriculum.  In the event that the student does not perform a form from the new curriculum, the Center Judge will score the weapons form incomplete (0) and the corner judges will score the techniques performed for the weapon chosen.



The color belt competitor may not:

 

For each violation of this rule ,in color belt divisions, each judge shall reduce their score by one (1) point. The center judge shall, prior to calling for scores, remind the corner judges of the required deductions.

 

The routine must be approved by the competitor's instructor before the competition; therefore, it is vital that the color belt student consults his/her instructor as to the presentation.


This presentation will be judged on the following criteria:


Control of the weapon is of utmost importance.  The above list is not intended to be a specific order of importance but rather a guide for the judge to compare one presentation against another for the purpose of giving a score. However, in the resolving of ties during the weapons competition, the control of the weapon should be the number one criteria for determining the winner. In breaking a tie, a competitor who “drops” a weapon should not receive the win over a competitor who controls the weapon throughout his/her performance 

 


Size of Weapons - 2024-2025 Season.

Color belts may not use a wooden BME.


*** Consult with your instructor for the appropriate or best fitting length of weapon given the competitor's height.***



Black Belt Rules & Guidelines

 

Black Belt Weapons Forms & Rank Requirements

Here is the list of black belt weapons forms and their rank requirements. The following weapons, as well as which black belt rank may use them, are listed below:



Special Note:  For 1st Degree Recommended Black Belts that choose to compete with Black Belts,  he/she must compete with one of the 5 approved 1st Degree Decided Weapons forms.  (Single Ssahng Jeol Bong, Single Bahng Mahng Ee, Oh Sung Do, Gun Do, or Mid-range Jahng Bong). The competitor may also use a weapon from the new Champions’ color belt curriculum that corresponds with the approved black belt weapon curriculum.


Style of Weapon Approved for Black Belt Weapons Competition

Black belts may use only Protech safety weapons for traditional weapons competition except for the Jahng Bong and the Jee Pahng Ee for which any style is acceptable, and all Black Belts may use the metal ATA branded advanced training sword.  This includes Recommended Black Belts competing in 1st Degree Decided rings.  New 1st degree decided black belts may also use a weapon from the Champion’s color belt curriculum up to six months after receiving their decided rank.


Judging Criteria for Color/Black Belt Forms

In traditional black belt weapon competition: 

Corner Judge A: Will grade only consistency of stances, body control/position, and kicks using the following attributes:


** Judge A will only judge the techniques that are shown and will not make point deductions for moves left out, the wrong type of kick or stance or an incomplete form.  Those areas are the responsibility of the Center judge.


Corner Judge B: Will only grade the use of the weapons using the following attributes:


** Judge B will only judge the techniques that are shown and will not make point deductions for moves left out, the wrong type of block or strike, or an incomplete form.  Those areas are the responsibility of the Center Judge.


Center Judge: Will grade the overall presentation of the form.  In addition to the criterion used by judges A and B, they will judge using the following attributes:



Control of the weapon is of utmost importance.  The above list is not intended to be a specific order of importance but rather a guide for the judge to compare one presentation against another for the purpose of giving a score. However, in the resolving of ties during the weapons competition, the control of the weapon should be the number one criteria for determining the winner. In breaking a tie, a competitor who “drops” a weapon should not receive the win over a competitor who controls the weapon throughout his/her performance 





Traditional Weapons Form Competition Procedures

Traditional weapon competition procedures will be consistent with traditional form procedures with the following additions:

 

Determining and Administering a Score


Scoring Range

The range of scores are the same as traditional forms. The judges will give a score ranging from 0 through 9.

Notes:

 

For rings where there are three or fewer competitors

 



Dropping or Breaking a Weapon

 

Example: The Double Ssahng Jeol Bong form's active time does not extend beyond "Bah-roh". If Sally drops the left Ssahng Joel Bong during the triangle strike after the "Bah-roh", no points should be deducted.


SECTION 10 - COMBAT WEAPONS SPARRING COMPETITION 

Introduction

Every program sponsored by the ATA is a constantly evolving process. They grow, change and adapt. For this reason, Grand Master In Ho Lee, in 2013, approved the development of Combat Weapons Sparring as the newest competitive event in our tournament arsenal. This event is meant to be one that is an extension of the traditional weapons through practical applications.


Eligibility 

Combat Weapons Sparring will be offered at all regional and national events to those competitors who meet the following requirements. The competitor must:

 

Equipment


Weapon

The Protech Combat Bahng Mahng Ee sold through World Martial Arts, is currently the only combat sparring weapon approved for competition. It differs greatly from the Protech traditional safety Bahng Mahng Ee in both weight and dimensions. The height of the competitor does not dictate the length of the combat weapon, however, only ATA Tigers may use the new Tiger Combat Bahng Mahng Ee.


Combat Sparring - Safety Gear

The sparring gear requirements are the same for combat weapons as traditional point sparring with the exception of the gloves. There are two options for gloves:


 

Optional equipment includes

 

Combat Weapons Sparring Procedures



Legal Target Areas

Points in combat weapons sparring competition are scored by striking or stabbing with the weapon to a legal target area using one of the combat weapons sparring techniques or by causing one’s opponent to drop his/her weapon. 

The following guidelines apply:


 

Points

Strikes with the weapon to a legal contact area will result in the following points with a maximum of 4 points given at any one time:


Parry, Block or Disarm Techniques


For combat weapons competition, to parry means to pass or deflect the opponent’s movement without causing a counter force that would result in solid counter force by your opponent’s weapon. Parrying of your opponent’s weapon or hand is allowed.

 

For combat weapons competition, a block means to resist, with counter force, your opponent’s weapon.

For combat weapons competition, one may disarm your opponent by hitting the opponent's hand, arm or weapon. However, one may not disarm an opponent using a "trapping disarming" technique where one grabs the weapon.


Out of Bounds for Combat Sparring

A competitor is considered completely out of bounds when any part of the body is touching the floor beyond the ring boundary during sparring. Judges should tap the floor if they see a competitor is out of bounds to help him/her realize his/her ring position.


The following rules apply:

 


 

Dropped & Broken Weapons 

If a competitor drops his/her weapon any time after the beginning of the match, an additional point will be awarded to the opponent.


Procedures for a Dropped Weapons

There are two options.


Example #1: The red competitor performs a scoring strike but during the follow through drops his/her weapon. This is considered an active part of the match. White is awarded a point for red's dropped weapon and the red competitor cannot be awarded points for the scoring technique.


Example #2: The red competitor performs a scoring strike and "break" is called. As red moves back to his starting position, he drops his weapon. This would be an example of the "inactive" part of the match. A point is awarded to white for red's drop and red can receive points for his scoring technique.

 


Warnings and Penalty Points

The safety of all competitors is the main concern of every judge involved. It is because of this safety concern that the calling of warnings is a very important aspect of the judge’s responsibility. Warnings are given when the judge sees the competitor do something illegal or potentially dangerous. 

There are three different types of warnings: Noncontact, Contact, and Excessive Contact.



Procedures for Calling a Warning

The procedures for calling warning in combat weapons sparring are the same as those used in traditional point sparring.


Non-Contact Warnings

A competitor may be issued a non-contact penalty. Non-contact penalties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Non-contact warnings will receive the following penalty:


Contact Warnings

Contact warning rules are for the safety of competitors in their different divisions. The safety equipment is only effective in stopping cuts and bruises from accidental contact made with controlled technique. It will not protect against full-power attacks. Contact warnings are awarded when contact is made to an illegal area.

Examples would be:

Contact warnings will receive the following penalty:


Excessive Contact Warnings

Excessive Contact Warnings follow the same procedures as traditional point sparring guidelines which are listed below.


Excessive conduct warnings are at the sole discretion of the center judge and may result in a penalty point, or disqualification. 


SECTION 11 - TRADITIONAL POINT SPARRING / ONE-STEP COMPETITION


Position of the Judges


Each judge is assigned a particular position in the ring which will allow him/her the best view for judging traditional point sparring or traditional one-step competition. The other two judges should take a position in the opposite corners from the center judge, creating a triangle. 


Bye System

The ATA bye system is to be set up before any traditional one-steps or traditional point sparring begins. The ATA bye system is based on the concept that each division must achieve a point at which exactly four competitors are left to spar in the semifinal matches. Simply having an even number of competitors will not ensure that a division will reach this point. A bye would be considered an “automatic win.” The competitor who receives a bye would not have to do one-steps or free-spar in the first round of the competition and would automatically move into the next round.

 

Procedure for Awarding Byes

For the 2020-2021 tournament season, All World Champions, 2020 District Champions, and 2020 State Champions will receive bye preferences. The US 2020-2021 Tournament Year runs from the Saturday of the World Championship tournament through the Tournament of Champions (TOC) held at the end of the season.. Pan-Am Tournament Year runs from Saturday of the Pan-Am tournament through the Pan-Am Tournament of Champions. Notice that District, Pan-Am, and State Champions only receive bye preferences for the competition year after the title is earned. Pan-Am Champions and District Champions are considered equal for the awarding of byes. 


The procedure for administering byes will be as follows:

 

Same School Rule

When the center judge is pairing the competitors for traditional point sparring or traditional one-step competition, he/she will make every effort to prevent competitors from the same school from competing against each other in the first round of competition. 

 

This rule does not apply to District and Tournament of Champions competition. All byes, and placement of competitors at the Districts and Tournament of Champions competitions are done in a random order, and no consideration of school will be given by the judges.



TRADITIONAL ONE-STEP SPARRING COMPETITION


Rules and Guidelines

 

Traditional One-Step Sparring Competition Procedures


Traditional One-Step Sparring Judging Criteria

All one-steps will be judged by the following criteria. The judges will check each of the criteria, moving down the list until he/she sees a significant difference between the competitors. This determines the winner of the one- step. The following criteria is in order of importance:

 


TRADITIONAL POINT SPARRING COMPETITION


Rules & Guidelines

At all tournaments, all ranks will be eligible to free-spar including white/orange/yellow belts.


Traditional Point Sparring Competition Procedures



Target Areas & Techniques

In a traditional point sparring competition, points are scored by competitors using only hand or foot techniques to legal target areas. The following guidelines apply:

Hand techniques may only strike the front of the torso. 

Foot techniques may strike the following:


Illegal Target Areas and/or Illegal Techniques

Illegal target areas include any part of the body not described in the above definitions. The type of technique, striking or kicking, will determine which definition to use.

In traditional sparring, Illegal target areas include:


Neutral Area

Neutral areas are defined as areas of the body which when contact is made it is not illegal and does not score. The arms and top of the shoulders are neutral areas.


Points

How a Competitor Scores a Point

Scoring points will be done by striking legal hand or foot techniques to or near the legal target areas. The following techniques will score points:

 

Example: Competitor A strikes the chest of Competitor B with a side kick, but in the process puts his/her hand on the floor while executing the kick. The judges should use the "No point" call.


Note: It is imperative that judges understand the importance of calling a point for a student that is obviously trying not to hit a less talented student. If Competitor A does a spin kick just over the head of Competitor B, and it is obvious to the judges that Competitor A did so in order not to hurt Competitor B (competitor B did not evade, attempt a block, or otherwise demonstrate that the kick was seen and dealt with), the judges should award 2 points to Competitor A just as though the kick had actually hit the head of Competitor B. If Competitor A is continually denied points because he/she is looking out for the other competitor, the student will become frustrated and be more inclined to "make contact".


This is strictly a judgment call, and not open to interpretation by other competitors, judges, spectators, or seniors. It is put in the rules to remind judges that the most important aspect of judging is competitor safety. 

 

The Signals Used for Point Calling

Corner and center judges use signals to indicate calls in a ring. The center judge will point to the proper competitor rather than raising a flag. A corner judge will use the flags as an indicator.


The calls are:

 

Difference between 'No Point" and "No See": A judge must SEE, not just hear, contact of any technique he/she warrants a point or warning to be called. If a judge is not sure, or did not clearly see, that a technique scored, he/she will call “no see.” The call of "no see" removes that judge from the decision.If he/she calls “no point,” he/she could prevent a competitor from receiving a legitimate point.

 

Making a Call – Points

If a point is seen (without a warning), the following actions will occur:

 

Example #1: Two judges call “no see”, and one judge calls “point.” In this case, the competitor who scored will be awarded the appropriate point(s). If a judge calls “no see”, he/she has eliminated himself/herself from that particular scoring vote. In this situation, only one judge saw the scoring technique, so this would make him the majority.


Example #2: One judge calls “no see”, one judge calls “1 point Red” and one judge calls “no point”. In this case, there is no majority, and no points would be awarded.


Example #3: First judge scores Red 1, the second judge scores Red 1, and the third judge scores Red 2. The highest common score is 1 and Red is awarded 1 point.


Example #4: First judge scores Red 1, the second judge scores Red 2 and the third judge scores Red 3. At least two judges scored 2 points or higher and Red was awarded 2 points.


Example #5: First Judge scores No See, the second judge scores a contact penalty point Red and the third judge scores contact penalty point White.  Both penalties must be awarded.  If the fight was 4-3, giving the points to both will end the fight as one competitor reaches the maximum points in sparring.  


Example #6: First judge scores No See, the other 2 judges score penalty points for different competitors, WARNINGS DO NOT CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT. One warning could carry a verbal warning and the other warning may carry a penalty point if for contact.  Both warnings MUST BE verified and awarded accordingly. 


Out of Bounds for Point Sparring

A competitor is considered completely out of bounds when any part of the body is touching the floor beyond the ring boundary during sparring. Judges should tap the floor if they see a competitor is out of bounds to help him/her realize his/her ring position.


The following rules apply:

 

Warnings

The safety of all competitors is the main concern of every judge involved. It is because of this safety concern that the calling of warnings is a very important aspect of the judge’s responsibility. There are three different types of warnings: Noncontact, Contact & Excessive Contact or Unsportsmanlike Conduct.


Procedures for Calling a Warning

The following procedures and guidelines are used in the calling of a warning:

 

Example: During the action, one judge saw “Red” punch towards “White’s” face and two judges saw “Red” kick towards “White’s” head. After the break is called, the judge that saw the punch waves his/her red flag towards the ground. The center judge sees the call for a warning and stops time so the judges can discuss what was witnessed. After the discussion, the center judge asks for official verification. During the verification process.

 

Non-Contact Warnings

A competitor may be issued a non-contact penalty. Non-contact penalties include, but are not limited to the following:

 

Non-contact warnings will receive the following penalty:

 

Contact Warnings

Contact warning rules are for the safety of competitors. The safety equipment is only effective in stopping cuts and bruises from accidental contact made with controlled technique. It will not protect against full-power attacks. Contact warnings are awarded when contact is made to an illegal area.


Examples would be:

 


Contact warnings will receive the following penalty:

 

No-Fault Rule

If a competitor throws a technique that is intended for a legal target area, but due to actions outside of his/her control, strikes (or comes close to) the opponent in an illegal target area, the competitor will not be penalized. An important factor in determining if the no-fault rule should be exercised is if the competitor recognized what was about to happen and tried to further control the technique. It is also important to remember that this is a judgment call by those judges in the ring. Judges will use their experience and the attitudes of the competitors as guidelines when using the no-fault rule.


Example #1: A competitor throws a sidekick towards his opponent’s ribs. The opponent does a spinning hook kick at the same time and is therefore kicked in the back. This would result in a no-fault call.


Example #2: A competitor throws a reverse punch towards his opponent’s chest. The opponent ducks down and is hit in the face, or blocks the punch up into his/her face. This would result in a no-fault call.


Excessive Contact

Excessive conduct warnings are at the sole discretion of the center judge and may result in the awarding of a penalty point, or disqualification. Remember that the purpose of this rule is to protect the competitors physically and mentally. It may result in disqualification if excessive contact was due to negligent lack of control. 

 

Disqualification for Contact Warnings

If a competitor is disqualified for two contact warnings during the same sparring match, he/she loses the current match. 



SECTION 12 - ATA CREATIVE COMPETITION



Eligibility Requirements for Creative Competition

In addition to the regular eligibility requirements, in order to compete in any ATA creative competition, the competitor must also compete in the traditional event that correlates to the ATA creative event in which they wish to compete. Failure to compete in the corresponding event will result in the loss of points earned at the creative event and may result in additional penalties at the discretion of the International chairman of Tournaments. This applies to all ATA sanctioned tournaments regardless of the tournament's classification.


Example: If a competitor, at a Class C tournament, wishes to compete in ATA Creative Forms, the competitor must also compete in Traditional Forms at that tournament. The same would apply for ATA Creative Weapons competition and all classifications of tournaments.

 

General Rules & Guidelines for Creative Forms & Weapons Competition

 

The competitors should use the materials taught in Traditional Songahm Taekwondo to "create" their own form which enhances their strengths as a martial artist. The most simple guideline to follow is that if the basis of the technique is not taught in Songahm Taekwondo forms, then it should not be used in a student's presentation. There are no rolls, splits, kip-ups, cart-wheels, or other gymnastic type techniques taught in Traditional Songahm Taekwondo forms. Hence, they are not allowed in creative competitions. 

 

Uniform Requirements for Creative Competition

 


Effective January 1, 2022, red uniforms can be worn for creative and Xtreme competition at ATA tournaments. The following are ATA tournament approved uniforms that can be worn for creative and Xtreme competition:


Black XMA Middleweight Uniform

Red XMA Program Uniform

Red ATA Adidas Open Uniform

Red ATA Adidas Team Uniform (stripes on the sleeves)

Black ATA Adidas Open Uniform

Black ATA Adidas Team Uniform (Stripes on the sleeves)


The New Adidas Black Uniform, used for Creative/Xtreme competitions, may be altered to shorten the sleeves as long as the altered sleeve reaches the midpoint of the competitor's forearm - meaning the overall length of the sleeve is no shorter than the midpoint between the bend of the wrist and the bend of the elbow.  If the sleeve is not altered, the competitor may roll the sleeve under one time. 

 

SPECIAL NOTE:   If, in the opinion of the center judge, the altered sleeve does not reach the midpoint of the forearm, the competitor will be asked to change back into his/her white traditional uniform.


Music

 


Creative Form Composition Guidelines

The following guidelines are in place for ATA Creative competition (Forms & Weapons):

 

Approved ATA Creative Weapons


General Guidelines:


Color Belts


 


Black Belts

 

Creative Weapons Composition Guidelines 

 

Examples:


Control of the weapon is of utmost importance.  The above list is not intended to be a specific order of importance but rather a guide for the judge to compare one presentation against another for the purpose of giving a score. However, in the resolving of ties during the weapons competition, the control of the weapon should be the number one criteria for determining the winner. In breaking a tie, a competitor who “drops” a weapon should not receive the win over a competitor who controls the weapon throughout his/her performance 


 

Creative Forms & Weapons Competition Procedures


Creative forms and weapons procedures will parallel traditional forms and weapons competition procedures with the addition of the scorekeeper timing the competitors performance.

 

Competitor Bow in Procedures


 

Determining and Administering a Score

Scoring for creative forms and weapons will be awarded in the same manner as traditional forms competition and will have a consistent meaning. (See Determining and Administering a Score)




Judging Criteria for Creative Forms & Weapons

All 3 Judges will score the entire form with the quality of the competitor's technique and control of the weapon being the most important criteria. Should a competitor choose to add a more difficult technique to his/her routine and fail to control the weapon or technique, points should be deducted.

Additional judging criteria are as follows and are all of equal importance. These criteria are not in any particular order. 



Penalties and Disqualifications


Disqualifications

 

Example: Two competitors tied for second place, during the tie run-off Competitor A is disqualified. Competitor B is awarded 2nd place, and Competitor A will receive 3rd place.


Dropped Weapon in Creative Competition

 


Broken Weapons

There is NO DEDUCTION from a competitor’s score if a competitor’s weapon breaks during his/her creative/xtreme competition. If a weapon should break, the competitor will be given a maximum of 30 seconds to replace the weapon from his/her own gear, or borrow one from another competitor. Once the student has replaced the weapon, the form will be continued from the point that the weapon broke. If for any reason the damaged weapon is not replaced, the competitor will then receive a score of 0 (zero) from the center judge and regular scores from the corner judges. It is okay to borrow another weapon from another competitor, however you must replace it with the same type of weapon.


Example: During a competitor’s SJB form the end of the weapon flies off into the crowd. 

There are three case scenarios:

 

ATA Creative Division Groups

Divisions are based on gender, age, and rank of the competitors and will mirror the divisions of the traditional competitions.  At the conclusion of each tournament season, the International Chairman of Tournaments will evaluate the number of competitors in each division and determine if any changes are to be made for subsequent tournament seasons. Divisions change as the organization grows and more students in different age and rank groups compete. 


Creative divisions at all tournaments will reflect these age groups.

 


 Music




EXAMPLE:  

SECTION 13 - ATA-XTREME COMPETITION


Eligibility Requirement


In addition to the regular eligibility requirements, in order to compete in any ATA- Xtreme competition, the competitor must also compete in the traditional event that correlates to the ATA-Xtreme event in which they wish to compete. Failure to compete in the corresponding event will result in the loss of points earned at that event may lead to additional penalties at the discretion of the International Chairman of Tournaments. This applies to all ATA sanctioned tournaments regardless of the tournament's classification.


Example: If a competitor wishes to compete in ATA-Xtreme Forms, the competitor must also compete in Traditional Forms at that tournament. The same would apply for the ATA-Xtreme Weapons competition.

 

ATA-Xtreme Competition Rules & Guidelines


ATA Xtreme form & weapon competitions are a "free Style" performance that allows the mix of traditional and contemporary martial arts techniques. The ATA Xtreme division category for forms and weapons competition is based in traditional Songahm Taekwondo but allows for non-traditional movements spanning all martial arts styles and disciplines whereas the ATA Creative division categories do not. Competitors are free to create their choreography based where martial arts techniques and combinations carry the highest value over non-martial arts techniques such as gymnastics, acrobatics, and dance.

 

Note: There are no “qualifying techniques” that must be performed.


Uniform Requirements for ATA Xtreme Competition

 

The New Adidas Black Uniform, used for Creative/Xtreme competitions, may be altered to shorten the sleeves as long as the altered sleeve reaches the midpoint of the competitor's forearm- meaning the overall length of the sleeve is no shorter than the midpoint between the bend of the wrist and the bend of the elbow.  

 

SPECIAL NOTE:   If, in the opinion of the center judge, the altered sleeve does not reach the midpoint of the forearm, the competitor will be asked to change back into his/her white traditional uniform.  The rationale of 

“I have had it this way all season and no one said it was a problem.” will not negate the fact that in the opinion of the center judge it does not meet the rule guidelines.  The competitor, when asked to change back into his/her white uniform, must comply.


 Music


EXAMPLE:  

 


ATA Xtreme Form Composition Guidelines


The following guidelines are in place for ATA-Xtreme competition (Forms & Weapons):


Approved ATA-Xtreme Weapons: Same as Creative Weapons .


General Guidelines:


Color Belts



Black Belts (including 1st Degree Recommended Black Belts choosing to compete in a 1st Degree Decided Ring)

May choose the following types of weapons:

Black belts have two styles of weapons from which to choose: 


ATA Xtreme Weapons Forms Composition Guidelines

In addition to the rules for ATA Xtreme forms competition, the following additions apply to the ATA-Xtreme Weapon Competitions:



 

ATA Xtreme Forms & Weapons Competition Procedures 

ATA Xtreme forms and weapons competition procedure will mirror creative forms and weapons competition procedures.


Competitor Bow in Procedures

ATA Xtreme forms and weapons competition bow in procedure will mirror creative form and creative weapon competition bow in procedures.


Determining and Administering Scores

Scoring for ATA Xtreme forms and weapons competition will be awarded in the same manner as creative forms and weapons competition and will have consistent meanings.


Judging Criteria for ATA Xtreme Forms & Weapons

 

Example #1: Competitor A, who is equal in presenting a “XTREME” form that is creative, has strong, difficult, precise techniques with a great attitude, may not score as high as Competitor B who adds a variety of "tricks" to that same type of form.


Example #2:  Competitor A who has strong, crisp, precise techniques, but does not include as many tricks in their Xtreme form presentation may score higher than Competitor B, whose Taekwondo techniques are not crisp and strong but has many difficult "tricks" within their form.

(Remember that the single most important factor in all form presentations is the quality of the techniques demonstrated.)

 

Example #3: Competitor A and B are equal in quality of techniques and creativity, but Competitor A only does tumbling passes as his/her “tricks” he/she may not score as high, if Competitor B performs martial arts kicking "tricks" verses gymnastic/acrobatic type "tricks".


Example #4: If Competitor A and B are equal in everything including "tricks", the competitor that demonstrates a stronger ability to integrate the "tricks" into martial arts combinations may score higher.

 

Penalties and Disqualifications


Disqualifications

 

Dropping Weapons in ATA Xtreme Competition

Same point deduction will be used for ATA Xtreme weapons as in creative weapon competition. See Dropping Weapons in Creative Competition.


Broken Weapons

There is NO DEDUCTION from a judge’s score if a competitor’s weapon breaks during his/her competition. If a weapon should break, the competitor will be given a maximum of 30 seconds to replace the weapon from his/her own gear, or borrow one from another competitor. Once the student has replaced the weapon, the form will be continued from the point that the weapon broke. If for any reason the damaged weapon is not replaced, the competitor will then receive a score of 0 (zero) from the center judge and regular scores from the corner judges. It is okay to borrow another weapon from another competitor, however you must replace it with the same type of weapon.


Example: During a competitor’s SJB form the end of the weapons flies off into the crowd. 

There are three types of circumstances:

SECTION 14                                                                                 ATA TEAM SPARRING/COMBAT SPARRING COMPETITION


THESE GUIDELINES AND RULES APPLY TO BOTH SPARRING AND COMBAT SPARRING TEAMS. Please read carefully.


National and Regional Teams

Team sparring will be broken down into two distinct and separate categories. These categories have teams that are considered either a “National Team” or a “Regional Team”.  In addition to the regular eligibility requirements, in order to compete in any Team event competition, the competitor must also compete in the traditional event that correlates to the Team event in which they wish to compete. Failure to compete in the corresponding event will result in the loss of points earned at that event and may lead to additional penalties at the discretion of the International Tournament Chairman, including disqualification of the entire Team. This applies to all ATA sanctioned tournaments regardless of the tournament's classification.



National Teams 

National Teams represent a country. Each country’s “National Team” will be selected by the ATA governing body of that country. This same governing body will select all coaches and assistants under the guidance of the presiding Grand Master of that year.


 Age/Rank Divisions - Junior National Teams


 Age/Rank Divisions - Adult National Teams

 

Special Note: In the Adult divisions, a person older than 40, may compete in the 18-39 years-old division, however, a person in the 18-39 age group may NOT compete in the 40+ division.

Other Important Information about National Teams

EXAMPLE: Team Stevens from School 1494, travels to Argentina for the Pan-American Championships. This team may compete against other 3-member teams for points, but not for a “title” at the Pan-American Championships.


Regional Teams


Regional Team Composition

Teams can be formed by any ATA Licensee who has become a certified team sparring coach or has a certified coach on his/her staff. For the purpose of earning event credits for potential tournament hosts, those event credits will be awarded to the school number of the certified coach.  Beginning in the 2019-2020 season, 1 credit will be awarded for each team event for each age group registered.   If the certified coach is not a licensee, the school number attached to the certified coach, at the time the team received its Team ID Number will be used as the governing body in case of disputes.  


Example: School 0182, from Pennsylvania, wants to create a Team. The licensee for School 0182 (Team A) also has a school in Ohio, school number 1559. The students from School 1559 cannot be on Team A, because they reside in another state, and are attached to school 1559 at HQ. The Licensee from School 0182 cannot move students from one school to another just to create the team.





Beginning in the 2019-2020 tournament season, regional teams are comprised as follows for the regular season:




The following stipulations apply:

 

Age/Rank Divisions - Junior Regional Teams

1st/2nd/3rd Degree Black Belts – (Bantam) Ages 10 and Under 

1st/2nd/3rd Degree Black Belts – (Rookies) Ages 12 and Under 

1st/2nd/3rd Degree Black Belts – (Jr. Varsity) Ages 14 and Under 

1st/2nd/3rd Degree Black Belts – (Varsity) Ages 17 and Under 

Special notes:

Example 1: A junior competitor, with an age of 9, is considered eligible for a 12 and under division. However, the coach must realize that he/she may be at a height/weight/size disadvantage when competing against other competitors that are age 12.

Example 2: A junior competitor age 12 competes on a Jr. Varsity combat team (14 and under).  If that same person is on a sparring team, he/she must also compete in the Jr. Varsity age group.  He/she cannot be in one age group for sparring, and a different age group for combat.


Age/Rank Divisions - Adult Regional Teams

1st through 5th Degree Black Belts – (Elite) -Ages 18 and older

1st through 5th Degree Black Belts – (Premier) Ages 30 and older

1ST through 5th Degree Black Belts – (Legends) Ages 40 and older

1ST through 5th Degree Black Belts – (Executive)- ages 50 and older

Special Notes:


Eligibility Requirements for ATA Team Sparring/ Combat Participants and Coaches




Regional Teams - Championship Advancement Opportunities

Regional Team Sparring/Combat Program

Individual school/state teams may attempt to earn titles at the State, District, and National Level depending upon their age group’s title eligibility. This is for both sparring and combat sparring teams. Individual school/state teams are not eligible to earn World Champion titles.  


State Champion

The team that has acquired the most points in their state will be awarded the title of “STATE CHAMPION”. Points are awarded to teams at all Regional and National Tournaments. All Teams are eligible to earn State Champion titles.

Special Note about point calculations:



District Champion

In order to earn the title of “District Champion”, a team must: 

Note: Winners of each District Championship, in all age groups are eligible to compete at World Expo for the title of “National Champion”.


World Champion

To be eligible to compete for and earn the title of “World Champion”, a team must: 

Note: Winning the title of "World Champion" does not make that team, "Team ATA-USA."


Age Requirements for Champion Titles

Beginning at Worlds 2021, all age groups of Teams are eligible to earn State, District, and National titles. 

Competition Times at Tournaments


Regional Tournament - Team ID Numbers - Roster Submissions and Results Tabulations

After each Regional/National tournament, the Data Entry Team for that tournament will fill out a spreadsheet with the names of all members of the teams placing either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, for each division and type of team sparring event. As well as a list of all TEAM ID NUMBERS.  This information will be sent to ATA HQ with the rest of the tournament results. ATA International will record this information, and tabulate points. State “Team Top Ten Points” will be posted one time each month.



 


Team Roster Composition for Postseason District Championships and National Championships”



Coaches Qualifications

All Regional Team coaches must have a Level 1 Coaches Certification. Coaches Certification can be obtained by attending a Coaches Training Seminar at any Regional, National, World, or Virtual certification clinic hosted by ATA-HQ. There is no charge for a person getting a Level 1 coaching certification. Any person who has previously coached a team at the 2018 District and/or World Championships will grandfather in as a certified coach. The official list of certified coaches will be maintained by the tournament department of the ATA.


This “no charge rule” may change for future years certifications. 


Coaching certification is necessary to ensure the coaches:

 



General Definition, Rules and Guidelines for ATA Team Sparring


A FIGHT is the sparring competition between two members of opposing teams

A MATCH is the sparring competition between two opposing teams.

A ROUND is the total matches in one section of a sparring bracket between two opposing teams. There will be 3 matches per round.

TEAM AREA - A perimeter of 10 feet or more should be established around the competition ring for team sparring events. Only team members and coaches will be allowed inside the perimeter. Warnings, and penalty points will be awarded if spectators are entering the coach’s area.

COMPETITION MAT/RING -The padded floor marked for Team Competition. Team members who are not a part of the current match may not step into the competition ring at any time. Coaches may step in to give direction only during stoppages but must step back out of the ring when the fight commences. Warnings and penalty points will be awarded for each violation.

CUMULATIVE SCOREBOARD – A separate scorecard, visible to spectators, where a team’s total cumulative score for the round is posted.

REGULATION TIME - Each match has a regulation time of 1 minute-30 seconds.

SUPERIOR DECISION - When the point difference between two competitors is 8 or more points in Sparring, and 11 or more points in Combat Weapons.

FIGHT FORFEIT - A team automatically loses a fight. 

MATCH FORFEIT - A team automatically loses the entire match.


Regional Team - Competition Procedures





Special Note: In the case that the 3rd teammate is injured or cannot travel, teams can compete with 2 members. If a team, without a legitimate reason, does not fight the first fight, that competitor is done for that day as the assumption is that he/she is injured and cannot compete.  Forfeiting a fight as a strategy will not be allowed and could carry consequences to the team.


Special Note: If during the 3rd fight, a team member gets disqualified for illegal targeting, such team may substitute and use their alternate to finish the 3rd fight.  That competitor is DQ for that match only and can compete in the next match, if the team advances.


Special Note:  The 10 points awarded for a forfeit in combat sparring does not constitute a “superior decision”, and thus no “extra point” will be awarded.

 

Substitutions

At the beginning of each team sparring match, the coach must declare the 3 primary competitors (starters). This is the starting line-up. An alternate can be used as a substitute, prior to the beginning of a fight, during a match. The substitute should declare which competitor he/she is replacing. That starter is now eliminated from competing for the rest of the match. The "starter" may re-enter for subsequent matches of the day. If a competitor is injured during a fight, a substitute may be used. 

****If the substitution occurred during the fight because of injury, the injured competitor is not allowed to compete in team sparring or team combat sparring for the rest of the day.


Fight Scores

In each fight, all points and/or warnings will be given using the current sparring/combat sparring rules of the ATA with the following exceptions:


Match Scores

Team points are awarded in the following way:

 

Example 1: Score at the end of the fight is team A-2, Team B-5. The cumulative team score is Team A-2, Team B-5


Example 2: Score at the end of the fight is team A-0, Team B-7. The cumulative team score is Team A-0, Team B-7


Example 3: Score at the end of the fight is team A-0, Team B-8. The cumulative team score is Team A-0, Team B-9 (superior decision)

  




Match Winner

The team with the most points at the conclusion of all three fights will be declared the winner of the match. If, at the conclusion of the third fight, the cumulative score is tied, the competitors of that fight will continue in "sudden victory".


Awarding of Byes

Should it be necessary for a bye to be awarded for the bracket, a random draw will be used to choose the team(s) that will be given the bye. This random draw will be done by the RTTL or the national tournament staff. Byes will NOT be awarded based on State, District or National Titles from previous years. 


Special Note: The division will not be split at 17 for team sparring events.  All teams in the same age group will compete in the same draw (bracket).


At Worlds, while competing for the National Champion Title, byes for Team Sparring and Team Combat Weapons Sparring will be seeded based on the Nation’s Top Ten Standings. 


Competition Opportunities and Fees

Junior and Adult teams may compete at any ATA sanctioned regional tournament assuming the team has a certified coach. It is the responsibility of the team coach to check with the RTTL assigned to that Region, to see at what time he/she will be conducting this event. The RTTL will work with the tournament host to allow ample time for teams to plan for that tournament's timelines for team sparring.  Team Sparring will be offered on the Friday of National Tournaments. (Spring, Fall, PanAm, European, Asia Pacific)



Disqualification, Team Points, and Penalties

If a competitor is disqualified, for any reason other than running around the ring to avoid the fight, and the opposing team is behind in points, they shall be awarded either:


Special Note:  Instances of a team being disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct will be evaluated by the presiding Grandmaster and the International Chairman of Tournaments for future participation in ATA tournaments. A team disqualified at multiple tournaments will be eliminated from participating in future tournaments and forfeit all top ten points. Penalties given to teams may also be received by the coach on the sideline, the certified coach, and individual team members, depending on the gravity of the infraction.

 

Competitor Behavior 

Coaches are responsible for the attitude and behavior of all team members as well as the spectators supporting their team. All competitors and spectators should maintain the same positive behavior as required in all ATA competitions. If, in the opinion of the judges, competitors, coaches, or spectators demonstrate poor sportsmanship and/or negative behavior, the team in violation will be warned for the 1st occurrence and disqualified for multiple infractions.


Examples of negative behavior include, but are not limited to:

 

Examples of POSITIVE behavior include, but are not limited to:

Judges should be mindful that team sparring is expected to be a high energy competition. Appropriate loud, exciting cheering for one's team, including chants, is acceptable and should be encouraged. The judges present at ringside and the RTTL will determine appropriate behavior and issue warnings if necessary.

 



SECTION 15 - ATA TIGER COMPETITION


Establishing Our Goal

The overall purpose of encouraging ATA Tigers to participate in the Songahm Taekwondo tournament process is to provide them with an introduction to competition. By handling “ATA Tiger” divisions as an introduction to competition we ensure that there will not be any “losers,” only “winners.” All children will be rewarded for what is important, their participation and effort. A key element of this ring is that it should be FUN!

 

Tiger Age and Rank Guidelines


 

Tiger Divisions Breakdowns 

The following are guidelines for Tiger divisions:


Tiger Ring Staff


Since ATA Tigers do not actually “compete” for a place, the ring staff can be different from the normal tournament guidelines. Only one judge and one helper are required in each ring.






Tiger Traditional Forms & One-Step Knowledge

The decision of what material the ATA Tiger will participate with will be left up to their instructor and should be indicated on their registration card. Tigers may compete with only one one-step, or they may use two one- steps.

 

Tiger Judging Criteria & Scoring Format

Since this is an introduction to competition, scoring for forms, one-steps, and sparring/combat sparring will be totally different from other divisions.


Judging of Tigers will be as follows:


Categories of ATA Tiger Awards

Once the Tigers have completed their demonstration, the judge will decide on which participant will receive an award in each of the following suggested categories:

 

A separate set of awards are given to those Tigers who compete in Traditional Weapons, ATA-Xtreme Forms, ATA-Xtreme Weapons, Creative Forms or Creative Weapons competitions. The categories will be very similar to the categories for forms and sparring. 

The following are suggested categories:

 

Regions may decide to change these categories at their discretion, but it should be done with the input of those Instructors that work with Tigers.

SECTION 16 - Special Abilities Competition

Since the inception of the Special Abilities competition, Eternal Grandmaster Lee formed the Special Ability divisions for tournament competition with the intent to afford competitors with special needs the opportunity to earn the title of World Champion. His desire was to offer safe and fair competition for those with special needs who were unable to compete with others of their age, gender, and rank. The Tournament Department and the Special Abilities Eligibility Committee work hard to  determine who can fairly compete in the Special Ability divisions at regional, national, and world tournaments.  Special Ability competitors can accumulate points for the Special Ability StateTitle, as well as, become eligible to compete for District and World Champion Titles. The following information should answer many questions or lead one to the person (or people) who can. The last few years of competition has seen a significant growth not only in the number of Special Abilities competitors, but also in the involvement of Instructors, parents, and other interested members. We are very pleased to have so many involved with actual participation, support, and input. This facet of the ATA membership cannot grow and succeed through the efforts of just a few; it takes everyone. 


***********  NEW ***********************

In order to give SM Winter appropriate time to verify all the information, all applications for SA competition must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the event in which they want to compete.

********************************************


Special Abilities Competitors Eligibility

Those eligible to compete in the Special Abilities divisions must have either of the following:


Definitions of Permanent Physical Limitations/Impaired Mental Acuity

Permanent Physical Limitation: This permanent physical limitation would put the competitor at an extreme disadvantage against non-physically challenged peers.

Some examples of a permanent physical limitation that would deem the competitor eligible for a Special Ability division:

Some examples of physical limitations that would not make the competitor eligible for a Special Ability division:


Impaired Mental Acuity: By impaired mental acuity, the intent is that the competitor is at an extreme disadvantage against non-challenged peers due to the inability to comprehend all aspects of the competition. Some examples of impaired mental acuity would include, but not be limited to:

Some examples of conditions that would not make the competitor eligible. These disabilities include but are not limited to:


Autism Spectrum: 

By autism spectrum, refers to individuals that have been placed on the autism spectrum by the accepted two step evaluation process, (developmental screening and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation). Some competitors with autism will be in this category, while it is possible that lower functioning autistics may be placed in the cognitive division. Where an individual is placed on the spectrum will help the committee decided whether a competitor belongs in Special-A or Special-C (please see Special Ability eligibility procedures for how this will be determined)

*** Headphones are allowed ringside for the competitors that need them to deal with the overstimulation the tournament environment may cause****


Special Abilities (SA) Eligibility Procedures

Any competitor wishing to compete in the Special Abilities division must be approved by the Special Abilities Eligibility Committee. The committee is a multidisciplinary group made up of medical and psycho-social professionals that review each application and the supporting information provided to ensure that competitors are appropriate for the division. The chairperson of this committee is appointed by the presiding Grand Master in consultation with the International Chairman of Tournaments. The current director of this committee is Master Susan Winter.

The following is required to be completed for any competitor to enter into a Special Abilities division:

Any State or Top Ten points awarded to someone who competes in an incorrect Special Abilities division or the wrong category (Autism, Cognitive, Physical) for competition will be forfeited.

Please remember, the intent of these divisions is to provide an opportunity for those who qualify to earn the self-respect and self-esteem they could not have previously earned. The goal is that the competition be fair and safe for all the competitors involved regardless of their level of function and/or disability.


Special Abilities Divisions

There are separate divisions for those with cognitive challenges and for those with physical challenges. These divisions are for each gender and age group. To determine which division a member should compete in, the competitor’s diagnosis that requires the most adaptation for daily life will be considered.

Example: A competitor has been diagnosed as autistic, but because of that autism, the competitor has become physically challenged, the competitor will be included in the cognitive division. The assignment of proper division will be done by the eligibility committee on a case-by-case basis with the necessary input from the competitor, parent or guardian, Instructor, and doctor where needed.

In the Special Abilities divisions, the Junior and Adult divisions are divided by age and whether the student is a Black Belt or Color Belt. These divisions are different from the regular ATA competitor divisions because of the limited number of participants.


The following Special Abilities divisions will be at all ATA sanctioned events:


Cognitively Challenged

Boys

12 & Under

13 to 17

Girls

12 & Under

13 to 17

Men

18 to 29

30 & Over

Women

18 to 29

30 & Over


Physically Challenged

Boys

12 & Under

13 to 17

Girls

12 & Under

13 to 17

Men

18 to 29

30 & Over

Women

18 to 29

30 & Over


Autism Spectrum

Boys

12 & Under

13 to 17

Girls

12 & Under

13 to 17

Men

18 to 29

30 & Over

Women

18 to 29

30 & Over


In the Special Abilities divisions, the Junior and Adult divisions are divided by age and whether the student is a Black Belt or Color Belt. These divisions are unique to the Special Abilities divisions and different from the regular ATA competitor divisions because of the limited number of participants.


Special Abilities Rules Adjustments

Traditional Form and Traditional Weapons competition for the Special Ability divisions will be run the same as other divisions with one exception; all the judges will watch the entire form quality and the intent of the technique rather than the original assignments. 

The logic behind this rule is as follows:



Traditional Point Sparring Competition - Special Ability Divisions

***For Special Ability- Autism Sparring and or Combat Sparring divisions, the standard point rules will apply. 

Sparring and or Combat Sparring Divisions for the Cognitive and/or Physical Special Ability divisions will run the same as other divisions with one exception; all scoring techniques will be awarded one point. 

The logic behind this rule is as follows:

This is not meant to discourage competitors that are capable of using any head level or jumping type kicks. They are still allowed and encouraged. They simply will only be awarded one point. All legal techniques and legal target areas remain the same.


Sparring and/or Combat Sparring Divisions for the Autistic Special Ability divisions will follow the same point system for scoring as in all other Non-Special Ability Divisions. 

SECTION 17 - Champion Programs

Introduction

There are several titles that can be earned by individual competitors in the ATA: State/Provincial Champion, District Champion, Pan Am Champion, European Champion and World Champion. Competitors who are in the USA, Latin America, and/or European Top Ten, may compete for the Pan Am Champion, European Champion, and World Champion events at the respective events. In the Worlds competition, those competitors who rank in the TOP 4 standings published by ATA-HQ have a “guaranteed placement”. Eligible competitors from each of the other designated areas will be given a random number for their placement.  See TOC competition guidelines. This ranking placement does not apply to the Pan Am Championships or European Championships.  These events are on the level of the District Championships where all competitions are randomized.


School of Record

A person’s state/school of record is attached to the state in which the school they train is located.  If the school is located in a “border town” where it is possible for members whose address is in one state, but train in another, the state of the competitor should be where he/she trains. Students who train via “Skype” or other internet methods should be attached to the state in which he/she has his/her primary residence. The key words here are “Border Town”.  One should not assume that if they travel across states to train once a month, etc. that they may circumvent the spirit of this rule. The International Chairman has the final determination as to any questions about the state in which a person trains.


This rule applies to all Demo/Sparring/Combat Team competitions.  Sync Team competitions are not restricted to one School or State, and therefore do not fall under this rule.


Tournament Year

The tournament year ends and begins at World Championships; one tournament year ends with the Tournament of Champions, and another begins with the Class "AAA" World Championship tournament usually on Saturday and Sunday. The 2024-2025 Tournament Season will end on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The final day for ATA Licensees to host a sanctioned Class “C” event will be April 15, 2025.  Any Tournament held after those dates will have any points earned at those tournaments posted in the following season.


Competitive Events

There are eight (8) competitive individual events that are awarded points in an ATA tournament. These are traditional forms, traditional weapons, traditional free sparring/one-steps, combat weapons, creative forms, creative weapons, xtreme forms and xtreme weapons.


Proper Division Placement

It is crucial to understand into which division a student should be placed. The proper division is based on competition age and rank.






Competition Age

A competitor's competition age is determined by their age as of 11:59 pm, December 31st of the tournament season. The age that they are at that date will indicate the division in which they should compete in throughout the entire tournament season.


Rank Information

The criteria that are important for a color belt and black belt students differ. It is important to check rank information provided in State and World Championship programs to understand the best placement for the competitor.

Notes:

1st Degree Recommended Black Belts may choose to either compete with either Color Belts or with Black Belts at any tournament.  


At each tournament, 1st Degree Recommended Black Belt students  have a choice to participate as a Color Belt or as a Black Belt but not as both. If a student participates as a Black Belt for one event in a tournament, then they must participate as a Black Belt for all events at that tournament. Conversely, if a student competes as a Color Belt for one event in a tournament, then they must compete as a Color Belt for all events at that tournament. (Traditional and Creative/Xtreme) If a Recommended Black Belt competes in a Color Belt Division, his/her TOP TEN State or World points for that tournament will not be moved to a Black Belt Division.  


The following Guidelines apply if a 1st Degree Recommended Black Belt Competes in a 1st Degree Decided Black Belt Division:


***Special Note:  If a 1st Degree Recommended Black Belt competes at a tournament in the 1st degree division, he/she may also compete in Team Sparring/Team Combat.  If he/she competes as a Color Belt at that tournament, he/she is not eligible to compete in Team Sparring/Team Combat at that tournament.  (See Team Sparring/Team Combat Rules)


2BR competitors must compete as the 2nd-degree black belts in the 2nd/3rd degree Division.


Notes About Points

Participants at class B tournaments will be awarded FULL points regardless of how many competitors are in their ring. This system will also be used for Class AA (national) and Class AAA (World) events. Class A events points are based on the number of competitors in that event and the points are listed below. We understand that by doing this, some competitors are not going to want to have their rings “combined” with other rings. However, the RTTL is required to continue to combine rings as we have done in previous seasons,  Combined division guidelines are set by the International Chairman of Tournaments and given to the RTTL’s. The RTTL’s decision as to how a ring is combined or split is final and should not be affected by the opinion of competitors, spectators, instructors, or seniors at the tournament. If, after all of the combining division steps have been completed, and there is still a division with less than five competitors then the full points will be awarded for Class B, national and world events.

SPECIAL NOTE:  For all Class A tournaments, when a division is split, if the event was full prior to the split of the ring, that event will receive full points in both split rings.  Example:  There are 14 persons in the ring.  The ring will be split.  Prior to the split, 12 were registered for forms, 5 were registered for Weapons, 12 were registered for Sparring, 13 were registered for Combat weapons, 7 were registered for Creative Forms, 2 were registered for Creative Weapons, 4 were registered for Xtreme Forms, and 6 were registered for Xtreme Weapons.  The following events will receive full points:  Forms, Weapons, Sparring, Combat weapons, Creative forms and Xtreme weapons.  

However, since Creative Weapons and Xtreme Forms did not have the minimum of 5 competitors registered for that event prior to the split, they will not receive full points.  They will receive points based on their original number of competitors prior to the split.

“Class C” Tournaments

Class C tournaments are to be “inner-school” events. There are multiple ways for a tournament to qualify as "inner-school".

 Example:  A student from Texas, cannot compete with students in Indiana for the purpose of holding a Class C event unless that student travels to the Indiana tournament site from his/her state of residence to a Class C event hosted by the same licensee.


If ineligible members of other schools or clubs compete in these events, the results may become null and void and any possible points earned may not be awarded.


Important Sanctions Information for ATA Licensee:

The points awarded in all divisions (except Special Abilities) at a Class C tournament for the purpose of State, or World Top Ten standings are as follows:


For all divisions of 5 competitors or more in each event

1st place

3 points

2nd place

2 points

3rd place

1 point


If the division has fewer than 5 competitors in each event:

Place

4 competitors

3 competitors

2 competitors

1 competitor

1st

2 pts

1 pt

0 pt

0 pt

2nd

1 pt

0 pt

0 pt


3rd

0 pt

0 pt




There will be NO points awarded for events with divisions of fewer than three competitors. The creation of divisions is solely in the hands of the school/club owner. They are not bound by any of the same rules governing the other classes of tournaments. Color belts and black belts may be combined to achieve a full division. To prevent abuse of the system (this limit applies only to Class C tournaments), there is a three event limit per tournament year that a student can earn points towards World or State Champion Top Ten standings. The best of three Class C tournaments will count in addition to the current number of events allowed towards either “Championship” group. To provide another safeguard against a competitor winning a title with only Class C tournament points, a limit of 50% of a competitor’s point total can come from Class C events.

Example: The most points a competitor can earn from Class C tournaments are 9 (3 tournaments times 3 points for first place). To be able to apply all 9 points to their total, they would need to have at least 9 points come from higher class level tournaments. 

Note:

Awarded Points for Special Abilities: For Special Abilities divisions at Class C events, the competitors may earn 1 point per competitor up to a maximum of 3 points provided that all competitors in the division are Special Ability competitors. All other rules concerning Class C events apply to Special Ability divisions. In Class C events, all categories of competitors in special ability divisions should be combined.  


“Class B” Tournament

Regional events that have been approved by the ATA Licensee’s region and sanctioned by the Tournament Department of the ATA International Headquarters are considered “Class B” tournaments. 

The points awarded for a “Class B” tournament are as follows: 

For all divisions

1st place

5 points

2nd place

3 points

3rd place

1 point


“Class A” Tournament

“Class A” tournaments are regional events that have been approved by the ATA Licensee’s region and sanctioned by the Tournament Department of the ATA International Headquarters. For a tournament to be eligible for the “Class A” ranking, the history of the previous events hosted by the same ATA Licensee is reviewed. “Class A” tournaments are expected to be larger and offer the potential for a higher level competition, therefore, the points awarded are increased. from that of a “Class B” tournament. The points awarded for a “Class A” tournament are as follows: 

For all divisions of 5 competitors or more in each event

1st place

8 points

2nd place

5 points

3rd place

2 points


If the division has fewer than 5 competitors in each event

1st Place

5 points

2nd place

3 points

3rd place

1 point



“Class AA” Tournament

“Class AA” tournaments are the three National events. The number of these events may change in the future as may the locations. Due to the size of these events, the potential for more competitors and thus a higher level of competition in each division, the points awarded are of greater value than a Regional Tournament. 

The points awarded for a “Class AA” tournament are as follows: 

For all divisions

1st place

15 points

2nd place

10 points

3rd place

8 points



“Class AAA” Tournament

There is only one “Class AAA” tournament each year. This tournament is always considered the first tournament of the season and has the highest potential for a competitor to earn “points”.  This event is hosted by the presiding Grand Master of Songahm Taekwondo and ATA International Headquarters. It is typically called the Songahm Taekwondo World Championships and has competitors from all over the world meet to compete. Due to the size of these events, the potential for more competitors and thus a higher level of competition in each division, the points awarded are of greater value than all other Sanctioned Tournaments. 

The points awarded for a “Class AAA” tournament are as follows: 

For all divisions

1st place

20 points

2nd place

15 points

3rd place

10 points


Points Structure and Maximum Points

All champion programs will use the same point structure for awarding points. Points are awarded based on the tournament's classification, the number of participants in the event, and the competitor's placement in the event. The competitor must be in good standing with the ATA and meet the eligibility requirements for the program. A competitor may choose to attend as many tournaments as they deem necessary to try to obtain maximum points.  However, there is a limited number of tournaments where the results will count towards the standings. They are the World Championship results, best two Class "AA" results for each event, five best regional results for each event, & 3 qualifying class C results for each event. Point accumulation for individual competitive events are calculated independently.

The maximum point total is 99 for State and World Top Ten standings,


SPECIAL NOTE: “PHANTOM COMPETITORS” 

It has come to the attention of the Tournament Department at the ATA International Headquarters that members of the ATA have been “bowing in” to a ring in order to allow the ring to get “full points”. This practice is strictly prohibited. It not only does not follow the letter of the rules but violates the spirit as well. Only competitors who have paid for the event and fully intend to compete in that event to the best of their abilities should be allowed to participate in a ring. Competitors should ALWAYS attempt to compete at their best. Competing with the intention of losing (i.e. demonstrating only a few moves of a form) violates the spirit of Songahm Taekwondo competition. Rings found to contain phantom competitors will be subject to loss of points and additional penalties for the competitors and judges in that ring.


Top Ten Standings

During the tournament season, the ATA Tournament Department will collect the results of all sanctioned tournaments. The eligible students who placed will receive Top Ten points according to their placing. These points are awarded in Traditional Form, Traditional Point Sparring, Traditional Weapons, ATA-Xtreme Form, ATA-Xtreme Weapons, Creative Form, Creative Weapons, and Combat Sparring competitions. These points are totaled at the end of the tournament season, and those ten competitors in each division with the most points will earn a spot on the, appropriate, Top Ten list. All tournaments will follow all ATA tournament rules including the current guidelines for separating and combining age & rank groups and for distributing awards. Points will be awarded only for placing in those tournaments properly sanctioned by the ATA International Headquarters. Tournaments are identified by different class distinctions. Each class has different criteria that must be met and offers a different point structure.


STATE AND TOC POINT CORRECTIONS: 


Tournament points are normally updated twice a week during the tournament season. Keep in mind that a competitor must have an ACTIVE ATA MEMBERSHIP at the time of the competition.  Results sent to ATA-HQ have memberships verified. Points earned by EXPIRED MEMBERS will not be posted.  Those points now fall under the point correction guidelines.  Every effort is made to post points on Wednesdays and Fridays. The following guidelines apply:




HELPFUL TIPS:



White/Orange/ Yellow Belt Sparring at all Events

Leadership competitors (W/O/Y) who choose to do both traditional sparring and traditional one-steps will receive the points from the highest placement they earn.

Example: Competitor A, in a full division at worlds, wins 2nd place in one-step sparring, but 1st place in traditional sparring. He/she would receive the first place points instead of the 2nd place points. The competitor will not receive both sets of points.


SECTION 18 - State Championship Program

Introduction

The tournament process has gone through many incarnations through the years with Grand Champions, National Champions, and World Champions. These programs had always been solely for black belts with the color belts watching and waiting for their chance to earn a title. In 2001, at the Songahm Taekwondo World Championships, the ATA introduced the State Champion Tournament Program for color belts and black belts. 


State Champion Program Procedures

All color belts and black belts who are enrolled in an official Leadership Program with ATA International Headquarters are eligible to earn points towards the title of State Champion. These programs include the Junior Trainee Instructor Program and the Trainee Instructor, Certified Trainee Instructor, Specialty Certified Instructor, and Certified Instructor Programs.

Special Note: The ability to start earning points towards the State Champion Program begins once the student has received his/her “welcome” letter from the ATA International Headquarters. It does not start once the student completes the paperwork within his/her school.


State Champion Program Procedure


Divisions for State Champion Program

Color Belt Divisions: Because color belts change rank frequently during a year, divisions cannot be based on rank. Divisions for color belts will be based on age and gender. Boys and girls will be separated from each other. Also, men and women will be separated from each other. The age breakdowns for junior and adult color belts are consistent with those used for junior and adult black belts. At a regional tournament, if any color belt age divisions are combined and a competitor places, the points will be awarded in their correct age division. The 8 & under division is strictly for those that compete as a junior, not tiger.


Black Belt Divisions: The black belt divisions will match the divisions used in the World Champion program.


Promoting to Black Belt during competition year: A color belt who receives the rank of 1st degree decided black belt will not lose their existing color belt state champ points, but they may no longer add to their total in the color belt division.


The title of “State Champion” is earned solely through the accumulation of points throughout the tournament season. The following guidelines apply:



SECTION 19 - District Championship Program

General Information

The following are the guidelines for District Championships. District boundaries will be evaluated annually and may change in subsequent years. The district boundaries are based upon the number of competitors in each state's Top Ten for previous year and the anticipated travel distance and time for competitors and judges was also taken into consideration. See the District page at ataonline.com for details of the states comprising each district.


Eligibility Guidelines

Any student, color belt or black belt, who is listed in their state as a “State Top Ten” competitor for one or more of the 8 types of competitions is eligible to compete in the District Championships. When the final State Top Ten points are posted on the ATA official website, students listed in each competition category become eligible in that category with the following provisions:

To compete in this event, an eligible competitor must:


Additional Guidelines and Exceptions Applying to District Competition Only

The rules and regulations for the regular tournament season will be enforced with the following additional guidelines and changes uniquely in place for District Championships.


1st Degree Decided Black Belts Guidelines

1st Degree Recommended Black Belts, who have earned the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt Decided, pose some possible unique situations. The following rules only apply to those 1st Degree Recommended Black Belts competing in the District Championships:


Example #1: At the District Championships, a 1st Degree Decided Black Belt must compete with Shimjum.

Example #2: Mr. John Competitor, who attained his rank on April 1st of the current tournament year, qualifies in forms and sparring as both a Color Belt and a Black Belt. Mr. Competitor must either compete as a Black Belt or a Color Belt for the Districts. He may not compete in both at that tournament. His/her instructor will make that decision as he trains his student. The student may NOT compete in forms as a color belt and in sparring as a black belt.


2nd Degree Recommended Black Belts and Higher Competitors

District Championships will follow the “regular season” rules regarding which material black belts may use for competition. See admissible competition forms 

Example #1: A person who qualifies as a 1st Degree in Forms, but as a 2nd Degree in Sparring, may not compete in both. He/She, in consultation with his/her instructor, must choose, prior to registering for the Districts, whether to be a 1st Degree competitor or a 2nd Degree Competitor for this tournament. 

Example #2: A person qualifies as a 1st degree in Forms and as a 2nd/3rd degree in Forms. Their only option is to compete in the 2nd/3rd-degree division.

District Tournament Procedures

MULTIPLE RINGS - SAME AGE/RANK DIVISIONS in a competitive event.

In order to produce one District Champion per age/rank division in each event, the following will occur:

For traditional form, traditional weapon, all creative and extreme events the division will be divided in the following way:

The winner of each preliminary ring in that division will go to a separate ring, not one of the same rings, for the sole purpose to determine who between those “Ring Winners” is to be named the “District Champion”. Each "Ring Winner" will perform his/her material one time for these judges, and the judges will “point” to the winner. No scores will be given in this situation. The winner will be given the 1st place medal and awarded the title of District Champion. 2nd and 3rd places will be awarded in the following way;

For Traditional Sparring and Combat Weapons Sparring events the division will be divided in the following way:

The winner of each preliminary ring in that division will go to a separate ring, not one of the same rings, for the sole purpose to determine who between those “Ring Winners” is to be named the “District Champion”. The “Ring Winners” will spar additional matches in the new ring to determine the District Champion. The matches will be run using a regular ATA tournament sparring bracket that is drawn randomly. The winner will be given the 1st Place medal and awarded the title of District Champion. If there are 4 preliminary rings, the non-advancing semifinalist will compete for 3rd place before the finalist competes. If there are 2 preliminary rings, the runners-up in the preliminary rings will compete for 3rd place before the finalists compete.


District Tournament Awards

There will be one gold medal winner, one silver medal winner, and one bronze medal winner in each division for Traditional Forms, Traditional Weapons, ATA-Xtreme Forms, ATA-Xtreme Weapons, Creative Forms, Creative Weapons, and Traditional Point Sparring and Combat Weapons Sparring competition. The only exception in awarding multiple 2nd and 3rd place medals would be for divisions that have multiple preliminary rings. The competitor who wins the District tournament will gain the title of District Champion in his/her division and can wear a special lettered uniform making this distinction. This uniform is ordered through the student’s instructor from World Martial Arts and is done so at the student’s expense.

Black Belts, who win the title of District Champion, are eligible for the current tournament year's Tournament of Champions (TOC) for that competitive event. 


Section 19 A.  European Championships


SECTION 20 - World Champion Program

Introductions

The competitive events in which it is possible for a black belt to win the title of World Champion are Traditional Forms, Traditional Weapons, Traditional Free-Sparring, Combat Weapons Sparring, ATA-Xtreme Forms, ATA-Xtreme Weapons, Creative Forms and Creative Weapons.


World Champion Eligibility Requirements

Only black belt students who are members in good standing may earn World Champion Top Ten points.


Divisions for Word Championship Program

The age and rank division for the World Championship program follow these black belt Divisions.

Rank Placements: Rank changes during the tournament season can make a difference as to where a competitor’s points will be applied. The following guidelines apply to rank changes during a tournament season:


Example #1: Mary (an adult) is a 1st degree and after consulting with her instructor, plans to test for the rank of 2nd degree recommended in November. Mary can compete in the 2nd & 3rd-degree division at World Championships. This would allow her to have all her points awarded in the same division throughout the year. If she competed in the 1st-degree division at World Championships and changed ranks in November, all points she earned from World's to November would be in the 1st-degree division and all points she earned after November would be in the 2nd & 3rd-degree division. This could have a major impact on her World Champion chances. 

Example #2: Alice is a 33-year-old 3rd degree testing for 4th degree at the World Championships. Alice shall compete in the Women 30-39 4th&5th-degree division. Regardless of the outcome of her testing, her points will be awarded in the appropriate division per the outcome of her testing. I.e. If she advances in rank, the points will be awarded in the 4th & 5th-degree division. If she is unsuccessful, the points will be awarded in the 2nd & 3rd-degree division.

Example #3: A person qualifies to compete in traditional forms competition for the TOC as a 1st Degree, and also qualifies to compete in traditional sparring as a 2nd/3rd Degree. This person's only option is to compete in the 2nd/3rd-degree division for the sparring title. They may not compete for forms champion in the 1st Degree division. They may not earn a title in two separate rank divisions in the same tournament year.


Qualifying for the Tournament of Champions

The tournament year culminates with the crowning of ATA's World champions. Qualified competitors will compete in the “Tournament of Champions”’ (TOC) which will be held at World Championships at the end of the tournament season. Starting with the 1999 Songahm Taekwondo World Millennium Expo, competitors from the STF (Songahm Taekwondo Federation) and the WTTU (World Traditional Taekwondo Union) were included in the finals to determine the World Champions for each division. Those competitor’s names are provided to the Tournament Department at the end of the tournament year, and will not be found posted in the Top Ten standings. The Top Ten standings will be made up of competitors from the United States and Canada. Since 2012, black belts who won the title of District champion for the current competition year are also eligible to compete in TOC for the event(s) in which they won the title of District Champion.


To qualify for the Tournament of Champions, a competitor must meet one of the following requirements: 

The result is that potentially there will be more than ten competitors vying for the title of World Champion.



Tournament of Champions (TOC)

The TOC ends the tournament year and is always a highlight of World Championships. After all qualifying competitors are announced, the tournament will be run in the following manner:

Example #1: James earns the number ten position in the Men 18-29 2nd & 3rd-degree division. Due to his work obligations, he cannot attend the World Championships and is unable to compete for the title of World Champion. Sam, who is the number eleven finisher, will not move up to the number ten position because of James’s inability to participate. Sam did not earn the number ten position. James will remain in the number ten position. 

Example #2: Emily is a 3rd Degree Black belt competing in forms competition during the TOC in the 2nd & 3rd Degree division, She may perform the 2nd degree form, however if there is a tie run-off she must again perform the 2nd degree form.


TOC Panam: 

Every year Panam occurs in the month of September.  When competing in Panam and planning to compete in TOC in the United States, competitors should register as the age/division they will be in the following year.  Panam champions will qualify for next years’ TOC.  If they have a birthday on or before 12/31 and as such, change divisions they will compete in that age group even though they may have qualified in a lower age division.

Ex 1. Competitor A travels to South America and wins in forms in the 13/14 division.  However, by 12/31/23 competitors A turns 15 years old.  This competitor will compete in the 15/17 TOC even though they qualified in the 13/14 age group in 2023 TOC.

Ex 2. Competitor B won at Panam in 2022 and qualified for Panam TOC.  However, they have now, due to age, changed the age group division.  When this competitor flies to South America to compete in Panam TOC they will be placed in their current age group and not where they qualified in 2022.

Starting 1/2024 only competitors that finished in the Top Ten in the United States will be eligible to compete in Panam TOC.  If multiple competitors qualify for Top Ten at Panam, only the top 4 will be allowed to register for TOC-Panam.


Topic:  Americans traveling to TOC and Panam open 2024

·  Only top 4 in each division can compete in TOC according to Worlds top ten standings

·  Any American can compete in Panam Open

·  South Americans use 9/2024 (current year) as the cutoff date for age groups.

·  American traveling to compete in TOC will remain in the right rank division as long as the age is still within 9/24.

o   Ex. 1st degree 13/14 is top 10 in the US, travels to TOC Panam and  he/she doesn’t turn 15 until after 9/24 will compete is the 13/14 division

o   Ex 1 degree 13/14 is top ten in the Us and travels to TOC but turns 15 before 9/30/24, must compete up in TOC (1s degree 15-17).

 

ISSUE:  what happens when students who actually qualified but change divisions by 9/24.  Which top 4 get to go and compete in TOC?  All competitors will qualify to compete in the appropriate (new) division.  It may mean that more than 4 end up qualifying to compete in one division.

 

Team Sparring: (teams of 3) For this year (2024) the team that qualified for top ten will remain intact even if it is aged out by 9/30/24.  Starting Panam TOC 2025, anyone that ages out of the division will not be eligible to compete in the younger division.

 

International teams will remain intact for the entire year and ending at Panam of the current year.




Tournament of Champions Awards


Certificates and jacket pins are given to all the Tournament of Champion competitors. There will be ONLY one gold medal winner, one silver medal winner, and one bronze medal winner in each competitive event. The competitor who wins the Tournament of Champions will gain the title of World Champion in his/her division and can wear a special lettered uniform making this distinction. This uniform is ordered through the student’s instructor from World Martial Arts and is done so at the student’s expense.












TEAM SYNC & TEAM DEMO RULES

 

 

         To further the spirit of competition, improvements have been made to our Team Sync and Team Demo Competition. Upon reading the new rules you will see that Team Sync has been split into two divisions. There will now be Team Sync Forms and Team Sync Weapons. The Second major change will be for Team Demo. Team Demo members can now be from multiple locations as long as they all reside in the same state and are registered ATA members under the same School/Club licensee. Lastly to expand the competition, Team competitors will receive points similar to our individual competition. These points will allow for our T.O.C competition to have a ranking order just like our Traditional and Xtreme competition. Please read the rules for further knowledge and understanding about how the competition will be run at future events.

 

 

 

 

 

 SECTION 21 - “Black Belt” Team Synchronized Competition Rules

 

Rules Required Number of Team Members:

2 or 3 members (no gender requirements or restrictions)

 

•   Team Sync Divisions- Team Sync will be Split into two different divisions.

         1.Team Sync Forms- Two or three members performing without

weapons.

         2. Team Sync Weapons- Two or three members performing with weapons.

In this division ATA weapon requirements still apply.

Team Members are allowed to perform different and multiple weapons.

 

Required Rank of Members:

         1. All team members must be at least 1st Decided Black Belts or higher and                                         listed as such in the ATA Membership files when they compete.

         2.Required Age of Members: All ages are allowed.

 

Uniform Requirements:

         1. Songahm Taekwondo Traditional Dobok, ATA Creative/Xtreme Black                                                uniform ONLY

         2. All competition items including uniforms, weapons, props, etc. must be                                            shown proper respect at all times. Slamming jackets or purposely                                                        breaking weapons is NOT allowed.

3. Team members may wear different ATA approved uniforms. Refer back

to point #1 under uniform requirements. A team member cannot mix and match uniforms. Team members cannot change uniforms during competition.

 

Weapons Requirements:

         1. Weapons used must be from within the Protech curriculum.

         2. Only weapons that comply with Traditional Weapons or ATA-Xtreme/                                               Creative Competition may be used.

           

Team Member Requirements:

Team members are not required to be from the same school/club. All members must have a current ATA membership. A competitor can only be a member or listed as an alternate team member for 1 team. A competitor listed as a member or alternate member of a team CAN NOT change teams during the competition season once the team has earned points towards T.O.C. A team may only list 1 person as an alternate per competition season.

 

Required Time of Presentation: No minimum time – Maximum time of 2 minutes (going longer results in DQ) Competition will be started in the following manner:

         1. The team’s name is called.

         2. The team enters the ring. 30 secs will be given for traditional bow in.

         3. After the bow in the center judge will say “You may adjust” 30 seconds                                             will be allowed to place weapons, and for team members to get into their starting position.

4. Immediately after the 30 seconds, time will begin by the center judge saying

“your time begins now”, or when Music is cued by a team member.

 


JUDGES:

At all competition events judges will be at the front of the ring spread out to see the entire mat. All 5 Judges will score the entire performance. Special emphasis in this division is placed on how the form is synchronized. Members should be doing the same moves at the same time or in domino fashion for at least 75% of the form time. None of the judges can have a team involved in the competition. Judges cannot be an instructor of the competitors or the owner of the school or club that the competitors train at or belong to or have a team that has won an event during that tournament season.

 

•   JUDGING CRITERIA: Follows in this order.

         1. Martial Technique:

                     Most important aspect of judging is the quality of the competitor's                             martial technique with and without the weapon. Someone performing  a more difficult technique with or without a weapon may have points  deducted if martial control is not maintained. For example, a dropped weapon can be a reason for point deduction.

         2. Presentation:

                     Presentation includes ATA Attitude, Confidence, Eye Contact,                                                      Intensity, Focus, and Movements coinciding with Music (if used)

         3. Creativity/Difficulty:

                     Examples of Creativity are use of the ring, team members, weapons                                           and flow of the form.

                     Examples of Difficulty are tricks and weapons Tricks. Speed, power,                                          precision and the number of team members performing the tricks in                                       sync are included when judging difficulty.

 

Example #1: Team A and Team B are equal in presenting their form with strong martial technique, confident presentation and creativity. Team B, however, may score higher by adding a variety of “tricks” and difficulty of “tricks” to their form.

(Remember that the single most important factor in all form presentations is the quality of the martial techniques demonstrated.)

 

Example #2: Both teams have equal performance in martial technique. Team A has a single member perform a high level “trick”, while Team B has multiple members doing lower-level tricks in sync. Team B will have the chance for a higher score due to the degree of difficulty of having more members performing at once.

 

•   Team competitors should not leave the competition mat.  If competitors’ step beyond the boundaries of the ring they will not be penalized for adjusting their position to avoid obstacles, people, or the ring boundaries. It is possible that equipment bags, spectators, etc., may be in their way and they should be permitted to adjust to avoid these obstacles.

 

•   Props: No props are permitted in either Team Sync Forms or Team Sync Weapons

 

•   Music: The use of music is optional. If music is used, a digital music player (iPod, iPhone, MP3 player, etc.) will be required to play team music. A team representative will be responsible to start, oversee and end music for their teams’ competition. No time allowance for malfunctions will be made unless it is found to be the fault of the house sound system. The music used must be all ages appropriate – any music/lyrics found inappropriate by ATA International Headquarters will result in DQ.

 


*Determining and Administering Scores:

 

•   It is important to understand how to determine a competitor’s score. The first three teams will complete their form before being scored. This gives the judges a base for their scores. Each judge will give a score ranging from 0 through 9. The score is a comparison score based on the teams in that ring, on that day.

 

•   If there are less than four teams, instead of giving scores, each judge will point to their choice for the top score. The score keeper will record the following scores:

         1st place: 9 for all judges

         2nd place: 8 for all judges

         3rd place: 7 for all judges

 

•   Ties:

         In the event of a tie, the team with the most members involved in the tie will win (more members are more difficult to synchronize). If the teams involved in the tie have the same number of members, the judges will vote for the outcome by pointing to the team they feel has the best overall performance. The teams will not perform again.

 

•   The winning teams at a World/Nationals event will earn points based on their place.

         “Class AAA”

         1st place will be awarded - 20 points

         2nd place will be awarded - 15 points

         3rd place will be awarded - 10 points

           

         Class “AA”

         1st place will be awarded - 15 points

         2nd place will be awarded - 10 points

         3rd place will be awarded - 8 points       

•   This ranking order will determine the performance order at T.O.C

 

*Registering for competition

 

•   Registration fee: $150.00 per team, including T.O.C.

•   An online registration form is available to all teams

•   Refunds, minus $25, will be given for teams withdrawing 14 days prior to event

         A 50% refund will be given for teams withdrawing 7 days prior to the event.

         NO refunds will be given for teams withdrawing less than 7 days prior to the event.

•   Event name: World Championships, Fall Nationals, Spring Nationals, Pan Am Championships, or European Championships.

•   Competition event (Team Demo, Team Synchronized Form or Team Synchronized Weapons)

•   Team name, number of team members, members’ names, members’ ATA number, and method of payment (credit card)

•   Once a Team has earned points, this list of members and alternates cannot be changed.

•   Only team members that have participated in competition can earn the title of world champion.

 

The ATA International Tournament Department will be using the online registration forms to create the order of competition. The team with the earliest registration will compete last and so on through all registrations. The registration fee must be paid for the team to be officially registered for competition. Teams will be notified of acceptance by return email (please make sure a valid email address is included with registration).

 

Special note: For clarification, a school/club licensee may have a Demo Team AND a Synchronized Team entered in the competition and they may share members. The same school/club licensee may register another team, but that team must contain all different members including alternates. Sync teams may change members as long as they were listed as alternates. Teams are responsible for all of their own expenses incurred to participate at all competitions, including but not limited to, airfare, lodging, meals, etc.

 

*The ATA reserves the right to make changes or adjustments to the rules & procedures as it sees fit during the competition season*

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 22 - “Black Belt” Team Demonstration Competition Rules

 

Rules Required Number of Team Members:

4 or more (no limit to maximum number - no gender requirements or restrictions)

 

Goal of Presentation:

•   Using multiple methods of demonstrating martial arts skill. Presentation should be fast paced, high energy, exciting, dramatic, and fun to watch.

•   Methods Allowed (any or all can be included):

1. Any Songahm forms, segments, combinations of martial arts techniques

2. Any creative/ATA-Xtreme forms, segments, combinations of martial arts

techniques

3. Empty hand self-defense, Weapons, Weapons self-defense

 

Required Rank of Members:

         1. All team members must be at least 1st Decided Black Belts or higher and                                     listed as such in the ATA Membership files when they compete.

         2.Required Age of Members: All ages are allowed

 

Uniform Requirements:

         1. Songahm Taekwondo Traditional Dobok, ATA Creative/Xtreme Black                                                uniform ONLY

         2. All competition items including uniforms, weapons, props, etc. must be                                                    shown proper respect at all times. Slamming jackets or purposely                                     breaking weapons is NOT allowed.

3. Team members may wear different ATA approved uniforms. Refer back to

point #1 under uniform requirements. A team member cannot mix and match uniforms. Team members cannot change uniforms during competition.

 

Weapons Requirements (if used):

         1. Weapons used must be from within the Protech curriculum

         2. Only weapons that comply with Traditional Weapons or ATA-Xtreme/

Creative Competition may be used.

           

Team Member Requirements:

         1. All members must have a current ATA membership.

         2. All members of the team must be registered under one ATA School/Club                                          licensee and reside in the same state.

3. A competitor can only be a member or listed as an alternate team member for

1 team per competition season. Once a competitor is listed as a member or alternate member of a team and that team earns points towards their ranking, they CANNOT change teams.

 

•   A person’s state/school of record is attached to the state in which the school they train is located. If the school is located in a “border town” where it is possible for members whose address is in one state, but train in another, the state of the competitor should be where he/she trains. Students who train via “zoom” or other internet methods should be attached to the state in which he/she has his/her primary residence. The key words here are “border town”. One should not assume that if they travel across states to train once a month, etc. that they may circumvent the spirit of this rule. The International Chairman has the final determination for any questions about the state in which a person trains.

 

•   A list of team members and its alternates will be required along with ATA numbers to verify school affiliation, School/clubs licensee, and residence. School/Club Licensee MAY register more than 1 team per competition but the teams may NOT share members.

 

Special note: Members of a team for the Team Demonstration Competition must come from only one school/club licensee and reside in the same state. If it is found that a student(s) is moved for the purpose of this competition, the entire team will be disqualified, and the owner will not be able to enter any teams in future competitions.

 

Required Time of Presentation:

 No minimum time – Maximum time of 3 minutes (going longer results in DQ) Competition will be started in the following manner:

         1. The team’s name is called.

         2. The team enters the ring for traditional bow in.

         3. After the bow in, the center judge will say “You may adjust” 30 seconds

will be allowed to place weapons and for team members to get into their starting position.

         4. Immediately after the 30 seconds time will begin by the center judge                                                  saying, “your time begins now”, or when music is cued by a team member.

 

JUDGES:

         At all competition events judges will be at the front of the ring spread out to see the entire mat. All 5 Judges will score the entire performance. None of the judges can have a team involved in the competition. Judges cannot be an instructor of the competitors or the owner of the school or club that the competitors train at or belong to or have a team that has won an event during that tournament season.

 

•   JUDGING CRITERIA: Follows in this order.

         1. Martial Technique:

                     Most important aspects of judging is the quality of the competitor's                                            martial technique with and without the weapon. Someone performing                                 a more difficult technique with or without a weapon may have points

deducted if martial control is not maintained.

         2. Presentation:

                     Presentation includes ATA Attitude, Confidence, Eye Contact,                                          Intensity, Focus, and Movements coinciding with Music (if used)

         3. Creativity/Difficulty:

                     Examples of Creativity are use of the ring, team members, weapons,                              and flow of the form. Examples of Difficulty are tricks and weapons Tricks. Speed, power, precision and the number of team members performing the tricks in sync are included when judging difficulty.

 

Example #1: Team A and Team B are equal in presenting their form with strong martial technique, confident presentation, and creativity. Team B, however, may score higher by adding a variety of “tricks” and difficulty of “tricks” to their form.

(Remember that the single most important factor in all form presentations is the quality of the martial techniques demonstrated.)

 

Example #2: Both teams have equal performance in martial technique. Team A has a single member perform a high level “trick”, while Team B has multiple members doing lower-level tricks in sync. Team B will have the chance for a higher score due to the degree of difficulty of having more members performing at once.

 

•   Team competitors should not leave the competition mat.  If Competitors step beyond the boundaries of the ring they will not be penalized for adjusting their position to avoid obstacles, people, or the ring boundaries. It is possible that equipment bags, spectators, etc., may be in their way and they should be permitted to adjust to avoid these obstacles.

 

•   Props:

         Only plastic or wood boards allowed (no other materials permitted – bricks,                  concrete, etc.). Clean up to be done by the team immediately after dismissal.    “Anything other than boards, ATA approved weapons and ATA approved uniforms, a request must be submitted via email 30 days prior to competition for approval. (scott.skiles@ataonline.com)

 

•   Music:

         The use of music is optional. If music is used, a digital music player (iPod,                                iPhone, MP3 player, etc.) will be required to play team music. A team representative will be responsible to start, oversee and end music for their teams’ competition. No time allowance for malfunctions will be made unless it is found to be the fault of the house sound system. The music used must be all ages appropriate – any music/lyrics found inappropriate by ATA International          Headquarters will result in DQ.

 

*Determining and Administering Scores:

•   It is important to understand how to determine a competitor’s score. The first three teams will complete their form before being scored. This gives the judges a base for their scores. Each judge will give a score ranging from 0 through 9. The score is a comparison score based on the teams in that ring, on that day.

 

•   If there are less than four teams, instead of giving scores, each judge will point to their choice for the top score. The score keeper will record the following scores:

         1st place: 9 for all judges

         2nd place: 8 for all judges

         3rd place: 7 for all judges

•   Ties:

         In the event of a tie, the team with the most members involved in the tie will win (more members are more difficult to synchronize). If the teams involved in the tie have the same number of members, the judges will vote for the outcome by pointing to the team they feel has the best performance. The teams will not perform again.

•   The winning teams at World’s/Nationals event will earn points based on their place.

         “Class AAA”

         1st place will be awarded - 20 points

         2nd place will be awarded- 15 points

         3rd place will be awarded - 10 points

           

         Class “AA”

         1st place will be awarded - 15 points

         2nd place will be awarded- 10 points

         3rd place will be awarded - 8 points

 

•   The ranking order will determine the performance order at T.O.C

 

•   Winning Demo teams may change the number of members performing on the team and/or the actual team members in preparation for the final competition at World Championships as long as all other requirements are met (listed as alternates, proper rank, same school, etc.)

 

 Registration Fees for Team Demo Competition:  EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023

These fees are applicable for all National, World, and TOC

 

TEAM DEMO    - $20.00 per team member.

The ATA International Tournament Department will be using the online registration forms to create the order of competition. The team with the earliest registration will compete last and so on through all registrations. The registration fee must be paid in order for the team to be officially registered for competition. Teams will be notified of acceptance by return email (please make sure a valid email address is included with registration).

 

Special note: For clarification, a school/club licensee may have a Demo Team AND a Synchronized Team entered into the competition and they may share members. The same school/club licensee may register another demo team, but that team must contain all different members than the winning team. Winning teams are responsible for all of their own expenses incurred to participate at all competitions including, but not limited to, airfare, lodging, meals, etc.

 

*The ATA reserves the right to make changes or adjustments to the rules & procedures as it sees fit during the competition season*

 

 


SECTION 23 - Miscellaneous Information


Opening Ceremony Agenda

The ATA Tournament Department has a proper agenda for the opening ceremonies of a regional tournament. It is crucial to follow this agenda and not deviate from it without prior authorization from the ATA Tournament Department or Grandmaster In Ho Lee. Below is that agenda:

NOTE: ALL BLACK BELTS ARE EXPECTED TO STAY AT THE TOURNAMENT UNTIL THE OFFICIAL BOW OUT.  Black belt divisions will no longer be announced.  All Adult black belts must sign in when they come into the gym.


Judges’ Oath

The judges’ oath will be administered by the International Tournament Chairman, the National Tournament Director or the Regional Chief of Tournaments to all personnel who will be judging. Although the association holds respect for certified judges’ integrity, the oath is a reminder of the great responsibility held by a judge who is seen by all others as representatives of the ATA. It is vital for judges to project a feeling of ATA unity and that all judges are interested in the growth and continued enjoyment of our martial art.


The administering official shall have all judges raise their right hands with the left hand in the support position, as he/she reads the oath:

“Do you swear that your judging of the Taekwondo students here present shall be without prejudice of school, region or other variant, and that your judging will be to the best of your ability in keeping with ATA policy and standards for the best interests of all competitors here involved?”

All judges shall answer: “I DO.”


Competitors’ Oath

In an effort to maintain the proper mental attitude of the competitors present, the proper official shall administer the following oath to all competitors.

The administering official shall have all competitors stand and raise their right hands with the left hand in the support position, as he/she reads the oath:

“Do you promise as a competitor in this ATA Regional Tournament, to compete in the spirit of Songahm Taekwondo, demonstrating safety, courtesy, and respect towards your fellow competitors, the judges, and the spectators? And will you always remember that “to compete is to win.”

All competitors shall answer: “I DO.”


Parents rights and responsibilities:


During a taekwondo tournament, parents play a crucial role in supporting their child while also adhering to certain rights and responsibilities. They have the right to advocate for their child's well-being, ensuring that the competition environment is safe and fair. Parents are responsible for promoting good sportsmanship, encouraging their child to respect opponents and officials, and modeling appropriate behavior throughout the event. Additionally, they should be aware of tournament rules and schedules, helping their child prepare mentally and physically. By fostering a positive atmosphere and celebrating their child's efforts, parents contribute significantly to the overall experience of the tournament, reinforcing valuable lessons in discipline, respect, and perseverance.


Parents’ Oath

Do you swear that your encouragement and enthusiasm for your children competing today shall demonstrate courtesy and respect for all students, spectators and judges and that you will use the life lessons available at this tournament to further your children’s self esteem, self confidence and success toward Black Belt excellence.


If so, Parents say I DO.









SECTION 24: 2024-2025 Rules Updates Summary






SECTION I: REGULAR TOURNAMENT SEASON: Pg 18, Pg 33

The following guidelines apply if a 1st recommended black belt competes in a 1st degree black belt decided division:




SECTION II: DISTRICTS AND TOC COMPETITION

The following guidelines apply to 1st recommended black belt who has qualified for a 1st degree decided black belt ring: 


A The competitor must be a decided 1st degree black belt for post season competition (Districts and TOC).

B. FORMS

C. WEAPONS

      a. He/she MUST perform a weapon from the 1st degree decided black belt curriculum *            when competing for a title.


This above scenario also applies to 2nd degree recommended: 




No restriction on size/length of weapons.  It is advised to consult with your instructor regarding the best fitting size/length of the weapons chosen for competition.


Color Belt Rules & Guidelines: PG 41


Type & Style of Weapons Available to Color Belt

The color belt student must confer with their instructor concerning the weapon they will use in competition. If competing in weapons, a color belt MAY ONLY compete with one of the following:

 

Color belts may use only Protech safety weapons for traditional weapons competition except for the Jahng Bong and the Jee Pahng Ee, which any style is acceptable.


Black Belt Weapons Forms & Rank Requirements

Here is the list of black belt weapons forms and their rank requirements. The following weapons, as well as which black belt rank may use them, are listed below:


*** Consult with your instructor for the appropriate or best fitting length of weapon given the competitor's height.***




SECTION II: DISTRICTS AND TOC COMPETITION

The following guidelines apply if a recommended black belt competes in a 1st degree black belt decided division:


A. FORMS

B. WEAPONS

      a. He/she MUST perform a weapon from the 1st degree decided black belt curriculum *            when competing for a title. 

*Those weapons forms are for:

Single Ssahng Jeol Bong, Single Bahng Mahng Ee, Oh Sung Do, Gum Do, or Mid-range Jahng Bong 


SECTION I: REGULAR TOURNAMENT SEASON: 

The following guidelines apply to a new black belt in a 1st degree black belt decided division:




SECTION II: DISTRICTS AND TOC Competition

The following guidelines apply if a recommended black belt competes in a 1st degree black belt decided division:


A. FORMS

B. WEAPONS

      a. He/she MUST perform a weapon from the 1st degree decided black belt curriculum *            when competing for a title. 

*Those weapons are::

Single Ssahng Jeol Bong, Single Bahng Mahng Ee, Oh Sung Do, Gum Do, or Mid-range Jahng Bong 







Content of Color Belt Weapons’ Demonstration: Pg 45


Color belt weapons curriculum becomes effective at World’s 2024(Champion divisions).  Starting on Saturday, all color belts are expected to demonstrate forms from the new weapons’ curriculum.  In the event that the student does not perform a form from the new curriculum, the Center Judge will score the weapons form incomplete (0) and the corner judges will score the techniques performed for the weapon chosen.














Special Abilities Competition.. Pg 82


***********  NEW ***********************

In order to give SM Winter appropriate time to verify all the information, all applications for SA competition must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the event in which they want to compete.

********************************************

Class C tournament results held in April, 2025. (The last day to host a Class C for the 2024-2025 season is April 15th.)







Page 115: Parents’ Oath


Parents’ Oath

Do you swear that your encouragement and enthusiasm for your children competing today shall demonstrate courtesy and respect for all students, spectators and judges and that you will use the life lessons available at this tournament to further your children’s self esteem, self confidence and success toward Black Belt excellence.


If so, Parents say I DO.


Parental Rights and Responsibilities:


During a taekwondo tournament, parents play a crucial role in supporting their children while also adhering to certain rights and responsibilities. They have the right to advocate for the well-being of their children, ensuring that the competition environment is safe and fair. Parents are responsible for promoting good sportsmanship, encouraging their children to respect opponents and officials, and modeling appropriate behavior throughout the event. In addition, they should know the rules and schedules of the tournaments, which helps your child prepare mentally and physically. By fostering a positive environment and celebrating their children's efforts, parents contribute significantly to the overall tournament experience, reinforcing valuable lessons in discipline, respect, and perseverance.