3.01 DIVISIONS

Athletes will be divided into groups based on the age and rank divisions shown in the chart on page 3.
Note: Divisions may be split or combined with another with final approval from the tournament director.

3.02 SCORING RANGES AND FORMS

Judges shall simultaneously lift the appropriate/official scorecard at the command of the center judge so that the audience can see that each score was determined independently. The scorekeeper shall read the scores from left to the right, allowing each official to verify his/her score.

Scores range between 5 to 10 points with decimal increments from .0-.9. The median score for those under black belt (gup) should be 7.0 points, and black belt competition median score is 8.0 points. The competitor’s score is the sum of the middle three scores. The highest and lowest scores of the five judges are eliminated.

3.03 CRITERIA OF SORING 

When judging this event, be sure you know the approved way of performing the form. Some of the traditional black belt forms have exaggerated stances; therefore, if you judged the form based on the basic stance, your score would be wrong. Wrong moves or techniques need to be judged for consistency to determine if the competitor was taught wrong or if he or she actually forgot the correct move. Special consideration should be given to young children (6 and under) where judging should be influenced by the amount of power and enthusiasm and not primarily memorization of any form in particular.

While judging, all officials should be watchful of lines, angles, focus, power, enthusiasm, and precision applied by each contestant. As the Kwan’Jang has stated many times, “Poomsae is a language of movements that should tell an exciting story!” What story are you hearing?
a) Lines = 6-point check
b) Angles = bend in the major joints, body posture.
c) Focus = striking line, point of contact, eye contact
d) Power = timing, shifting body weight, push/pull, giyup.
e) Precision = theory of movement, stances, direction of force, and detailed application of technique.
f) Enthusiasm = Show excitement and some emotion and perhaps some charisma.
g) Customs, courtesies, respect, and confidence are also factors in the final score.

The role of an official is not only to judge but also to encourage and motivate.

Note: that it is not the responsibility of the official to “break ties.” The ties are broken by the scores. Score what you see. All competitors are scored equally.

The U.S. Chung Do Kwan scoring system for tournaments was designed to correspond to the testing scoring system. Officials should NEVER score a competitor lower because they are the first to compete. Since we all are from the same association, we know what an average score looks like.

There are times when several competitors will receive the same score from an official. However, with the decimal system, this should not be common. The sum total of the officials declares the champion; it is not the responsibility of individual judges.

3.04 OPENING/RUNNING DIVISION

Center referee should communicate with the Time/Scorekeeper to verify they have the correct division and competitors. When ready, the time/scorekeeper will announce the division name and number of competitors, followed by the name of the first competitor. After competitor enters the ring and does their intro, center referee should direct them to starting position and have them begin when ready. (Younger competitors may need extra guidance with this) After completion of form, center referee calls “Pa’doe, shult” and asks competitor to “Turn Around” for scoring. Center referee calls for “Judges Score!” and scores are held up until they are all recorded properly.

3.05 STARTING A FORM OVER

Point Deduction: In the event that a competitor totally forgets his or her form, have him or her start the form over. Each judge must then deduct one full point from the score that would have been awarded to the second attempt if there had not been a restart. Each restart receives a full point deduction; however, in no case can a competitor receive less than a “5.”

Example: the competitor forgets the form and must start over. After completing the form on the second attempt, the judge feels the form scored an 8. He or she would then score the form a seven because of the re-start.

Note: that the judge deducts the point from his or her score, not the scorekeeper. Remember, a full point is deducted from the final score only if they must start over.)

Judges Note: After the completion of the form, the center referee stands at attention facing the judges. In a loud voice so that the audience can hear, the official says, “Judges, 1-point deduction for starting over. Please allow the 1-point deduction to reflect in the score you display. Thank you.”

3.06 TIE-BREAKER PROCESS

In the case of a tie, the center referee re-checks the scorekeeper’s calculations, adds back in the two scores that were eliminated, and compares the new totals to break the tie. This is done only for those competitors that have tied. The relative finishing place of the other competitors shall not be changed. If the tie is still not broken, the contestants that are tied repeat their forms side by side. The judges do not award a new score but indicate the winner by simultaneously lifting right or left hands toward that competitor. In the case of a three-way or more tie, if the above attempts to break the tie do not resolve the tie, a conference of the judges is called, and the order of finish is determined by majority rule.

Note: the probability of having multiple ties that cannot be resolved prior to a judge’s conference is extremely small.

3.07 CLOSING A DIVISION

After scores are finalized the center referee should call all competitors to line up in the ring. Bring forward the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and stand behind each announcing their place while holding the respective number over their head. (Give medals if awarding at the ring) Bow out all competitors and have them shake hands with all judges.