Junior Gyoroogi (sparring) Safety Rules

Article 1. Junior Kyorugi (Sparring) Safety Rules
1. General Rules

A. Age Group 6-11 Years

1. This applies to all junior competitors, ages 6-11, ALL BELTS.
2. In State, Regional and National Junior Olympic Championships sparring
competition, the rules concerning a kick to the face shall be as follows:
a. Any technique contacted to the head area which does not make any
injury, will be given a warning by the referee (Kyong-go).
b. Any technique, which makes injury with the head area will result in a
one-point deduction by the referee (Gam-jeom).
c. If the competitor cannot continue because of the injury to the head
area, the attacker will be disqualified.
NOTE: Inability to continue because of fright, crying or loss of will
following a kick to the head which did not cause injury does not constitute
grounds for disqualification of the attacker.

B. Age Group 12-13 Year Old BLACK BELTS, and 12-17 Year Old COLOR BELTS

1. This applies to all Black Belt junior competitors, ages 12-13, and all color
belt (i.e., non-Black Belt) junior competitors, ages 12-17.
2. In State, Regional and National Junior Olympic Championships sparring
competition, the rules concerning a kick to the face shall be as follows:
a. The competitor is allowed to kick to the facial area; however, the kick
must be light contact with absolute control without causing any injury
or excessive contact, or the appropriate penalty shall be invoked.
b. The competitor who executes a successful technique (light contact
without causing any injury) shall be awarded one point.
c. The competitor who executes a kick to the face which results in a
minor injury shall receive a one-point (Gam-jeom) deduction. A minor
injury is defined as abrasion or bleeding caused by non-excessive
contact. The referee, with or without consultation with the tournament
physician, shall determine if the abrasion or bleeding is a minor injury,
and if the attack is a non-excessive one.
d. The competitor who executes a kick to the face which results in the
inability of the opponent to continue sparring because of injury shall
be disqualified. The referee, with or without consultation with the
tournament physician, shall determine if the attack is an excessive
contact, and if the injury is a major one.
NOTE: Inability to continue because of fright, crying or loss of will
following a legal kick to the head which did not cause injury does not
constitute grounds for disqualification of the attacker.

C. Age Group 14-17 Year Old BLACK BELTS

1. This applies to all Black Belt junior competitors, ages 14-17.
2. In State, Regional and National Junior Olympic Championships sparring
competition, the senior Black Belt rules shall apply.
(Guideline for Officiating)
Excessive contact to the facial or head area:
Even in the absence of visible injury, such as slight bleeding or abrasion, the referee
may deem the contact to be excessive, and declare the appropriate penalty.
The competitor who executes a successful technique (light contact without causing
any injury) shall be awarded one point (12-13 year old Black Belts and 12-17 year
old color belts only):
Two point scores for head contact shall not be awarded under Junior Kyorugi Safety
Rules, nor are extra points awarded in the event the referee begins an 8-count for a
legal technique to the trunk area. The Bonus Point ONLY applies to the senior competition rules.
Under Junior Kyorugi Safety Rules, the referee should NOT give an 8-count for ANY
technique, even a legal one, to the head area; if a kick is powerful enough to warrant
an 8-count, it should be considered excessive, and the appropriate penalty should be
declared. However, the referee can and should begin an 8-count for a legal kick to the
trunk area that results in a knock-down condition; in this case, no Bonus Point is awarded.