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The Northwest Invitational is a Taekwondo tournament focused on safety, fairness, and high-quality competition. All divisions follow Modified World Taekwondo (WT) rules, adapted for athlete safety and clarity.

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General Competition Policies

  • Good sportsmanship is expected from competitors, coaches, and spectators

  • Referee and judges’ decisions are final

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in warnings, point deductions, or disqualification

  • Competitors must check in at least 30 minutes prior to their division

  • Proper uniform and required safety equipment are mandatory

Traditional Poomsae 

Judges will evaluate the following components:

  1. Overall Performance

    • Stances

    • Kicks

    • Hand techniques

    • Speed and flow

    • Presentation and focus

    • Completeness of form

    • Attitude, enthusiasm, and Taekwondo spirit

  2. Stances
    Judges look for:

    • Strong, stable base

    • Correct stance length and width

    • Proper weight distribution

    • Level center of gravity while moving

    • Balance and control

  3. Kicks
    Judges look for:

    • Correct chamber position

    • Long, strong extension with control

    • Complete re-chamber

    • Power and foot speed

    • Proper striking surface (height is not a primary factor)

  4. Hand Techniques
    Judges look for:

    • Correct starting position

    • Long, strong execution

    • Proper reaction force (where applicable)

    • Speed, timing, and power

    • Correct ending position

  5. Deductions
    Judges will deduct points for:

    • Missing techniques

    • Incorrect stances, kicks, blocks, or strikes

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Team & Pair Poomsae
Judges evaluate:

  • Overall poomsae performance of all competitors

  • Group synchronization

  • Timing, rhythm, and uniformity

 
Synchronization is a primary judging emphasis for Team and Pair divisions.

Poomsae Selection & Eligibility

  • Competitors may perform any authorized poomsae from their highest rank form down to Pal Jang

  • Competitors may compete one age division up or down if within 12 months of the age cutoff

  • Competitors may compete on two teams, provided they are in separate divisions and meet the 12-month age rule

     

  • Pair Poomsae Composition

  • 2 competitors

  • Same or mixed gender permitted

  • Age Divisions

  • 12 & Under

  • 13–17

  • 18 & Over

     

  • Authorized Poomsae

  • Only Kukkiwon & WT-approved forms are permitted:

  • Taeguk 1–8

  • Palgwe 1–8

  • Official Black Belt Poomsae

    Method of Competition

  • Head to Head, Single Elimination

  • Contest Time:

  • Minimum: 30 seconds

  • Maximum: 90 seconds

OLYMPIC SPARRING (WT STYLE)

No point sparring division is offered

Match Structure

  • 3 rounds

  • 1 minute per round

  • 30-second rest

  • Match winner: first to win two rounds

Scoring (Modified WT)

  • 1 point – Valid punch to trunk protector

  • 2 points – Valid kick to trunk

  • 3 points – Turning kick to trunk OR kick to head

  • 4 points – Turning kick to head (Adults only)

Only clear, intentional, and controlled techniques are scored.

Head Contact Policy

  • 12 & Under: No head contact permitted

  • 13–17 Black Belts: Light contact to sides of head only

  • Adults: Controlled head contact permitted

Any excessive force may result in:

  • Warning

  • Point deduction

  • Disqualification (especially juniors)

Match Resolution

  • Two rounds determine the winner

  • If tied after two rounds:

    • Third round is contested

    • If no score occurs, referee decision applies

Disqualification Criteria

Disqualification may be issued for:

  1. Accumulation of 4 point deductions (8 warnings)

  2. Intentional disregard of referee commands

  3. Failure to report to ring

  4. Excessive force resulting in injury

  5. Profanity or verbal abuse from competitor or coach

Required Sparring Equipment

  • WT-approved headgear

  • Trunk protector (hogul)

  • Shin & instep guards

  • Forearm guards

  • Groin protector (mandatory for males)

  • Mouth guard

  • Regulation Taekwondo uniform

Black Belt Olympic Sparring

  • Gen 2 Daedo socks required

  • Not provided by the event

BOARD BREAKING – TECHNICAL RULES

Board Specifications

  • Boards must be purchased on-site

  • 12 & Under: 12×9×3/8 demo boards

  • 13 & Over: 12×9×1/2 boards

Format

  • Five stations

  • Two attempts per station

  • Failure to break after two attempts = score of 0

Scoring

  • Each station scored 0–10

  • Maximum total score: 50

Difficulty Hierarchy

  1. Hand techniques

  2. Standing kicks

  3. Turning / spinning kicks

  4. Jump kicks

  5. Jump + spin techniques

Tie Breaker

  • One additional single-attempt break

  • Technique of competitor’s choosing

FLAG SPARRING – 
OFFICIAL RULES
Match Format

  • 1 vs 1

  • 90 seconds

  • 3m x 3m ring

  • Best 2 of 3 flag pulls

Legal Actions

  • Pulling opponent’s flags

  • Controlled torso positioning

  • Controlled pushing to torso (7+ divisions)

Prohibited Actions

  • Punching, kicking, or striking

  • Grabbing or guarding own flags

  • Head or leg contact

  • Falling (3 points of contact)

  • Stepping out of bounds

Age Safety Rules

  • 6 & Under: Flag pulls only, no contact

  • 7 & Up: Controlled torso contact permitted

Reset & Tie Policy

  • Match resets after each flag pull

  • One re-do may be declared by referee

  • Final decision rests with referee

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