Taekwondo Olympic rules

[hurricane_jim]

Taekwondo is an Olympic sport as you know.
they use different rules at the olympics
These rules are different from Taekwondo sparring based on poomsae technique, grabbing self-defense

Some things to watch out for while you watch on TV-

* The Competition Area measures 10m x 10m.

* The contestant shall wear the trunk protector (hogu), head protector, groin guard, forearm guards, shin guards, and a mouthpiece.

* The duration of the contest is non-stop three rounds of two minutes each, with a one-minute rest period between rounds. In case of a tie score after the completion of the 3rd round, a 4th round of two minutes will be conducted as the sudden death overtime round.

* Permitted and prohibited techniques:
o Fist techniques are only allowed with a closed hand, and only with the leading part of the hand (no backhand or hammer techniques).
o Foot techniques are only allowed by using the parts of the foot below the ankle bone (no shin or knee techniques).

* Permitted areas
o Trunk: Full force attack by fist and foot techniques on the areas covered by the trunk protector are permitted. Attacks on the part of the back not covered by the trunk protector are permitted so long as they are not direct hits to the spine.
o Head: Full force, knock out attack to the head is only allowed by foot techniques. Attack to the back of the head is prohibited, as are all hand techniques to the head.

* Points are awarded when permitted techniques deliver full force, abrupt displacement and trembling shock to the legal scoring areas of the body. Points may be awarded by judges for a successful technique as follows:
o One point for attack on trunk protector.
o Two points for attack on the head.
o One point if a punch is thrown and stops the opponent in their tracks.
o One additional point if the opponent is knocked down and the referee counts.
o Declared winner if knock-out of the opponent with foot kicking to the legal area of head and face.

* Deduction of points. Two types of penalties may be assigned for prohibited acts, "Kyonggo" (warning penalty) and "Gamjom" (deduction penalty). Two "Kyonggos" deduct one point, rounded down (an odd "Kyonggo" is not counted in the grand total), and a "Gamjom" deducts one full point. When a contestant has been deducted four points, the referee shall declare him/her loser by penalties.
o "Kyonggo" penalties include: evading by turning the back to the opponent; falling down; avoiding/stalling the match; grabbing, holding, or pushing; attacking below the waist; pretending injury; butting or attacking with knee; hitting the opponent’s face with the hand.
o "Gamjom" penalties include: attacking the opponent when the round is stopped; attacking a fallen opponent; intentionally attacking the opponent’s face with the hand

* In the event of a tied score after the sudden death round, the judging officials decide the match based on the initiative shown during the final round.

[karatechop]

Can anyone explain exactly how this differs to regular rules, and why they change them for the Olympics?
It seems strange they would do that.