The WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) Executive Committee meeting held in Bhutan in October 2014 amended the 2015 WTF Competition Rules. The amendment came into force as of January 1, 2015 and is applied to all official events.

Please note that according to another document version by the WTF, listing the latest competition rules in force as of January 1, 2015, a valid turning kick to the head awards five (5) points. (Article 12, 3.3.4, page 24.) However, the document currently linked from the official WTF Rules and Documents page, shows “four (4) points for a turning kick to the head”, as per Article 12, 3.3.4, page 24. We take this version as the official one, so “four (4) points” is the correct score for a turning kick to the head.

Here are the changes and summary of important articles:

As per Article 12, valid scoring points are as follows:

• One (1) point for a valid attack (kick or punch) on trunk protector
• Three (3) points for a valid turning kick to the trunk protector (NEW)
• Three (3) points for a valid kick to the head
• Four (4) points for a valid turning kick to the head
• One(1) point awarded for every two Kyung-gos (warning penalties) or every one Gam-jeom (deduction penalty) given to the opponent contestant

Scoring Areas:

• Trunk: The blue or red colored area of the trunk protector
• Head: The entire head above the bottom line of the head protector

Criteria for valid point(s):

• Point(s) shall be awarded when a permitted technique is delivered to the scoring areas of the trunk with a proper level of impact.
• Point(s) shall be awarded when a permitted technique is delivered to the scoring areas of the head.
• If PSS is used, determination of the validity of the technique, level of impact, and/or valid contact to the scoring area shall be made by the electronics coring system. These PSS determinations shall not be subject to Instant Video Replay.
• The WTF Technical Committee shall determine the required level of impact and sensitivity of the PSS, using different scales in consideration of weight category, gender, and age groups. In certain circumstances as deemed necessary the Technical Delegate may recalibrate the valid level of impact.

Article 4)
The taping on the foot, wrapping tapes or bandages will be checked prior to the competition. The Referee in charge may ask a physician to double-check it and approve it.

Article 6)
An event will be recognized by the WTF with the participation of at least four countries with no less than four competitors registered in each class. If there are less than four the results will not be recognized as official.

Article 8)
The date of the drawing of lots shall be set forth in the outline of the championships. At the end of the designated registration date, the Organizing Committee (OC) shall inform the list of registered contestants in each weight category on the official website of the OC/WTF, as the case may be. Participating teams are responsible for confirming their entries before the drawing of lots. On the other hand, at least eight competitors will be seeded in each weight division in continental championships or G-2 events.

Article 10)
During the competition, in an athlete does not show up after the third call, the athlete will be disqualified, and this disqualification will be officially announced.

Article 14)

The following actions are considered Kyong-gos (warning penalties)

• Crossing the Boundary Line
• Falling down
• Avoiding or delaying the match
• Grabbing, holding or pushing the opponent
• Lifting the knee to block or/and impede the opponent’s kicking attack, or lifting a leg for more than 3 seconds, without execution of any attacking technique, to impede opponent’s attacking movements
• Kicking below the waist
• Attacking the opponent after “Kal-yeo” (the referee separating opponents)
• Hitting the opponent’s head with the hand
• Butting or attacking with the knee
• Attacking the fallen opponent
• Misconduct of contestant or coach

Article 21)
In subsection 1, they added the following: The coach can only request video review for penalties against the opponent, for instances of falling down or crossing the boundary line.