Kyorugi rules

TAEKWONDO TRAINING Reading time : 9 min Updated September 6, 2026
The kyorugi rulebook is a moving book: annual revision, and 2026 has two editions (1 January and 1 June). This guide gives the scale in force — 1 punch / 2 trunk kick / 3 head kick / 4 turning trunk / 6 turning head —, the full gam-jeom system, the formats by age, and honestly flags what changed mid-2026, the point gap first.

The scale (edition of 1 January 2026)

The 2026 principle: a turning technique doubles the target's value. That wording is what moved the turning head kick from 5 to 6 points — quoting « 5 » today is quoting a superseded edition.

Scoring actionPointsDetection
Punch to the trunk1PSS punch sensor + judge confirmation (2026)
Kick to the trunk2PSS (chest protector)
Kick to the head3PSS (head protector) + jury/video
Turning kick to the trunk4 (doubled)PSS + judge
Turning kick to the head6 (doubled)PSS + jury/video
Each opponent gam-jeom+1Referee
The fist never scores to the head. A valid punch is a strong straight punch, fist correctly clenched, to the permitted trunk area — and since 2026 the PSS senses the punch (semi-automatic, confirmed by a technical judge).
Kyorugi · The scale in force

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 — and +1 per gam-jeom

A turning technique doubles the target's value — the wording that moved the turning head kick from 5 to 6 points.

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 — and +1 per gam-jeom Five horizontal bars proportional to the points: punch to the trunk 1, kick to the trunk 2, kick to the head 3, turning trunk 4, turning head 6. A sixth line recalls that every gam-jeom gives the opponent one point. Punch to the trunk 1 Kick to the trunk 2 Kick to the head 3 Turning kick, trunk 4 Turning kick, head 6 Every opponent gam-jeom: +1 — and those points count in the three-round total. Edition in force: 1 January 2026

Source: World Taekwondo, Competition Rules Art. 12 (in force 01.01.2026) — the « doubled » principle; the turning head kick's old value 5 is superseded. Paak taekwondo corpus, file 01.

The gam-jeom, in full

  • Every gam-jeom gives +1 to the opponent, and those points count in the three-round total.
  • 5 gam-jeom in a round: the opponent wins the round (best-of-three system).
  • 10 gam-jeom in the match: loss by the referee's punitive declaration (PUN). The idea that this rule was retired is a trap — it is in force.
  • Objective gam-jeoms, given immediately: falling, crossing the boundary, attacking after « Kal-yeo », attacking a fallen opponent. Subjective ones (grabbing, pushing, avoiding) are given in 2026 only on clear match impact — the « let them fight » interpretation.

The formats, by age

CategoryRoundsRestRegime
Seniors (WT)3 × 2:001:00Best of 3, PSS
Cadets (WT, 12–14)3 × 1:30 (usual — confirm per event)1:00Best of 3, PSS, head = foot only
FFTDA Minimes (11–12)3 × 1:000:30Best of 3, trunk only, no golden round
FFTDA Benjamins (9–10)3 × 1:000:30No-touch OR chest-protector touch
FFTDA Poussins/Pupilles (5–8)3 × 0:300:15No contact — 2 techniques each in turn

The point gap: a parameter, not a constant

The point-gap (PTG) threshold changed mid-2026 — the 1 June edition raised it, and the exact senior value could not be verified against the primary text at the time of writing (the WT mirror was truncated). What is certain: FFTDA minimes keep 12, and the value differs by the ruleset applied. Treat the PTG as a competition parameter, read in the event's regulations — never a memorised constant.

Other 2026 changes: the coach's video replay (IVR) for head kicks was removed; the corner judge becomes a technical judge where PSS punch sensing is used.

FAQ

How much is a turning kick to the head worth?
6 points under the edition in force (1 January 2026) — the « doubled » principle: the head is 3, turning = ×2. The old value 5 is superseded; always date the rule you quote.
What happens at 5 gam-jeom?
The opponent is declared winner of the round (best-of-three system). And at 10 accumulated gam-jeom in the match, it is loss by punitive declaration (PUN) — a rule still in force.
What point gap stops the match?
It depends on the ruleset applied and it changed mid-2026: FFTDA minimes keep 12, and the 1 June edition's senior value could not be verified on the primary text. Read your event's regulations — it is a competition parameter.

Sources

World Taekwondo — Competition Rules & Interpretation, edition in force 01.01.2026 (scale Art. 12, gam-jeom Art. 12.3.5 and 14.7/14.8); second 2026 edition in force 01.06.2026 (point gap raised — senior value unverified on the primary, flagged as such). USA Taekwondo, 2026 rule-change circular (turning head 5→6, PSS punch sensing, coach-IVR removal). FFTDA — 2024 benjamins/minimes note (youth formats, PTG 12 for minimes). Paak taekwondo corpus, file 01. Content verified September 2026.

Last updated: September 6, 2026 ID : help.taekwondo.kyorugi-rules