Poomsae is not a side dish to sparring: it is a judged event — Accuracy 4.0 + Presentation 6.0 — with its divisions (individual, mixed pair, team of three), a repertoire anchored to grade (one form per keup), and its own pedagogy. « Running the form on loop » is not training: segment, mirror, criteria, peer-score — that is the work.
The repertoire, anchored to grade
One form per keup passage — the table the federal booklet and Kukkiwon publish:
| Keup passage | Form presented |
|---|---|
| 9th → 8th | Taegeuk 1 (Il Jang) |
| 8th → 7th | Taegeuk 2 |
| 7th → 6th | Taegeuk 3 |
| 6th → 5th | Taegeuk 4 |
| 5th → 4th | Taegeuk 5 |
| 4th → 3rd | Taegeuk 6 |
| 3rd → 2nd | Taegeuk 7 |
| 2nd → 1st | Taegeuk 8 |
| 1st dan | Koryo — then the dan series up to Ilyeo |
The judge's scale
| Component | WT scale | Deductions |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (technical exactness) | 4.0 | −0.1 per minor error · −0.3 per serious error |
| Presentation — speed & power, rhythm & tempo, expression of energy (2.0 each) | 6.0 | Scored continuously |
| Total | 10.0 | Restart: −0.6 |
The recognised divisions: individual, pair (one man + one woman), team (three of the same sex). In competition, two compulsory forms are drawn per division. A poomsae is never « won on points » against an opponent — it is a mark, not a sparring score.
Poomsae · The judge's scale
Accuracy 4.0 + Presentation 6.0 = 10.0
A mark, not a sparring score — and presentation weighs more than accuracy.
Source: World Taekwondo, Poomsae Competition Rules (via the British Taekwondo 2025 reproduction) — Accuracy 4.0 + Presentation 6.0, deductions −0.1 / −0.3 / −0.6. Paak taekwondo corpus, file 01.
How it is actually trained
- Segment: the form splits into 3–5-move sequences, each looped before being stitched back.
- Mirror: facing the mirror wall or in facing pairs — the performer sees themselves, the partner compares.
- Criteria: repeat ONE sequence with ONE scale criterion at a time (stance accuracy, then rhythm, then power).
- Peer-score: the group becomes the panel, criteria list and deduction values in hand — students learn the scale by scoring.
Band by band
- u9: floor patterns (plus, I-line) — following the path with simple stances, path accuracy before speed.
- u13: the grade's form by segments and in the mirror; first peer scoring.
- u17/sen: speed-power-rhythm work on a known form, and preparing the chosen division (individual, pair, team).
FAQ
Which form does my child need for the exam?
The one of their keup: 9th→8th = Taegeuk 1, and so on to 2nd→1st = Taegeuk 8. 1st dan presents Koryo, then the dan series continues to Ilyeo.
How is poomsae scored in competition?
Out of 10: Accuracy 4.0 (deductions −0.1 minor / −0.3 serious) + Presentation 6.0 (speed & power, rhythm & tempo, expression — 2.0 each). A restart costs −0.6.
Does the pair really have to be mixed?
Yes for the recognised « pair » division: one man + one woman. The team is three athletes of the same sex.
Sources
World Taekwondo — Poomsae Competition Rules (the 4.0 + 6.0 scale, −0.1/−0.3/−0.6 deductions, individual/pair/team divisions, two compulsory forms per division; via the British Taekwondo 2025 reproduction). Kukkiwon — Taekwondo Textbook (Taegeuk repertoire and dan series, pedagogy). FFTDA — federal booklet (one form per keup). Paak taekwondo corpus, files 01/03. Content verified September 2026.
Last updated: September 6, 2026 ID :
help.taekwondo.poomsae