Tae Kwon Do is the Korean national sport and is used a form of exercise and self defense. For those who really learn Tae Kwon Do it is so much more than just entertainment.

Before participating in tournaments or matches, a lot of training and practice is required. The technique of this martial art is very complicated and it takes a lot of time to learn and be aware of the types of hits and strikes that are allowed or not allowed during a match and how the point counting is done.

On most points, a Tae Kwon Do match is the same as a boxing match, and the use of the right protective gear is compulsory. So is abiding the rules of the referee who is leading the match. Each match takes three rounds of three minutes. Between the rounds is a one minute break. If a competitor is knocked down, the referee starts counting and he has to come back on his feet before the referee counts to eight. If he doesn’t manage to get up again, it counts as a knock out and the match is over.

One can score points, by hitting or striking the opponent with enough force to move either his body or head from where it was before the hit. There are several areas on the body which are not allowed to be hit: the back of the head, below the waistline and the back of the body. That leaves the front of the head, the chest and the torso to place legal hits and strikes. Those areas are protected by the mandatory equipment. A strike can be both a punch or a kick and the goal of a Tae Kwon Do match is to knock the opponent to the ground or out of his place.

Due to the fact that it requires force to move an opponent, and the specific areas to place a strike, both power and control are very important to a Tae Kwon Do competitor. The strike must be very powerful and delivered as acurate as possible. It is also of great importance that the competitor knows how to defend himself from the blows of his opponent.