| What do you know about this Korean form of martial | | | | In order to score a point, a competitor must strike his |
| art? In Korea, it is practiced as the national sport, but it | | | | opponent with enough force to abruptly move either |
| provides more than entertainment for those who learn | | | | his head or his body from where it was before the |
| it. Tae Kwon Do is used as a form of self-defense | | | | strike. There are some areas which are considered |
| and exercise. Competitors come together in matches, | | | | out of bounds for hits. These include any area below |
| somewhat like boxing, to fight, or spar, with one | | | | the waistline, and the back of the head and body. The |
| another. Much training and practice takes place before | | | | front of the head, the torso and chest are all legal |
| official sparring matches are held, as the technique is | | | | strike zones, and protective gear is worn in these |
| complicated, and competitors must be aware of what | | | | areas to protect the competitors from serious injury. |
| types of hits (strikes) are legal and illegal, and how | | | | Strikes are delivered both as punches and kicks, with |
| points are awarded. | | | | the goal being to knock the opponent out of place or |
| Tae Kwon Do competitors are required to wear the | | | | to the ground. |
| proper protective gear, and to abide by the rules of | | | | Both power and control are essential to Tae Kwon Do |
| the referee who is present during the sparring. There | | | | sparring, due to the force required to move an |
| are three rounds in a match. The rounds last for three | | | | opponent, as well as the specific areas allowed for |
| minutes, and there is a one-minute break between | | | | striking. The competitor must be able to deliver his |
| rounds. If, during a round, a competitor is knocked | | | | strike as powerfully and accurately as possible. Much |
| down and is unable to rise before the referee counts | | | | training must take place before the Tae Kwon Do |
| to eight, the competitor loses that round, as it counts | | | | competitor is able to spar with strength and accuracy, |
| as a knock-out. | | | | and to defend himself from the blows of his opponent. |