Rules for 2026 Cleveland Invitational Tournament
Judges
Judges must be of at least 1st Dan and should be dressed either in a collared shirt and optional tie, or their uniform with all appropriate patches, or be dressed in a suit with their TKDC lapel pin. Judges from guest schools wearing uniforms should wear a TKDC Union Uniform if they have one. Judges from host schools may wear their school uniform.
Each event must have a head judge who is the highest rank among the other judges, and a higher rank than any competitor. All judges should be higher rank than competitors, when possible.
Head judges must maintain control of their ring at all times. They are responsible for ensuring a safe, fun, and fair experience for all.
Patterns
Patterns divisions are separated based on rank and age. Competitors should perform their current pattern or the previous pattern. Black Belts should perform a pattern of their current Dan unless they have been promoted recently.
Patterns will be judged on the following criteria, in order;
If a division has more than 5 competitors, the first 3 competitors will compete individually without scoring and then judges will rank each competitor, before continuing with the remaining competitors. This is done to ensure proper bounds are set to allow for the fairest possible scoring of all competitors.
Technical Breaking
Competitors will choose breaks from a preselected list (see below). Each break has a point value assigned to it. Breaking with the technique on the first try awards full points, breaking on the second try awards half points. Breaking after the second try awards no points. Competitors will attempt TWO breaks. All competitors must do one hand technique and one kick break, the competitor with the highest total score will win. Failure to perform the chosen break may result in a penalty at the discretion of the head judge. For example, selecting “Jumping Front Kick - 14 Points” but breaking the board with one foot on the ground will be scored as a "Front Kick - 4 Points".
A competitor may choose to add ONE board to ONE of their breaks for an additional 2 points.
BLACK BELTS ONLY will do a third break of their choice through three boards.
Judges must be of at least 1st Dan and should be dressed either in a collared shirt and optional tie, or their uniform with all appropriate patches, or be dressed in a suit with their TKDC lapel pin. Judges from guest schools wearing uniforms should wear a TKDC Union Uniform if they have one. Judges from host schools may wear their school uniform.
Each event must have a head judge who is the highest rank among the other judges, and a higher rank than any competitor. All judges should be higher rank than competitors, when possible.
Head judges must maintain control of their ring at all times. They are responsible for ensuring a safe, fun, and fair experience for all.
Patterns
Patterns divisions are separated based on rank and age. Competitors should perform their current pattern or the previous pattern. Black Belts should perform a pattern of their current Dan unless they have been promoted recently.
Patterns will be judged on the following criteria, in order;
- Completion of the pattern
- Accuracy of techniques
- Consistency of stances
- Power and focus
- Tempo
- Breathing and kiaps.
If a division has more than 5 competitors, the first 3 competitors will compete individually without scoring and then judges will rank each competitor, before continuing with the remaining competitors. This is done to ensure proper bounds are set to allow for the fairest possible scoring of all competitors.
Technical Breaking
Competitors will choose breaks from a preselected list (see below). Each break has a point value assigned to it. Breaking with the technique on the first try awards full points, breaking on the second try awards half points. Breaking after the second try awards no points. Competitors will attempt TWO breaks. All competitors must do one hand technique and one kick break, the competitor with the highest total score will win. Failure to perform the chosen break may result in a penalty at the discretion of the head judge. For example, selecting “Jumping Front Kick - 14 Points” but breaking the board with one foot on the ground will be scored as a "Front Kick - 4 Points".
A competitor may choose to add ONE board to ONE of their breaks for an additional 2 points.
BLACK BELTS ONLY will do a third break of their choice through three boards.
Sparring
All competitors are required to wear in-step and knuckle padding, headgear, and a mouthguard. Chestguards are optional. Men are required to wear a cup. Failure to wear all required gear may result in a disqualification at the discretion of the head judge.
Sparring will be judged by a Referee and Head Judge who will tally points in their heads and compare after each round. Points will be awarded for each instance of significant contact i.e., a strike that moves the target. Punches and kicks are scored equally as 1 point each. Contact is allowed to the front and sides of the chest guard only. Adult black belts may kick the sides and top of the helmet with control. There is no punching to the head in TKDC tournaments.
Sparring will be conducted in two 1-minute rounds for color belts and Junior black belts. Adult black belts will fight for 90 seconds per round. There will be a 30 second break in between rounds. The head judge and referee may give out warnings during the match. Acquiring 2 warnings in a round results in a minus point. Acquiring 3 warnings in a round, or 3 warnings of the same type in a match, results in a disqualification.
Warnings will be given for:
Competitors may be disqualified for:
All competitors are required to wear in-step and knuckle padding, headgear, and a mouthguard. Chestguards are optional. Men are required to wear a cup. Failure to wear all required gear may result in a disqualification at the discretion of the head judge.
Sparring will be judged by a Referee and Head Judge who will tally points in their heads and compare after each round. Points will be awarded for each instance of significant contact i.e., a strike that moves the target. Punches and kicks are scored equally as 1 point each. Contact is allowed to the front and sides of the chest guard only. Adult black belts may kick the sides and top of the helmet with control. There is no punching to the head in TKDC tournaments.
Sparring will be conducted in two 1-minute rounds for color belts and Junior black belts. Adult black belts will fight for 90 seconds per round. There will be a 30 second break in between rounds. The head judge and referee may give out warnings during the match. Acquiring 2 warnings in a round results in a minus point. Acquiring 3 warnings in a round, or 3 warnings of the same type in a match, results in a disqualification.
Warnings will be given for:
- Excessive contact
- Contact to the head (face for Adult Black Belts), back, or below the belt
- Leaving the ring to avoid contact
- Pushing
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
Competitors may be disqualified for:
- Acquiring 3 warnings in a single round
- Acquiring 3 warnings for the same reason
- Excessive or malicious contact to illegal areas
- Extreme unsportsmanlike conduct
- Causing blood to be drawn, depending on circumstance
- Punching to the face
