McLaughlin's Taekwondo of Texas COMPETITION

Competitor Checklist
Competition Day Health Tips
Tournament Etiquette

If you're getting ready to compete in your very first tournament, then this checklist is just for you, which is as follows:

United States Taekwondo Union Membership Card (or confirmation)

Competitor Registration Paperwork (copy - if applicable)

White Collar (Black if applicable) V-Neck Dobok (clean and pressed)

Dhee

Head Gear (white)

Mouth Guards

Hogu (hard)

Forearm Guards

Bladder Guard (female)

Groin Guard (male)

Detachable Shin and Instep Guards

While you may be able to purchase new/replacement equipment at most tournaments, the cost will be expensive, and there is no certainty that they will have your size in stock.

Additional, optional supplies, for competitors and spectators:

Extra Contact Lenses (if applicable)
Fingernail/Toenail Clippers (make sure your nails are clipped prior to Competition)
Moist Towelettes (Wet Ones)
Towel
First Aid Kit:
1. Pre-Wrap and Athletic Tape
2. Breakable Ice Packs/Spray Ice
3. Band Aids
4. Antiseptic Cream (Neosporin, etc.)
5. Prescription Medicine (if required)
Ice Chest (some institutions forbid indoor entry)
Cash, for items such as:
1. Spectator Entrance Fees
2. Water
3. Gatorade
4. Fruit
5. Snacks
6. Food
7. Memorabilia

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WATER INTAKE: Maintaining an adequate level of water in the body can be easy if the athlete understands how the body loses water and why water needs to be replaced. Sweat is the body's main method of cooling itself. As the body sweats, water is lost; water which must be replaced if the athlete intends to train and compete at an optimum level. With as little as 2 to 3% of the body's weight loss as sweat (for a 150 pound athlete that would be 3-5 lbs), performance can drop 22%, concentration, coordination, strength, and stamina will also decrease. More importantly, if lost water is not replaced, the body begins to conserve water by slowing down the sweating; thus the cooling process slows down as well. The body can not adapt to dehydration-limiting water will not make the body tougher. YOU MUST REPLACE LOST WATER!

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Tournaments are a place for a participant to learn and enjoy the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, team work, and individual effort to see how their skill and technique stack up against others in their category. There is a code of etiquette to follow at all tournaments, for participants, tournament officials such as Referee, corner scoring Judges, Timer, Recorder, Coaches, and even spectators.

The following is a general code of etiquette to make any tournament an enjoyable event for everyone.

McLaughlin's Taekwondo of Texas will notify students about upcoming tournaments in which students will be able to participate in. Any other tournament that a student may here about is not to be attended for competition without permission from their Chief Instructor.

Preview the "Competitor Checklist" and the additional/optional supplies for competitors and spectators, to assure the appropriate items are readily available to take with you.

Allow sufficient time for competitor "check in" (weigh in, pick up paperwork, badge, etc.), which varies at each tournament. Don't expect anyone to hold the tournament up for you.

Students planning to attend and participate in a tournament should plan to attend the whole event and help support all other team members of the MTT Dojang.

Always show proper respect and manners to all tournament officials, opponents, Coaches, etc.

Yelling and cheering from the sidelines to fellow competitors is allowed as long as you are being constructive. Derogatory remarks or profanity will not be tolerated.

Do not cut through competition areas to get to your destination. You could be completely unaware of interrupting a competition.

Parents or guest(s) are welcome to film events at a tournament; however, the tournament floor is for the tournament officials, current competitors, Coaches/Instructors, security personnel, and host ONLY. Parents or guest(s) must respectfully remain off the tournament floor. Filming tips include:

Seek the steadiness of a tripod on higher ground to secure camera.
Set camera window to view the entire competition area.
Avoid zooming in and out during competition.

If you have a question about the outcome of any competition, contact your Coach. Your Coach shall be the one to answer your question, or question a decision.

Adult students participating in a tournament should help out in any way possible by keeping score, time, gear, before and after their events, and report their score to the designated MTT score keeper for record.

POOMSE

Before Poomse:

When called upon, appropriately answer loudly ("Sir" or "Ma'am"), bow upon entering competition area, run to the starting position, bow to the Referee and Judges, and stand at attention.
To adjust your Dobok and Dhee, participants should bow to the Referee and Judges, turn 180 degrees to their right, adjust their Dobok and Dhee, turn to the right 180 degrees, and bow to the Referee and Judges. Avoid adjustments facing the Referee and Judges.
If appropriate, state your name and Dojang at a reasonable volume, and wait for permission to start Poomse.

During Poomse:

Remember to kihap (yell) at appropriate times. If you forget the next move or made a mistake, you may ask for permission from the Referee to start over.

After Poomse:

When you have finished, stay in finishing position until given instructions to return to starting position by the Referee, and stand at attention.
Upon dismissal, respectfully bow to the Referee and Judges, then bow off the competition area and return to sitting position around the competition area until all other competitors have performed.
You will be provided further instructions to either receive an award at the competition area, or pick up your award at another designated area.
Exit the tournament floor area after receiving your award to await further instructions regarding the gyoroogi competition.

GYOROOGI

Before Gyoroogi:

Prepare hogu and all other sparring equipment to avoid waiting or penalty.
When called upon, appropriately answer loudly ("Sir" or "Ma'am"), bow upon entering competition area and run to the starting position designated by the Referee. Bow to your opponent with eyes fixed on the lower part of the opponent's body, then shake hands with your opponent.
1. To shake hands in proper Taekwondo manner, the handshake is made with right hand, with left elbow in 90 degrees with hand under right elbow, palm down. Bowing is necessary but do not exaggerate motion.
Wait for equipment inspection and general commands from the referee.

During Gyoroogi:

Do not cheer yourself or intentionally attack unprotected/penalty areas of your opponent.
Obey the Referee at all times.
If your opponent is hurt, respectfully sit on the competition area floor in front of your Coach, facing your Coach, and remain silent until instructed to return to the match.

After Gyoroogi:

Stand at your starting position at attention. After the decision of the match, respectfully bow and shake hands with:
1. your opponent
2. your opponent's Coach
3. Referee
4. corner scoring Judges
5. your Coach
Always bow upon exiting the competition area and return to sitting position around the competition area until all other competitors have performed.
You will be provided further instructions to either receive an award at the competition area, or pick up your award at another designated area.
Exit the tournament floor area immediately after receiving your award.

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