Competition Poomsae
Poomsae forms a key component of training and is an important aspect of grading exams, but it can also be performed competitively. Rules and competitions vary between styles and governing bodies, but poomsae competitions are usually available at club, national and international levels. The information on this page will give you an overview of the most common setups and scoring guidelines found in competitive poomsae, but please remember this may not be accurate for your particular style or association. If in doubt, please consult your instructor and the relevant governing body for your association.
Depending on the competition you might choose your own pattern to perform, use the one for your current grade or one of the judges choosing. As well as individual patterns, some competitions will include categories for creative patterns, poomsae with a weapon, or synchronised patterns where you will perform with a partner or small team.
Cut Off System
This format uses preliminary rounds, a semi-final and a final round to decide who has won. Preliminary rounds are only used in competitions with a high number of entries, and the top 50% from each round will progress to the next round. Advancement is based on the highest points scored.
You may be required to perform a different Poomsae in each round.
Elimination
The opponent is decided randomly or by seeding. Two competitors enter the ring with one blue and the other red. Each performs a pattern and judges will decide the winner by voting blue or red. The other competitor is eliminated immediately. The winners will then be randomly matched again until a final is reached.
Poomsae can be chosen by competitors or judges.
Round Robin
Each competitor competes against every other competitor. Two competitors will perform a pattern in each round, similar to elimination competitions. Rounds will continue until all competitors have competed with each other. The overall winner is decided based on the judge’s score.
This competition style is better used when there are fewer competitors due to the number of rounds required.
Scoring in Competition Poomsae
The scoring information given here is to provide basic guidance on how Poomsae is scored in WT-style competitions. Of course, scoring criteria will differ for team Poomsae and Freestyle Poomsae. Generally, Poomsae is scored out of 10, with 4 points being linked to accuracy and 6 points linked to presentation. Points are deducted based on the same criteria of accuracy and presentation.
It’s important to remember judges will expect different standards from different grades. For example, if a higher grade were to perform Taegeuk Il Jang there may be a heavier emphasis on tempo, power and expression than if a student performed Il Jang as their grade pattern.
Ultimately, competition Poomsae requires a combination of technical proficiency and performance skills to be successful. It is equally important to understand the deeper meaning behind each Poomsae and incorporate this into your movements. For example, Keumgang represents Mountain or ‘too strong to be broken’. The movements of this pattern may therefore be bolder and stronger than if you were performing Taegeuk Yuk Jang (Water).
