Competition
Poomsae Competition: Divisions, Required Forms and Scoring
Poomsae is judged, not fought. This guide covers the divisions, the forms each age group must perform, how the 10.0 points are split and how ties are broken, using the World Taekwondo rules in force since September 30, 2024.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 29, 2026World Taekwondo poomsae competition has two formats. Recognized poomsae uses the official forms, and freestyle poomsae uses music and choreography with kicks. A recognized performance is scored out of 10.0, with 4.0 for accuracy and 6.0 for presentation, and it must finish within 90 seconds. Athletes compete in age divisions from Cadet (12 to 14) up to over 65, and each division has a set list of forms. An athlete may enter a maximum of two categories.
| Rules in force | September 30, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Recognized time limit | Up to 90 seconds |
| Freestyle time | 90 to 100 seconds |
| Recognized score | 10.0 (4.0 accuracy, 6.0 presentation) |
| Judging panel | 7 judges (1 referee and 6) or 5 (1 referee and 4) |
| Categories per athlete | Maximum of 2 |
Events: recognized and freestyle
| Format | Events | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recognized poomsae | Individual men, individual women, team men, team women, pair | Official forms only |
| Freestyle poomsae | Individual, pair, mixed team | Mixed team is 5 athletes with at least 2 men and 2 women, plus 1 substitute |
| Mixed poomsae | Mixed events | For athletes aged 18 and over |
An athlete can enter a maximum of two categories. To learn the forms themselves, start with the Taegeuk forms and then the black belt forms.
Age divisions
| Division | Ages | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Cadet | 12 to 14 | Recognized |
| Junior | 15 to 17 | Recognized |
| Under 30 | 18 to 30 | Recognized |
| Under 40 | 31 to 40 | Recognized |
| Under 50 | 41 to 50 | Recognized |
| Under 60 | 51 to 60 | Recognized |
| Under 65 | 61 to 65 | Recognized |
| Over 65 | 66 and over | Recognized |
| Freestyle under 17 | 12 to 17 | Freestyle |
| Freestyle over 17 | Over 17 | Freestyle |
Age is counted by year, not by exact birthday.
Required forms by division
Each round, an athlete performs two poomsae from the division’s list. The rules set these lists for the divisions below.
| Division | Forms |
|---|---|
| Cadet | Taegeuk 4 to 8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taeback |
| Junior | Taegeuk 5 to 8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taeback, Pyongwon |
| Under 30 | Taegeuk 7 and 8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taeback, Pyongwon, Shipjin, Jitae |
| Under 50 | Taegeuk 8, Koryo, Keumgang, Taeback, Pyongwon, Shipjin, Jitae, Chonkwon |
| Under 60 | Koryo, Keumgang, Taeback, Pyongwon, Shipjin, Jitae, Chonkwon, Hansu |
The lists get older and harder: Cadets can perform Taegeuk forms, while the Under 60 division starts at Koryo and goes up to Hansu.
How a competition runs
| Entries in a division | Format |
|---|---|
| 8 or fewer | Straight to the final. The 3rd and 4th place athletes each get bronze |
| 9 to 19 | Start at the semifinal. The top 8 go to the final |
| 20 to 39 | Preliminary round in 2 groups. The top 50% advance |
| 40 or more | Preliminary round in 3 groups |
Scoring a recognized performance
| Part | Points | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.0 | Deductions of 0.1, 0.3 or 0.6. A restart costs the largest deduction |
| Presentation | 6.0 | Three parts worth 2.0 each |
| Total | 10.0 |
With 5 judges, the scores might read 8.0, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.8. The highest and lowest are dropped, and the other three average to 8.30. A 7-judge panel works the same way, with the high and low dropped before the average.
Scoring a freestyle performance
| Part | Points | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Technical skills | 6.0 | 5.0 for kicks, 1.0 for basic movements |
| Presentation | 4.0 | Creativity, harmony, energy, music and choreography |
| Total | 10.0 |
Freestyle routines run 90 to 100 seconds. Going over or under the time costs 0.3. Stepping outside the boundary costs 0.3.
Time, ties and penalties
- Recognized performances last up to 90 seconds.
- Ties are broken by the presentation score in recognized events, and by the technical score in freestyle events. Next comes the total score including the dropped marks. If still tied, the athletes perform again.
- Two Kyeong-go (warning) penalties disqualify the athlete.
- Athletes wear the World Taekwondo approved poomsae uniform.
- Judges hold an International Poomsae Referee Certificate, and the referee on the panel is Class 1.
Preparing for a first competition
Pick the two forms you can perform with the cleanest stances, because 4.0 of the 10.0 points are for accuracy and every restart costs the largest deduction. Run each form against the clock, since 90 seconds is the ceiling. Use the poomsae finder to match your belt to forms, and check your event’s outline for its own entry rules and division list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time limit for a poomsae performance?
A recognized poomsae must finish within 90 seconds. A freestyle routine must run 90 to 100 seconds, and being over or under costs 0.3.
How is poomsae scored?
A recognized performance is scored out of 10.0: up to 4.0 for accuracy and 6.0 for presentation. A freestyle routine is split into 6.0 for technical skills and 4.0 for presentation.
How many judges score poomsae?
A panel has either 7 judges (1 referee and 6) or 5 judges (1 referee and 4). The highest and lowest scores are dropped and the rest are averaged.
What age groups are there in poomsae competition?
Recognized divisions are Cadet (12 to 14), Junior (15 to 17), Under 30 (18 to 30), Under 40 (31 to 40), Under 50 (41 to 50), Under 60 (51 to 60), Under 65 (61 to 65) and Over 65 (66 and over). Freestyle uses Under 17 and Over 17.
Which forms do Cadets perform?
Cadets perform Taegeuk 4 to 8, Koryo, Keumgang and Taeback. Two poomsae are performed each round.
What is the difference between recognized and freestyle poomsae?
Recognized poomsae uses the official forms and is judged on accuracy and presentation. Freestyle uses music and original choreography with kicks and basic movements, and it has its own score split.
How are ties settled in poomsae?
Recognized ties go to the higher presentation score, and freestyle ties go to the higher technical score. Then the total including dropped scores is compared, and if the tie remains the athletes perform again.
How many events can I enter?
An athlete may enter a maximum of two categories.