2 NEW TOURNAMENT RULE UPDATES / 1 MAJOR REMINDER

EFFECTIVE: SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 AT THE2008 SONGAHM TAEKWONDO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2008 - 2009 Tournament year will be starting in just a couple ofmonths. We have some important updatesto tell you about that should be of major interest to your and your students. We also have a major reminder thatyou need to stay on top of and keep your students prepared for. First the two rule updates:

1. THE ATA-XTREME FORMS AND WEAPONS DIVISIONS ARE BEING ADJUSTED BY AGE(MORE DIVISIONS / SMALLER AGE GROUPS)

Previous DivisionsBoys 11 & UnderBoys 12 to 16

Girls 11 & UnderGirls 12 to 16

Men 17 to 35Men 36 & Over

Women 17 to 35Women 36 & Over

New DivisionsBoys 8 & UnderBoys 9 to 12Boys 13 to 16

Girls 8 & UnderGirls 9 to 12Girls 13 to 16

Men 17 to 29Men 30 to 45Men 46 & Over

Women 17 to 29Women 30 to 45Women 46 & Over

Important Notes:• Divisions at Nationals and Worlds will reflect these changes• These divisions will apply to color belts and black belts• Regional events may still need to combine divisions in some fashion to provide competition

opportunities• State and World Champion titles will be awarded based on these changes

2~ 6TH & 7TH DEGREES WILL NOW BE ABLE TO EARN WORLD CHAMPION TITLES

Important Notes:• The divisions will remain as they have been

Men & Women 6th Degrees 43 & Under Men & Women 7th Degrees 43 & UnderMen & Women 6th Degrees 44 & Over Men & Women i h Degrees 44 & Over

• Titles will be available in Traditional Form, Traditional Weapons, ATA-Xtreme Form, and ATA­Xtreme Weapons per division

• Men & Women will remain combined for everything but sparring• Men will have a sparring title available per age group• Women will have a sparring title available per age group• Points can only be accumulated at Worlds and Nationals (only the best National finish will count if a

competitor places at both)• Only the top four will be eligible to compete for the title at World Championships (this will be reviewed

each tournament year taking into consideration growth in the divisions)

MAJOR REMINDER

As I am sure you remember, a complete list of uniform, safety gear, and weaponsrequirements for ATAsanctioned tournaments was sent out in April 2007. Most of the requirements took effect starting at the 2007Songahm Taekwondo World Championships while just a couple ofpoints (the requirements on belts for blackbelts and the color of chest protectors) were given a longer grace period. ALL requirements go into effectstarting at the 2008 Songahm Taekwondo World Championships. Another copy ofthe original list is includedin this mail out.

I know you are aware that there hasn't been anything official written about the repercussions for a competitorthat has an incorrect uniform, incorrect safety gear, or incorrect weapons. We have always tried to allow thecompetitor to correct the situation whenever possible at an event in order to afford the best possible experiencefor their time, effort, and money. The proper preparation of all competitors and the following of rules aredirectly in the hands of their Instructor. We need all of you to become fully informed of this information so thatyour students (your customers), are not caught off guard at an event and asked to switch safety gear, or use adifferent weapon, etc. The requirements have been put into place by Grand Master and the Masters Council.There shouldn't have to be penalties put into place to address this. We need your full cooperation on this so thatyour students, your student's parents, the other competitors, the judges, the regional tournament staff, thenational tournament staff, and you are not put into an awkward and possible embarrassing situation.

If you have any questions on any ofthis information please contact me at the ATA International Headquarters.I will be happy to help you in any way I can. I look forward to an exciting 2008 - 2009 tournament season.

.MasZay Kohlnternational Chairman of Tournaments

American Taekwondo Association

FOR SCHOOL/CLUB OWNERS & CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS

All SchooVClub Owners and Certified Instructors ARE REQUIRED to wear either the Certified InstructorDress Suit ("Dress Blues") or the Traditional Dobok (see below) at all ATA sanctioned tournaments andtestings. Attending the event in "street clothes" or "workout wear" is NOT PERMITTED.

TRADITIONAL DOBOK

This uniform IS REQUIRED to be worn by all students and conducting personnel at ATA hosted testings.ATA hosted testings include all testings not held by an individual school owner. It IS REQUIRED to be wornby all competitors during traditional forms and sparring competition and by all judges fulfilling any traditionalforms or sparring tournament judging assignments at ATA sanctioned tournaments. It MAY also be worn bycompetitors involved in ATA-Xtreme Forms, ATA-Xtreme Weapons, or in Team Synchronized Formcompetition (as long as all members ofthe team are wearing the same uniform).

It MUST have the following:

The entire uniform itself MUST be whiteA cross-over style topOfficial ATA patchLettering on the back of uniform top per ATA standards and guidelines printed or sewn

All State & World Champion uniforms must be done by World Martial Arts to insure validityIf 4th Degree or higher, a 1" black stripe on each pant legRank appropriate belt

For color belts, ONLY the following colors are permittedWhite, orange, yellow,camo, green, purple, blue, brown, red, red/black, black"Knowledge Stripes" MUST be black and are limited to a maximum of 3 stripesColor belts MAY include either a black or gold stripe the length of the belt1R Black Belts MAY wear full black belts that do not have embroideryNO other belt colors, combinations, or stripe colors are allowed

For black beltsAny and all embroidery MUST be goldIf a rank indicator is used, it MUST be the bar or star patch from World Martial ArtsStudents name and rank MUST both be on the same belt end (left end when worn)Black Belts MUST NOT have "Knowledge Stripes"

It MAY include the following:

School patchATA Masters should NOT wear a school patch at events

Karate Kid or Tiny Tiger Victory patchSchool patch IS permitted on top of Victory patch if it is round and the same size

Official ATA Program patchesBlack Belt Club, Master Club, and Leadership Club

Other patches allowedS.W.A.T., D.E.L.T.A., A-Team, President's Council on Physical FitnessDemo Team, Competition TeamPlease use discretion in the amount of patches allowed on a uniform

Leadership collar stripes (ONLY when registered with ATA International Headquarters)RedlWhite/Blue, Red, Red/Black, Black/Red/Black for all belt ranks

Black (1" or 1 12") for black belts ONLY(ONLY upon receipt of official letter from ATA International Headquarters)

Blue stars (round patches) used to measure accomplishments set within school or clubCan be used with or without collar stripe

Black trim around bottom of uniform top for black belts not in a Leadership ProgramThis NOT required

State or World Champion patches if applicable (only to be applied by World Martial Arts)Undershirts ARE permitted for any member (male or female) but MUST be plain white

This is NOT a requirement for females, although a plain white garment is encouraged

It CANNOT have the following:

A pull-over V-neck topManufacturer tags (all tags must be removed from uniform top, uniform bottom, and belt)Stripes, patches, pockets, or anything else not listed above

XTREME UNIFORM

This uniform MAY be worn by ALL competitors during ATA-Xtreme forms and ATA-Xtreme weaponscompetition at ATA sanctioned tournaments. Black belts MAY wear this uniform during traditional weaponscompetition at world and national events ONLY (these divisions are held at separate times from the othertraditional divisions so changing back and forth between uniforms is not an issue at these events). It MAY beworn by any judges fulfilling any ATA-Xtreme forms or ATA-Xtreme weapons tournament judgingassignments at ATA sanctioned tournaments. It MAY also be worn by competitors involved in a TeamSynchronized Form competition as long as all members of the team are wearing the same uniform.

It MUST be one of the following and include:

"ATA-Xtreme" Uniform (top and pants) available through World Martial Arts"XRl" Uniform (top and pants) available through World Martial Arts or Century"XR2" Uniform (top and pants) available through World Martial Arts or CenturyThe ATA logo patch MUST be displayed on the back ofthe uniform top

NO other logos or symbols can be added or changedColor belts MUST wear their traditional rank belt

No other style is permitted regardless of if they are produced by Century or the "XMA" program unless writtennotification from the Grand Master, the Master's Council, and the ATA Tournament Department is distributed.

It MAY include the following:

Black Belts MAY wear either their traditional rank belt or the belt that comes with the uniformTang Bagee ("hakama") pants MAY ONLY be worn when competing with the Gum DoUndershirts MAY be worn by any competitor

MUST be either black or white and MAY have long, short, or no sleeves if wornState and World Champion Xtreme uniforms are available ONLY through World Martial Arts

ONLY Xtreme division title patches can be worn on this uniform

It CANNOT have the following:

The official ATA patch (ATA logo is on the back)ANY other patches including school patches, program patches, team patches, etc.

MISe.

JEWELRY:

NO jewelry is allowed during testing or competition while in traditional or Xtreme uniformsThe only exception is wedding rings (those with elevated stones should be turned inward)

SHOES:

Shoes worn while in traditional or Xtreme uniforms MUST be predominately white sport shoesOther colors, sandals, "flip-flops", "crocs", etc. are NOT allowed

SAFETYGEAR

Gear that IS required:Vinyl or leather covered foam hand pads (all finger joints must be covered when holding a fist)Vinyl or leather covered foam foot pads (back of heel & all toes must be covered)Vinyl or leather covered martial arts style foam head gear (full coverage)Martial arts style chest protector (must cover all ribs and sternum)Attached face shield which MUST be one of these three models:

Universal Face Shield, Dyna Rival Face Shield, or ProForce Lightning Clear Face ShieldMouthpiece (even while wearing the mandatory face shield)Groin protector for males (NO age exceptions / MUST be worn under uniform pants)All gear MUST be in good repair

Tom, taped, or worn out gear will NOT be allowedColor of gear

Color belts MUST wear red hands, boots, and head gear unless they are in:Black Belt Club, Master Club, or Leadership Program

Black gear MAY then be worn (appropriate program patch is required)Black gear MUST have the ATA logo on it

Chest protectors MUST be either black or grey and worn over the uniform topBlack belts MUST wear black hands, boots, and head gear

Black gear MUST have the ATA logo on itChest protectors MUST be either black or grey and worn over the uniform top

WEAPONS

TRADITIONAL COMPETITIONIf competing in weapons, color belts MUST compete with one of the following:

Single or Double Bahng Mahng EeIf competitor is under 60" tall, they MAY use either 21" or 25" weaponIf competitor is 60" or over, they MUST use 25" weapon

Single or Double Ssahng Jeol BongIf competitor is under 60" tall, they MAY use either 9" or 12" weapon

If competitor is 60" or over, they MUST use 12" weaponJahng Bong

Length of weapon MUST be at least shoulder heightSsahngNatGum DoOh Sung DoAll weapons used in competition MUST be the "Protech" version or "Protech" approved

Jahng Bong is the one exception - any style is allowed, but MUST be in good conditionNO other weapons are permittedCompetition weapons MUST not be decorated or altered in any fashion

"Knowledge" stripes may be used on "In Class" weapons ONLY

If competing in weapons, black belts MUST compete with weapon(s) assigned to their rank or lowerThe following weapons are permitted:

Single Bahng Mahng Ee for 1st Degrees or aboveIf competitor is under 60" tall, they MAY use either 21" or 25" weaponIf competitor is 60" or over, they MUST use 25" weapon

Double Bahng Mahng Ee for 2nd Degrees or above (same size as for Single)Single Ssahng leol Bong for 1st Degrees or above

If competitor is under 60" tall, they MAY use either 9" or 12" weaponIf competitor is 60" or over, they MUST use 12" weapon

Double Ssahng Jeol Bong for 2nd Degrees or above (same size as forSingle)Ssahng Nat for 2nd Degrees or aboveJahng Bong for 3rd Degrees or above

If doing Mid-Range, weapon MUST be at least shoulder height or longerIf doing Long Range, weapon MUST be at least 4" taller than competitor

Sam Dan Bong for 4th Degrees or aboveJee Pahng Ee for 4th Degrees or above

Any wooden model is permitted (rubber cap on end must be removed)Gum Do

CANNOT be used for traditional weapons competition until 2008-2009CAN be used for ATA-Xtreme competition by any rank

Oh Sung DoCANNOT be used for traditional weapons competition until 2008-2009CAN be used for ATA-Xtreme competition by any rank

Allweapons used in competition MUST be the "Protech" version or "Protech" approvedJahng Bong and Jee Pahng Ee are the exceptions (see above)

Competition weapons MUST not be decorated or altered in any fashion"Knowledge" stripes MUST not be used on competition weapons"Knowledge" stripes may be used on "In Class" weapons ONLY

ATA-XTREME COMPETITIONColor Belts

The same weapons rules apply as in Traditional Weapons CompetitionThe same selection of weapons applies -NO others are addedThe same style of weapons applies - NO exceptions, modifications or additions

Competition weapons MAY be decorated, but MUST NOT be altered in shape or size

Black BeltsBlack belts MUST use a weapon from within the entire "Protech" curriculum (see above)

NO other weapons are addedBlack belts MUST choose from the following styles of weapons:

"XMA" branded weapons"XMA" Xtreme Competition sword has logo on scabbard

And "X" shaped handguard"ATA-Xtreme" branded weapons

Any that become available will be allowed"Protech" version or "Protech" approved

Competition weapons MAY be decorated, but MUST NOT be altered in shape or size

TEAM COMPETITIONThe same rules that govern the Black Belts ATA-Xtreme Competition apply

Please see above .

FINAL SPECIAL NOTE:

When it pertains to any of the uniform, safety gear, or weapons rules and requirements, any changes,modifications, alterations, or additions will come in official form from the Tournament Department of the ATAInternational Headquarters when they are made and approved by the Grand Master and the Masters Council.Until that official notification is made public, NO changes are allowed.