Yongmudo competitions are fun, exciting events that allow participants to apply a variety of skills against like-minded opponents. According to Professor Byungik Lee, Director of the Yong In University Martial Arts Research Institute, competition “presents a great opportunity to further improve and elevate the level of techniques.”
Competitors need to be well-rounded martial artists with at least a minimal amount of proficiency in four different competition styles. Beginner competitors compete in one round of groundwork; Intermediate Competitors do two rounds — one round of kicking & punching followed by one round of groundwork. Advanced Competitors compete in all four rounds listed below.
Important note: Any attack that leads to a head strike is illegal in all rounds.
Round 1: Kicking & Punching
The first round consists of kicking and punching. Grabs, throws, and takedowns are pohibitied. The target areas are similar to those used in taekwondo, but, in the interest of saftey, yongmudo does not allow head contact during this round. This round is not referred to as a “taekwondo round” because the rules for first-round competition in yongmudo, while similar to taekwondo rules, are not identical.
Round 2: Standing throws
The second round consists of standing throws. All strikes are prohibited. Legal throws are similar to those employed in judo. However, this round is not referred to as a “judo round” because the yongmudo rules for second-round competition in yongmudo, while similar to judo rules, are not identical.
Round 3: Groundwork
The third round consists entirely of ground wrestling techniques. Strikes are also prohibitied in this round. Competitors must stay on the ground by complying with at least one of the following:
- Keep at least one knee on the ground.
- Keep some portion of the body trunk on the ground.
- Hold the opponent on the ground with body weight and/or position.
- Competitors may leave the ground momentarily while in transition from one technique to another.
Points may be awarded for throwing (e.g., twisting down) an opponent, controlling an opponent for a certain length of time, or reversing out of a hold. Advanced competitors may also earn points through careful application of chokes and elbow bars. Unlesss it has been clearly established that the latter techniques will be permitted, they are considered illegal and will subject the player who applies them to penalties.
Round 4: Controlled free sparring
The fourth round consists of "controlled" free-sparring. In this round most standard martial arts techniques are considered legal. The exception is that any technique that causes an injury to a reasonably prepared opponent will result in a penalty or disqualification. This round is to be run with a maximum emphasis on safety and technique. Only techniques that a judge feels were "strong, well executed, and controlled" may be considered for awarding points.
In this round, competitors may kick or punch each other in a similar fashion as was described for the first round. However, a competitor may grab his or her opponent and execute a throw. Note that once a competitor grabs an oppornent, that competitor may not execute any strikes. The grabbed oppnenet may, as long as he or she does not grab in response, execute legal strikes. The competitor who is grabbing can only maintain his or her grip for a maximum of five seconds before releasing the opponent.
Classifications of “beginner,” “intermediate,” and “advanced” are left to the competitors and their instructors. this is becuase players skilled in one style may lack minimal proficiency in others. For example, a 2nd dan in taekwondo who is not comfortable with falling should not compete in the advanced competition as the standing throws round could be dangerous. a 1st dan in judo with limited kicking ability could consider competing at the beginner level, or possibly the intermediate level if he or she has basic understanding of kick and punch defense.
While the framework of this competition has been set up to emphasize well-rounded martial artists, the rules have been written to emphasize the competitors’ safety.
All competitors. Mouth guards.
