Sparring done at the school uses Olympic rules and the Olympic style equipment. Olympic sparring is almost full contact.  That is there must be a significant impact to score a point.  Scoring areas are generally above the chest protector including the face.  Rounds are 1-3 minutes in length and stopped only for penalties.  Pending World Tae Kwon Do Federation rules are expected to score jumping and turning kicks that strike the head higher than strikes that impact the chest protector.

For this reason, great care is taken in the beginning to keep the sparring safe by spending time with the students to learn rules, etiquette, control, strategy, footwork and other elements of good sparring.  With careful instruction it is not necessary to have injuries and still have the benefits of increased self-confidence and improved skill