Sparring

Referee Positioning and Initial Bow

• Positioning of Referees: In a standard Hapkido match, the two competitors are invited to the contest area by the center referee. Either 2 or 4 corner judges are stationed at the corners.

• The Initial Bow (Collective Bow): After taking their position, and before the matches begin, the center referee invites the corner judges to stand. The referee then directs them to bow to each other, to the jury, and to the spectators. This bowing is performed only once as a collective gesture, rather than as separate bows.

• End of the Match: The exact same collective bowing procedure is repeated at the end of the matches before leaving the area. When leaving the contest area, the referees must take all the equipment they brought with them.

Pre-Match Controls and the "Hap-Ki" Bow

• Area Inspection: Before the matches commence, the center referee takes their place and inspects the surroundings, checking whether the contest area is ready and ensuring the mat doctor and nurse are in their designated positions.

• Bowing Posture: Following the checks, the center referee invites the jury and the judges to bow. During this invitation, the referee's hands are extended halfway forward with palms facing upward, and elbows are kept close to the body.

• The "HAP - KI" Command: Once the jury and judges are seen standing, the bow is executed with the command "HAP - KI":

  • Upon the "Hap" command, the hands rise into a crossed bowing position.

  • Upon the "Ki" command, the left hand descends to waist level in front of the body as a closed fist (with the palm facing the body), while the right hand grips the left wrist.

Inviting Competitors to the Contest Area

• Corner Colors: The center referee invites the competitors to the center by pointing to their respective corners with a closed fist and an extended index finger. Accordingly, CHONG represents the blue corner, and HONG represents the red corner.

• Referee Tracking: During this invitation, the center referee's hands transition from the pointing gesture to an open-hand position with palms facing upward. The referee maintains this hand tracking until the competitors reach their starting positions.

• Wristband Standard: The center referee wears a blue wristband on the right wrist and a red wristband on the left wrist.