The following was posted on a popular martial arts forum. I posted it under an old username but forgot the password AND can no longer access the email address I used to register that username (because the domain name for that email expired!) DUH...
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The following is a "copy" of a PM conversation I had with a forum member who contacted me for some advice. We've agreed that it should also be made available to everyone else on the Taekwondo forum. It can also be found on my blog listed in my profile.
Feel free to add anything that would be helpful to first-timers, even if you feel that it would or should be obvious to everyone.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following are generally how things are done at WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) Olympic-style tournaments according to their regulations. But keep an eye out for any changes because sometimes organizers do vary the way they do things.
Also, keep in mind that any tips I give are general in nature. Always listen to your instructor/coach because he is closer to the action and knows the specifics of the tournament and your skill level better than I ever could. Don't ever contradict him/her by saying "Well, this Old Guy on this forum says..." No coach is going to like that.
Always check the rules of each tournament, even if you think you know them by heart. For the current WTF rules, go to http://www.wtf.org/site/rules/competition.htm
One other thing: the Korean terms as used in this article are spelled according to how they sound, and not necessarily according to how they're officially spelled in English.
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does your coach need to be present at the tournament or does this vary from tournaments?
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You'd need someone to be "in your corner" as the coach. The center referee will not start the match if the coach is not there.
He or she doesn't necessarily have to be the one who actually trained you. It can be anyone (assistant coach, fellow competitor, etc). However, I recommend someone who is experienced. Coaches that will be coaching at the tournament usually have to be registered for the tournament as well. Well-organized organizers would also be checking coaches' credentials (membership, rank, etc)
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How do I enter the ring? Is there a procedure or what?
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There will be bout charts that delineate:
1. Who's competing
2. Wearing what color
3. In what weight category
4. In which bouts (with bout numbers)
Note: If a bout chart does not explicitly state the colors for each competitor, you can determine this easily. When two contestants' names are paired, the name on top is blue.
Your coach should be on top of this, and will let you know when you're fighting. In addition, the organizers usually announces upcoming bouts. So keep your ears open. They will also have desk-top indicators (either manual "flip cards" or electronic indicators) at Head-Of-Court's (the guy that sits at the desk at the front of a ring) table. Keep a look out for that too.
Many organizers require competitors to be ready and at the "holding area" two or three bouts before his or her match. "Being ready" here means you're all geared up with all the necessary protective gear AND have been inspected by the refs stationed at the inspection table. Make sure you're inspected or you could get disqualified should the inspection refs go to the ring during your bout and say that you've not been inspected.
When you see that the last bout before yours has concluded (or is concluding, which you can tell when you see the center referee conduct the final bowing of the competitors and indicate the winner), just go to the ring and wait at the "coach's chair".
The center referee will check with you for your name against the bout paper. Make sure that he's got your name right. If it's someone else's name, tell the referee immediately. You don't want to be fighting in the wrong bout.
If you're in the blue vest, you'll be on the center referee's right (and the Head-Of-Court's left). If you're red, you'll be on the center ref's left.
Once the ref has made sure everything is in order, he will commence the bout by pointing to the right saying "choong" (blue) then point to a line near his right. Choong then goes into the ring and stands at the line.
Next he points to his left and says "hoong" (red) then points to the line near his left. Hoong then goes in and stands at the line.
Next he holds both hands up, palms facing the front. Turn and face front. When the ref says "Charyeot", stand at attention. When he says "Kyungne", bow (the ref's hands are now parallel to the floor with palms down)
Then he will turn his palms to face inward. You'll turn and face the opponent and bow, according to the same commands.
Then he yells "Joonbee!" and "slices" down the middle of the space between you and your opponent with a right knife-hand. You'll pull back into a guarding stance behind the line. When the ref yells "Seejark", the sparring starts.
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What should I watch out for during my first time?
Do you have any advice that you think might help me in the ring?
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I can't really say anything until I've had some knowledge about your level of skill. But I can say this: always be alert and on your guard in the ring, especially after the ref has yelled "kalyeo" (halt) because the opponent might not stop in time (accidentally or deliberately) Never assume he will stop when the ref commands so. Also, always remember that if the ref has not explicitly called for halt, then the game/sparring is still on. Stay alert for opportunities to score.
For example, you've chased the opponent to the sidelines (or he has chased you to the sidelines), he may stop on his own. Here's your chance to slip in a "bonus" score with a nice roundhouse/turning kick. Go for it. In a situation such as this, you must not stop on your own accord.
Unless he's fallen down. Never kick a fallen opponent. That's a "Gamjeon-hana" (1-point) deduction. (A half-point deduction [called a "warning"] is "Kyungo-hana")
Three Gamjeon's or six Kyungo's in a bout results in automatic disqualification.
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When fighting, does any of your gear make you uncomfortable?
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Not when you're used to it. You should start to "acclimatize" yourself to it by training and/or sparring with it in class.
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Do you feel it's better to a defensive competitor, or do you prefer to be the agrressive one?
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The current regulations favor an attacking game (Or, more accurately, the contestant who shows more iniative to engage). However, it depends on how the opponent plays the game.
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What are the terms the referee uses? And what do they mean?
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Here are the important ones:
Choong = blue
Hoong = red
Charyeot = attention
Kyungne = bow
Kalyeo = Halt (used to stop action in the ring)
Guman = Stop (used to stop action at the end of a match)
Gamjeon-hana = 1-point deduction
Kyongo-hana = 1/2 point warning (two Kyongo's make one Gamjeon)
"May the Force be with you" = What Jedis say to each other. Refs don't use that, though 
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Are the rings big enough for you to move around a lot?
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Regulation size is 10 meters x 10 meters. Room enough to move. Depending on the venue, the organizers may shrink it to 8m x 8m. Still room enough to move. No problem.
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If a kick dealt to the opponent has him gasping for air, do they enforce the excessive force rule (if there is one)?
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If it's a legal score (body or head kicks) you will not be penalized. If the opponent gasps for air or shows any indication of being hurt, the ref will do a standing 8-count. By the count of 8, he should be standing in guard, both hands up. If he doesn't then the referee will continue the count to 10 and he will be out by TKO. If he IS up by 8 and can continue, you should get an extra score for the kick (Depending on whether the organizers implement this rule or not, but it is the current WTF rule)
BTW, remember the 8-count rule. You must be up-and-ready in guard position by the count of eight.
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I probably forgot some other important things to ask, so if you spot them, please inform me!
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You forgot to ask if it's fun. Yes it is!
Good luck and have fun!
