Master Harris;

I bring a situation to you, not only for your insight, but for the discussion of the group.

Hong is backing Chung into a corner, unleashes a flurry, Chung is back-pedaling, end result is Chung flies out of the ring, falling over, and it is obvious that the "final straw" technique was a punch to the hogu by Hong, as Hong is standing there, solid front-stance, arm and fist still extended as Chung flies out of the ring.

To score, or not to score?  AND, should an 8-count be assessed to Chung (with the resultant possibility of the bonus point)?

Yes, based on actual match.  Thank you for your input, Master Harris, and assorted sirs and ma'ams.

--Larry Voorhees

Des Moines, Iowa

In that case, I will offer what I can to this scenario...

If Chung was knocked out of bounds by a legal technique (the hand strike with the closed fist) to a legal scoring area of the body (the chest) then the technique should count as a valid point.  I would only hesitate to score based on the fact that Chung was already headed in that direction and the impact of the punch may or may not have led to exiting the ring, it may have only been headed in the same direction as the player was moving in the first place.

Now, whether or not to issue a standing 8 count?  If the technique scored and it was the sole reason for the player being knocked down, then it should be issued.  However, it is possible the slippery flooring outside the competition area caused the fall.  In that case, it could count as a valid score but not necessarily warrant a standing 8 count.

One idea I would like to bring up is if the point did not score, would it have been acceptable for the center referee to issue a Jouiee or Kyong-Go to Chung for going out of bounds?

Doctor, after nearly two weeks of silence on this topic I doubt any other members have something else to add. Would you please enlighten our discussion with a prescription for this punch/push and should it have scored/been penalized along with any other details for handling the situation? And if anyone else does have something to add, please add your opinion to our discussion too; this really is the best way to learn from referees across the country without having to worry about starting the next match immediately, equipment-checking the latest division, the ominous crowds, or the passionate parents. Can you tell I'm preparing for Atlanta?