i think it sucks that one cant strike to the head with one's fist. its kinda ironic the one can it harder with a kick, yet kicks to the head are allowed.
WTF–world tae know do federation
Let me try to give you a different point of view:
Olympic Style (WTF) TKD sparring is limited on purpose. In theory, it takes a lot more skill to kick someone in the head than it does to punch someone in the head.
In competition, kicks to the head, as well as spinning kicks and other more difficult kicks are scored higher than kicks to the body. Punches to the body are not scored at all unless "there is a significant visible physical change in the opponents forward momentum or condition."
Strikes with the shin instead of the foot are often not scored either, as they only count the most precise blows.
It isnt meant to simulate a street fight. It is meant to show who has the more technical skill level. Who is faster, who has better timing and reaction?
It isnt supposed to be kickboxing.
Even TKD Masters will tell you that the Olympic style sparring is not the most realistic. That's why most TKD schools also incorporate self defense and punching defense techniques in their curriculum.
Even though I can't punch the face or kick someone's leg in a competition, doesnt mean that we don't train for and practice those things outside of sparring class.
All that being said, if you place an "average joe" fighter, against an Olympic level elite competitive TKD fighter, I don't think the punching to the face is going to be a problem for the TKD guy.
What I'm tired of seeing is these mid level MMA fighters who have great grappling, low level boxing, even lower level technical stand up striking. It's like the only kick they know how to throw is a round kick to the thigh. Not a lot skill required to do that is there? Those fighters are so well rounded that they are good at alot of things, but not great at anything. They don't take the time to learn to be a technical kicker.
Exceptions are guys like Georges St. Pierre, Anderson Silva and Cung Le, who are, not coincidentally, current champions in their respective leagues/divisions.
So it's fair to say that it isnt a fair simulation of a street fight, but you have to understand that it is limited like that on purpose, and that is why, in large part, it was able to become an Olympic sport to begin with.
James