Improving the effectiveness of technical-tactical actions of highly qualified taekwondo athletes in competitions

In elite sports, taekwondo practitioners must possess not only perfect technique and physical and mental qualities, but also have flexible tactical thinking. In combat sports, victories can be achieved not so much by the power of strikes as by the selection of tactical maneuvers, based on the speed of decision-making and the finesse of technique, so that the number of strikes is fewer, but their effectiveness is greater. Thus, one of the most important qualities in a fight is the speed of decision-making, or 'timing.' The purpose of the study is to develop a set of tools to enhance the effectiveness of offensive and defensive actions based on the development of tactical thinking in highly skilled taekwondo athletes during competitive matches. Research methods and organization. The study employed the following methods: analysis of literary sources, pedagogical observation, pedagogical experiment, and testing. The pedagogical experiment was conducted at the State Budgetary Educational Institution of Additional Education "Delfin" in the Admiralteysky District of St. Petersburg from January to June 2025, involving highly qualified taekwondo practitioners aged 18 to 25. Research results and conclusions. It has been established that the complex of tools integrated into the training process not only improved the technical and tactical actions of highly skilled taekwondo athletes in matches, but also reduced preparation time, reallocating this time to other aspects of athletic training.