Analysis of human movement has benefited from replacement of traditional methodologies by nonlinear analysis. We have applied a recurrence technique to studies of backwards-forwards movements of two groups of taekwondo players, namely international-standard athletes of many years’ experience (elites) and comparative novices (non-elites). We investigated synchronization of leg segments (foot, shank and thigh) both within each leg and between legs, arranging analysis according to three Cartesian axes of motion. Derived general synchronization indices varied between 0.200 and 0.516 on an individual basis and between 0.248 and 0.307 on a group basis. The validity of nonlinear dynamics in the signals was confirmed through surrogate testing (p < 0.01). Synchronization was examined within legs as foot-shank, shank-thigh and foot-thigh coordinations and between corresponding segments of the legs. Statistical analysis pointed to differences in couplings, by dimension, within legs, between legs and between player groups (p = 0.0001-0.046). Despite their more limited experience levels, non-elite player synchronizations broadly matched those of elite players. This form of recurrence analysis is generally applicable to investigation of coordination in human movement.