I. General Rules:

1. The competition will be intense but friendly. Good sportsmanship is the order of the day.

2. Competitors may not wear jewelry of any type in any division.

3. Competitors, family, friends, and Instructors may not smoke; drink alcohol, etc. at any time or location of the Tournament.

4. Unruly behavior of any sort can be grounds for an individual competitor to leave the facility – An Instructor, family, friends, an entire school can be asked to leave any time the Head Referee feels they do not properly represent the Spirit of the Martial Arts.

5. The Head Referee reserves the right to change the rules of any division at any time, in the interest of safety and fair competition.

6. The Head Referee reserves the right to deny entrance of any competitor, spectator or coach to the tournament and to remove any competitor, spectator or coach from the tournament facilities.

7. Any competitor showing disrespect to the tournament facility, officials, staff, competitors, spectators, etc. will be disqualified from all events and additionally may be removed from the tournament facility.

 

II. Principles of Motion:

For the purpose of these rules the Principles of Motion referred to throughout this document will be defined as:

1. Posture – To have your skeletal structure carry the weight of your body.

2. Balance – The relationship of your Center of Gravity to the Center of Gravity of the Earth – which may occur statically or dynamically.

3. Relaxation – To free your body, mind and breath from unnecessary tension.

4. Speed – Perceptual, Mental, and Physical quickness.

5. Angles – The figure formed by two straight lines meeting on your body. (The upper arm and the lower arm. The upper leg and the lower leg. The arm and the torso. The arm and the leg. The hand and the arm. The foot and the leg………….)

6. Body Alignment – Adjusting the Angles of your body to promote Back-Up Mass.

7. Economy of Motion – To choose the best Target, choose the best Weapon, and choose the best Angle in the least amount of time and still get the desired results.

8. Timing – The measure of the duration of an individual move or the duration between moves.

9. Coordination – To synchronize body, mind, and breath.

10. Focus – To concentrate: body, mind, and breath.

11. Power – To realize body, mind, and breath as a single unit.

 

 

Form Scoring Method

 

Each Judge will leverage the following three criteria (principle of motion, salesmanship, degree of difficulty) to place the competitor in the appropriate ordinal. Judges will be allowed to keep scoring notes to refer for competitor placement or movement. 1st, 2nd, 3rd are the only placements. All others will be considered 4th unless they did not participate which case they will receive NO POINTS. All judges will blind vote (i.e. point to the competitor for the placement (the seated individual or the competitor) if this competitor is better than the 1st place seated individual, if not, then the 2nd place seated individual, if not, then the 3rd place seated individual.   If the competitor is considered better by the majority of judges than the seated individual, the seated individual, and all seated individuals that follow will move one seat down. A judge CAN NOT change their vote in future rounds (Robinson Rule).

 

1. Forms are not judged on:

   1. A particular pattern that a judge believes the Form is to follow.

   2. Practicality

   3. Wearing or not wearing patches on the uniform

   4. The competitor announced himself

   5. The color of the belt

   6. Size, sex, age, etc

   7. Style of the Art

   8. Preconceived Expectations of the competitor(s)

 

2. Forms are judged on 3 criteria. (Recommended)

 

i. Principles of Motion (as described above)

 

ii. Salesmanship

 

1. Is the competitor selling the fight?

2. Do you believe the competitor senses (sees, hears, feels..) the attacks?

3. Do you believe the competitor is actually engaging his attackers?

4. Is the competitor’s fighting spirit real or artificial?

5. Does the competitor demonstrate poise?

6. Does the competitor demonstrate preparation from beginning to end?

 

iii. Degree of Difficulty

1. Degree of Difficulty is a comparison score. This score determines how one competitor’s Degree of Difficulty is compared to other competitors.

a. Sophistication

i. Frequent and rapid changes of natural weapons.

ii. Combinations of Hands, Feet, and/or Body and Foot Maneuvers

1. Differing Dimensions

2. Differing Paths

3. Differing Angles

4. Simultaneous Motion

5. Alternating Motion.

iii. Three Dimensional Activity (Jumps, Rolls, Dives, Twists, etc.)

b. Physical Fitness

i. Strength

ii. Flexibility

iii. Endurance

 

Individual Forms

 

Forms are prearranged dance-like routines that represent a fighting sequence. Forms are an opportunity for a Martial Artist to express his basic Skills.

 

 

  

Innovative Forms 

(Weapons, Creative, Self Defense)

 

Participants will perform an individual form in which they are allowed freedom of innovation. They are allowed to use weapons, acrobatics, props, music, costumes, etc to highlight the athleticism and creativeness of their skills. Other performers are allowed as long as they are used in a manner to highlight the participant and his/her skills such as in a prearranged self-defense routine.

          

Forms containing the use of weapons will require weapons that are in a safe condition and must be approved by a Head Referee. Weapons cannot strike the floor.  Placing the weapon on the floor as a part of the form is allowed. Intentionally striking the floor with the weapon results in disqualification.

 

Props and music must be supplied by the competitor and be removed in an appropriate manner and time as not to interfere with any other participant.

 

The same scoring criteria as Forms will be followed. 

Team Demo Event

 

At least 75% (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of the team must perform a creative demo. If 75% is not available – the team will be giving NO POINTS.

 

Participants will perform a team routine in which they are allowed freedom of innovation. They are allowed to use weapons, acrobatics, props, music, costumes, etc to highlight the athleticism and creativeness of their skills. Other performers are allowed as long as they are used in a manner to highlight the participant and his/her skills such as in a prearranged self-defense routine.

          

Routines containing the use of weapons will require weapons that are in a safe condition and must be approved by a Head Referee. Weapons cannot strike the floor.  Placing the weapon on the floor as a part of the form is allowed. Intentionally striking the floor with the weapon results in disqualification.

 

Props and music must be supplied by the competitor and be removed in an appropriate manner and time as not to interfere with any other participant.

 

The same scoring criteria as Forms will be followed including the team demo must be reasonably balanced between all team members participating. 

 

 

Fighting Events

 

 

 

VIII. Freestyle

Freestyle is the extemporaneous use of Skills and knowledge within rules and controls.  There will be two events: 

 

Quick Draw

The first legal score (see rules) wins the round. There are no timed rounds with this event. Participants will compete in the only round-robin division of the tournament.  

 

i. Each competitor will be matched up in a division according to age and experience.

ii. Within each division there may be from 1 to 4 sub-divisions (circles).

1. The winner of each circle is determined by:

a. Who has the best win – loss record

b. If two competitors have the same record – the place of finish will be determined

by which of the two competitors won in their head on competition. The other competitor will finish in the next place lower in the competition.

c. If three competitors are tied the place of finish will be first determined if one competitor defeated the other two competitors.

d. If the three competitors split victories amongst them, the winner will be determined by who gave up the fewest total points in all of their matches.

e. If a tie still remains – hey we came to fight!!!

 

2. Combining Circles and determining winners:

a. If for example there are 8-14 people in one division this division would be first separated into 2 circles of 4-7 people each. The first place winners of each circle will be brought together to fight for first and second place. The second place winners of each circle will brought together to fight for third and fourth place.

b. If for example there are 15-19 people in one division this division would be first separated into 3 circles of 4-7 people each. Only the first place winners of each circle will be brought together to fight for first, second and third place. One competitor out of the three will be given a bye based on picking a random number. The other two would then fight, the looser would be awarded third place, and the winner would fight the competitor that received the bye for first and second place.

c. If for example there are 20-24 people in one division this division would be first separated into 4 circles of 4-6 people each. Only the first place winners of each circle will be paired up to fight. The losers would fight for third and fourth place, and the winners would fight again for first and second place.

 

Scoring rules are the same as in Set Point with the exception that first point wins.

 

Set Point

a. Scoring

i. All Matches will be determined by the first competitor to score 5 points.

ii. A point is scored when a competitor demonstrates to the judges that he delivered a focused strike to a valid target. To be focused it must be executed accurately a valid target with unity of body, mind, and breath.

iii. A judge can only award a point which he can visually confirm that one competitor’s valid weapon struck the other competitor’s valid target. If the strike is visually blocked in any way the strike cannot be recognized as valid for a point.

iv. A point cannot be awarded to a competitor if he is first penalized. Therefore the referee must first indicate any violations before indicating valid points.

v. A competitor can be awarded 2 points – one for his valid point and one for a penalty by his

opponent

1. There is no time limit in any of the kids divisions.

2. Adult divisions will have a 2 minute time limit.

3. The legal Targets are:

a. Head (front, sides and back)

b. Torso

c. Groin

4. The legal Natural Weapons for scoring a point are:

a. Any part of the foot

b. Any part of the clenched fist

c. Either side of the handsword

b. Grabbing

i. Grabbing an arm or part of the uniform to control an opponent to follow up and score is permitted for a count of 3 after the count of 3 the referee will restart the competitors in the center of the ring.

 

c. Sweeps and Takedowns

i. All varieties of sweeps and takedowns are allowed

ii. Anyone who sweeps or takes down their opponent must be able to control the fall of their

opponent. Neither the takedown nor sweep itself nor the result of the takedown nor sweep may

cause injury.

iii. Injury to your opponent will be considered the same as excessive contact and result in

disqualification from the match.

iv. Sweeps and Takedowns do not score a point, but their intent is to give the doer an advantage at following up to score.

v. When one or both competitors are on the ground, the referee will count to 3 to give each

competitor an opportunity to score. Then he will bring both competitors back to center to begin again.

 

d. Contact

i. In all divisions there is no contact to the face.

ii. Controlled touch is allowed to the head gear (but not necessary).

iii. Light contact is allowed to the body (but not necessary)

iv. Light touch is any contact that does not: redden the opponent’s face, rock the head back, or

cause blood or any injury.

v. Sign of blood is not an automatic disqualification. It is the level of contact that will be judged by

the officials.

 

e. Penalties and disqualification

i. Illegal contact will result in a penalty point added to the score of the opponent.

ii. Uncontrolled techniques will be equal to illegal contact and result in a penalty point being

awarded to the opponent.

iii. Excessive Technique includes uncontrolled, causes injury, or has the potential for causing injury.

iv. Excessive Technique may be called without a warning and will be the cause for disqualification.

v. If a competitor is disqualified twice for Excessive Technique he will not be allowed to continue

with the fighting competitions (for the safety of other competitors).

vi. A competitor twice disqualified for Excessive Technique is not eligible for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place

awards.

vii. Any competitor disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct is immediately disqualified from all

further competition and is not eligible to receive an award for any of the 3 finishing places.

viii. If a competitor is disqualified from competition for any reason his award placement for that

competition is left vacant.

 

f. Going out of bounds

i. Unintentionally going out of bounds will result in a warning for each of the first two offenses. The

third offense will result in a penalty point awarded to the opponent.

ii. Intentionally going out of bounds will result in a penalty point awarded to the opponent.

 

g. Coaching

i. If a coach is to be used, that individual must be identified at the beginning of the match.

ii. A coach may not enter after the match has begun.

iii. The match will not be delayed as a result of a coach.

iv. Only one coach is designated to issue commands in any form.

v. All coaching is to be done respectfully and meant to educate or motivate.

vi. A coach must remain within the designated area.

h. Safety Gear

i. In all divisions competitors will wear:

1. Head Gear

2. Foam hand gear

3. Foam foot gear

4. Cup and Supporter

5. Mouth piece

 

i. Judges

i. For all divisions except Black Belt there will be one center referee to score the match.

ii. Black Belt divisions will have a referee and two corner judges.

iii. The Grand Championship matches will have a referee and 4 corner judges.

iv. The referee should begin each match and point by facing the score keeper.

v. The referee is the official scorekeeper.

vi. The referee will act as a liaison between competitors, instructors, and the audience.

vii. Tournament Arbitrators. The actual competitor and Instructors may appeal to them for verification or controversy about rules. Parents, friends, other students etc.. are not allowed to file a protest.They should go through their instructor for clarification of rules and proper appeal process. All such appeals should be made in a polite and courteous manner. Unruly protests will not be considered.

viii. The arbitrators are the final process of appeal.

Eviction

 

Gross maliciousness and/or disrespect by any competitor, coach or spectator to any other competitor, coach, spectator, judge, tournament official or tournament staff will result in eviction from the tournament and if deemed necessary by the tournament officials from the tournament premises.

Each individual on the team will have an offensive round against each member of the opposing team.   Rules for fighting will be followed.

Fighters will compete in a Quick Draw Round Robin Format.  Each round will end when either competitor scores 1 (one) qualified strike to a legal target as determined (voted on) by the judges known as a Point or a 1 minute time period expires. 

Scoring rules are the same as in Set Point with the exception that follows:

Scoring- Only the fighter who is in their offensive round can score points for their team. 

·   Defensive actions (qualified strike to a legal target) will prevent the Offensive fighter from scoring.

·   If at the end of the one minute round there has been no Point awarded the match is ended. 

Winner:

• The team with the highest score (most Points) at the end of the designated rounds will be declared the winner. 

 

Overtime Rules: 

• In the event of a tie, each team will choose a member of the opposing team to represent that team.

• The first competitor to score 2 (two) Points will be declared the winner. 

Designated substitute-  Each team will be allowed one designated substitute.   The substitute must meet all requirements of the team event.  (e.g.; Age, Rank, etc.)  The substitute may stand in for in competitor on his/her designated team in the event that any of the original members are unable to continue due to injury or other reason that original member chooses not to continue.

 In the event an original member chooses not to continue and there is no designated substitute, the opposing team will be awarded 1 (one) point for each round that the forfeiting competitor would have left to complete any remaining rounds. Unless set to be the offensive player, in such case the offensive team would not score any points for that round.

 

Additional Fighting Rules

 

Safety Equipment

Safety equipment is required for all fighting events head gear, punchers and kickers.  Equipment consisting of foam type products must be in reasonable condition with minimal tape.   Leather and synthetic leather equipment must be approved by a tournament official.  Equipment must cover all fingers and toes.

         Additional Required safety equipment:

o Mouthpiece

o Groin Protection

Other additional safety equipment such as shin/forearm pads, chest protectors, etc is optional but subject to approval by a tournament official.

 

Legal Score

The following targets are legal scoring targets for light contact strikes:

Head- Any part covered by headgear. Except for back of headgear considered “back.”

Body- Any front area covered by standard t-shirt; chest – stomach – ribs – kidneys.

Groin-   Area consists of groin and upper inner thigh as determined by judge.

 

Scoring from the Ground:

Either opponent is eligible to score to a legal target with a legal strike in the event that one or both opponents should go to the

ground as a result of a controlled sweep or the event that an opponent should fall or choose to go to the ground as in a drop

kick.  This includes either the standing or downed opponent.

Each opponent will be given a five second opportunity to score.

 

Legal Non-Scoring Actions

The following actions are legal but do not score any type of points:

Grabbing-  Any part of the uniform in an attempt to control opponent to facilitate a legal score.

Checking-  Using parts of the body (normally hands, arms, feet and legs) to prevent opponent from creating an action to score or used to facilitate a legal score.   This is considered a positioning, pressing or pinning action that is not caused by striking.

Sweeping – Sweeps to the front leg (mid-calf and below) with either front or rear foot (padded area) to facilitate a legal score.

 

Non-Legal Areas

These areas are considered a foul and not legal for striking:

Face: Any area not covered by headgear including face, eyes, throat, neck.

Back: Spine- Consists of any area as wide as the head starting at the back of the head, down the back to the tailbone.

Knee: Any strike to the front, side or rear of the knee that is determined by the judges to be thrown with intent to strike with

force.   Checks used to prevent the opponent from kicking or moving in are legal only if determined by the judges to be with

the intent to check.

Joints   Arm- Locks/Strikes against shoulder, elbow and wrist.

                     Leg- Locks/Strikes against knee and ankle

Non-Legal Actions

These actions are considered a foul and not legal to execute:

         Slapping – Clawing

         Biting

         Choking – Including Headlocks

         Takedowns – Including Judo throws

         Non-controlled sweeps

Any action that is thrown with the obvious possibility of injuring the opponent whether intentional or not.

 

Excessive contact

 

Any contact determined by judge to be excessive including but not limited to:

Causing bleeding

Causing swelling

Causes head to jerk or move excessively

Thrown with obvious intent to injury opponent.

Causes obvious injury that prevents competitor from continuing

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