Rules and Divisions

Rules have been designed around the safety of competitors and efficiency for all involved.

WEAPONS

• Traditional and open weapon competitors will perform and be scored separately.
• Competitors in traditional weapons are not permitted to release the weapon or perform any gymnastic tricking.
• All weapons, weight or size are permitted, only unsafe weapons will be disqualified from the competition. The competitor will have 2 minutes to find a safe replacement. Any modified weapon must be used in open divisions only and be present for inspection. Any weapon found structurally deficient will not be allowed.
• Any black belt competitor who drops their weapon will bow out respectfully and receive a no score. Underbelts may ask for a restart with a point deduction.
• If a weapon breaks and the competitor continues with the form without pause scoring should be given to reflect. If they stop then it is a DQ.

FORMS

• Traditional and open style forms will be separate divisions. No acrobatics or gymnastics are allowed in traditional forms divisions.

SPARRING

• Competitors are required to wear head, foot, hand and mouth protection. Males must have groin protection. Mouthpieces are required regardless of face shields.
• Light contact to the headgear is acceptable in all rank and age divisions. Face shields are part of headgear.
• Competitors can receive two warnings per fight for any reason, upon third incident the fighter will be disqualified.
• Contact to illegal targets will result in a warning. Those areas include face (non-accidental), groin, spine, and neck.
• Underbelt: 6 years and under 3pt. / 7 years and up 5pt. All techniques are one point.
• Black Belt: matches are five points. All techniques are one point.
• Students from the same school will be separated in the first round if possible.
• Once a bracket begins it is closed, no late entries.
• Head referee will have authority to make decisions on a case by case basis.
• No sweeps or takedowns allowed.

COACHING

• Coaching is allowed in sparring divisions.
• Coaches must have a pass and be in designated areas.
• One coach per fighter. Anyone not able to act professionally will be asked to leave the ring.

TEAM DEMO

• Team demos can be no longer than five minutes.
• Small Team – 6 members or less. Large Team 7-20 members.
• Team Demos may include music, weapon, open hand, traditional, dance, gymnastics, breaking and self-defense. This division is scored on martial arts entertainment.

SCORING

• All competitors will be scored at conclusion of division
• All scoring will be done on the supplied flip cards.