Rules & Regulations

COMPETITOR RESPONSIBILITY: It is the responsibility of the competitor to be at his/her ring ready to compete. If the competitor is not present when competition begins, he/she will not be able to compete. If a competitor leaves the ring after competition has begun and they are called to compete, his/her name will be called ringside 3 times. If he/she still is not present they will be disqualified.

LEGAL AGE RULE: The age a competitor is the day of the first tournament of the current competition year is their legal competition age for the year.

PROOF OF AGE: All competitors must have proof of age. If there is a legitimate reason to question a competitor’s age, he/she must present a proof of age (birth certificate, drivers license, or other acceptable documents) to prove his/her age.

RANKING: A competitor must compete at the highest belt level they have earned in martial Arts. A competitor can never compete in a division of which he/she had not earned that rank. A competitor can never compete in a lower belt division than the level of belt he/she has earned in Martial Arts.

SPLIT BELTS OR STRIPED BELTS: Competitors wearing these belts will be moved up to the next ranking level. EXAMPLE: (Orange belt with colored stripe will be moved up to the intermediate division.) EXCEPTION: (colored belts with white stripes will stay in the same division.)

RINGS: 20' x 20' for ages 12 and up 15' x 15' or larger for 12 & under if under black belt. 20' x 40' for Chinese forms divisions if requested by the competitor.

UNIFORMS: Competitors must wear a traditional sport karate uniform with no foul language on it. T-shirts as part of a school uniform are allowed in Chinese division only.

F O R M S

NUMBER OF OFFICIALS: Five officials are desired in all Grand Champion forms division. Three officials are desired in all other forms divisions.

TIME LIMIT: A maximum time of three minutes per performance is allowed, starting from the time the competitor enters the ring or when the competitors’ music begins. (Whichever is first) Each team form is allowed Four minutes to perform.

RESTARTS: Black belts receive no score. Under belts receive no penalty for the first restart.

WEAPON DIVISIONS: Any competitor who unintentionally drops their weapon will be disqualified. Any competitor who carelessly misuses his/her weapon during the performance will either be penalized or disqualified. If the competitor's weapon comes apart or breaks during the performance he/she may replace it immediately and continue the performance.

MUSICAL DIVISIONS: The music should be synchronized with the movements of the form. The music cannot be used as background music. The form must follow the rhythm of the music.

TIES: Both competitors will compete again, performing the same forms. If a second tie occurs then the competitors must perform a different form.

S E L F - D E F E N S E

All competitors will be matched up with someone who is approximately their own height and weight. Opponent will attack with various controlled strikes and holds for one minute.

  • No Gi top is necessary to perform or demonstrate techniques. (Competitor as well as opponent)
  • Competitor will demonstrate four (4) individual self-defense techniques
  • An edged weapon (knife)
  • An impact weapon (club)
  • A strike (punch or kick)