Location of Judges For Forms, Weapons, & Self Defense

Judges will be separated. If there are three judges in a ring, the Master Referee will be seated in the center and the other two judges will be seated  next to the Master Referee on the left and right of him.

Forms, Weapons, And Self-Defense Order of Competition

Once the final call at ringside has been made and the competition cards have been collected and shuffled thoroughly, the competitor cards will be then drawn randomly for the order of competition. (This does not include the top four seeded competitors in black belt divisions only) The first three competitors will perform before any scores are awarded. After the third competitor has finished, the first competitor will be called to come back for scoring, followed by the second and third competitors. All competitors in the division will be judged in comparison to these three competitors.

Black Belt Seeded Competitors (Forms, Weapons And Self-Defense)

All black belt divisions will run with out the top four seeded competitors. After all competitors have performed and have received their score the center judge only will find out from the scorekeeper who are the top four competitors. Those top four competitors will then perform again against the top four seeded competitors. The sequence will be luck of the draw. If there are eight or less competitors in a division, including seeds the sequence will be luck of the draw.

Time Limit (Forms, Weapons, Self-Defense)

Each routine must be three minutes or less. Any routine that goes over the allowed time limit will be automatic disqualification. The time starts once the competitor enters the competition ring. All team and demo routines must be five minutes or less.

Japanese/Okinawa, Chinese, Korean, Traditional, Etc.

Competitors in these divisions must exhibit a form or weapon routine that reflects the essence and traditional values of the division name in which they competing. The form does not have to be a classical form handed down over the years, but should not deviate too far in form and content from the styles classical form movements. Otherwise, the competitor risks disqualification or down grading.

Basic Forms Rules (Jap/Oki & Korean, including Hard Traditional Weapons)

Form comprised of traditional movements related to the division name. Weapon must be constructed with proper materials (i.e. Wood) and unadorned. None of the following: gymnastics (including display of extreme flexibility) or tricks, more than three kicks with the same leg, release of weapon (i.e. Keep both hands on the weapon).

Hard Creative Forms (Including Music)

Any traditional or contemporary movements from Jap/Oki or Korean influence (i.e. linear), including but not limited to multiple hand combinations, flying front and side kicks, split kicks, multiple kicks with the same leg etc. Not allowed: soft style techniques (incl. Butterfly kicks), any movement, which involve inversion or flipping or where the head is below the waist, any aerial movements with rotation greater than 360 degrees (i.e. 540, 720 and 1080 kicks).

Extreme Forms

Any movements allowed (including soft style)

Musical Divisions

All competitors are responsible for their own music and player. (No extension cords) All music players must stay outside the competition area. Restarts for technical difficulty with music players will be allowed within the first fifteen seconds after entering the ring. After the first fifteen seconds the competitor must continue his/her form without music or else risk disqualification.

Restarts

There will be no restart in black belt divisions, except for technical difficulties in musical forms (see Musical Divisions). Under belt competitors can restart one time with a .50 penalty from his/her total score. If a competitor does not finish on the second try he/she will be disqualified. If a competitor has to start over not do to his/her own negligence, the contestant may start over with no penalty.

Weapon Break

Where a weapon break is INTENTIONAL, the form will be scored as so. Where a weapons break is UNINTENTIONAL, the player will be given 2 minutes to replace the weapon and perform again with no penalty. In the case where the break is UNINTENTIONAL and where judges feel that the player broke the weapon through reckless/careless handling and/or defective manufacturing, the judges can decide to deduct or even give a “no score” for the competitor. (Judge note: weapons check BEFORE division)