Bobby Lawrence Karate. Tournament Rules and Procedures

Bobby Lawrence Karate Tournament Rules and Procedures GENERAL RULES 1.1 Age & Rank Competitors compete at the age they are the day of the tournament and at their current rank. Competitors may compete in only one age group. If a student deliberately tries to compete in an event for which he is ineligible, he will not be permitted to compete in that event, and 10 points will be deducted from his school s score. 1.2 Uniforms and Sparring Gear Only neat and clean Bobby Lawrence Karate approved uniforms are permitted at the tournament. Uniforms should have the BLK patch and logo. Competitors should have a black t- shirt underneath their uniform. Shoes are only permitted during demo events. Sleeves may be rolled up if neatly done, but not past the elbows. Pant leggings may not be rolled up. They should be hemmed and not higher than three inches from the top of the ankles. Black belt training students may wear middleweight white tops and black pants. Black belt leadership students may wear middleweight or heavy weight black uniforms. All others must wear white tops and white pants. Red, blue or other colored uniforms are not permitted at BLK tournaments, except in the Demo Team Competition. Demo team members may wear nontraditional uniforms during the Demo Team Competition only. All competitors, including demo team members, should wear their own belt during competition (although this is not mandatory for demo team members, it is highly encouraged). For insurance purposes, all sparring gear and power karate gloves must have originally been BLK logoed and approved. For safety reasons, the gear must be in a good state of repair (no tape or splits) and fit properly. (Note: If a logo is wearing out on equipment that once had a logo and is otherwise in a good state of repair, the competitor may use that gear.) If the gear does not meet these qualifications, the competitor will not be permitted to spar with that gear. In sparring events, mouth pieces, groin and chest protectors are recommended. If a competitor does not have appropriate uniform and/or gear, tournament officials may help them find approved attire, but this responsibility ultimately rests with the competitor and they have only one minute to do so. 1.3 Coaching and Spectators BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 1

For safety and fairness reasons, parents and spectators are not allowed on the competition floor at any time. The penalty for an infraction will be a 10 point deduction from the player s school s total score. Note that there is no warning. An exception may be made in the case of injury in which case the judges will signal the parents to come to the floor. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 2

ARBITRATION 2.1 Procedure to Request Arbitration Only the following people may call for arbitration: the aggrieved competitor; a head of school, so long as his or her other responsibilities are being fulfilled without interruption; the floor master or events coordinator; or Master Lawrence or Mrs. Charlene Lawrence. An aggrieved competitor must call for arbitration by notifying the center judge in the ring or the competitor s head of school immediately after the ruling being challenged is announced. A competitor who fails to call for arbitration immediately is deemed to have accepted the ruling and will not be able to call for arbitration later. If a ruling on the floor is challenged but upheld, the aggrieved competitor loses one point in sparring and 0.1 point in forms. FORMS 3.1 General Rules for All Forms Events 3.1.1 Ties If there are three judges then do not break ties. If there are five judges, one high and one low score are deleted. In the event of a tie the low score is added back in. If there s still a tie then the high score is added back in. If there s still a tie, for first place, then a run off event is held with officials pointing to the player they thought did best that time. A tie for first or second does not affect the remainder of medals awarded. For example, if there is a two way tie for second place a third place medal is still awarded. This rule applies in both individual forms and demo divisions. 3.1.2 Scoring and deductions Deductions are subtracted from the center judge s score BEFORE the individual judges scores are added together. The center judge s original score and adjusted score must both be recorded on the player s card. The center judge and the scorekeeper will calculate the competitors final scores before medals are awarded. Deductions will be announced to all competitors only if it affects the final rankings. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 3

3.1.3 Other Rules Relating to Forms Events Weapons are only permitted in weapons events. Traditional forms must be done without props. A violation of either of these rules results in a 0.5 point deduction from the competitor s score. Students can only perform the listed forms and no others. A student that performs a form not on the list will be disqualified from placing first, second, or third. Creative forms may be done in the demo events. When there is only a single forms or weapons event, a competitor may elect to perform either a traditional or contemporary form. However, a 0.2 point deduction will be made to the competitor s final score if they perform a contemporary form. Approved forms are as follows: BLK Traditional Empty-Hand Forms: BLK Traditional Weapons Forms: Peaceful Warrior Forms Temple Sound Strong Sky Humble Sky Fortress Breaker Short Forms 1-3 Long Forms 1-6 Rising Mist 1 st -3 rd Single Chuck Forms Kama Shodan Club Sets 1-4 Moon Shadow Full Moon Shadow Sai Taikyoku Forms Power Bo Staff 1-4 Katana Kata 1-4 Sai Heian Forms 1, 3, 5 Long 7 BLK Contemporary Empty Hand Forms: Black Ice BLK Contemporary Weapons Forms: Relic Double Dragon BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 4

Lock Out Kryptonite D-12 Dragon Fire Sato 3.1.4 Penalties for forms All deductions are subtracted from the center judge s score BEFORE the individual judges scores are added together. The center judge s original score and adjusted score must both be recorded on the player s card. Out-of-Bounds: Individual forms must be performed within the ring. The line is out. A 0.1 point deduction will be made each time a competitor steps out-of-bounds as seen by at least one judge. Starting Over: A 0.1 point deduction will be made for each time a competitor starts a form over. Using a Prop or Weapon When Not Permitted: A 0.5 point deduction will be made if a competitor uses a prop or weapon in an event where props and weapons are not permitted. Dropping a Weapon: A 0.5 point deduction will be made for each time a competitor drops a weapon Uniform Violation: A 0.5 point deduction will be made for any uniform violation, including any violation of Section 1.2, improperly wearing a uniform at the start of the form, or removing any part of the uniform prior to being dismissed by the center judge. Adding to Traditional Form or Performing Contemporary Form in Non-Contemporary Forms Event: A 0.2 point deduction will be made adding a show-time move to a traditional form or for performing a contemporary form in an event which is not designated as a contemporary forms event Going Overtime: A 0.2 point deduction will be made for going overtime in the Demo Team competition. Unsuccessful Arbitration: A 0.1 point deduction will be made for challenging a ruling which is later upheld by the Arbitrator. 3.2 Demo Team Competition The Rules and Procedures for the SWAT and STORM divisions are set forth in the Tournament Overview under the heading Demo Team Competition. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 5

SPARRING 4.1 General Rules To promote safe and fair competition, during individual competition, groups will be split by sex for point sparring starting at age 13. Coaching is prohibited in sparring. For purposes of this rule, coaching is defined as any direct communication with the competitor relating to the competition and intended to help the competitor with strategy or tactics. Loud cheering for competitors, even when it includes strategic ideas (e.g., KICK HIM IN THE HEAD ), is allowed and even encouraged. Each center judge is responsible for enforcing this rule, first by recognizing improper coaching and verbally warning the offender and second, by deducting 10 points from the coach s school s score if coaching continues. 4.1 Legal Techniques and Targets Legal scoring techniques include: back fists, ridge hands, straight, vertical, and uppercut punches and front, side, back, round, hook, and hatchet kicks. Legal controlled kicks to the head, if confirmed by a majority of the judges, earn two (2) points. All other legal attacks, confirmed by a majority of judges, receive one (1) point. Scoring targets include the head gear (excluding the top of the head gear except for hatchet kicks and ridge hands), the chest, abdomen (above the hips), the kidneys, but not the spine. Again a hatchet kick may score on top of the head but so-called bops, hammer fists, etc. cannot score on top of the head. Adult (age 18 and higher) black belts may score with a body jab. Ranks other than adult black belt should not receive a point for this move (although they are not penalized either). Adult black belts and above may score with a controlled reverse-punch to the head. For safety s sake, ranks other than adult black belt cannot score with this move; in fact, a penalty point will be awarded to one s opponent for executing a reverse-punch to the opponent s head. Scoring on a downed opponent is possible; however for safety s sake special rules apply. You may score on a downed opponent within three seconds (as counted out loud by the center official) of his going down, however you may not kick at his head. You may kick at his body but not touch it. You may punch at his head but not touch it. You may punch at his body and make controlled contact to an otherwise legal target. A downed competitor can kick up at a standing competitor and score one point if he contacts a legal target with control. An illegal attack on a downed opponent results in a point awarded to the other competitor. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 6

In some circumstances it is possible for both an affirmative point and a penalty point to be awarded. For example, if you score on your opponent with a reverse punch (L2) as he kicks you in the leg, you could receive a point for your scoring move and another point as a penalty for his errant move. 4.2 Illegal Targets and Attacks Illegal targets include attacking the eyes, throat or neck, spine, hips or legs. The face is an illegal target except in the adult black belt division. Competitors may not execute a reversepunch to the opponent s head except in the adult black belt division. Illegal attacks include excessive contact to any otherwise legal target, attempts to reverse a joint, leg kicks, any sweeps, elbow strikes, blind attacks, and uncontrolled attacks of any kind. Any illegal attacks or strikes to an illegal target receive an immediate point penalty awarded over to the offender s opponent. No warning. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 7

Excessive contact is anything intended to cause injury, any attack thrown with disregard for the safety or well-being of an opponent, any blow that snaps the head, dazes, knocks unconscious, or decks an opponent. The penalty for excessive contact can be immediate disqualification, if egregious, or, if mild, a point awarded to one s opponent, once. A second excessive-contact call in a match results in disqualification. Contact which draws blood is automatically deemed to be excessive and will be penalized by awarding two points to one s opponent. If a competitor bleeds or is otherwise injured, an EMT must be consulted to determine whether the competitor may continue. For safety reasons, the head EMT has the last word on the subject. 4.4 Scoring The first competitor to score, i.e. touch a legal target with a legal, properly formed weapon, backed by momentum or a properly braced stance, as seen by a majority of the judges, earns one point (two points for a legal kick to the head). The first competitor to receive five (5) awarded points wins the match. A competitor must win a match by at least one point. In the event that both competitors score their fifth (5 th ) point at the same time, the match continues until one competitor is ahead by at least one point. 4.4.1 Penalties in Sparring Generally a majority of judges is required to confirm a ruling of disqualification, point over, out of bounds, or foul. In extreme cases, the center judge may rule a disqualification, at his sole discretion. Failure to bow or yell, Yes, Sir : Failure to bow or do the Kwon Shu Salute or failure to yell Yes, Sir (or Ma am) when directed to bow to the center official or to the competitor s opponent is a penalty, as is failure to yell, Yes, Sir (or Ma am) or do a loud ki ai when the center official calls for sparring stances.. For either of these violations, the offending party s opponent receives one (1) point, twice. On the third violation in a given match a disqualification will be ordered. 5-Second Rule: In all divisions except adult black belt, failure to initiate an attack within five seconds of the center judge s command to begin sparring will result in an award of one point to each competitor. The center judge should begin counting immediately after saying go, and stop the count once an attack is initiated. If the competitors stop engaging, the center judge should restart the count from the beginning until one of them attacks again or they reach the five second mark. In the adult black belt division, the center judge should give the competitors time to BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 8

jockey for their pre-launch positions and should not begin counting unless the competitors are stalling. Failure to Stop: Failure to stop launching a new attack when the center judge calls break or stop results in a one (1) point penalty awarded to one s opponent. Out-of-Bounds: The line is out. If a competitor touches the line or steps outside the ring, as seen by a majority of judges, he is out-of-bounds. The penalty for going out-of-bounds is a point awarded to one s opponent. Fighting out-of-bounds is not a penalty. A competitor in-bounds can score on a competitor out-of-bounds as long as the center official has not called break. A competitor out-of-bounds cannot score on a competitor inbounds. Since fighting out-of-bounds is not a penalty, an in-bounds competitor cannot score two points on an out-of-bounds situation i.e., one for scoring and a second for his opponent going out-of-bounds unless it was a kick to the head. Excessive contact and drawing blood: A one (1) point penalty will be awarded to one s opponent for contact which is excessive but not egregious. A two (2) point penalty will be awarded to one s opponent for contact which draws blood. A second excessive contact call results in disqualification of the offending competitor. result in disqualification. Contact which is egregious can also Illegal Attack or Target: Any illegal attacks or strikes to an illegal target receive an immediate point penalty awarded over to the offender s opponent. No warning. Unsuccessful Arbitration: A one (1) point deduction will be made for challenging a ruling which is later upheld by the Arbitrator. 4.4 Special Rules for Adult Black Belts (Age 18 and Higher) The face is a legal target so long as extreme control is exercised. Reverse-punch to the opponent s head is a legal technique so long as extreme control is exercised. The groin is a legal target in the spring tournament, but not in the fall tournament. A jab to the body scores one point. The five-second rule is relaxed. No penalty unless competitors are stalling. 4.5 Flag Sparring - Each player has one flag on each side of their hip as well as attached to each shoulder. Their goal is to grab the other player's flags. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 9

- A player can win a match by either grabbing three (3) of their opponent's flags or by being the player with the most flags at the end of one minute. - Players can grab with either hand. While good hand positioning, posture, and kiais are strongly encouraged in order to build good habits, there are no rules regarding these. - Similar to point sparring, players are penalized with the loss of a flag for stepping out of bounds - Also, similarly to point sparring, players will each lose a flag if they violate the 5 second rule 4.6 Padded Weapons Sparring FUN! Purpose: To quicken reflexes and awareness, build a bridge to ancient warriors, and have 4.6.1 Padded Chuck Sparring Two points for a head strike, one point for everywhere else. Two points for a two-handed block. All other sparring rules apply. 4.6.2 Padded Sword Sparring Begin in a warrior stance with both hands on the sword. One point for a limb or body cut or slice; two points for a head cut; and three points for a full motion down cut to the head with ki ai. Note that both hands must be on the sword to score. First player to five wins. All other sparring rules apply. OTHER EVENTS 4.7 Power Karate In the Power Karate event, competitors will demonstrate their skills in prescribed combinations and will be scored using the same scoring systems as in the forms events. Judges in this event are looking for the most powerful strikes. In order to achieve maximum power, competitors should utilize correct principles of motion (body rotation), point of departure (punch leaving from a high guard), and weapon formation (proper fist and making contact with correct striking surface). Competitors may receive a lower score if they miss a block or cover on interactive combinations. However, there is no specific deduction or penalty; competitors are judged on their overall performance. Competitors without approved power karate gloves will not be allowed to punch targets with a closed fist, but will be required to execute a heel palm strike instead. Competitors do NOT need to introduce themselves in power karate as is done in forms. When a competitor s name is called they should simply run up to the target holder and assume a guarding stance. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 10

Competitors demonstrate their skill with a progressive warm-up followed by executing a set sequence of power karate combos. For the Spring 2016 Tournament the warm-up for all ages and ranks is: 1 12 123 123 power 8 Following the warm-up, Kid Champs will execute the combo 123 power 8 three times in a row. (Note that the Kid Champ combo is the same as the final combo in the warm-up so they will end up executing that combo a total of four (4) times once in the warm-up and three (3) times as their demonstrated combos. For the Spring 2016 Tournament all combos will be performed on the forearm shields and kicks should strike the shield and return rather than spin through. All warm-ups and combos will be performed from a left guarding stance. 4.8 Obstacle Course The Obstacle Course event is for Little Ninjas and is designed to test their ability, agility and focus. After all Little Ninjas are ninjas in training, whether shown physically or in spirit! The obstacle course is intended to be a fun event that will reinforce principles taught in class such as focus, self-control, and respect. RESPECT Anyone who is disrespectful to the officials, staff, Arbitrator or Customer Service Representative will have 10 points deducted from their school s score. This rule applies to competitors, spectators, parents, heads of school, etc. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 11

JUDGING 5.1 Rings Divisions may be split into two rings when there are more than 8 competitors. This may happen in the Pit or in the Ring. If a division is split in the Ring, the Pit Manager should be notified so he or she can make the appropriate change to the posted list. If a competitor misses the pit call, but arrives at the ring before competition has started, he may still enter but is required to compete first. If competition has started, he may not compete in that event, but he can still compete in the remainder of the events in that division with no late penalty. Weapons and sparring gear will be inspected in the pit. Do not inspect weapons and sparring gear in the ring unless you notice a safety hazard which requires attention. 5.2 Judges Positioning In all forms events, the center judge shall be seated outside the ring near the scorekeeper s table. Side judges shall be seated outside the ring at the corners opposite the center judge. In all sparring events, the center judge shall stand facing the scorekeeper. One side judge shall sit outside the ring at a corner adjacent to the center judge. The other side judge shall sit outside the ring at the corner opposite the first side judge. 5.3 Scoring Forms Events Each competitor in the forms events will receive a total score for his or her performance, calculated by adding the scores of each judge. Divisions are scored on the following scale: Individual Forms Demo Teams Little Ninja: 5.0-5.9 SWAT: 8.0-8.9 W,Y,O: 6.0-6.9 STORM: 9.0-9.9 P,B,G: 7.0-7.9 B, Ban Bu: 8.0-8.9 All Black: 9.0-9.9 BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 12

Deductions are subtracted from the center judge s score BEFORE the individual judges scores are added together. The center judge s original score and adjusted score must both be recorded on the player s card. The center judge and the scorekeeper will calculate the competitors final scores before medals are awarded. Deductions will be announced to all competitors only if it affects the final rankings. EXAMPLE NO. 1: In an individual forms event, the scores of the side judges are 7.5 and 7.6. The center judge s score is 7.7. One judge saw the competitor step on the line during the form. After taking a 0.1 deduction, the center judge s adjusted score is 7.6. The final score is 22.7 (7.5 + 7.6 + 7.6 = 22.7). EXAMPLE NO. 2: In the STORM event, the scores of the side judges are 9.8 and 9.9. The center judge gives a score of 9.8. However, one member of the team removed part of his uniform before being dismissed by the center judge. After subtracting a 0.5 point deduction for a uniform violation, the center judge s adjusted score is 9.3. The team s final score is 29 (9.8 + 9.9 + 9.3 = 29). 5.4 Scoring and Medals in Little Ninjas and Kid Champs Divisions In the Little Ninjas and Kid Champs divisions, all competitors will be awarded a 1 st, 2 nd, or 3 rd place medal on the basis of the combined scores of all judges, calculated by adding only the digits to the right of the decimal point. This helps to teach our younger students about competition while maintaining as positive of an experience as possible, setting them up for success in the future. Medals will be awarded as follows: 1 st Place: 21 points or higher 2 nd Place: 17-20 points 3 rd Place: Below 17 points If no competitors score 21 points or higher, award the 2 nd and 3 rd place winners 1 st and 2 nd place medals and do not award any 3 rd place medals. EXAMPLE: A 7-year-old green belt Kid Champ scores 7.6, 7.7, and 7.8. The combined score of all judges (adding only the digits to the right of the decimal point) is 21. This competitor will be awarded a 1 st place medal. 5.5 Sparring Exhibition Match If there is only one competitor in a division, the center judge should attempt to arrange an exhibition match played to three (3) points, but such cannot be guaranteed. BLK_Tournament_Rules_Rev_04_18_16 13