General Point Sparring Rings will be 20 x 20 ft. Competitors will compete in an age division based on their age as of July 1 of the competition year. Competitors will compete in a rank division based on their current rank. Weight classes will be determined in staging at the tournament based on the principles of safety first and competitiveness next. There will be no pre-set weight classes in Point Sparring. Light, controlled contact is expected.
Responsibility of Center Referee The Center Referee shall: Make every effort to insure the safety of competitors. Control the competition. Physically inspect competitors before each match. Give instructions and information when necessary. Call points, deductions of points and disqualifications as they see fit. Stop the timekeepers clock when necessary. Give opinions when asked by the arbitration committee. Verify that scores are recorded correctly.
Corner Judges Corner judges must remain alert and focused at all times. Corner judges must move in concert with the Center referee and competitors in order to maintain clear lines of sight and to make certain at least one judge is always on each side of the competitors. Corner judges shall call points. Corner judges may indicate a warning.
The Timekeeper shall: Timekeeper and Recorder Duties Keep the official time by starting and stopping the clock on the Center Referee s orders. Announce the end of the official time period (It is the Center Referee s duty to officially stop the match). The Recorder shall: Correctly record each point, warning, deduction and disqualification as awarded by the Center Referee. Repeat to the center referee each point or minus point given. Keep track of points and deductions on the scorecards.
Coaches Coaches must familiarize themselves with the Tournament Rules prior to the tournament or they will not be allowed to protest a match. Coaches must be dressed appropriately in a coach s royal blue shirt and white dobok pants. Coaches must be in their seat prior to the beginning of a match and remain seated. They may not come to coach once the match has started, and they may not switch with another coach during a match. Coaches may NEVER enter the ring. Coaches may not communicate, either verbally or by nonverbal means such as hand signals, with their athletes EXCEPT during the break between rounds. Coaches are not required for an athlete to compete. There will be no coaching from the sidelines.
Sparring Equipment The following sparring gear is mandatory: Foam dipped vinyl hand and feet protective equipment. Head guard with padded top Mouthpiece Male competitors must wear groin cup. Cloth or vinyl shin guards Optional equipment: Cloth or vinyl forearm guards, Hogu, Breast protector and groin protector for female competitors No gear may contain metal or other hard materials or contain the use of zippers, laces or stud fasteners.
Personal Requirements Finger and toe nails must be clipped short. The USTL prefers the use of contacts. If this is not an option, only sport eyeglasses will be allowed in sparring competition. No jewelry may be worn. Hard braces or casts may not be worn without approval from the Tournament Director. Competitors not wearing a clean, white or approved uniform will be asked to change immediately. Any competitor in violation of any equipment rule will have 4 minutes to comply or may face disqualification.
Length of Matches In black belt divisions, ages 16 & up the semi-final and final matches will consist of two rounds of 2 minutes each with a 1 minute break in between rounds for coaching and recovery. All preliminary matches will consist of one 2 minute round. Color belt and Jr. Black belt (under age 16) divisions will consist of 1 round of 2 minutes for preliminary matches and 2 rounds of 90 seconds in the semi-final and final matches with a 1 minute break in between rounds for coaching and recovery. There will be a 2 minute break between the semi-final and final rounds. Time will not stop during any match unless the Center Referee indicates stop time.
Sparring Competition If it becomes apparent that a match is uneven due to a superior opponent, the referee may consult the corner judges. Upon a majority decision by the judges, the center referee may stop the match. The dominant competitor will be awarded a win by mismatch. If the score reaches a ten (10) point differential, the referee will call the match. There will be 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals in all sparring events, including team events.
Sparring Competition - Small Divisions If there are three competitors, the division will be run as double elimination. This needs to be set up by the Tournament Director. If there are only two competitors, the division will be run as a round robin with the competitor winning 2 of 3 matches being declared winner.
Principles of Double Elimination 3 Competitors The winner will continue to fight until both of the other players have a loss. The players with a loss will then fight. The match will continue as illustrated in one of the following scenarios until two competitors have two losses. 2 Competitors The two competitors will fight at least twice. If the same person wins both matches, then they will be 1st place and the other 2nd. If each wins one of the matches, they will fight a 3rd match to determine 1st and 2nd.
3 Player Double Elimination
3 Player Double Elimination
3 Player Double Elimination
3 Player Double Elimination
3 Player Double Elimination
Ring Procedure Each competitor will start on the designated start positions, with one wearing a red waist marker. At the direction of the referee, the competitors will bow to the Jury Table and then to each other. The referee will start the match with begin (si jak). The referee will stop the match to call points, issue an infraction or to call time by using the command break (hye chyo). At the end of the match, the competitors will be instructed to bow to each other and then to the referee and await the result.
Timekeeping The timekeeper will start the clock at the first begin (si jak) by the referee. The clock is only stopped when the referee indicates a timeout by saying Stop Time. The clock should be restarted upon the referee s command of si jak and should continue until the end of the match. When the match reaches its allotted time, the Timekeeper should yell loudly TIME and throw the red bean bag into the ring.
Judging Procedure The three standing judges should form an approximate triangle, with the Center Referee at the top, facing the time and scorekeepers. The goal is to have at least one judge on each side of the competitors at all times. All judges shall remain focused on the match with a clear line of vision, and move together in an approximate triangle. The Center Referee should initiate the movement based on the competitors movement. No judge should stand in one place, nor move so fast that he is crossing in front of another judge. If a judge sees a point or penalty occur, they should ki-hap loudly and the center referee should call break. All judges should return to their starting position and hold their flag parallel to the ground once they have decided how they are going to call the point. The Center Referee will then call for points once all judges have raised their flags horizontally.
Points Awarded One Point ADVANCED & BLACK BELT DIVISIONS Hand techniques to the body and the head. INTERMEDIATE DIVISIONS Hand techniques to the body only. Striking the head or face with the hand is considered a HAZARD penalty in the intermediate division. Two Points Kicking technique to the body Three Points Kicks to the head.
Striking Areas & Implements Authorized Areas: Head: The area protected by the headgear. INTERMEDIATE COMPETITORS may not strike the head with hand techniques. This would be a HAZARD penalty. Face: Light, controlled contact only is allowed to the face. Body: From the collarbone to the navel in front and the posterior auxiliary line on both sides. Unauthorized Target Areas: Neck and throat, back, groin, joints and legs. Striking Implements Hand Punch, Back Fist, Hammer Fist, Ridge Hand, Knife Hand Kick Kicks may make controlled contact to a legal target with any part of the foot below the ankle. They must be executed with good balance or jumping and landing with good balance.
Calling Points Judges will raise their flag to prepare to call points only when they have decided on a call. They should make their call immediately. Judges calls: Point : The judge should raise the colored flag of the competitor who scored and extend the number of fingers to indicate point value with the other hand. No See: The judge should cover their eyes to indicate they did not see the score. No Point: The judge should cross their arms in an X to indicate no point. This could mean the technique was blocked, overextended, jammed, weak, did not strike a legal target area, etc. This is not a call to make if you are not sure. Warning or Penalty: Judge should first call the point. After the point is called, they should point the colored flag to the ground and wave it in a circle.
Awarding the Points Points are awarded based on the majority rule. A no see is not counted as a vote. A no point is counted as a no vote. For example, a no see, a no point and a point call will equal no points. Two no sees and a point call will equal a point. Only the first landed legal technique in a sequence or combination will be scored. After calls have been made, the Center Referee will look at the scorekeeper and announce the scoring competitor s color and number of points scored. At the same time, he will extend that many fingers over the scoring competitor s head.
Warnings & Deductions The Center Referee should verbally state what the warning or infraction was and announce either Warning to Red or White or Full point deduction Red or White The scorekeeper will repeat exactly what the Center Referee just announced and record the points on the score sheet. They will also record warnings and deductions as tally marks in the appropriate column of the score card. Whenever there is a deduction point taken for excessive verbal warnings, they should circle the tally mark. They will also take away one point on the scorecard for that competitor when directed by the Center Referee. Any legal technique executed in combination before or after an infraction should not be scored.
Breaking a Tie In the case of a tie at the end of a match: After a 30 second break, the competitors continue to spar until there is a full point difference in the score (through awarding points or awarding point deductions). Deduction points carry over from the regular match. If a competitor has 2 deduction points, they would be disqualified if they received a point deduction in overtime. In overtime, a point must be confirmed by at least 2 judges. The majority rule does not apply at this point.
Infractions Verbal Warnings: o Pushing, grabbing or holding o Turning their back to avoid fighting o Stepping out of bounds to avoid contact o Stalling o Presenting a defenseless posture o Interruption by athlete s coach o Attacking from the ground o Falling to avoid contact or loss of balance when attacking (defined as any part of the body other than the feet coming in contact with the floor) Full Point Deductions: o Attacking a fallen opponent o Striking with an unauthorized implement o Non-incidental contact to an unauthorized area o Intentional attack after a stop command o Excessive contact o Throwing, tripping or leg sweeping o Uncontrolled attack o Pretending injury o Discourteous behavior by athlete or coach. o Third verbal warning and each verbal warning thereafter (Do NOT count towards Disqualification)
Out of Bounds Two feet completely outside the edge of the ring is considered out of bounds. With one foot inbounds, play continues. The Center should immediately call break and bring both competitors back to the center of the ring when a competitor steps out of bounds. A competitor with one foot in the ring may still score points If the inbounds competitor jumps off an inbounds leg, any points will be awarded, even if they finish out of bounds. VOLUNTARY OUT When one player is completely out of bounds with both feet, play is stopped and a warning will be issued. Play will resume one step inside the boundary of the ring. FORCED OUT When a player is out of bounds because of the direct action of the other player (fighting out or being kicked out), play will be stopped and will resume one step inside the boundary of the ring with no penalty given.
Grounds for Disqualification Injuring the opponent s face or neck. Injuring the opponent by a malicious or excessive attack. Drawing blood does NOT mean the attack was excessive or malicious and will not result in automatic disqualification. This should be determined by the referee & judges. Injuring and/or rendering an opponent unable to continue by using an unauthorized implement or by attack to an unauthorized area. Significant unsportsmanlike conduct by competitor or coach. Accumulation of three full HAZARD deduction points. Points accumulated from excessive verbal warnings will not be counted towards disqualification under this rule.
Injuries The referee shall immediately call time-out and attend to the injured competitor. They should immediately call for medical assistance. If a competitor injured due to an infraction by the opponent and cannot continue, they should be declared the winner. If both competitors are injured and cannot continue, the competitor leading on the scoreboard should be declared the winner. If the score is tied, the judges shall declare a winner based on fighting spirit, superiority of tactics and superiority of techniques. If a contestant wins 2 matches through injury, they must withdraw. If the competitor is injured due to a legal technique to a legal target area, and is cleared by the medical staff to compete, they have one minute to continue the match. If they are unable, or choose not to, they are to be declared the loser by withdrawal.
Concussion Policy In the event that a competitor receives a blow to the head and the Center Referee is concerned because the competitor exhibits symptoms of dizziness or disorientation, the Center should stop the match and immediately call for the Chief Medic and the Tournament Director for evaluation. If the Chief Medic determines there was a concussion, any competitor under 18 will be required to withdraw. If they are over 18 and released by the Chief Medic, they have 1 minute to decide whether to continue or withdraw. The Tournament Director will speak with the judges to determine if the contact was due to an infraction or excessive force in order to determine the winner of the match.
Protests The officially registered coach is the only one who can make a protest. If a competitor does not have a coach, they cannot protest a match. The coach must notify the referee that he would like to make a protest immediately at the end of the match. The protest is made to the Chief Arbitrator or Director of the event along with a $25.00 fee. Protests may not be made directly to the referee. Protests made on judgment calls will not be upheld. All decisions of the Arbitration Committee will be final.
Team- Point Sparring Three competitors each spar one 90 second round. Points from all three competitors are accumulated and the team scoring the most points wins. Before the beginning of the first round, a coin is tossed and the winner of the toss will decide which team will send out the first fighter. The other team will then select their fighter. At the beginning of round 2, the procedure will reverse and the alternate team must send out the first fighter. The two remaining fighters will compete in round 3. Each team must declare their tie breaker before the beginning of the match. In the event of a tie, the two tie breakers will spar until there is a full point difference in the score (through awarding points or deductions). All of the disqualification rules apply except the rule of automatic disqualification for three accumulated deduction points.