Tournament Rules Overview

Listed below is a general overview of policies and procedures regarding the upcoming Tournament.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Policy Overview

• There are currently 5 level divisions:  Beginner (white Yellow orange), Intermediate (purple, blue, Blue stripe), advanced (green, green stripe, and brown), Jr. Black, and Black Belt.
• There are currently 4 age divisions: 4-6, 7-11, 12-16 and 17 & up.  Jr. Black & Black Belt have different divisions.
• CKI reserves the right to cancel or reassign a division if it is under-registered or unworkable.
• All competitors must wear uniform and belt except for events designated “open”.
• Appropriate behavior is expected at all times.
• When entering the ring for the first time, each competitor has the option to introduce himself.  It is customary to bow to the judges before and after the entire performance
• Food will be available on site and feel free to bring your own.
• All events will award trophies to First through Fourth place.
• All competitors who do not receive a place trophy will receive a winner trophy.

Sparring Rules Overview

• CKI is not responsible for providing gear.  All competitors should arrange to buy their own gear or share it with a fellow competitor.
• No point will be given if there is even light contact on a punch or kick.
• Contact warnings are given for any strike that impacts with some level of momentum unless the contact was unavoidable (e.g. a charge.)
• Light contact is when a strike touches in such a way that no momentum is transferred.  No warning is issued on light contact.
• Two contact warnings means loss of point, three means loss of match.
• Allowable Contact is defined as blocking or pushing an arm or a leg to create an opportunity to score.
• Judges may decide, at their discretion, if a blow was dealt with excessive contact.  Excessive contact automatically disqualifies. Drawing blood does not guarantee a ruling of excessive contact.
• Biting, grabbing, gouging and deliberately striking an opponent are all illegal and grounds for warnings or disqualification.
• Legal Target Areas are the front of the torso, the face, and anywhere on the helmet.
• Illegal targets are the back, the back of the neck, and below the belt.
• Sparring gloves and helmets must be worn to each event.  Athletic cups, mouth guards and other protective gear are highly recommended.
• Scoring is based on the perception of the judges.  CKI promises to provide skilled and impartial judges.  However, no judge or even collection of judges can see every point.  Scoring is based on what the judges see, not on what may have actually happened.  It is therefore the object of the game to score the points the judges see, not just score points.  Judges have absolute authority on scoring and are not to be challenged.
• Leaving the ring will stop the match but does not incur penalties.
• A match ends when a third point is awarded to either competitor.  Two judges must call this final point.
• Changes at Shodan and above:  Light contact is allowed.  Furthermore, a point only scores if it is demonstrated that the strike could have been delivered powerfully to a target.

Combinations Event Overview

• Any kempo self defense maneuvers, 8 point blocks, numbered combinations, kempo jujutsus, or even extra kempos are allowable maneuvers for this event.  The maneuvers do not need to be required material to be allowed, however, the technique should be real kempo, not kung fu or wushu, and should not contain acrobatic or gymnastic movements.  Non-kempo material is not acceptable and will not be considered for a place trophy.
• Each competitor chooses three maneuvers to perform.
• All three maneuvers are scored collectively not individually.
• Scoring is rigorously based on four technical categories. These categories are: Power, Presentation, Technical Precision, and Stances.
• If this event has eight or more competitors, a finals round will occur (see below)..

Forms Event Overview

• Any form that demonstrates proper kempo movement will be allowed for this event.  The form need not be a traditional kempo form but it will still be scored based on its adherence and demonstration of the skills of kempo.
• Scoring is rigorously based on four technical categories.  These categories are: Power, Presentation, Technical Precision, and Stances.
• If this event has eight or more competitors, a finals round will occur (see below).

Open Weapons Event Overview

• The weapons event is a competition based on a single weapons form.
• Music is allowed. All participants must supply their own sound system and are responsible for operating their own equipment.
• Any weapons form will be allowed.  This event does not require a full gi.
• Scoring:  Scoring will be done on a technical basis with a maximum score of ten.  Scoring is based on five categories: Power, Presentation, Weapon Control, Stances, & Difficulty.
• If this event has eight or more competitors, a finals round will occur (see below).

Open Forms Event Overview

• The open forms division is open to any martial arts form from any system including but not limited to karate, kung fu, sports martial arts, and wushu.
• Music is allowed. All participants must supply their own sound system and are responsible for operating their own equipment.
• Any form will be allowed.  This event does not require a full gi.
• Scoring:  Scoring will be done on a technical basis with a maximum score of ten.  Scoring is based on five categories: Power, Presentation, Body Control, Stances, & Difficulty.
• If this event has eight or more competitors, a finals round will occur (see below).

Open Synch Division

• The Synch division is open to any martial arts form from any system including but not limited to karate, kung fu, sports martial arts, and wushu.  Weapons may also be used.
• Music is allowed. All participants must supply their own sound system and are responsible for operating their own equipment.
• This Division is designed for TWO or THREE PEOPLE to perform simultaneously and to be scored as a team.
• Synchronized means that the competitors are performing:
  • the same moves at the same instant
  • a mirror image of the same movement at the same instant
  • the same movement with a discrete delay (domino effect).
• Competitors may not make excessive body contact or
• While occasional contact is allowed between the two participants, the presentation should not include techniques done on each other or be constructed like a 2 man set.
• Scoring:  Scoring will be done on a technical basis with a maximum score of ten.  Scoring is based on five categories: Power, Presentation, Body Control, Stances, & Difficulty.  The ability to stay in synch will be reflected in the presentation score.
• If this event has eight or more competitors, a finals round will occur (see below).

Chanbara

• Generally, CKI will follow the rules of the United States Chanbara Association available online at http://samuraisports.com/association/pdfs/fr02.pdf
• We will hold three divisions.  Kodachi (short sword), Choken (long sword) and mixed weapons (any weapon or weapon combination approved by the judges).  Competitors over the age of 12 will not be allowed to compete in the Kodachi division.  All ages are welcome in the other divisions.

Finals Rounds Overview

• In rings that have ten or more competitors, the first competitor gets to perform again at the end before the finals round.  With twenty competitors, the first two get to go again and with thirty or more competitors, the first three repeat their performances.
• In rings that have eight or more competitors, a finals round will occur.  Rings with eight or nine competitors will have a finals round with only the top four competitors.  With 10 or more, the top six scoring competitors will give a second performance and be scored again.  This second set of scores will determine first through fourth place.  First through Fourth place will be determined using Ordinal Scoring.

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