RULES

PKC Region VII RULES

TOURNAMENT RULES: Weapons, Forms, Sparring, Chanbara, Demo/CMX, Continuous Sparring and Grappling

1. All competitors must wear a clean regulation Karate, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Judo uniform. The PKC defines regulation uniform as sleeves that cover the elbows and pants that cover the knees.

2. Spectators are not allowed on the competition floor at any time. Only competitors whose division is being ran and working personnel are allowed on the competition floor.

3. During the course of competition no one can talk to a judge or referee except to lodge an official protest. Violation of this rule may result in the awarding of a penalty point.

4. Center referees should be currently certified black belts. Black belts only will officiate in divisions containing black belt competitors. Certified brown belts may judge (but not center) in divisions containing other brown belts (but no black belts).

5. An official may not at any time officiate for his or her child, spouse, or significant other.

6. If there is a division provided for a competitor, the competitor must compete in that division. A competitor found competing in the wrong division will be disqualified. In order to receive points in any division with only one competitor that competitor must have registered before the deadline, be in uniform at the appropriate ring, and ready to compete when the division is called.

7. In the event a child’s age is challenged, the parent(s) or guardian of that child shall produce a Birth Certificate to establish the child’s age.

8. Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification. A competitor may be disqualified if a parent, instructor, or fellow student exhibits unsportsmanlike conduct. A disqualified competitor will receive no points and no award. A person disqualified for this reason will not be allowed to continue into another round of competition.

9. A person who is not enrolled in a martial arts school may not participate in any phase of PKC competition.

10. All PKC sanctioned tournaments will receive full Regional PKC Points as follows: 1st-15pts, 2nd-10pts, 3rd-5pts, and 4th -3pts.

11. A $5.00 discount will be given at registration when a competitor produces a current PKC membership card (No membership card = No membership discount). If there is more than one competitor in a family there will be a $5.00 discount per family member.

12. All PKC sanctioned tournaments will use square rings for Karate/Kung Fu /Taekwondo competition. Rings will be no less than 16’ X 16’ no more than 26’ X 26’. Recommended ring size is 20’ X 20’. Two parallel lines will be place in the center of the ring two (2) feet in length and six (6) feet apart as starting points.

13. In lodging a protest a player, parent, or instructor must respectfully get the attention of the center referee and state the rule violation being protested. Protests are only allowed when a rule has been violated. A judgment call may not be protested. Center referees will respect all protests and may want to summon an arbitrator.

14. The center referee is responsible for insuring all score sheets are properly completed prior to awards being given out. The official will then be assigned to another ring by the arbitrator or tournament director. When a volunteer scorekeeper is related to a competitor they should be identified to the center referee.

15. A competitor may request the removal of one official before the division begins to an arbitrator.

16. Registration is allowed up to the start of your division.

17. All martial artists below the rank of 5th degree black belt must wear their uniform in order to judge or referee. All brown and black belt ranks will be required to officiate. Individuals below the rank of 5th dan who attend a tournament without their uniform will be required to pay the adult admission fee. Individuals who are 5th dan and above will have their names forwarded to the tournament coordinator for a ring assignment. If not willing to accept the ring assignment they will be required to pay the adult admission fee. Should an individual be used as an official without a uniform the coordinator will ask that the individual be reimbursed the admission fee.

18. In the event a dispute cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties a division may be ran over again.

19. Along with assigned arbitrators, regional tournament promoters may act as arbitrators when necessary unless there is a conflict of interest present.

20. No tournament will begin without the presence of trained and certified medical personnel. Only certified medical personnel may administer first aid to an injured competitor. Medical personnel will remain at the event until its conclusion.

21. When, in the opinion of the PKC Promoters and Regional Director it is necessary for the safety of competitors, these rules may be amended temporarily.

FORMS - WEAPONS - DEMO/CMX

1. The scoring range for all divisions will be 9.70 LOW SCORE, 9.85 AVERAGE SCORE and 10.00 HIGH SCORE. In kata and weapons divisions judges will add to or deduct from the average score based upon the following criteria: power, balance, focus, execution, concentration and control. Kata/Forms will be judged on the performance of the competitor and not upon any judge’s system or the manner is which he/she thinks it should be performed. Judges in weapons divisions will take into consideration the degree of difficulty of the weapon. In self-defense divisions the criteria will be realism, balance, technique, power, and control.

2. There will be five judges in all adult black belt divisions. To determine a competitor’s score, the highest and lowest score will be eliminated and the remaining scores will be added together. When there is a shortage of judges and it is necessary for the expediency of the tournament three judges may be used for kata and weapons divisions below adult black belts. Under this circumstance all scores will be added to determine the winners. A competitor who forgets their kata may ask to restart one time, but will have a deduction of 0.30 (3/10) of their total score by the time/scorekeeper.

3. In the event of a tie (two or more competitors score the same) the low score will be added back into the total. If a tie still exists the high score will be added back into the total. If a winner is still not determined the competitors will run again. A competitor may run the kata of his or her choice. Competitors will be judged only on the second performance for an award. All competitors must be scored again.

4. All competitors in a division will bow-in and bow-out in a line together. The center referee will sit at the front center of the competition area with the remaining judges sitting at the corners of the competition area. Competitors will introduce themselves by stating a minimum of their name and the name of the kata. Although discouraged, other information provided by the competitor will not result in lower scores by the officials. At the conclusion of a division competitors will be dismissed and excessive handshaking or thanking of judges will be discouraged.

5. There will be no practicing of weapons on the competition floor or any other crowded area before, during, or after the tournament.

6. In weapons kata the center referee is responsible for checking the condition of weapons to insure the safety of everyone involved.

7. If a competitor drops his or her weapon they may ask to start over but will have a 0.30 (3/10) point deduction of their total score by the time/scorekeeper.

8. All competitors and attackers in self-defense divisions will wear approved protective headgear. If an attacker uses a weapon in a self-defense division the competitor may not turn the weapon on the attacker. There will be a two (2) minute time limit in the self-defense/demo/musical divisions, kept by the timekeeper. If the performance exceeds the time limit the scorekeeper will inform the center judge and deduct a 0.30 (3/10) point deduction of their total score.

9. Scorekeepers will write the word “closed” at the bottom of the score sheet as soon as the division has begun. Any competitor who arrives once a division has begun will be considered late. Late entries will be added to the bottom of the competitor listing with the word “late” written by their name. Late entries will receive a 0.30 (3/10) point deduction from their total score by the scorekeeper.

10. Care should be taken to insure there are not a majority of judges from one school on any judging board.

POINT SPARRING

1. Safety equipment is required in all divisions. Approved soft foam head with face shield, foot, and hand gear, mouthpiece and groin cup (males only) are required. Ringstar shoes are approved safety equipment. Recommended equipment – soft shin pads and rib guards. Hand pads must cover the wrists and fingers in one single piece. Any equipment with excessive tape, or deemed unfit by the center referee shall not be used. Adult black belt competitors have the option to not wear the face shield, but will have to sign an additional release form.

2. An official may at no time center judge for his/her own student.

3. Jewelry or other objects that may endanger a competitor may not be worn. Medical ID tags may be worn.

5. All matches will be two minutes running time. Time will only be stopped by the center referee when necessary.

6. All scoring techniques will receive one (1) point.

7. Tournament matches in all divisions will be five points. The winner will be declared when a competitor reaches five points or most points accumulated when time has expired.

8. If there is a tie when time is called a ‘sudden victory’ overtime will determine the winner. The first competitor to score a point wins.

9. To score a point techniques must be focused, snapped, controlled and with proper balance. Open hand back fists will not score. Slapping techniques to the head or body will not score.

10. JUDGE/REFEREE CALLS NO SEE – Hand in front of eyes NO POINT – Cross arms CLASH – Put both fists together POINT – Point to the person getting point (or raise flag) PENALTY POINT – Same as point CONTACT POINT – Fist in hand pointing towards person who was hit (or raising flag of person who was hit with fist in hand) EXCESSIVE CONTACT – Fist in hand pointing towards person who was hit while circling (or raising flag of person who was hit with first in hand while circling)

11. If a corner judge mistakenly makes the wrong call he may retract his call but not make another call prior to the match beginning again. If he makes a late call there point call should not be counted. All judges calls should made in a timely minor.

12. TARGET AREAS Head – light contact in all divisions Face Shield – Light contact to the face shield is allowed in all divisions. Techniques that are executed to the face but do not touch yet could make contact if fully extended will be awarded a point. Chest, rib cage, abdominal area, kidney – Light to moderate contact must be made to score. GROIN IS NOT A TARGET.

13. The center referee can call a penalty point for rules infractions without verification from the corner judge’s. Example: Out of Bounds Rule or Contact Rule but if he says CALL and request for corner judges make a call then the majority rules the call.

14. Light contact means no penetration or visible movement of the part of the opponent struck by the competitor.

15. Moderate contact means slight penetration or slight movement of the target. Moderate contact to the body is allowed in all divisions. Moderate contact to the face shield is not allowed and will result in a penalty point being awarded.

16. Excessive contact means an uncontrolled technique. Any technique to the head causing the head to snap in any direction or that drives the opponent’s head away by the impact of the technique is excessive. The penalty for excessive contact is a penalty point to the opponent. Any contact considered flagrant or malicious may result in disqualification.

17. If a competitor is knocked unconscious by a technique the medical technician must examine him or her immediately. A competitor who is knocked unconscious cannot continue to fight. If, in the opinion of the officials and the medical personnel, it may be unsafe for the competitor to continue, that competitor will not be allowed to continue in any sparring for that day. The competitor knocked unconscious should provide a medical release statement before competing again within thirty (30) days. The competitor who executed the technique will be disqualified but may go on to fight in any subsequent matches. The medical technician will make the final decision on a competitor’s ability to continue a match.

18. Grabbing the uniform or trapping a kick is allowed to facilitate scoring. Scoring must occur within 3 seconds.

19. Ground fighting is not allowed.

20. Out of bounds – Any time a competitor touches the out of bounds line and or steps out of bounds a penalty point will be awarded to the opponent, provided he is not pushed, shoved, or propelled, or fighting out of the ring.

21. Sweeps are allowed to the back of the front leg (boot to boot contact). No takedowns, rear leg sweeps or leg checking is allowed.

22. Every verified rules infraction will result in a point awarded to the opponent. This excludes those rules infractions that are considered flagrant and result in disqualification.

23. The following are illegal techniques: groin strikes, head butts, swinging techniques, hair pulling, biting, scratching, knees, elbows, throws, base leg sweeps, hands or knees touching ground while striking stomps to the head, jumping on a downed opponent, kicks to the legs, blind techniques, open hand techniques to the eyes, striking to the spine, back of neck or throat, falling to the floor to avoid contact, pushing, running out of bounds, faking an injury.

24. Second punching – Executing a technique after the center referee has said stop will result in a penalty point given to the opponent whether the infraction takes place in or out of bounds.

25. Coaching during a match is a rules infraction and may result in a point being given to the offending competitor’s opponent. Coaching is defined as verbal or non-verbal instructions to a competitor during a match.

26. Pairings and byes will be made randomly before the first round of competition. The center referee, coordinator, or scorekeeper will pair competitor cards randomly. In the event members of the same school are paired, cards will be switched with the last match of that round whenever possible.

27. Late entry – Once a division has started there will be no late entries.

28. The center referee may issue a point for any rules infraction or disqualification or a point for excessive contact or unsportsmanlike conduct without verification from the corner judges. The center referee’s call for a rules infraction overrides calls made by a corner judge. The center referee will be positioned so the timekeeper and scorekeeper are highly visible to him or her. The center referee is responsible for knowing the location of the medical technicians. The center referee must be loud and clear when making calls to insure the scorekeeper properly records the score.

29. Exhibition matches will not be allowed.

30. All competitors will be required to weigh in if requested and disqualified if found competing in the wrong division. Weight divisions: Light 179lbs & below, Heavy 180lbs & above.

CHANBARA (Padded Weapons Sparring)

1. All matches will be two minutes running time in duration or the first competitor to score five (5) points.

2. Both competitors must use the same size padded weapons. Competitors may provide their own padded weapon providing it is from an approved manufacturer and of sufficient quality for use, or use the padded weapons provided by the promoter.

3. Mandatory safety equipment includes head protection which provides eye, ear, and face protection (i.e. face shield) and protective groin cups for males. Other approved protective equipment may be worn by competitors.

4. Target areas include the head and face, the neck and shoulders, the area from the shoulders to the fingers, the trunk of the body, chest and stomach, the area from the hips to the feet.

5. Requirements for an effective score shall be proper form, control, speed, attitude, correct distance, and proper timing. All proper scoring techniques shall receive one point.

6. In order for a stabbing motion to receive a point the padded weapon must bend.

7. Prohibited acts which result in penalty points being awarded to your opponent include: any deliberate attempt to hit an opponent with excessive contact, any disregard for competitor safety such as striking with the handle of the weapon, grabbing an opponent’s weapon to keep him/her from making an attack, and going out of bounds without being pushed, shoved, or propelled out.

8. If a competitor drops his or her weapon his or her opponent will be awarded one point.

9. Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification just as in every other phase of competition.

10. All other PKC tournament rules apply in Chanbara divisions.

CONTINUOUS FIGHTING - Youth & Adults

SPECIAL NOTE:

DUE TO THE NATURE OF CONTINUOUS FIGHTING, THE CENTER REFEREE, WILL BE GRANTED THE FLEXIBILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS NOT NECESSARILY COVERED OR ANTICIPATED IN THE RULES. THIS FLEXIBILITY WILL BE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF FAIRNESS TO THE COMPETITOR AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THEIR SAFETY.

1. This is continuous point / kickboxing style sparring with light to moderate contact only.

2. All kicks and punches must be above the belt. (no leg or groining kicks)

3. Fighters may score with karate style techniques, and kickboxing style techniques.

4. Each youth match will consist of one two minute round.

5. Each adult match will consist of one three minute round.

6. All referees will point to the fighter they felt scored the most points at the end of the match.

7. All fighters must throw 10 legitimate kick attempts per match, or the fighter will forfeit the match.

8. Corner referees will hold up a flag or a hand, when a fighter meets the minimum kick requirements.

9. Center referees will control the tempo of the matches, and make sure both fighters stay under control.

10. Warnings: excessive contact, leg kicks, knees, elbows, sweeps, running out of ring, low blows, or disrespect.

11. Fighters will get one warnings per match for any rules infraction. Second warning fighter will be disqualified.

12. Approved gloves will be provided for each match, and everyone will use our gloves.

13. Headgear, mouthpiece, footpads, cup/supporter required. Face shields are allowed but not recommended.

14. All fighters may wear a traditional uniform, t-shirt or rash guard with sleeves, Gi bottoms or fight shorts.

15. In the event of a tie, fighters will fight one additional one minute round to determine the winner.

16. If a fighter gets injured from a legal blow, the fighter will have one minute to recover.

17. A fighter cannot stall the fight due to lack of conditioning. Stalling could lead to disqualification.

18. If a fighter is bleeding the EMT along with the center referee will decide if the fighter can continue.

19. IF A FIGHTER IS DEEMED KNOCKED OUT, THE FIGHTER MAY NOT CONTINUE. NO EXCEPTIONS!

20. ANY KNOCK OUT WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION, NO EXCEPTIONS!

GRAPPLING (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and Sambo)

General Rules Men & Women

1) No unsportsmanlike conduct, swearing, or obscene gestures of any kind will be allowed. You may be disqualified or ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct against another competitor, referee, coach, or the public. Demonstration of unsportsmanlike conduct by any person (coach, competitor, family member, and friend) may result in disqualification of the competitor or ejection.

2) The referees will be shown maximum respect at all times. All disputes will be taken by the coach only to the Grappling Coordinator. The decision of the Grappling Coordinator will be final and will not be overturned.

3) No infectious skin diseases (such as ringworm, staph, and MRSA) or open wounds will be permitted. If the grappling coordinator has reason to suspect an infectious skin disease, the tournament doctor will examine the lesion and render a ruling. The doctor’s ruling is final.

4) No lubricants, oils, or lotions of any kind will be permitted on any part of the body or clothing.

5) No illegal techniques will be permitted. Illegal techniques will result in an automatic DQ. There are no exceptions to this rule.

6) Takedowns are NOT considered slams, but you must deliver your opponent safely to the mat.

7) Competitors will be allowed to continue grappling anywhere on the matted area. If the competitors near the edge of the mat, they will be restarted from the same position, unless the referee is unable to duplicate the position for any reason. In case the referee is unable to duplicate the position, the competitors will restart from a standing position.

8) If neither competitor is able to initiate a takedown or pull guard in a reasonable amount of time, the referee, at his/her discretion, will restart the match from a downed position with one competitor in guard. Bottom and top position will be determined by a coin toss.

9) No grabbing of any clothing, including your own, will be permitted in No-Gi Divisions.

10) Women will not be permitted to compete in Men's divisions. Men will not be permitted to compete in Women's divisions.

11) All adult competitors in Gi Grappling must compete using the rank awarded to them by their BJJ instructor. Competitors will not be permitted to compete at a higher belt level than their current belt.

12) In No-Gi Divisions, anyone who is a blue belt in BJJ MUST compete in intermediate or higher, and anyone who is a purple belt or higher in BJJ MUST compete in the advanced division. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

Illegal Techniques

No Striking of any kind

No Small joint manipulation (fingers or toes)

No neck cranking

No Biting or Pinching or twisting of the skin

No slamming

No spinal submissions or manipulations

No stalling

No fleeing the ring to avoid submission

No twisting leg locks

No Hair pulling, Eye gouging (includes chin to eye), Ear pulling or Head butting

No Excessive Contact to the trachea (forearm, elbow, Gi, hand)

Scoring

1) Winners will be decided by submission, first to 10 points or most points accumulated before time expires. If match is tied after 3 Minutes, first person that lands on their back will lose the match. To gain points for a position, the competitor must show clear control for 3 seconds (including takedowns and throws). No points will be awarded for moving within the same type of position (i.e. changing from one side control position to another or switching between back mount positions) Point Scoring: 2 Points – Takedown or Throw, Sweep, Side Control. Acceptable Variations: Cross Side, Head and Arm, Knee on Stomach, North/South Position. 3 Points Pass opponent’s guard. 4 Points – Mounted position, Back Mount, acceptable variations: Back Mount with hooks, Body Triangle from the back, Back Mount with opponent flat on stomach.

2) Stalling: Referee will issue warnings for the 1st offense of stalling (i.e. standing up or backing out of the guard without engaging, hugging the opponent's hips inside the guard without an attempt for advancement, backing away from the opponent out of bounds, etc). A 2nd offense will result in disqualification.

3) Slamming: Illegal slamming will be defined as slamming your opponent to escape submissions and/or to pass the guard; or standing from the guard and/or jumping from a standing position to slam your opponent. Slamming will result in an automatic DQ. There are no exceptions to this rule.

4) Fleeing: If a competitor flees the ring to avoid a takedown and it is obvious that the competitor is going to be taken down, his or her opponent will be awarded two points.

5) There are no points for reversals. It is a person's obligation to escape a bad position (mount, rear mount, or side control). No points are awarded for these escapes. Points will be awarded for solidifying a dominant position following a reversal.

6) Takedown points will be awarded to the person who lands and secures control. Therefore, if a person initiates a throw but the other competitor successfully counters that attempt and lands in control (3 seconds), the person initiating the counter will receive points for the takedown.

Time Limits: 3 Minutes

Gi Grappling: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Equipment

1) BJJ divisions require a clean, properly fitted Jiu-Jitsu or Judo Gi, in good repair and free of offensive odors. T-shirts or rash guards are permitted under the Gi top.

2) Mouthpiece is required. Groin protection is optional.

No-Gi Grappling: Submission Grappling Equipment

1) Fight shorts or gi pants may be worn. Shirts must be tight fitting; rashguards are recommended.

2) Mouthpiece is required. Groin protection is optional.

General Rules – Youth

No unsportsmanlike conduct, swearing, or obscene gestures of any kind will be allowed. You may be disqualified or ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct against another competitor, referee, coach, or the public. Demonstration of unsportsmanlike conduct by any person (coach, competitor, family member, and friend) may result in disqualification of the competitor or ejection.

1) The referees will be shown maximum respect at all times. All disputes will be taken by the coach only to the Grappling Coordinator. The decision of the Grappling Coordinator will be final and will not be overturned.

2) No infectious skin diseases (such as ringworm, staph, and MRSA) or open wounds will be permitted. If the grappling coordinator has reason to suspect an infectious skin disease, the tournament doctor will examine the lesion and render a ruling. The doctor’s ruling is final.

3) No lubricants, oils, or lotions of any kind will be permitted on any part of the body or clothing.

4) No illegal techniques will be permitted. Illegal techniques will result in an automatic DQ. There are no exceptions to this rule. The following will not be ruled as illegal trachea contact:

Guillotine Chokes

Gi Chokes

Pulling the head down on a triangle leg choke If the referee feels the competitor is in danger, he/she may stop the match and allow the competitors to reposition off the trachea.

5) Takedowns are NOT considered slams, but you must deliver your opponent safely to the mat.

6) Competitors will be allowed to continue grappling anywhere on the matted area. If the competitors near the edge of the mat, they will be restarted from the same position, unless the referee is unable to duplicate the position for any reason. In case the referee is unable to duplicate the position, the competitors will restart from a standing position.

7) If neither competitor is able to initiate a takedown or pull guard in a reasonable amount of time, the referee, at his/her discretion, will restart the match from a downed position with one competitor in guard. Bottom and top position will be determined by a coin toss.

8) No grabbing of any clothing, including your own, will be permitted in No-Gi Divisions.

9) Only (18+) may compete in Men's or Women's divisions.

10) In Youth (17 & under) matches, the referee has the discretion to call a match if the referee believes that a submission will cause immediate damage or injury, especially in the beginner divisions.