Adult Rules for the June 5th, 2004 Uechi-ryu World Championships

NOTE - The Coordination & Rules Arbitrator is Sensei Ron Fagan. His is the final word on all rule questions at all Adult IUKF sanctioned Uechi tournaments.

NOTE - The tournament promoter WILL NOT overrule Ron on any rule related calls.

NOTE - Fairness Rule - If a question ever arises that is not covered by this rule book. The IUKF Coordinator, Ron Fagan, may at his discretion:

Create a new rule on the spot.

Change or modify any existing rule, should he believe that by enforcing that rule, would give an unfair advantage or outcome to any competitor.

This fairness rule should only be used in extreme cases.

General Tournament Rules

Divisions Competitors May Enter:

All Divisions described on application form.

Promoter may elect to limit divisions based on time constraints, conflicting ring assignments or other problems associated with this rule.

Promoter will give a refund for any division that a competitor is unable to compete in, providing the promoter has determined such a conflict exists and a refund is in order.

Competitors who are due a refund will be given a signed "refund form", which must be filled out and returned to the Promoter, either at the event or by mail. A check will be mailed to the competitor within two weeks following the event.

COMPETITORS: Each competitor must present him/herself to the referee suitably attired with proper uniform and equipment and physically prepared to compete. If he/she is not prepared to compete as deemed by the center referee, the competitor may be penalized for delay of time.

DELAY OF TIME PENALTY

Delay of Time Penalty - Sparring: An automatic warning will be issued to the competitor. A penalty point will be issued for each minute the competitor is not properly ready to compete. Upon receiving 3 penalty points the offending competitor will be disqualified.

RANK DEFINITIONS:

Rank Rule - Belt Rank: A competitor must compete at the highest belt level they have earned in the martial arts. A competitor can never compete in a division of which he/she had not earned that rank. Once a competitor competes as a black belt legally, he/she must always compete as a black belt. A competitor can never compete in a lower belt division than the level of belt he/she has earned in the Martial Arts.

PROOF OF AGE RULE: All competitors must have proof of age. If there is a legitimate reason to question a competitor's age, the competitor must present a proof of age (birth certificate, driver's license, or other acceptable documents) to prove his/her age.


COMPETITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES:

It is the responsibility of the competitor to know and understand the rules and be ready for competition when called to do so. He/she must be suitably attired, weighed-in, if required, and at the appropriate ring when competition begins. If the competitor is not at his/her ring ready to compete when competition begins, they will be penalized.

If a competitor leaves the ring after the competition begins and is not present when his/her name is called to compete, his/her name will be called three times at ringside. If he/she is still not present to compete, he/she will be disqualified

If a competitor is caught lying to any tournament official covering any rule or regulation of the tournament, the competitor may be immediately disqualified. Example: The ref. asks if the competitor is wearing a cup, the competitor says yes. It is then discovered that the competitor is not wearing a cup. The competitor can be disqualified on the spot for lying to an official.

REFEREES

The Referee shall have to power to:

To conduct matches including announcing the start, the suspension, and the end of the match.

To award points.

To explain to the Match Area Controller, Referee Council, or Appeals Jury, if necessary, the basis for giving a judgement.

To impose penalties and to issue warnings, before, during, or after a bout.

To obtain and act upon the opinion(s) of the Judges.

To announce extensions.

To conduct voting of the Referee Panel (HANTEI) and announce the result.

To announce the winner.

The authority of the Referee is not confined solely to the competition area but also to all of its immediate perimeter.

The Referee shall give all commands and make all announcements.

Added Powers of the Referee:

Match starts and ends only with his/her command (not the command of the timekeeper)

The referee has final decision on any disputes on score

The referee has the power to issue warnings and award penalty points without a majority decision

The referee can overrule a majority call to issue a warning or a penalty point

The referee automatically has power to disqualify a competitor

The referee has power to issue time-outs. A competitor can ask for a time-out, but it is the decision of the referee to issue one.

The referee alone can determine penalties or warnings

JUDGES

The Judges powers shall be as follows:

To assist the Referee by flag signals.

To exercise a right to vote on a decision to be taken.

The Judges shall carefully observe the actions of the contestants and signal to the Referee an opinion in the following cases:

When a score is observed.

When a contestant has committed a prohibited act and/or techniques.

When an injury or illness of a contestant is noticed.

When both or either of the contestants have moved out of the competition area (JOGAI).

In other cases when it is deemed necessary to call the attention of the Referee.


STARTING, SUSPENDING AND ENDING OF MATCHES

The Referee and Judges shall take up their prescribed positions and following an exchange of bows between the contestants; the Referee will announce "SHOBU HAJIME!" and the bout will commence.

The Referee will stop the bout by announcing "YAME". If necessary, the Referee will order the contestants to take up their original positions (MOTO NO ICHI).

The Referee returns to his position and the Judges indicate their opinion by means of a signal. In the case of a score to be awarded the Referee identifies the contestant (Aka or Shiro), the area attacked (Chudan or Jodan), the scoring technique (Tsuki, Uchi, or Keri), and then awards the relevant score using the prescribed gesture. The Referee then restarts the bout by calling "TSUZUKETE HAJIME".

When a contestant has won three points during a bout, the Referee shall call "YAME" and order the contestants back to their starting lines as he returns to his. The winner is then declared and indicated by the Referee raising a hand on the side of the winner and declaring "SHIRO (AKA) NO KACHI". The bout is ended at this point. Only one point is needed to win a bout in Team Kumite

When time is up, the contestant who has the most points is declared the winner, indicated by the Referee raising a hand on the side of the winner, and declaring "SHIRO(AKA) NO KACHI". The bout is ended at this point.

When time is up and scores are equal, or no scores have been awarded, the Referee shall call "YAME" and return to his position. Moving to the match area perimeter, the Referee will call "HANTEI" and give a two-tone blast on his whistle. The Referee and Judges together will indicate their opinions, the Judges by raising their flags and the Referee by raising his arm. In the event of equal votes, the Referee will announce a tie(HIKIWAKE) and the start of the ENCHO-SEN where applicable.

The Judges and Referee have one vote each at HANTEI except at the end of an inconclusive ENCHO-SEN, when the referee may use a casting vote to break any further tie.

When faced with the following situations, the Referee will call "YAME!" and halt the bout temporarily:

When either or both contestants are out of the match area.

When the Referee orders the contestant to adjust the karate- gi or protective equipment.

When a contestant has contravened the rules.

When the Referee considers that one or both of the contestants cannot continue with the bout owing to injuries, illness, or other causes. Heeding the tournament doctor's opinion, the Referee will decide whether the bout should be continued.

When a contestant seizes the opponent and does not perform an immediate technique, or throw within two seconds.

When one or both contestants fall or are thrown and no effective techniques are made within two seconds.

When both contestants are off their feet following a fall or attempted throw and begin to wrestle.

When three judges give the same signal, or indicate a score for the same competitor.

 

LATE CALLS: All officials should make their calls at the same time. If, in the opinion of the referee, the corner judges are making a late call intentionally, the referee can disqualify the call (noise not allowing the judges to hear the referee and the honest mistake of raising the wrong color or pointing at the wrong competitor should be taken into consideration not to disqualify the call).

NUMBER OF OFFICIALS: Five officials are recommended in all black belt form and fighting. However, if that is not possible, at least three judges are required. In all other divisions there must be three officials.

REMOVAL OF OFFICIALS:

If a competitor feels that an official should be removed form a division, he/she may file a protest at any time. It is totally up to the tournament coordinator to determine if an official should be removed.

If a competitor feels that a Center Referee/Head official should be removed from a division, he/she must file a protest before the division begins. It is totally up to the tournament coordinator to determine if a Head official should be removed.

The Coordination & Rules Arbitrator has the authority to remove any official at any time from any ring, at their discretion.

PROTEST:

A competitor has the right to protest an infraction of the rules or a possible mistake that was made (not a judgment call).

If a competitor wishes to protest, he/she should first let the referee know he/she believes there has been an infraction of the rules or a mistake has been made.

The referee will summon the Coordinator to the ring to render a decision if the referee cannot settle the protest to the competitor's satisfaction.

All protests must be made in an orderly, proper and sportsmanlike manner.

All protests must be made immediately.

Protests are not allowed once competition has resumed.

A competitor may be penalized or even disqualified if he/she is protesting improperly or without proper cause.

LATE ENTRIES:

Once a division has started (the first fight has started) no competitor(s) can be added to that division. BE ON -TIME NO EXCEPTIONS

COMPETITING IN DIFFERENT DIVISIONS:

No competitor will be allowed to compete in any other division than the one they signed up for and registered in originally.

Example: Competitor A registered for Men’s BB light weight fighting. Competitor A overslept and got stuck in traffic. Came to the tournament late. Missed the start of the Men’s lightweight fighting division. Asked to fight in men’s heavy weight fighting division. The answer is NO!

The rule is you enter the original division you registered and/or qualify for.

THE RING: The size of the fighting and form adult black belt rings shall be approximately 20' x 20'. Starting lines should be marked approximately six feet apart in the middle of the ring. Additionally, each ring should be posted with a ring number that is visible from across the floor to competitors, officials, and medical personnel.

SEEDING: No seeding of any type in any division.

WARNINGS & PENALTIES:

WARNING: (CHUKOKU) May be imposed for attendant minor infractions or the first instance of a minor infraction.

KEIKOKU: This is a penalty in which WAZARI (one-half point) is added to the opponent's score. KEIKOKU is imposed for minor infractions for which a warning has previously been given in that bout, or for infractions not sufficiently serious to merit HANSOKU.

HANSOKU-CHUI: This is a penalty in which IPPON (one point) is added to the opponent's score. HANSOKU-CHUI is usually imposed for infractions for which a KEIKOKU has previously been given in that bout although it may be imposed directly for serious infringements which do not merit HANSOKU

HANSOKU: This is imposed following a very serious infraction or when a HANSOKU has already been given. It results in the disqualification of the contestant.

SHIKKAKU: This is a disqualification from the actual tournament, competition, or match. SHIKKAKU may be invoked when a contestant fails to obey the orders of the referee, acts maliciously, or commits an act which harms the prestige and honour of Karate-do, or when other actions are considered to violate the rules and spirit of the tournament.


A competitor cannot be penalized with either a warning or a penalty and still receive a point on the same call. A warning or penalty always over rules a point. A competitor can receive a point for a proper technique and another point from a penalty. A warning or penalty always over rules a point.

DISQUALIFICATION:

We strongly recommend that the majority of all officials agree in the disqualification of any competitor, unless it is an automatic disqualification as stated in the rules. However, the referees have the power to disqualify a competitor on their own accord.

Wrong Division: If any competitor deliberately competes in a division he/she does not qualify to compete in due to age, weight, rank, gender, style, etc., he/she will be disqualified. No majority of judges needed. This is at the sole discretion of the tournament coordinator.

Note: The Tournament Coordinator has the authority to disqualify any competitor on the spot.

COACHING: Coaching is a luxury that most competitors do not have access. Therefore, it sometimes can become an unfair advantage over a competitor who does not have coaching. The rules are made and enforced so no one competitor has an advantage or disadvantage over another competitor. Therefore, coaching is allowed but only under the following guidelines:

Never, at any time, can a coach enter the ring without the referee's permission

No abusive, violent, unsportsmanlike or overzealous coaching

Coaches cannot ask for a time out (only the competitor may ask for a time out)

Coaches can never, at any time, interfere with the proper running of the ring or the decisions of the judges

A Coach is defined as anyone who is trying to help one competitor in anyway. A coach could be but is not limited to a friend, parent, teammate or official coach

The center referee can issue a penalty to a competitor for each time his/her coach is interfering with a match or disrupting fair play between contestants

A referee can disqualify a competitor for the actions of his/her coach

There shall be no coaching while a match is in progress. Coaching is only allowed when "YAME" is called and time has stopped.

OUT-OF-BOUNDS: A competitor is out-of-bounds as soon as he/she has at least one foot touching outside of the boundary line. If a competitor goes outside the boundary, they will be issued a warning for the first offense. The second offense will result in a Half-Point (WAZARI) awarded to his/her opponent. An IPPON shall be awarded on the third offense, and the fourth offense shall be an immediate disqualification.

RING SET UP: Once the final call for the sparring division has been made at ringside the division is ready to be set up. The competition cards should be collected and counted. Set up the random straight bye system

Matches should always be selected by random, but certain allowances may be given to competitors from the same schools that are matched up in the first round of competition. They may be separated randomly from each other in the first round if possible. (Competitors cannot pick whom they want or do not want to fight.)

WEIGHING-IN - Adult Black Belt Fighters only - It is mandatory for all adult fighting competitors - who are in weighed divisions - to weigh in before competition. Only one official weigh-in is required. All competitors must fight in his/her weight division. A competitor cannot fight up or down in another weight division for which he/she has not made the proper weight.

It is the responsibility of the tournament personnel to weigh and properly record the competitor's weight

ADULT - REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

Hand and Footpads: KRANE or AAU type equipment and instep guards only.

Mouthpieces: Required. We strongly recommend the WIPPS mouthguards.

Groin cups (for male competitors) are mandatory in all sparring divisions.

The competitor's equipment will be checked and if it is deemed unsafe, he/she will be asked to change the equipment before he/she can compete.

ADULT - RECOMMENDED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

Shin pads and rib/chest guards are highly recommended for additional safety to all adult sparring competitors.

UNIFORM RULE

All competitors must wear a complete (top and bottom) traditional clean white uniform in a good state of repair. The appropriate color belt must be worn in competition. All sparring uniforms must have sleeves that reach at least to the middle of the forearm. No T-shirts, sweats, tank tops or shoes are allowed in any division. Females may wear a white shirt underneath their jacket. Neither the sleeves of the jacket or the legs of the trousers may be rolled up.

WHAT IS A POINT: A point is a controlled legal sport karate technique scored by a competitor in-bounds without time being called that strikes a competitor with the no more than the allowable amount of focused touch contact.

Each score is worth an IPPON and is worth one point.

A score is awarded when a technique is performed according to the following criteria to a scoring area:

Good form

Sporting attitude

Vigorous application

Awareness and continued commitment (ZANSHIN)

Good timing

Correct distance

Attacks are limited to the following areas:

Head

Face

Abdomen

Chest

Back

Side

An effective technique delivered at the same time that the end of the bout is signaled is considered valid.

No technique, even if technically correct, will be scored if it is delivered when the two contestants are outside the competition area. However, if one of the contestants delivers an effective technique while still inside the competition area and before the Referee calls "YAME", the technique will be scored.

Simultaneous, effective scoring techniques delivered by both contestants, the one on the other (AIUCHI) shall not score.

Prohibited behaviour:

Techniques which make excessive contact, having no regard to the scoring area attacked.

Techniques aimed at the neck or throat, regardless of whether they make contact.

Attacks to the arms or legs, groin, joints, or instep. Any type attack with the head, or hair pulls, bites or scratches,

Attacks to any part of the body below the belt. Sweeps and throws, however, are allowed.

Attacks to the face with open hand techniques.

Uncontrolled blind techniques of any type.

Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques, which cause injury.

Feigning, or exaggerating injury.

Repeated exits from the competition area (JOGAI).

Self-endangerment by indulging in behaviour which exposes the contestant to injury by the opponent, or failing to take adequate measures for self-protection (MUBOBI).

Avoiding combat as a means of preventing the opponent having the opportunity to score.

Grabbing and attempting to throw or take down the opponent, without first making a genuine attack, except when the opponent has attempted to grab or throw first, and throwing techniques where the pivotal point is above hip-level.

Unnecessary clinching, wrestling, pushing, or seizing, without attempting a striking technique.

Grabbing and holding onto the gi longer than two seconds, deemed by the judges

Techniques, which by their nature, cannot be controlled for the safety of the opponent and dangerous and uncontrolled attacks, whether they land or not.

Attacks with the head.

Talking to, or goading the opponent, failing to obey the orders of the referee, discourteous behaviour towards the refereeing officials, or other breaches of etiquette.

Displaying unsportsmanlike behavior by the competitor, his/her coaches or friends.

THIS IS NOT A FULL AND COMPLETE LIST


Grabbing, Sweeping and Throws: A competitor may grab the uniform top of his/her opponent in an attempt to score with a sport karate technique for only two seconds, after which time he/she must release the uniform. A sweep can only be executed leg at mid-calf or below. A sweep must be deemed a proper sweep and not a kick to be legal. The pivot point for throws may not be above the waist. Dangerous throws or throws where the opponent cannot land safely are prohibited

Definition of Contact:

LIGHT TOUCH CONTACT - No penetration or visible movement of the competitor as a result of the contact. Light touch is allowed to all legal target areas EXCEPT THE HEAD. NO CONTACT is allowed of any kind to the head & face of all adult competitors. Techniques must be no more than two inches away without being blocked.

MODERATE TOUCH CONTACT - Slight penetration or slight target movement. Moderate touch contact may be made to all legal target areas except the head.

HARD CONTACT - Visible penetration or noticeable target movement. Hard touch contact is not allowed to be made to all legal target areas. This level of contact can cause physical damage. This is grounds for immediate disqualification.

EXCESSIVE CONTACT - The competitor is showing no control of the level of power used in the match. They are using their maximum strength in the match. This can and will cause injury to the other competitor. This is grounds for immediate disqualification.

MALICIOUS CONTACT - Means the competitor is trying to hurt their opponent. This is grounds for immediate disqualification

Form & Two -Person Set Rules:

Delay of Time Penalty - Form: (0.5) of a point will be deducted from the offending competitor's final score. Each 30 seconds the competitor is not ready to compete, another (0.5) of a point will be deducted for his/her final score. If a competitor is still not ready to compete after two (2) minutes, he/she will be disqualified.

Definitions Adult:

(Designated kata is the kata in which one performs at their test for the next rank)

White Belt – Sanchin or Kanshiwa

Green Belt – Kanshiwa or Konshu

Brown belt – Seichin or Seisan

Shodan – Seisan or Sei ryu

Nidan – Sei ryu or Konchin

Sandan or above – Konchin or Sanseiryu

Two Person Sets: White - Green Belts: (Kyu Kumite) Brown & Black (Dan/Yakusuku Kumite.) Note: If two partners of different rank enter as a team, they will be judged in the most advanced partner's division.

ORDER OF COMPETITION - Form:

Once the final call for the form has been made at ringside, the competition cards will be collected and shuffled thoroughly.

The competitor cards will then be drawn randomly for the order of competition.

The first three competitors will perform before any scores are awarded.

After the third competitor is finished, the first competitor will be called to come back for scoring followed by the second and third competitors. This is to give the judges a sampling of the quality of the competitors.

All competitors in the division will be judged in comparison to these first three competitors.

UNIFORM RULE - Form:

All competitors must wear a complete (top and bottom) traditional clean white uniform in a good state of repair. The appropriate color belt must be worn in competition.

SCORING RANGES OF FORM : There will be only one scoring range for all belts. The scoring range will be 9.50 to 10.00 points. This is not to say that the level of proficiency of a 9.75 white belt form score is the same as a 9.75 black belt form score. We are grading white belts against white belts and black belts against black belts, etc. One scoring range simplifies form scoring.

TIES: To break ties for 1st through 4th place: Follow the following progression.

The high and low scores will be added back in. (This procedure can only be done when there are five judgers). If after adding back in the high & low scores there is still a tie, go to number two. If there are three judgers, we automatically start with number two tie breaking option.

The competitors that are tied must perform their kata again to break the tie. The same kata must be preformed. If after the tied competitors perform and there is still another tie. Go to number 3

The judges must vote for a winner.

Note: Ties for 5th through 8th place are never run off. If any ties for 5th through 8th remain after the above tiebreakers, they will remain tied and all will receive points and awards, as applicable.

STARTING A FORM OVER:

If a competitor starts his/her form over because of a memory lapse or any other reason due to his/her own negligence, he/she may perform the form again.

The officials will score as though there was no mistake.

The center referee will instruct the scorekeeper to subtract 0.50 points from the competitor's final score.

If a competitor has to start over not due to his/her negligence, he/she will not be penalized on the start over.

TWO PERSON SETS SPECIAL RULES:

Two Person set that can be performed:

Kyu-Kumite Novice, Int & Adv Adults.

Dan-Kumite Adult Brown & Black belts

Yakosoku-Kumite Novice, Int & Adv Adults

Yakosoku Kumite Adult Black belts

Additional Two – Person Set Rules:

Competitors enter the 2-person set division as one team.

The competitors must have a partner for the division when they register.

Both competitors must meet all required rules to compete in that division.

Both competitors are scored.

Note: If two partners of different rank enter as a team, they will be judged in the most advanced partner's division.

Questions or comments? Send email to gmattson(AT)uechi-ryu.com

(please insert @ where you see (AT). Helps to fool the email spammers.)

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