7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Praying Mantis Kung Fu

PADDED WEAPON'S POINT FIGHTING COMPETITION RULES

SCORING

The following addresses the various striking areas on the body which will allow a combatant participating in "point" fighting to accumulate points. It is necessary on the official's part to constantly monitor the combatants in order to "look" for the proper strikes and techniques. In Point fighting, the result of the bout is determined by either competitor scoring 5 points or by obtaining 5 points after a penalty is imposed against an opponent.

Strike to the weapons hand (from shoulder to finger tips) scores 2 points
Strike to the head scores one point (top, front, and side)
Strike to the torso scores one point (chest, ribs)
Strike to the empty hand scores one point
Strike to the legs (knee down) scores one point (front, side)
Disarm with a follow-up strike scores 2 points
Takedown with weapons and a follow-up strike scores 2 points

SCORING AT THE EDGE OF THE RING

Both feet must be in the ring in order to score. A combatant cannot score points if they are outside the confines of the ring. However, a combatant who has both feet in the ring can score on an opponent who steps outside the ring while a technique is in the process of being executed while both participants were in the ring. In contrast, a combatant inside the ring can not score a point if the opponent is outside the ring and the technique was not executed while they were both inside the ring.

SCORING WHEN TIME IS CALLED

An effective technique delivered upon time being called is considered valid. Although time has run out in the bout, it is the responsibility of the Head Referee to stop the match and call for point.

CRITERIA FOR DECISION (SUDDEN DEATH)

If competitors are tied after 2 minutes, a 30-second break is administered. After the 30 second break, the combatants face off again and the person scoring the next point is declared the winner. There is no time limit in this face off.

SWEEPS/TAKE DOWN RULE

Sweeps are allowed, when legal and as a means to an end...which is to score. A point is only given when the takedown is followed up with a scoring technique within 3 seconds. Sweeps can be made only with a combatant's weapon and cannot be done with a person's body parts.

DISARMS

Disarms are allowed, when legal and as a means to an end...which is to score. A point is only given when a disarm is followed up with a scoring technique within 3 seconds. Disarms can be made with a combatants weapon or person's body parts providing the weapon being disarmed does not strike combatant. Under no circumstances will a combatant be allowed to "grab" another combatant's weapon in an attempt to disarm. Losing a weapons while making a strike is considered a disarm.

CHECKING/JAMMING

Checking or jamming an opponent is allowed however, a combatant must not touch an opponents weapon while checking. There must also be a means to an end...a follow up strike to score.

BLOCKING

Blocking plays a critical role in padded weapon's point fighting strategies and techniques. A competitor who executes a block should not be penalized for the flexibility of the Kobudo Warrior GearÔ. Officials should understand that there would be some flex with certain weapons that will cause the weapon to bend slightly. This should not be identified as a point strike. Example: A overhead staff strike blocked by a katana. Due to the size of the staff vs Katana, the Katana will bend under the impact. Good judgment should be used when administering the point.

ILLEGAL STRIKING AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CONTACT

Although the Kobudo Warrior GearÔ is the safest padded product in the industry, it is imperative that additional safety precautions be noted and adhered to in an effort to minimize or eliminate the threat of injuries. Under no circumstances will intentional strikes to parts of the body determined to be off limits be tolerated However, it is a known fact that accidents do happen and point penalty or disqualification may be administered based on the severity of the strike. Excessive contact is identified as when a combatant uses (intentional or unintentional) unnecessary force during combat. It is up to the officials to determine what is excessive and what is not during the course of the match. Again, safety is not a majority rules issue....

No strikes to throat
No strikes to groin
No strikes to base of neck
No strikes to back of competitors body
No punching or kicking allowed
No wrestling, judo throws allowed
No thrusts of any sort allowed
No Baseball bat type swings allowed
No disrespect to ring officials or poor sportsmanship conduct

Under no circumstance will any of the Kobudo Weapons i.e. 6' Warrior Staff, 5' Warrior Staff, 4' Warrior Staff, Katana, 3 Sectional Staff be handled in such a manner as to reflect a baseball bat type of strike. (Choke up on handles or staffs and swing like a baseball bat) This type of strike will do nothing but cause unnecessary injuries to competitors.
Both hands must be holding on to the weapon at all times. A minimum 4 inches apart for Katana, and 18 to 24 inches for staffs. With regards to the Bo staffs, both hands must firmly grip the black foam handled section of the staff. At no time will competitors be allowed to grab or hold on to the "padded" ends of the staffs. The katana must be used as intended. The bladed edge must be used in order to score a point.
Due to the extended reach of the 3 sectional staff, the only time a competitor is able to hold a single section of the staff is when the competitor holds the middle section. Otherwise, competitor must have one hand each on 2 separate sections of the staff. However, caution is advised when using the 3 sectional staff because of its whipping effect.
The handle of the Tonfa cannot and should never be used for striking. Only side strikes are allowed with the shaft of the weapon. There will be no thrusting with the Tonfa or any other weapon.
Common sense should be used when training or competing with Kobudo Warrior GearÔ! Under no circumstances will participants be allowed to inflict injury by using illegal strikes or excessive force. If a competitor knowingly and maliciously causes injury to another, then immediate disqualification will be enforced.

PROHIBITED BEHAVIOUR

All competitors engaging in padded weapon's point fighting are to conduct themselves in a professional and sportsmanship like manner. The "Code of the Warrior" is based on honour, fighting spirit and martial protocol. This exemplary behavior should always be evident in the actions exhibited by the combatants while in the fighting arena. The following categories of unethical behavior will not be condoned in the fighting arena. Disqualification or warning leading to disqualification can result from such prohibitive behavior. It should be also noted that the instructor will be held accountable for the actions of their students and may also be subject to ramifications due to the actions of his/her student. In the event of a non-represented combatant, the individual is responsible for their actions.

Techniques that make contact to unauthorized targets (i.e. throat, groin, neck, spine, etc.)
Techniques which are void of artful execution
Techniques, which are excessive in, contact, uncontrolled or controlled
Use of any part of the competitor's body in an illegal fashion
Techniques, which by their very nature, cannot be controlled for the safety of the opponent
Repeated exits (running or refusing to fight) from the ring
Techniques, which waste too much, time (refusing to engage the opponent)
Blind techniques
Taunting - Respect for each combatant should be a priority.

All combatants should understand that penalties regardless of how minor are still serious infractions at a Kobudo Warrior Combat TournamentÔ and will not be tolerated.

PENALTIES AND PENALTY POINTS

Winning on a penalty point is the same as an earned point. Thus a combatant can win on a penalty point. The following is a breakdown of penalties for any infraction of an illegal act or any act deem malicious by the center referee or ring officials:

Point awarded to the grieved competitor.
Disqualification

Depending on the severity of the infraction, the competitor may receive a penalty or receive immediate disqualification from the tournament. Once a competitor is disqualified, he/she may not compete in any divisions for the remainder of the day. If the infraction is severe, expulsion from future events is also warranted

BEFORE THE BOUT

Center referee must check for the following safety items:

Head Gear (Re-enforced steel wire cages and Full Faced Head)
Mouthpiece
Hand Gloves
Elbow Pads (Optional but highly recommended)
Knee and shin pads (Optional but highly recommended)
Chest protector (Mandatory for competitors under 18 yr. - optional but highly recommended for adults)

GENERAL TOURNAMENT RING PROCEDURES

STARTING A BOUT: The Center Referee stands on his line and all ring officials are in place. The combatants take their assigned starting positions. The Center referee then instructs combatants to pay their respect to each other and then tothe Center Referee. The Center Referee looks at the Score Keeper and Time Keeper to visibly see and ask if they are ready, upon acknowledgment that they are ready, the Center Referee then instructs combatants to assume fighting position. The Center Referee then commences the bout with a verbal command "Fight."

STOPPING A BOUT: Interrupting or at the completion of a bout, the center referee chops down vertically (with open hand), verbally shouting, "Break."

RESUME FIGHTING: The center referee places his palms together while simultaneously shouting "Fight."

JUDGMENT (CALL FOR POINT): The center referee calls for a "judgment" after stopping bout by shouting, "Break." The center referee then calls for the Point. The 3 Ring Officials render their individual decision (point) by signaling their hands to indicate whom they feel scored the point(s) or made illegal/excessive contact.

A hand identifies 1 point with one finger showing to ward the competitor depending on who scored.
A hand identifies 2 points with two fingers showing to ward the competitor depending on who scored.

EXCESSIVE CONTACT/ILLEGAL STRIKES are identified by ring officials pointing toward ground with their hand in the direction of the offending competitor.

SIMULTANEOUS SCORING: No point to either competitor. The center referee brings fist together in front of chest.

DECLARING A WINNER: The center referee extends an open hand toward winner.

AWARDING A PENALTY: The center referee points his index finger to the face of the offender. A point is then awarded to grieved opponent. Head referee will insure scorekeeper awards a point.

DISQUALIFICATION: Head referee will vocalize action by stating disqualification and reason why then will announce winner of match.

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

All padded weapon's point fighting divisions will have a standard dress code that reflects the professional demeanor of these exciting events. The code is essential in identifying the combatants from the officials in addition to insuring organizational parity form one tournament to another. The following guidelines should assist combatants and officials in attiring themselves properly at a sanctioned event.

Padded weapon's point fighting combatants are required to have the following:

Clean GI with belt
Mouthpiece
Athletic Cup (male combatants)
Fingernails and toe nails trimmed
Protective Hand Pads
Recommended equipment Kobudo Warrior GearÔ Weapon of Choice
Knee Pads
Shoes (non marking soles)
Head Gear - reinforced wire Cages Elbow Pads
Any safety pad combatant feels are necessary to prevent injury and without restriction of motion.

The following must also be adhered to: No T-shirts unless covered by GI top. If T-shirts are worn, T-shirt must be part of an official martial arts school uniform. No Baggies allowed in competition area. Competitors must wear GI bottoms unless Baggies is an official martial style of martial arts uniform Long hair must be tied back. Bandages and/or braces must be pre-approved with referee. Watches and jewelry must be removed prior to competition.

INJURIES AND ACCIDENTS IN COMPETITION

The following guidelines and rules will be rigidly enforced at all Kobudo Warrior Combat Tournaments. These protocols and procedures should be fully understood by every combatant before entering the competition arena.

If or when a competitor is injured, the referee or ring official shall stop the match immediately attend to the injured. The staff, instructor or parents are the only people authorized to diagnose and treat injuries and to approve or disapprove continuing the match. The combatant will not have any say in this decision.

Under no circumstances will the match continue without permission from the staff, instructor or parents. If an injured competitor is unable to continue the match he/she forfeits unless the injury was caused by intentional striking to an illegal area or using excessive force and the injury is determined to be malicious and not accidental.

If two competitors accidentally injure each other, or are suffering from previously incurred injuries and are unable to continue, then the match is awarded to the combatant with the most points.

An injured competitor that has been deemed unfit to continue by decision of the tournament staff, instructor or parents, will not be allowed to continue fighting at the tournament therefore forfeits the matches for the duration of the day. . A competitor who loses a match through disqualification due to injuries is not allowed to fight again without permission of the staff, instructor or parent.

PROTESTS

If a combatant or instructor does not agree with the decision of the Head Referee, or Ring Officials, protesting a contest is available. Protests are only accepted from an instructor to the arbitrator; and no disruption of the ring or officials are allowed

Tournament Rules: