Battle of Detroit Rules

CONTINUOUS COMPETITION MATCHES

Continuous sparring competition consists of two rounds, each of which is one minute, with a thirty second rest period between rounds.

A center referee controls the match and enforces compliance with the rules. The center referee can award penalty points for violations of the rules.

Two to four corner judges award scores.

A Head of Court supervises the referee and the corner judges. Valid points must be scored by at least two of the four corner judges. The Head of Court decides on the point scores based on the score sheets submitted by corner judges at the end of each round.

In the case of a tied score at the end of the match, the referee decides the winner based on superiority - which contestant technically dominated the other, used a greater number of techniques, used more advanced techniques, or displayed the best competition manner.

Valid Scores

For a point to be scored, the strike must be successfully delivered with sufficient power to abruptly displace the opponent's body or head.

The valid scoring areas are:

• the abdomen and flank areas which are covered by the chest protector, normally from the top of the pelvis (where the belt is worn) to the pectoral area of the chest
• anywhere on the chest protector provided that the opponent falls down as a result of the power of the blow
• the front half of the head, from the ears forward. (No head contact if under 12 years old)

One point is successfully scored by:

• a punch successfully delivered with the first two knuckles on the mid part of the body (on the chest protector)
• a kick successfully delivered on the front half of the head or on the body (on the chest protector)
• a kick anywhere on the chest protector provided that the opponent falls down as a result of the power of the kick
• When, as the result of a powerful kick or punch, the opponent is staggered, dazed or falls, and is momentarily unable to continue, the referee will start a count and a point will be awarded
• If the staggered, dazed or fallen opponent recovers by the referee's count of eight, the match may continue. If the referee's count goes past eight, the staggered, dazed or fallen competitor will lose by knock out.
• Striking below the belt (the legs and groin area) and striking the back of the body or head (from the ears back) are prohibited.

Tied Score and Superiority

In the event of a tied score at the end of the match, the Head of Court will instruct the Referee to make a superiority decision. The Referee will take the following into account in making a superiority decision:

• if the determination of the tied score involves a tie through the deduction of penalty points, the competitor who scored more points will be declared the winner
• technical dominance of one competitor over the other
• greater number of techniques
• the more advanced techniques best competition manner

Penalties - Warnings and Deductions

The Referee will award Warnings (1/2 point deductions) and Deductions (full point deductions) for violations of the rules. Warnings (1/2 point deductions) will be awarded for:

• holding
• grabbing
• pushing with the shoulder, chest or hand
• attacking the face with a fist
• attacking with the knee
• attacking the groin
• attacking the leg (the body below the belt)
• turning the back on the opponent
• falling down on purpose
• going out of the 8 meter by 8 meter contest area on purpose
• pretending injury
• misconduct gesturing to indicate scoring

Deductions (full point deductions) are awarded for:

• attacking the back of the body or head on purpose
• attacking a fallen opponent
• butting
• throwing an opponent
• injuring the opponent's face with a fist
• intentionally attacking after the Referee orders "break"
• intentionally going out of the 12 meter by 12 meter competition area

Competition Weight Classes

• adult Light Weight
  • Men< 70 kg 154lbs
  • Women <60 kg 132 lb
• Adult Heavy Weight
  • Men >70 kg 154 lbs
  • Women >60 132 lbs

*Children will be separated by entries at ring side. Five competitors needed in each weight class or will be combined with nearest weight division to achieve the amount.

POINT RULES & FORM RULES

COMPETITOR

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:
  • 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 3 penalty points the offending competitor will be disqualified.
  • Form: .01 points will be deducted from the offending competitor's final score. Each minute the competitor is not ready to compete, .01 points will be deducted for his/her final score. If a competitor is still not ready to compete after 3 minutes, he/she will be disqualified.
• RANK RULE: 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 back 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 a proof of age document. If there is a legitimate reason to question a competitor's age, he/she must present a proof of age (birth certificate, driver's license, or other acceptable documents) to prove his/her age.
• COMPETITOR RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the responsibility of the competitor to know the rules and be ready for competition when called to do so. He/she must be suitably attired, weighed-in and at the appropriate ring when competition begins. Three calls will be made for competition at ringside. If the competitor is not at his/her ring ready to compete when competition begins, he/she will not be able to compete (see delay of time rule). 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 (see delay of time rule).
• REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
  • headgear(mandatory);
  • hand and footpads
  • mouthpieces
  • groin cups (for male competitors only)
  • recommended chest protector for all competitors in sparring divisions
• REFEREES: The referee is the most experienced official in the ring and is thoroughly versed on the rules and order of competition. He/she promotes the safety of the competitors, enforces the rules and ensures fair play. To this end, he/she starts and stops the match, awards points, makes penalty decisions, administrates the voting of the other judges, communicates clearly with the scorekeeper and timekeeper, and announces the winner of each match. Added Powers of the Referee: 1) Match starts and ends only with his/her command (not the command of the timekeeper); 2) Has final decision on any disputes on score; 3) Has the power to issue warnings and award penalty points without a majority decision: 4) Can overrule a majority call only to issue a warning or a penalty point: 5) Automatically has power to disqualify a competitor who receives (3) penalty points; 6) Has power to issue time-outs. A competitor can ask for a time-out, but it is the determination of the referee to issue one. The disqualification of a competitor, where disqualification is not automatic, is determined only by a majority vote of the judges.
• OFFICIALS: Each ring should have a REFEREE, two to four JUDGES, a TIMEKEEPER and a SCOREKEEPER. The judges call points and rule infractions as they see them. They also vote on disqualifications. The referee also calls points and rules infractions but is also in compete control of the ring and ring personnel. Referees make all final decisions on penalty points and warnings (except for disqualifications) but can consult judges before making their decisions. It is the majority vote of the judges and referee that determines a scoring point and a disqualification.
• CALLS AN OFFICIAL MAY MAKE: When the referee believes there has been a significant exchange of techniques, or when signaled to do so by a corner a judge/s, he/she shall call out the word, "STOP!" in a loud voice. The referee shall then returns the competitors to their starting marks and addresses the judges by saying "JUDGES CALL!" All judges and the center referee cast their votes simultaneously and assertively in the following manner.
  1. Judge Sees a Point - He/she should hold up both colors or hold up one arm if colors are not being used. At the same time, he/she yells out the word "CALL!" in a loud, clear voice to let the referee know he/she has a call.
  2. Point Calling - When signaled by the referee (referee says "Judges Call" in a loud clear voice) a judge raises the appropriate color (red or white usually) if colors are being used or points to the competitor who scores the point. If a competitor scores a two point kick, the officials should hold up or point with two fingers (index and middle fingers). If only one point is being called, the judge should point with only one finger (Index finger).
  3. No Point Scored - An official crosses his/her wrist at waist level or holds both colors down to indicate that he/she believes that a point was not scored.
  4. Did Not See If A Point Was Scored - The officials holds his/her hand over his/her eyes indicating that he/she could not see whether a point was scored or not. Indicates the official was not in position to see if a point scored. (When using this signal, it has the same effect as saying "no point", but it indicates to the referee, competitors and fans the reason why you are not calling the point).
  5. Clash - Officials make a motion as though they are hitting both fists together, indicating that both competitors scored at the same time.
  6. Penalty - The judge waves the color of the offending competitor in a circular motion. If no colors are used the judge waves the hand and arm in a circular motion while pointing at the offending competitor.
• Disqualification: A disqualification vote is taken separately from any other vote. When a disqualification vote is asked for, the referee will say, "JUDGES CALL". The judges will then hold the color or point to the competitor who is to be disqualified. If the judge does not feel the competitor should be disqualified, he/she crosses his/her wrist or holds both colors down at waist level.
• 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 and/or judge (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 or judge).
• NUMBER OF OFFICIALS: . At least two judges and one referee are required in all sparring divisions and under black belt form and weapon divisions.
• LATE ENTRIES: Once a division has started (the first competitor has started his/her form/weapon routine or the first divisional fight has started) no competitor/s can be added to that division. BE ON TIME!

SPARRING RULES

• LENGTH OF MATCH: One minute running time unless five points are scored before time has expired. If a match is tied at the end of one minute, sudden victory (first person to score a point) overtime period will determine the match. Final Elimination will be two minutes.
• POINT VALUES AND WINNER DETERMINATION: All legal hand techniques that score will be awarded one (1) point. All legal kicking techniques that score will be awarded two (2) points. All penalty points awarded will be awarded one (1) point. The competitor who earns five (5) points by the end of the one minute or whoever is ahead at the end of the one minute is declared the winner
• MARJORITY VOTE: Points are awarded by a majority vote of all judges. The majority of judges do not have to agree on the same technique being scored, only that a point was scored. A majority of the judges calling the point must call a two (2)-point kick before two points can be awarded. Otherwise only one point is awarded.
• WHAT IS A POINT: A point is a controlled legal sport karate technique scored by a competitor in-bounds and up-right (not considered down) without time being called that strikes a competitor with the allowable amount of focused touch contact to a legal target area.
• LEGAL TARGET AREAS: Entire head and face, ribs, chest, abdomen, collarbone and kidneys.
• ILLEGAL TARGET AREAS: Spine, back of neck, throat, sides of the neck, groin, legs, knees and back.
• NON-TARGET AREAS: Hips, shoulders, buttocks, arms, and feet.
• LEGAL TECHNIQUES: Legal techniques are all controlled sport karate techniques, except those listed as illegal.
• ILLEGAL TECNIQUES: Head butts, hair pulls, bites, scratches, elbows, knees, eye attacks of any kind, take downs on a hard surface floor, ground fighting on a hard surface, any stomps or kicks to the head of a downed competitor, slapping, grabbing for more than one second, uncontrolled blind techniques, any uncontrolled throws, takedowns or sweeps and any other uncontrolled dangerous techniques that are deemed unsafe in sport karate.
• GRABBING: A competitor may grab the uniform top of his/her opponent in an attempt to score with a sport karate technique for only one second (immediately), after which time he/she must release the uniform. Likewise, the uniform pants may be grabbed for one second to an upright opponent in an attempt to score.
• SWEEPS, TAKEDOWNS, GRABS AND GROUND FIGHTING: Not allowed
• LIGHT TOUCH CONTACT: Means there is no penetration or visible movement of the competitor as a result of the contact. Light touch is required to all legal target areas in all black belt sparring. Light touch contact to the face of all youth and under black belt adult competitors is up to the governing regional association.
• MODERATE TOUCH CONTACT: Means slight penetration or slight target movement. Moderate touch contact may be made to all legal target areas except the headgear and face.
• WARNINGS AND PENALTIES: One and only one warning is allowed for breaking the rules before a penalty point is awarded. After the first warning is given, a penalty point is awarded for each and every rules violation. If a competitor receives four warnings (three penalty points) in any one match, he/she will be disqualified. If the severity of the first rules violation is deemed by the referee to be too severe, a penalty point can be issued immediately.
• Other Penalty Rules: A competitor cannot be penalized and still receive a point on the same call. A competitor can receive a point for a proper technique and another point from a penalty call against his/her competitor (two points awarded). If, in the opinion of the referee and/or the medical personnel, a competitor cannot continue because of an injury caused by an illegal penalized attack executed by his/her competitor, the offending competitor shall be automatically disqualified.
• Other Cause for Penalization: Attacking illegal and non-target areas, using illegal techniques, running out of the ring to avoid fighting, falling to the floor to avoid fighting, continuing after being ordered to stop, excessive stalling, blind, negligent or reckless attacks, uncontrolled techniques, showing unsportsmanlike behavior by the competitor, his/her coaches, friends, etc., excessive contact, and delay of time are examples of possible penalization.
• DISQUALIFICATION: Requires a majority vote by all officials, unless it is an automatic disqualification. Non-Competing Penalty: If, in the majority opinion of the officials, it is considered that the competitors are not making an obvious attempt to fight in the true spirit of competition, both competitors will be warned and if it continues, will be disqualified. Wrong Division: If any competitor 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.
• COACHING: The luxury of having a coach is something that most competitors do not have access to. Therefore, it sometimes can become an unfair advantage over a competitor who does not have a coach. 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:
  1. Never, at any time, can a coach enter the ring without the referee's permission,
  2. No abusive, violent, unsportsmanlike or overzealous coaching;
  3. Coaches cannot ask for a time out (only the competitor may ask for a time out),
  4. 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, team mate or official coach. The center referee can issue a warning to a competitor for each time his/her coach is interfering with a match or disrupting fair play between contestants. A referee can ask for a disqualification of a contest, but requires a majority vote of all judges.
• OUT-OF-BOUNDS: A competitor is out-of-bounds as soon as he/she does not have at least one foot touching inside or on the boundary line. An out of bounds competitor cannot score a point while out of bounds. In bounds competitor can score on an out of bounds competitor if the center referee has not called stop.

FORM RULES

• TIME LIMIT: Each form or weapons routine must be three (3) minutes or less. The time starts once the competitor enters the competition ring. Four (4) minutes is allowed for each form or weapons routine in the Night Time Finals. Each team form and/or demo routine must be four (4) minutes or less. Any competitor, team form or team demo that goes over the allowed time limit is automatically disqualified.
• SCORING RANGES OF FORM AND WEAPONS: The scoring range will be 5 to 10 with ½ points..
• TRADITIONAL, CREATIVE, MUSICAL AND EXTREME DIVISIONS: Competitors in these divisions must exhibit a form or weapon routine that reflects the essence and values of the division name in which they are competing. Otherwise, the competitor risks disqualification or down grading. Traditional forms and weapons must capture the essence of classic martial arts movements, showcasing the traditional techniques and stances. Creative form and weapons allows contemporary martial arts techniques that have evolved over the last 30 years. No extreme gymnastic-type movements are allowed in the creative form and weapons divisions. Musical forms and weapons require choreography of moves to the music. Extreme forms and weapons allow movements whether they originated form traditional or contemporary martial arts systems or otherwise. However at least half of the form must originate form martial arts techniques and the competitor must execute at least one technique that involves an inverted move or greater than 360 degree spin.

WEAPON DIVISIONS:

• Safety Rule: A competitor who unintentionally drops his/her weapon will be automatically disqualified. If a competitor recklessly or carelessly misuses his/her weapon, he/she may be penalized or disqualified. If a competitor's weapon breaks or comes apart during his/her routine, he/she will be disqualified.
• 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 not a mistake, but the center referee will instruct the scorekeeper to subtract .50 points from the competitor's final score. The three-minute time limit will start over. A competitor can only start over one time for scoring. If a competitor has to start over not due to his/her negligence, he/she will not be penalized on the start over.

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