Junior Division Rules
Sparring Rules
1-All matches shall last a total of 2 minutes running time, unless a competitor earns enough points to be declared the winner before such time. The center referee is the only person who can call for time to be stopped. If the match is tied at the end of two minutes, a sudden death match will determine the winner.
2- All matches are 5 points with each competitor being awarded one point at a time. If no one scores 5 points at the end of the match, the competitor with the most points will be declared the winner.
3- Judges should use the following criteria to determine a point. -the technique should be a legitimate karate technique -technique should be focused -competitor must be in bounds -competitor should be in balance and not illegally down when point is made -must be made to a legal target area
4- Legal target areas are: face/head (10 years and over, under 10 the face/head is not a target) chest, abdomen, and kidneys. NO HEAD CONTACT ALLOWED!
5- Illegal targets: spine, back of neck, groin, legs, knees, throat, and back
6- Non-target areas: shoulders, buttocks, arms, and feet. No points are scored here. If it is deemed that the competitor is intentionally attacking these areas, a warning may be issued.
7- Legal techniques- any and all legitimate sport karate techniques. No open handed techniques (except the ridgehand) are allowed.
8- Illegal techniques- no takedowns, sweeps or throws of any kind. No blind techniques or attacking an opponent when he is down. No grabbing.
Penalties
1- One, and only one, warning is to be awarded without penalty. After the first warning is given, a penalty point is awarded to the opponent on each and every violation of the rules. If a competitor receives 4 warnings (giving his opponent 3 points) in any one match, that competitor is automatically disqualified and the opponent declared the winner. If the infraction is severe enough, the center referee can issue a penalty on the first infraction and omit the warning. A penalty point can determine the winner of the match.
2 Other penalty rules-
a- A competitor cannot be penalized and receive a point. A penalty always overrules a point.
b- A competitor can receive a point when his/her opponent is penalized.
c- If a competitor is injured by their own fault, (walking into a punch, ducking into a knee, butting heads, etc) the opponent will not penalized. If the competitor can't continue because of this injury, the opponent will be declared the winner.
d- If an injury is considered the fault of the opponent, then the opponent is disqualified, even if the injured party can't continue.
e-If a competitor scores a point and immediately proceeds to break the rules, even after the point is scored, the infraction voids the point.
Causes of Penalizing (partial list)
1- Attacking an illegal target.
2- Using illegal techniques.
3- Running out of the ring to avoid fighting. (not to be confused with fighting while going out of the ring)
4- Falling to the floor to avoid fighting.
5- Fighting after a judge calls break.
6- Excessive stalling.
7- Blind or negligent techniques.
8- Uncontrolled techniques.
9- Unsportsmanlike behavior from the competitor or their coach or friends, etc.
10- Excessive contact.
11- Not being prepared or ready when it is time to compete.
Disqualification
Disqualification of a competitor requires a majority vote from all of the officials in the ring, except when the competitor receives 3 penalty points.
Misc
1- A competitor is out of bounds when both feet are out of the ring. If one foot is in the ring or on the boundary line, the competitor is considered in bounds.
2- An out of bounds competitor can be scored on by an in bounds competitor.
3- In the event of a jumping technique, the competitor must land with one foot in bounds.
4- If either or both of the competitors appear (in the opinion of the judges) to be not making an attempt to fight in the spirit of competition, either or both will be disqualified and any awards forfeited.
5- If a competitor competes in any division they are not qualified for because of age, weight, gender, or style, they will be disqualified.
6- No one may enter the ring without the center judge's permission.
7- Only the competitor may ask for time out.
8- No one is allowed to interfere with the proper running of the ring.
9- If a competitor is fighting in such a way that it is presenting a danger to themselves, the center judge is allowed to stop the match and disqualify the competitor in the interest of their own safety. 10 A competitor may only fight in ONE division.
Kata Rules
1- Competitors must present themselves suitably attired and ready to compete.
2- Each competitor may only enter ONE division.
3- Kata should not deviate too far from classical Uechi-ryu form. The exception here would be in the 5 and under competitors who may do some kind of "little dragons", etc.
4- A competitor is allowed to restart a form only once. In this case, the judges will score the form as though this did not occur. The scorekeeper will deduct .50 from the competitor's total score. If the competitor does not complete the form on the second attempt, they are to be disqualified.
5- The first three competitors must perform kata before any scores are given. If there are five judges in the ring, the high and low scores should be eliminated. If there is a tie, the high and low scores can be added back to determine a winner, except for first place.
6- Competitors can't perform a kata that is more advanced than their rank. For example, a green belt can't compete with Seisan or a brown belt can't compete with Seiryu. A competitor may compete with a less advanced kata. For example, a green belt could do Kanshiwa, etc.
7- In the event of a tie, the competitor has the option of doing a different or the same kata.
8- Competitor must stay in bounds during the kata performance.
9- A competitor is not to be penalized for not presenting himself to the judges with introductions prior to their performance.
Thanks to Raffi Derderian, who created these rules for his Junior tournament.
