All rules are subject to change during the Judges' Meeting March 2nd at 9:00 A.M. (CST). Please make sure to send a representative to ensure you & your students are aware of any rule changes. The Complete Rules & Regulations (see PDF) supersede any other information posted on this website.
Click this link to register for Judges' Meeting
Click this link to register for Judges' Meeting
Padded Sword Division
Divisions:
Men & Women (Boys & Girls) will compete in the same forms divisions, the only separations will be based on age and rank.
Judging:
For all padded sword divisions there will be one (1) center judge. Two corner judges will be provided if available. If using corner judges, two out of three judges must agree on all calls.
Match time:
Padded sword matches will be 2 minutes in time. Time will run continuously during the match unless specific instructions to stop the time are given by the center referee.
Declaring a Winner:
A winner will be determined by one of the following criteria:
Ties:
If at the end of two (2) minutes, the match will continue for one (1) minute of overtime. If at the end of the one minute over time, the score is still tied, winner will be determined by the first competitor to score.
Equipment:
The following equipment is required for competition in Padded Sword Divisions. If you are not sure if you equipment is acceptable for competition, please have it inspected by your center judge prior to beginning competition. Any equipment does not meet the following guidelines will need to be changed prior to competition.
Mandatory Equipment:
The following equipment will be provided by event organizers.
Scoring:
All scoring techniques will be awarded one (1) point. The person with the most points at the end of the match, or the first person to score two points will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the competitors will compete in sudden death OT for one additional minute. In the case of a second tie, judges will declare a winner.
All strikes must land hard enough to make the sword make a “pop”
Target Areas:
Fouls / Illegal Techniques
Out of Bounds
Warnings:
Warnings are divided into three categories
Illegal Technique Warnings:
A warning will be awarded for any intentional strikes to the illegal areas, strikes with excessive contact, or use of an illegal technique
Out of Ring Warnings:
Out of Ring Warnings will be issued to any competitor who steps out of the ring with one foot. Competitors who are out of the ring cannot score, but can be scored upon as long as one foot is still in the ring.
If a competitor is actively pushing opponent out of the ring the out of ring warning will be issued to the competitor that pushes the other competitor out of the ring.
Poor sportsman Conduct Warnings:
Because the purpose of competition is to engage in healthy competition with others to improve and test one’s self, it is in the interest of all that both competitors and spectators conduct themselves within the proper spirit of the arts. With that in mind, a competitor may be penalized for poor conduct from themselves, their coaches/instructors, or their fans.
At the Judges’ discretion a competitor may be disqualified from competition at any time.
Divisions:
Men & Women (Boys & Girls) will compete in the same forms divisions, the only separations will be based on age and rank.
Judging:
For all padded sword divisions there will be one (1) center judge. Two corner judges will be provided if available. If using corner judges, two out of three judges must agree on all calls.
Match time:
Padded sword matches will be 2 minutes in time. Time will run continuously during the match unless specific instructions to stop the time are given by the center referee.
Declaring a Winner:
A winner will be determined by one of the following criteria:
- Competitor with the most points at the end of two minutes
- Competitor shows definitive dominance by achieving a five (5) point spread over their opponent
- Opponent bows out of the match
Ties:
If at the end of two (2) minutes, the match will continue for one (1) minute of overtime. If at the end of the one minute over time, the score is still tied, winner will be determined by the first competitor to score.
Equipment:
The following equipment is required for competition in Padded Sword Divisions. If you are not sure if you equipment is acceptable for competition, please have it inspected by your center judge prior to beginning competition. Any equipment does not meet the following guidelines will need to be changed prior to competition.
Mandatory Equipment:
- Mouth guard
- Groin Protection for male competitors
The following equipment will be provided by event organizers.
- Head gear with face mask
- Padded sword
Scoring:
All scoring techniques will be awarded one (1) point. The person with the most points at the end of the match, or the first person to score two points will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the competitors will compete in sudden death OT for one additional minute. In the case of a second tie, judges will declare a winner.
All strikes must land hard enough to make the sword make a “pop”
Target Areas:
- Head - right and left from the center, but no more than 45° from the center line (Men-bu)
- Wrist - the right wrist can be struck at any time, the left wrist only when both hands are at, or above, chest height
- Body - the right and left sides of the body above belt level
Fouls / Illegal Techniques
- Intentionally sweeping an opponent off his feet.
- Pushing an opponent with the tip of the weapon.
- It is illegal to hold your opponent. Contact to the body should only be made with the assistance of the weapon.
- Grabbing an opponent’s weapon.
- Wasting time / stalling
- Using unnecessary force on your opponent.
Out of Bounds
- A player is considered to be out of bounds when placing one foot completely outside the ring.
- A competitor is declared to be out of bounds when bracing the body or part of the weapon outside the court line
- Falling on to the floor with one body part crossing the court line
- It is illegal to push the player out of bounds. In this case the player that results to be out of bounds is free of judgement.
Warnings:
Warnings are divided into three categories
Illegal Technique Warnings:
A warning will be awarded for any intentional strikes to the illegal areas, strikes with excessive contact, or use of an illegal technique
- First warning – Verbal warning from judges
- Second warning – One (1) point awarded to other competitor
- Third warning – Competitor will be disqualified
Out of Ring Warnings:
Out of Ring Warnings will be issued to any competitor who steps out of the ring with one foot. Competitors who are out of the ring cannot score, but can be scored upon as long as one foot is still in the ring.
- First Warning – Verbal warning from judges
- Second Warning – Verbal warning from judges
- Third Warning – The other competitor will be awarded 1 point
If a competitor is actively pushing opponent out of the ring the out of ring warning will be issued to the competitor that pushes the other competitor out of the ring.
Poor sportsman Conduct Warnings:
Because the purpose of competition is to engage in healthy competition with others to improve and test one’s self, it is in the interest of all that both competitors and spectators conduct themselves within the proper spirit of the arts. With that in mind, a competitor may be penalized for poor conduct from themselves, their coaches/instructors, or their fans.
- First warning – Verbal warning from judges
- Second warning – One (1) point awarded to other competitor
- Third warning – Competitor will be disqualified
At the Judges’ discretion a competitor may be disqualified from competition at any time.