Self Defense Application Rules & Regulations
Open to all Competitors and Ages
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
This video is an example of the type of demonstration we are looking for in the self defense application division. You are not required to have more than one attacker, but are allowed to have up to three attackers. Remember the goal is to highlight your style and your skills, so show us the best you and your friends have to offer!
Divisions:
Men & Women (Boys & Girls) will compete in the same Self Defense Application divisions; the only separations will be based on age and rank. Please register in the division based on the oldest team member & the highest rank of the members of your team. For example, a team made of an 11 year old Brown belt, a 9 year old orange belt, & a 13 year old white belt would be in the 13 - 17 year old advanced division. Advanced belts are considered 4th kyu / 4th gup or higher (purple belt in most systems).
Teams
Teams will be made up of a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) people. All competitors must be approximately the same age and size, i.e. no adults or teens attacking kids.
Men & Women (Boys & Girls) will compete in the same Self Defense Application divisions; the only separations will be based on age and rank. Please register in the division based on the oldest team member & the highest rank of the members of your team. For example, a team made of an 11 year old Brown belt, a 9 year old orange belt, & a 13 year old white belt would be in the 13 - 17 year old advanced division. Advanced belts are considered 4th kyu / 4th gup or higher (purple belt in most systems).
Teams
Teams will be made up of a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) people. All competitors must be approximately the same age and size, i.e. no adults or teens attacking kids.
Safety:
The goal of this division is to demonstrate effective martial arts while also allowing creativity and differences in style to be showcased. With that in mind, all techniques demonstrated much be performed with control. If you are unsure if your techniques are safe or acceptable, please speak to a judge prior to competition. Any team that sustains a major injury will be automatically disqualified from their division. Please be sure your attacker knows how to take an effective fall if you intend to use a takedown or throw during your demonstration.
Equipment:
This division will be competing on the mats used for the Grappling Divisions.
Competitors and attackers must wear their correct uniform for this division. No costumes or street clothes will be allowed for this division. All weapons attacks must use either wooden or rubber training weapons that must be inspected by the judges prior to beginning your division. Acceptable training weapons will be available to borrow if you need one. Competitors and attackers are welcome to wear a mouth guard for this division, but it is not required. All male competitors and attackers MUST wear a cup and supporter.
Judging:
Each team will be judged as a team. There will be three (3) or five (5) judges for the self-defense application division. Scoring will be based on logical application of techniques, effectiveness of the techniques, control of technique, & overall performance and presentation of the demonstration. If a weapon is used in the attack, points will be deducted for failure to control the weapon at the end of the technique. After each team performs their demonstration the judges will show their scores. Once all the competitors in the division have performed their techniques, the top three scores of the division will be awarded 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place.
Ties:
In the event of a tie for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, those teams who tied will be asked to perform their demonstration again. In the event of a second tie, judges will be asked to point to the team he or she believes deserves to win. The competitor with the most votes will be declared winner.
Competition:
Each team should inform the judges of names of the team members, the martial arts school being represented, his/her instructor's name.
The goal of this division is to demonstrate effective martial arts while also allowing creativity and differences in style to be showcased. With that in mind, all techniques demonstrated much be performed with control. If you are unsure if your techniques are safe or acceptable, please speak to a judge prior to competition. Any team that sustains a major injury will be automatically disqualified from their division. Please be sure your attacker knows how to take an effective fall if you intend to use a takedown or throw during your demonstration.
Equipment:
This division will be competing on the mats used for the Grappling Divisions.
Competitors and attackers must wear their correct uniform for this division. No costumes or street clothes will be allowed for this division. All weapons attacks must use either wooden or rubber training weapons that must be inspected by the judges prior to beginning your division. Acceptable training weapons will be available to borrow if you need one. Competitors and attackers are welcome to wear a mouth guard for this division, but it is not required. All male competitors and attackers MUST wear a cup and supporter.
Judging:
Each team will be judged as a team. There will be three (3) or five (5) judges for the self-defense application division. Scoring will be based on logical application of techniques, effectiveness of the techniques, control of technique, & overall performance and presentation of the demonstration. If a weapon is used in the attack, points will be deducted for failure to control the weapon at the end of the technique. After each team performs their demonstration the judges will show their scores. Once all the competitors in the division have performed their techniques, the top three scores of the division will be awarded 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place.
Ties:
In the event of a tie for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, those teams who tied will be asked to perform their demonstration again. In the event of a second tie, judges will be asked to point to the team he or she believes deserves to win. The competitor with the most votes will be declared winner.
Competition:
Each team should inform the judges of names of the team members, the martial arts school being represented, his/her instructor's name.
- For youth (12 & Under) divisions: If a mistake is made during the demonstration, youth competitors may start over one time, for one technique with no penalty to their score. For any additional mistakes, the competitor should finish to the best of his or her ability.
- All other divisions: If a mistake is made, continue to finish the technique(s) to the best of your ability.
Weapon Attacks – Limited to Teen & Adult Advanced Belt Divisions Only
All weapons attacks must use wooden or rubber training weapons only & must be inspected by judges prior to competition.
All weapons attacks must use wooden or rubber training weapons only & must be inspected by judges prior to competition.
- Any knife attack with a blade length of less than twenty (20) centimeters
- Any club / stick attack with a weapon less than the one (1) meter in length
- Swords attacks must use a padded sword or a bamboo shinai
- Any firearm attack