SHABAZZ TAEKWONDO SCHOOL
"SHABAZZ OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP"
RULES & FORMAT
ART. 1. INTRODUCTION
"SOC" is the acronym for Shabazz Open Championship which is the name of our tournament series. We have been involved in the fighting arts since 1975 and have used that experience to put the "SOC" rules and format together. This is a tournament for the serious skilled adult Martial Arts fighter. Meaning an affordable, safety conscious, fair and well run adult tournament for ages 18 through 63 in 4 weight and 2 senior divisions. Our tournaments will be strictly firm light contact continuous sparring focusing on safety, proper well controlled techniques, respect and sportsmanship. We put emphasis on not trying to hurt or knock anyone out. Skill and controlled execution will be emphasized not excessive force. We are using a modified 10 point must scoring system for scoring. This is single elimination with one sparring ring. Meaning one lose and the competitor is eliminated from competition. Each division Champion will receive a monetary stipend and a championship belt. Others will receive medals and ribbons as described in the awards section.
ART. 2. HIGHLIGHTS
Adult continuous sparring event for four divisions ages 18 to 45 and two senior divisions with brown through black belt rank with a minimum of two years of creditable Martial Arts training in any style from a recognized school and qualified instructor. All instructions and communication regarding this tournament will be in the English language.
ART. 3. WEIGHT DIVISIONS
Four male weight divisions for ages 18 to 45:
1) HEAVY WEIGHT: 180 pounds and up
2) MIDDLE WEIGHT: 149 to 179 pounds
3) LIGHT WEIGHT: 118 to 148 pounds
4) FEATHER WEIGHT: 87 to 117 pounds
Two male senior weight divisions:
1) SENIOR DIVISION ONE: Ages 46 to 54
2) SENIOR DIVISION TWO: Ages 55 to 63
(See article 6 for more information regarding the two senior divisions.)
It's important for you to know and put your true body competition weight and height on the
entry form. You will also be weighed in at the tournament site and put into your proper weight division that corresponds to your true weight.
ART. 4. AWARDS FOR THE AGE 18 TO 45 DIVISIONS & TWO SENIOR DIVISIONS
A championship belt and $100 awarded to the champion in each division. For the winning competitors below the champion, medals will be awarded for first place, second place & third place with 3 possible medals awarded in each division. For an overall total of 6 possible belts and 18 possible medals to be awarded. All other competitors will receive a participation ribbon.
ART. 5. DIVISION CHAMPION
1. The finalist winner in each weight division will be crowned the champion for that particular division and will receive a championship belt. They will also receive a monetary stipend and have photos taken with their championship belt which will be used for promotions.
2. The new reigning Champion will be expected to defend their title at upcoming tournaments.
3. For as long as they remain Champion their entry fee and admission fee will always be free for
"SOC" tournaments.
ART. 6. TWO MALE SENIOR DIVISIONS RULES & FORMAT
1. Senior Division One: Ages 46 to 54 .............. Senior Division Two: Ages 55 to 63
2. Each senior match will only be for two minutes.
3. Senior competitors will be matched as close to the same weight as possible.
4. ART.5 will also apply to the two senior divisions. Each of the two senior divisions will also have first, second and third place medals awarded. All other senior competitors will receive a participation ribbon.
5. Except for the above first, second and third special senior rules all sparring, equipment and format rules will apply to the two senior divisions.
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Preregistration mail-in fee must be received before deadline date. No at the door registration. Refunds will only be given if tournament is cancelled for any reason.
We reserve the right to add or move competitors to any division. Only a minimum of three (3) competitors are allowed for any given division.
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ART. 7. BASIC SPARRING RULES
1. We are using a 10 point must system. The competitor who scores the most points for a particular round is given a score of 10 for that round on the judge score card and the competitor who scores less points for the same round is given a score of 9 on the same judge score card. If a round is judged to be even, it is scored 10-10.
2. Each round will be two continuous minutes with the clock not being stopped until the time has expired. There will be a one minute break between each round. Each regular match will be 2 rounds. Each division championship match will be three rounds and no point limit. The center referee will only stop the competitors to issue a foul, to disqualify, and when two minutes expired. The winner of a match is the competitor with the most total points of all rounds combined for that specific match when time is called. A point(s) can not be scored
on a foul.
3. If there is a tie when time is called a sudden victory overtime will determine the winner. The first competitor to score a point wins.
4. One point awarded for a legal punch to the body or head. Punches will only be scored and given a point if it is either immediately preceded or followed with a firm controlled connected kick. If that is not done then the punch will be totally ignored by the judges and not scored. Any firm connected kick can be scored alone on it's own merit. Two points awarded for a legal kick technique to the body. Three points awarded for a legal kick technique to the head.
Remember we are using a 10 plus must system as described in paragraph one above. The
way we are describing how to score points is strictly to give the 3 judges a clear scoring
guideline. But the 10 point must system as described in paragraph one must be strictly
followed to the letter.
5. SCORING AREAS: A. Head Area: Controlled foot and close fist contact to the head is allowed. Not to the top, back of the head or under the chin. Hand techniques to the head are permitted.
B. Body Area: Is the front and side area covered by the chest protector only. Points will be awarded for effective punches and kicks.
ART. 8. WAYS YOU CAN WIN
A. You win by having the most total points at the end of the match.
B. Your opponent loose by having 3 total fouls in a single 2 minute round. A foul can not be carried over into another round.
C. You have automatically won the match if you knock down your opponent with a firm
controlled legal body kick. Not a punch. This is called a "Technical Knock Down". B. You have won the match if the center referee disqualifies your opponent because their uniform or equipment is not proper or in disrepair before the match starts.
C. You have won the match if the center referee stops the match because you are completely dominating your opponent or if your opponent is not defending themselves or
your opponent shows any visible signs of being hurt or if your opponent has stop fighting
back or clearly gives up.
D. You have won the match if your opponent has knocked you out. We consider this excessive force and can also result in the suspension of your opponent from being allowed to compete in 2 or more of our next tournaments.
ART. 9. TECHNICAL KNOCK DOWN
A Technical Knock Down occurs when you knock down your opponent with a firm light contact
controlled body kick resulting in your opponent immediately falling down. Not a head kick or punch. The Technical Knock down is an automatic win for the competitor who delivers the legal light contact firm body kick.
The Technical Knock Down occurs when your opponents single or both knee's or any other body part above the knee's touches the mat/floor immediately after you deliver a legal light contact firm body kick.
ART. 10. FOULS
A. Grabbing or holding and pushing the opponent with the shoulders, body or hands.
B. Attacking back or top of the head or neck with the closed fist or open hand.
C. Any kicks, punches or contact with hands, legs and feet below the opponent's waist and belt level.
D. Using any open hand technique (palm strike, knife hand, ridge hand and etc.)
E. Escaping contact by turning the back.
F. Any hand or kicking technique to any part of the opponent's back area from the top of their head to the heel of their feet.
G. Stepping out of bounds with one or both feet without being forcefully attacked or pushed by their opponent.
H. Uttering undesirable remarks or unsportsmanlike conduct.
I. Falling to the floor to avoid fighting, continuing after being ordered by the referee to stop, excessive stalling and uncontrolled techniques.
J. Head butts, hair pulls, bites, scratches, elbows, knees, sweeps, take downs, ground fighting, any stomps or attacks to any part of the body of an downed competitor.
ART. 11. COMPETITION RING/AREA
All SOC sanctioned tournaments will use square rings for competition. Standard ring size will be 20' x 20' but no less than 16' x 16' and no more than 22' x 22'. Two parallel lines will be placed in the center of the ring (2) feet in length and six (6) feet apart as starting points. No shoes or street footwear of any kind allowed in the ring. Only competition foot protectors by competitors, bare feet and socks by referees and anyone else entering the ring for any reason.
ART. 12. UNIFORM RULE
All competitors must wear complete (top and bottom) traditional or sport karate, Kung-Fu, Taekwondo uniform or t-shirt with traditional Martial Arts pants in good state of repair. T-shirts must be a solid color and doesn't pass the elbow. The appropriate color belt or sash must be worn in competition. All sparring uniforms must have sleeves that reach at least to the middle of the biceps and long Martial Arts pants that is no shorter than midway between the knee and ankle. No sweats, tank tops or shoes are allowed while sparring.
Anyone not wearing a proper uniform at the time of competition will be given a chance to change into a proper uniform, but will be given 2 minutes maximum to do so. If competitor does not have the proper uniform he/she will be disqualified from the competition.
ART. 13. MANDATORY SPARRING EQUIPMENT
All sparring equipment must be in good condition and not taped, glued, damage or repaired in any way. Also must be inspected and approved by the Center Referee before the start of every match. Headgear, hand gloves, foot pads, mouth pieces, chest protectors, groin cups (for male competitors only) are 100% mandatory with no exceptions.
1. Head Gear/Protector
A. The front, sides and back of the head must be covered by a soft padded surface.
B. All head gear/protector must have a face clear shield or cage.
2. Mouth Piece
A. Must be one single piece.
B. Must properly fit the competitors mouth.
3. Chest Protectors
A. Must be one single piece.
B. Must cover from top of shoulders to waist and side of the body of the competitor.
4. Hand Gloves
A. Must be 16 ounce martial arts or boxing gloves that fully cover the entire fist. Meaning
covers the fingers, wrist and any striking surface of the hand.
B. No open finger gloves such as mixed martial arts gloves, World Taekwondo Federation, JKA open thumb gloves or any gloves resembling these designs will not be allowed.
C. If a competitor doesn't have their own 16 ounce gloves we will loan them a pair for this particular tournament competition at no extra fee. Simply check on the entry form what you need. Ten ounce boxing gloves is the only equipment we will provide at no charge
to any competitor who requests it on their entry form.
5. Groin Cup
A. For male competitors only.
6. Foot Pads
A. A soft padded surface must cover the instep, sides, toes, ankle and back of the heel of the foot.
B. The bottom of the foot does not have to be padded.
C. No other style, type or description of foot gear/protector will be allowed.
Insufficiently padded gloves, foot, chest protectors and head gear will not be allowed. Equipment must be in its original manufactured state of condition and must be free of taping, tears or any other repairs that may cause injury. The tournament director/arbitrator ultimately determines the approval or denial of the equipment. Shin and forearm pads are highly recommended for additional safety for all competitors but not mandatory. Jewelry, glasses or other objects that may endanger a competitor may not be worn. Medical ID tags may be worn.
Competitors who do not have the proper safety equipment will be automatically disqualified and will not be reimbursed or be allowed to spar in this particular tournament. NO EXCEPTIONS!
ART. 14. TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS
1. Tournament Director
A. Will also be the Arbitrator and certified Black belt and thoroughly versed on the rules and order of the competition. He is also there to settle any and all disputes concerning the rules of the competition.
2. Center Referee / Judge
A. Prior to sparring competition the Center Referee / Judge must verify that all competitors are wearing all the mandatory sparring gear and uniform. Center Referee / Judge then instructs both competitors to stand on the starting line. Then says: 1)"Bow to me" ....
2) "Now bow to each other" .... 3) "Face each other assuming a fighting stance" .... 3) "At the sound of the bell start fighting". Center referee now steps back to give the competitors room to spar.
B. The Center Referee / Judge must be a certified Black belt and thoroughly versed on the rules and order of this competition. He/she promotes the safety of the competitors, enforce the rules and ensures fair play. He/she starts and stops the match, makes foul decisions, communicates clearly with the score and time keeper and announces the winner of each match.
C. Match starts only with his/her command (not the command of the timekeeper). Their decisions regarding points, fouls, disqualifications and strictly enforcing the rules must be swift and made without hesitation within 10 seconds of stopping the competitors. D. *Automatically disqualifies a competitor who receives 3 fouls in the same round.
*Stops the match when the timekeeper rings the bell to end the match due to time expired. *Can stop the match at any moment if he/she finds it to be too one-sided and in the interest of health and safety. In that case the dominant competitor will be the winner.
*Can stop the match at any moment if he/she finds the competitors behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner. In such a case he can disqualify who is responsible one or both.
3. Outside Roving Judge
A. Should be a certified black belt.
B. He/she stays on the outside of the ring and has freedom of movement to closely observe the two competitors inside of the ring.
4. Sitting Judge
A. Should be a certified black belt.
B. He/she is sitting at the table with the Score Keeper/Time Keeper.
5. Score Keeper
A. A certified Score keeper may be either a martial artist or non martial artist.
B. The Score Keeper will have have 2 sheets. A score sheet to keep the record of points, fouls, disqualifications for each competitor and match. And also a bracket elimination sheet to keep a record of competitors as they advance and are eliminated.
C. It is their duty to correctly record the names and order of competition, as determined by the Tournament Director.
6. TIME KEEPER
A. A certified Time Keeper may be either a martial artist or non martial artist.
B. They must keep time of sparring matches by ringing the bell when signal by the center referee to start and automatically stopping the match by ringing the bell at the end of 2 minutes.
C. The Time Keeper must automatically ring the bell to stop the match when 2 minutes has expired and when a one minute break between rounds has expired.
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JUDGES
We will have 3 judges (Center Referee/Judge, Outside Roving Judge & a Sitting Judge). Each judge must independently consider the performance of the two competitors. During the match no judge should talk to the competitor, other judges or anybody else with the exception of the tournament director.
During a round the judge will use the back of the scorecard to record the number of kicks and punches he sees, either by a number or by number of lines. A judge will use his/her score sheet to mark the number of points given to each competitor.
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NOTICE
Anyone interested in working on our tournament staff will have to attend and pass a free training session to be a certified "SOC" referee or time & scorekeeper. "SOC" certified officials for each tournament will be given a stipend, free admission and two free guest tickets for working on the entire day of the tournament.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING ON THIS TOURNAMENT PLEASE CONTACT US WITH YOUR FEEDBACK AND WHAT PART YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN:
shabazztaekwondo@gmail.com or call (815) 953 - 1687
SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO: www.shabazztaekwondo.com