USMAA TOURNAMENT RULE BOOK USMAA Tournament Rules A. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS 1) Tournament Director: The duty of the Tournament Director is general supervision of the event. Floor directors, match referees and ring judges are under the Tournament Director’s jurisdiction. 2) Floor Director: The responsibility of the Tournament Floor Director is to generally oversee an assigned number of rings. Checking the proper division splits, checking the bye systems used, pre staging divisions prior to competition, and mediating the rules system are all a part of the Floor Directors duties. The Floor Director works directly with the Tournament Director to keep the competition in each ring full and continual, as well as monitoring the judges’ skill level. It is the intent of the Floor Director’s position to help insure a higher level of safety for the competitor, as well as a better level of judging quality. 3) The Chief Referee: Match Referees and Chief Judges must be 18 years old and possess the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt–Recommended and above. Referees must participate in regional or national rules clinics to qualify for certification. Rules clinics held prior to tournament competition shall be counted toward certification as well as other specially scheduled clinics. The Chief Referee will be responsible for designing each competition bracket, which will include establishing the proper bye structure, Within the bye system, variables that have to be considered are avoiding students from the same school, rated competitor, and other variables that constitute the utmost fairness of play (approval from the Floor Director is advised for consistent accuracy of division breakdown). The Chief Referee will be responsible for starting and ending each match. He has complete authority over both contestants. While he may award points, his main duty is to inform each contestant when there has been an infraction. He may award penalty points for rules violations. He also has the power to disqualify a contestant at any time. However, it is suggested that he discuss rule violations with corner judges and/or the Floor Director before awarding penalty points or disqualifying a contestant (normally the first violation is a warning; the second, a penalty point; the third, an automatic disqualification). When the winner is announced, the match referee will hold up the winner's hand to complete the match. The Chief Judge conducts the forms competition. It is his responsibility to see that the results are taken to the officials' table. He announces the names of the winners at the end of the competition and makes the presentation of the first place awards in each division. The Chief Referee works closely with the Floor Director to provide a positive and enthusiastic experience for the competitors. 4) Ring Judges: The ring judges (either three or five per ring) score each match according to the rules in Part "c" (see page ). The safety of the competitor is the main concern, as well as enforcing the fairest possible rulings for each competitor. It is the intention of the entire officiating team to offer the fairest and most positive experience possible for the competitors. Ring Judges, like all of the officiating team should be dressed in either traditional white uniform or suit and tie, or the female equivalent. B. COMPETITION 1) Rings for Competition: Rings for competition shall be square, and either 18 or 20 feet per side. Each shall be clearly numbered and have clear boundaries and center marks for free–sparring. 2) Officials' General Orders: All officials must remain in their ring until form and sparring competition and the ensuing paperwork are complete. Judges will show no prejudice in judging students, as it is the Philosophy of the USTF that when competing, all schools come together and become one school. The Match Referee will explain rules to competitors before each competition. He will then answer questions. 3) Form Variations: Chief Referee will instruct Ring Judges to recognize small differences in form techniques by students from different schools and regions. The USMAA has grown and consequently, small differences in technique may exist. Therefore, judges should score on general forms criteria. Officials should not talk among themselves during forms, or between them, as a matter of courtesy towards competitors. 4) Sparring & Forms "Bye" System: The proper Bye System should be set up before any sparring begins. If the Chief referee has difficulty, he should ask the Floor Director or Tournament Director for assistance. Entries should be closed and byes picked five minutes after last call. 5) Paperwork required: The Chief Referee is responsible for turning in result sheets and entry cards with the ring packets to the Tournament Director’s operation table immediately after the competition. Result sheets MUST BE COMPLETE, CORRECT, AND LEGIBLE. The Chief referee should present awards to the winners in the center of the ring immediately after each division competition unless other wise instructed. He will also congratulate each winner while shaking their hand. When forms are completed, the referee will prepare for sparring competition in that division. C. FORM COMPETITION RULES 1) Each competitor will answer "Yes Sir/ Mam!" loudly and with enthusiasm when his name is called. He will first bow into the ring, then run to the mark in the center of the ring. He will stand at attention with his feet together and hands down at his side as in class. He will at all times follow the directions of the Chief Referee and Ring Judges. The Chief Referee will give him the command to begin the form on his (the competitor’s) own count. 2) The competitors will complete their forms before the “win” signal is given. They will stay in the position of the last movement of the form until given the command "Bah–roh." They will stay in the ring until dismissed by the Chief Judge. 3) The patterns competition will be “match contest”; meaning that two (2) competitors compete at the same time with their appropriate pattern. At the conclusion of each pair of competitors’ performance, the Judges will point signal to the superior pattern. This signaling is performed by the judges at the Chief Referee’s command of “Judges, call”. 4) Decision determining superior pattern will be based on the criteria below: a) Form’s Technical Accuracy (2 points) b) Student Attitude (2 points) c) Rhythm and Intensity of the pattern (1 point) d) Coordinated Speed of Technique (1 point) e) Balance (1 point) f) Power (1 point) g) Eye Control & Emotional Realism (1 point) The Chief Referee will have the secretary (score keeper) record the proper winner by writing their name on the advancing bracket of the form’s competition sheet. 5) Competitors must execute an approved form for their own rank that is generally accepted in Taekwon-Do competition. If he/she has held their rank for less than four weeks, he may execute the previous form used at his last testing. 6) At the completion of the division, the Chief Referee will have the competitors line up and stand at attention. The Chief Referee will then call the names of the winners beginning with Third Place. The Chief Referee will present the first place award; the next highest ranking judge will present the second place award; the third ranking judge will present the third place award, etc. The contestants will bow to the judges after the awards have been presented. The Chief Referee will then dismiss them. The students will answer loudly, "Thank you, Sir/ Mam!" and quickly leave the floor. It is recommended that the Chief Referee assign one of the judging team to retrieve the appropriate number of awards so as not to delay the presentation to the winners. D. SPARRING RULES 1) Each competitor will answer "Yes Sir/ Mam!" loudly with enthusiasm when his name is called. He/ She will first bow into the ring, then run to the mark indicated by the Chief Referee in the center of the ring. The competitors will then follow any instructions from the Chief Referee. The competitor is not allowed to talk unless directly addressed by the Chief Referee or one of the judges. In accordance with proper etiquette, no taunting, mocking, or over zealous celebration to influence the judges call is allowed, ie., raising the hand after a near back fist point is considered influencing in a negative manner. 2) White Belts and Yellow Belts will compete with One–step Sparring as outlined below: Matches will be run according to the same Bye System used in Free–Sparring. Rounds will be two (2) minutes each. Winners will be determined by a judge's decision. The referee will call for a decision, and corner judges will hold up the colored flag indicating the winner. Ties will be run off in a one–minute overtime. Judges will score overtime competition on a point system as in Forms competition. The competitor with the highest total points, wins. Judging criteria are stances, power, execution and difficulty of techniques. 3) Green through Black Belt will Free Spar as outlined below: The most points scored at the end of each two (2) minute rounds will determine the winner. Five (5) points automatically wins. Time will run continuously unless a referee indicates otherwise; such as, time out for a verification on a call, an injury, an equipment adjustment, or a warning. Ties will be determined by a "sudden victory; " first point wins. In overtime, a point must be confirmed by at least two (2) Judges before the point is awarded. Warnings will carry over from the initial match to the overtime match. Overtime matches may be decided by penalty points as well as proper point scores; ie. a player receiving three warnings or a penaly point is declared minus one point, giving the victory to the other player. NOTE: A competitor that is clearly in the ring may score a point on his/her opponent even when the opponent is out of the ring as long as the Judges have not called for the break. However, the competitor that is out of the ring will not be allowed to score on the opponent in the ring. When both competitors are out of bounds, no points should be scored, and both players should be returned to the center of the ring before continuing the match. 4) Scoring points shall be done by placing hand and foot techniques on, or in proximity of, target areas – with varying criteria on technique depending on rank, division and competitors. There are three point classifications: one–point, two–point, and three– point techniques: a) Hand techniques and foot techniques to legal target areas will be awarded one (1) point. Legal hand techniques include punches, backfists, ridge or knifehand strikes. Legal target area is defined below. b) Two (2) points will be awarded for any kicking technique scoring head, face, or back of neck from shoulders up (side of neck and throat are illegal targets). Jumping kick to legal body target areas shall also score two (2) points. Black Belts only may score two (2) points for a well executed jump reverse punch to the head with the reverse (rear) hand only. The Black Belt executing the jump reverse punch must have the majority of the judges verifying that both feet were off the ground at the point of delivery. c) Jumping kicks to the "head" target areas shall be awarded three (3) points. NOTE: There shall be no minimum distance from the ground to qualify jumping kicks. The only criteria is that the non–kicking leg be off the ground. 5) Target Areas: The front and sides of the body above the "belt" are legal for hand and foot techniques in all division The side of body being defined as the center seam line under the arm pit down to the hip where the belt would normally be worn. The head, face, and back of the neck above the shoulders are legal for kicks in all divisions. Hand techniques to the head and face are legal in Red, Brown and Black Belt divisions. However, safety equipment must be worn in these divisions. All other parts of the body except arm and leg blocking areas are illegal target areas. Points are scored only for techniques to legal target areas. Warning penalty (minus) points or disqualification may result for blows to non–target, non–blocking areas, or as a result of excessive contact. 6) Penalty contact rules are relative to the division. In colored belt competition, students are encouraged to score face kicks without contact. If a competitor makes accidental light contact, a point may still be awarded. However, if the referee thinks the contact is too hard, he may award penalty points or disqualify the attacker. Other body contact, however may be light to medium. Hand contact to the face will result in penalty points or disqualification in Green and Blue Belt divisions. Normally, infractions will draw a warning for negligence or malicious attacks on illegal or dangerous target areas (groin, standing knee, throat, etc.) or shall draw minus points or disqualification, depending on the situation, as determined by proper officials. If a competitor is injured, the opponent should turn his back and kneel down in a show of courtesy and respect for the injured opponent. NOTE:The Senior Instructors warn competitors against pretending pain as a device to improve competition standing or to gain judges' sympathy. They should always set examples for spectators for how Taekwon–Do develops integrity and a sense of toughness. Competitor’s complaints of contact, blood, or tears, have no bearing on whether too much contact was made. The decision is simply whether too much power or penetration was used by the attacker. 7) Out of bounds rulings depend on whether the competitors have "fought" out or "run" out of the ring. A competitor who runs out of bounds to escape the attacker may be issued a warning. The second and subsequent such infraction results in penalty points (except in noted overtime). Persons "fighting" out, or ejected from the ring, by their opponent will not be warned or penalized. If that happens, or if a competitor inadvertently steps out of bounds, the referee calls both competitors back to the center of the ring. Falling down, or turning to back, to avoid attack will be judged as running out of bounds. 8) Penalty or disqualification may result from: a) Excessive contact, explained above b) Running out of bounds, turning the back, or falling to avoid attack c) Grabbing an opponent or his uniform d) Tripping, throwing, or foot sweeping an opponent e) Fingertip or similar "spearing" techniques f) Attacking other than legal targets g) Causing injury from unclipped fingernails or toenails h) Exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct at any time before, during, or after the match while under direction of the referee (such conduct elsewhere may draw other Federation action as deemed appropriate by officials). E. APPEARANCE AND DRESS Competitors will wear clean, pressed uniforms. Males must wear protective groin cups. Mouthpieces are mandatory in all divisions. Women’s use of breast protectors is recommended but optional. All sparring gear must be approved by the USMAA Chief Referee and/ or the Tournament Director. The safety gear on the hands must be foam and cover the top portion of the hand extending downward from above the wrist to within one (1) inch from the end of the finger tips (the thumb is included). The safety gear on the feet must be foam and cover the entire top of the feet, including the heels and all toes. Head gear for all divisions is "MANDATORY." The head gear must cover the entire hair line and be made of an approved foam. Protective equipment such as shin, arm, rib, or other guards or braces must be approved by the Chief Referee and/or the Tournament Director (criteria includes opponents safety, intent of the 'guards" and student’s special needs or problem). F. JUDGING ETHICS Demonstrations of prejudice, lack of ring attentiveness, etc., shall be cause for warning from higher officials at any USMAA tournament. Any such warnings shall become part of the judge's permanent record. Three warnings within a 12–month period will bring a mandatory two–year suspension from all official activities including judging or participating in tournaments or testings. G. ADDITIONAL RULINGS Match Referee or judges having difficulties in resolving a given problem should ask the proper tournament supervisor for rulings. H. COMPLAINTS Instructor or student complaints or appeals during the tournament are not allowed. Decisions of responsible officials are final. I. OFFICIALS' DRESS Instructors, judges, and others identified as officials shall be properly dressed in uniforms or coat and tie (or women's equivalent). This is required for all judging activities. USMAA Competition Rating System The USMAA Competition Rating System will be governed by the following guidelines: Black Belt competitors will be monitored and rated by a point value system to be totaled after the last tournament of the competition Season The point value will be determined by awards from Forms and Sparring Competition. Forms and Sparring will be totaled as separate divisions. The point value per award are as follows: Regional Value Any First Place Form or Sparring 3 Points Any Second Place Form or Sparring 2 Points Any Third Place Form or Sparring 1 Point In the case of USMAA National Competition, the value of points per award will be doubled as follows: National Value Any First Place Form or Sparring 6 Points Any Second Place Form or Sparring 4 Points Any Third Place Form or Sparring 2 Points Upon completing the competition program, special recognition and awards will be given to the leading competitor in each division in the form of an official “National Title” within their competition division. The “National Champion” will be eligible to have special jacket lettering privileges that are exclusive for that honor. Exact lettering specifications are available through the USMAA headquarters offices. The primary competition objective for competing Black Belts is to compete within the designated region in the scheduled series of USMAA tournaments. All National tournaments are worth double point value as the degree of difficulty will be increased due to the increase in number of competitors. The top four (4) rated competitors will receive a special invitation to the “National Black Belt Finals”. This is a special invitation by qualification only. A competitor may qualify in the patterns competition, as well as separately in the sparring competition, The top four (4) rated competitors from each region will compete among themselves to determine the regional champion in each respective event. The regional champions will then compete against each other to determine the “National Champion”. A special “National Awards Banquet” will be conducted at the conclusion of the National Finals to further recognize and bring honor to the top competitors of each division. Due to the expansion of USMAA schools within various parts of the country, regions will be clearly defined by the start of each competition season. Due to the growth and school density some regions may have anywhere from three (3) to six (6) tournaments within a given region’s season. The season generally begins in January and concludes by the end of November with the National Finals. For immediate up to date listings of current USMAA Black Belt ratings, check the USMAA web site. Rules and eligibility for the USMAA Competition Rating System are as follows: 1) Must be a current certified USMAA Black Belt. 2) Must be at least six (6) years of age. 3) In the event of a birthday that changes the competitor's division eligibility, the competitor will not be allowed to transfer points from one division to another; however, the remaining points will stand valid. 4) Competitor must bring honor and esteem to the USMAA with the utmost courtesy and sportsmanship–like conduct. Any unsportsmanship–like conduct will result in immediate disqualification from the competition program. 5) Due to the nature of the judging system, involving the human factor, all decisions made by the Chief Referee must be honored. Any need for clarification will be conducted by the Tournament Director. 6) In case of a tie, recognition honors will be shared by the competitors tied. USMAA TEAM COMPETITION RULES 1. Each team may consist of twelve (12) members of an affiliate USMAA school. 2. The twelve members may be of any rank or age, and must be a current USMAA member. 3. The members will be recognizable by special colored uniforms. Head Instructors or team captains must submit your school’s “colors”. A first come, first serve basis will be used in reserving colors. No two schools may use the same colors. The special colored uniforms are to distinguish the team designates. Special arm bands may also be used to distinguish school team members. All other individual competitors will compete in traditional white uniforms. 4. Each school or club must field its own team. In other words, if you own several schools, each school must represent itself as opposed to combining team members from different schools. 5. Each school will be allowed to compete within this special team event. The points that a competitor receives will be transferable to their Black Belt rated points, if they are a black belt and competing in a black belt division. 6. Individuals other than “team” competitors may participate within the event. However, their points may not be included towards the total of a school’s team. 7. The twelve (12) members of the “team” may receive points within individual patterns, sparring, and one steps competition. 8. 6 points will be given for each first place win. 4 points will be given for each second place win. 2 points will be given for each third place win. 9. In the event of a tie, the judges will ask the Team Captain to choose a team member to represent their team in a forms "final competition". 10. Schools are encouraged to participate even if they do not have a total of twelve (12) competitors participating. In other words, a school may participate with less that 12 competitors but must accept being at a known disadvantage. 11. The overall champion school will receive individual awards for each member (12) on the team, as well as a custom made Grand Champion Trophy for display within the school. 12. Unknown and unexpected situations will be ruled upon by the Tournament Directors as necessary. The judges’ rulings are to be respected, and complied with, in a manner demonstrating the proper attitude expected in the Martial Arts.