Tournament Rules:

Rules for Forms Competition

1.   Forms will be judged on the basis of age, belt level and complexity of forms.  The judge’s knowledge of the forms should not be considered.
 
2.   Forms will be scored according to the following four principles: 
  
a.   STANCE:      Does the stance provide the competitor with the balance, speed, strength and stability it is intended to provide?  Forward stances orient these qualities toward the front, horse stances toward the side; back stances toward the rear, cat stances and open stances provide flexibility to quickly move in any direction.
 
b.   Ki Hop (yell):      A form is nothing but empty movements without the ki hop.  Ki hop should be judged based on belt level.  Beginners should be given the greatest benefit when considering ki hop with expectations increasing to black belt.  At blue belt, ki hop should be demonstrated.  At black belt, ki hop should be “awesome”.
 
c.   EYE CONTACT:     A form is a series of defensive and offensive movements against an imaginary opponent.  Each move should be executed with the competitor having eye contact with that imaginary opponent.
 
d.   TECHNIQUE:         Techniques should be executed with a definite starting point and stopping point; they should be well defined with each move capable of being evaluated on its own and yet each move should flow into the next.  Age level and rank are important considerations in evaluating technique.
 
3.   The scoring will be on a 1-10 point system.  The head judge should check all scores intermittently during the judging with the goal of all scores falling within a .5 -1 point range.  Judges will evaluate the form considering whether it is satisfactory, below average or above average.  Once again, consideration should be made on the basis of age, belt level and complexity of the form.  Everyone who successfully completes the form in a satisfactory manner should get a minimum of 5.5 points.  The competitor will demonstrate by performance whether s/he should get fewer or greater points.
 
4.   Start overs will be allowed.  However, for each start over, one point will be deducted from the total score.  Judges do not deduct the point; the scorekeepers will make the deduction.  The most important thing is that the competitor completes the forms, regardless of how many start overs she/he needs.
 
5.   Mistakes – When a competitor makes a mistake, the judges’ most important consideration should be how well she/he recovers.  A recovery without acknowledgment of error should be scored as though no error was made.  Acknowledging error with facial expression, etc. should receive a lowered score from the judges.
 
6.   Weapon control is of utmost importance in weapons forms competition.  If a competitor drops his/her weapon during a form, the “form recovery” rule applies; if a competitor loses control of his/her weapon during a forms, she/he will receive zero points for his/her performance.  Each competitor will be expected to complete his/her performance before leaving the ring.
 
7.   Unsportsman like conduct will result in being excused from the event and/or further competition, depending on the judges’ and tournament arbitrator’s decision.
 
8.   Ring etiquette will be considered when performance is evaluated.  Remember, your form begins when you sit down at the ring, and ends when your group is excused from the ring.
 
9.   All competitors and judges shall be suitably attired when competing and judging.  They may be allowed to wear uniforms that are appropriate to their style or system, but their uniforms can in no way be harmful or offensive to themselves or others.