• A team of 3 competitors (any age or gender mix) performs a kata of their choice simultaneously.
• No bunkai/oyo (demonstration of application) is required, but may be performed is the team chooses to do so.
• Competitors may only compete on one team kata team for the tournament.
• Divisions will be grouped based on the teams’ average age and rank as determined by Tournament Coordinators.

There will be 3 different types of kumite offered based on age and experience:
Ippon Kumite (stationary 1-step sparring)  |  10th-8th kyu
Jyu Ippon Kumite (semi-free 1-step sparring)  |  7th-6th kyu
Jyu Kumite (free sparring)  |  5th Kyu and higher

General Kumite Safety Rules:

• No headgear.
• No footpads, shoes, shin guards, or hard plastic/metal braces.
• No eye glasses or safety glasses.
• No jewelry of any type.
• Soft hair accessories only.
• Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed short.
• Hair must not obscure competitor’s vision.

Ippon Kumite Rules (stationary 1-step sparring)  | 10th-8th kyu
Ippon Kumite is non-contact, 1-step sparring with specified attacking & defending sides.   There will be 3 exchanges for each competitor.

Match Procedure:

As prompted by the Center Referee

Attacker starts from left leg forward down-block position – defender starts from standing position.  Attacks are in this order:
Attacker announces each single attack and defender must block and counter each time.

1.) Step-in Punch Head
2.) Step-in Punch Stomach
3.) Front Kick Stomach (back leg only)
Defender must block and counter each attack.  After each attack and defense, the athletes start a new sequence.  Judging is by show of flags at the end of all six sequences. Athletes are judged cumulatively on their overall skill in form, posture, power, spirit, distance, and timing. Contact beyond the surface of the skin will be penalized.

Match Procedure:

• Both athletes start from Shizentai (standing natural stance) on their respective marks.
• Aka (red) side always attacks first.
• Shushin (Center Referee) starts match with the respective announcement indicating the side attacking and the attacking technique  i.e., “Aka, Kogeki, Kizami Zuki Jodan…Hajime!”  (red side – attacking – Jab head – begin!)
• Both sides engage immediately by assuming fighting position (Jyu Kamae) and attacker may attack at any time.
  • Just like regular sparring, athletes can move freely around the ring.
  • Athletes can attack or defend with either leg forward.
  • Attacker may commence their one attack at any time and must remain still after each attack.
  • Attacker must attack within 10 seconds or that sequence will be forfeit to the defender.
  • Out of bounds (Jogai) or any excessive contact will result in a forfeiture of that sequence to other athlete.
  • Attacker should not try to block the defender’s counter.
  • After each sequence, athletes return to their starting points in Shizentai.
• After Aka completes the three attacks, Shushin will repeat the sequence with Shiro as attacker.
• After all six sequences are complete, athletes return their starting points and Shushin calls for a winner by show of flags by the 4 corner judges.

Jyu Kumite Rules (free sparring)  |  5th Kyu and higher

• Traditional non-contact “Shobu Ippon-Style” Kumite
  Ippon = 10 points / Wazari = 4 points / Keikoku Penalty = 2 points / Chui Penalty = 4 points
  Winner declared with 1 Ippon OR 2 Wazari OR the highest number of points at the end of the match.
• 1.5 minute matches (calculated using “action time” not “running time”)
  >>Please note the following technical clarifications:
• For techniques to be recognized and awarded points, they must be full-body actions.
• Mawashi or Ushiro Mawashi Geri using top or bottom of foot IS considered a qualified technique/body part for attacks to Jodan only.

• Dress Code – Traditional White Karate Gi (preferred)
• No rolled-up cuffed sleeves or pants are allowed in free sparring events
  Required Safety Equipment for Free Sparring Events:
  (Free Sparring ONLY – not required for 1-step kumite)
• Mouth Guard
• Non-Padded Fist Covers (provided)
• Groin Protector (for males)
• (optional) Chest Protector (for females)