Proper martial arts uniforms are required to be worn by both competitors and judges. The attire must be neat and clean.

Judges’ decisions are deemed to be final. If there is a dispute as to calculation of a Kata score, the person questioning the calculation should approach the chief referee courteously and ask for a recalculation.

Judges must wear martial arts uniforms or dress jackets, dress shirt and slacks.

Only black belts appointed by the tournament management will be permitted to judge.

Coaching of any competitor in the ring is not permitted and may lead to disqualification.

Disrespecting and/or arguing with judges by competitors or spectators will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification and ejection from the event.

Males and females will compete together in kata and weapons kata 

Failure to abide by the rules may result in disqualification and ejection. All disputes are to be taken to the tournament director or appointed arbitrator.

Each ring will have three judges

Kata will be judged on precision of stance, technique, power, intensity, balance, and fluidity of movement.

Competitors must approach judges, bow and present themselves, then move back into the ring to begin. Upon completion of kata, the first three competitors will bow out of the ring, to be called back for scoring after the third kata. (Chief Referee has discretion to judge each kata immediately) Each subsequent competitor will be scored upon completion of his or her kata.

If there is a tie, the affected competitors will perform a second kata. Competitors in advanced divisions and black belt divisions must perform a different kata. If a tie remains, the winner will be decided by judges show of hands.

In weapons kata if a weapon is dropped or malfunctions the competitor may continue, if possible, with the chief referee deducting one whole point from the score. Senior Black Belts dropping their weapon will be immediately disqualified.

NO contact to the face will be permitted (under adult Black Belt). Only light, non-malicious body contact is allowed. No techniques to joints of the body (knees, elbows, etc.), the groin, neck or spine are allowed. If contact below the belt is made and a technique immediately following in the same combination is thrown to a score-able target, that point will be disallowed. Light contact to the head gear will be allowed. Striking the face will continue to be considered contact and may result in disqualification on majority contact call. Face shield is part of the headgear.

Drawing of blood results in immediate disqualification. Will not require a majority call.

All competitors must wear a mouthpiece and foam safety gear for head, hands, and feet. A groin protector is mandatory for male competitors and chest protection recommended for females. Competitors must be properly equipped at the time their division starts.

Disrespecting and/or arguing with judges by competitors or spectators for any reason, will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification and ejection from the event.

Competitors will bow to the head judge, to each other, take ready position, and begin on the head judge’s command.

The first fighter to receive 3 points wins the match.

Only full points will be awarded for each technique. No half points or more than one pint allowed.

Each point and contact call must be made by a majority of judges. There will be no warning for contact; upon a majority contact call the fighter will be disqualified from the current match, to be designated as the loser of that match.

Valid target areas include the front of the torso above the belt, the head, and any side region of the torso. 

No sweeping or floor techniques will be allowed permitted.