CACMA© Form Competition Rules 2006

General Rules

Rules Responsibilities – CACMA will present these rules to the competitors via the CACMA website and at the competitors meeting following the opening ceremonies. At the point the competitor enters the ring; competitors should know the rules and be ready for competition when called to do so. If there is still a question, it is the responsibility of the competitor to get clarification before the particular event entered has started.

Single Event Times – The order, time, and ring location of events are fluid at tournaments and therefore, subject to change at any moment during the day.  Therefore, it is imperative that all competitors listen to announcements and be aware of what events are going on at the moment and what are being announced on deck.

Tardiness – All competitors must be at ringside prior to when their event starts. Each event will be called three times by the head table at the end of which time all competitors will be expected to be at the ring. At that time, when instructed, you must give the Head Judge and/or Scorekeeper you name and competition level (beginner, intermediate, advanced.) No one will be allowed to enter a ring event once the competition for that event has started.  If the competitor is competing in concurrent events they must report to one ring and inform the head judge of the situation. They must also listen up for the other event announcements in order to hear their name called to compete.

Competitor Presentation – Once in the ring, each competitor must present himself/herself to the head judge and judges and be suitably attired with proper uniform and equipment and ready to compete. Understanding that not all schools have uniforms, wear something that is conducive to doing your style of martial arts. Street clothes will not be accepted. Keep in mind that neatness counts in whatever you wear. No vulgar words or pictures will be allowed nor will neither writings nor pictures on your uniform that is not related to your school or style, will not be allowed. The Competitor must salute when entering and exiting the ring. He/She must salute the Judges; state their name, style of Kung Fu and then request permission to begin. Once the Scorekeeper has confirmed the Competitor's Name on the competition list, he will be instructed to begin.

Awards – Medals will be presented to the top three, highest scoring competitors in each event. All event competitors are expected to be present during the award presentation at the end of each ring event.  If there is a conflict with another event the competitor must inform the ring's head judge.

Registration – Competitors must register and compete in a division appropriate to their level. Competitors must compete at the same skill level in all categories. If a competitor competes in advanced empty hand forms then they must compete in advanced sparring. If competitors in two-person forms are of different levels, they will compete at the level of the one of the two with the most experience.

Competition Levels – Beginner: 0-1 year; Intermediate: 1-3 years; Advanced: 3 years and up.

The Grey Area – It is also important that the competitor and his/her Sifu register in the proper level of competition. There is always some grey area in various styles of  Chinese Martial Arts, as well as, when one transfers from another Chinese art or from a non-Chinese art. Example: If a competitor has 10 years experience in Choy Li Fut and switches to Northern Mantis, that competitor overall is not a beginner in martial arts. Likewise, if one comes from a non-Chinese art, say Karate, with an intermediate ranking and enters at that level, but only has a few months of Chinese style experience, the level of competitiveness may be higher than that person. (Most Chinese styles beginner forms may be long and more complex in the beginning than non-Chinese styles) Yet that person's sparring ability may be superior to a beginner Chinese stylist and therefore, would need to be in the higher level. Ultimately, Judges will reserve the right to disqualify or move up a competitor which appears to be in too low a competition level. This is especially important at sparring levels. If you or your Sifu have a question on your placement in the competition, get it clear before the competition starts!

Conduct Representative of a Martial Artist – Competitors, their Sifu, fellow school members and their guests are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the high level of discipline and respect associated with the martial arts. No disrespect towards any CACMA officials, volunteers or fellow competitors of the tournament will be tolerated. Any person who acts in a disrespectful manner toward any official will be expelled from the CACMA Tournament and may be banned from any future CACMA events. If there is any questions or concerns by a competitor or their Sifu, if must be formally presented in written form to the CACMA Arbitrator within three days of the end of the event. Issues can be address with the Arbitrator at the event and possibly resolved, otherwise, formal complaints or concerns must be filed as stated above.

Divisions of Competition – There must be a minimum of three competitors per division. If not, Tournament Officials may combine divisions to satisfy this requirement.

Scoring – Scoring will be based on a 6.00-9.99 point system where beginners are 6.00-7.50, intermediates are 7.51-9.00, Advanced are 8.50-9.99. Ties will be broken by having the medal winning tied competitors compete again.  Competitors may choose to perform the same form or another.

Scoring Criteria – Each competitor will be expected to demonstrate a form based on the style/styles in which he/she has been trained in. Judges will score forms based on the following proper execution:

• Stances; strong and correct
• Eyes; follows the form or movements (doesn't stare at the floor for example)
• Chi; displayed based on the level of the competitor
• Spirit; is the form alive and believable
• Movements of the form; did competitor forget, leave out moves or stop the form prior to its ending
• Strength or Power; is this demonstrated for the level of the competitor
• Command of the weapon, if weapon form
• Teamwork and choreography, if 2 man set

 

Specific Rules

Restarts -   From time to time, a competitor must restart their form due to some distraction or forgetfulness. If a competitor stops their form for whatever reason, they will be allowed to start over. This will only be allowed once and will result in a mandatory 1-point reduction from their score.

Time of Performance – Competitors do not have a time limit placed on them during form competition. The Judges have requested, however, that the Competitors try to limit their forms to 3 minutes max. If you need more time, please inform the Head Judge in your ring.

Exceeding Ring Space – Occasionally, Competitors need more space than is allowed to perform a particular form. If this is the case, the Head Judge must be notified so that space can be allowed for without interfering with another ring or possibly encroaching on spectators, etc.

Weapon Drops - If a competitor drops their weapon, continues to move in a martial way toward their weapon, retrieves it, and then continues the form without interruption, then there will be no mandatory point deduction.

Weapon Inspection - All weapons must be of good quality with no broken parts. If a weapon breaks during a form, the competitor may begin again with no point deduction if the Judges feel the breakage was beyond the competitor's control. Judges may refuse to allow use of a weapon deemed to be unsafe or fragile. No Wushu weapons will be allowed except in the Wushu Divisions.

Ring's Order Of Competition - Competitors order of competition will be randomly listed by the administrative desk for said ring on the Judges Competitors List. The first three competitors will compete before any scores are awarded.  After the third competitor has finished, the Judges will confer with each other and then the first competitor will be called back for scoring followed by the second and then the third.  All remaining competitors in the division will then be judged in comparison to the first three.

CACMA© Light Contact, Continuous Sparring Rules 2006

Equipment –  Padded headgear (with full-face guard for advanced levels), footpads, mouthpiece, cup for men, tournament or Kenpo style gloves. Nails must be trimmed to less than 1/8" for open fingered gloves or bare feet. Chest protectors are recommended for women. Footwear can be wrestling or kung fu slippers. Bare feet or socks are permitted. Contestants must wear a uniform.

Time – Novice, beginner and intermediate rounds are of 1-minute length. The ring judges will determine a winner for each round. The first contestant to win 2 rounds will be declared the winner of that match. Advanced level rounds will last 1½ minutes.

General –

Winners are evaluated based on the execution of clean martial technique. Power in a strike is not considered, though the possibility of applying it is.

Only contenders that have been registered made known at check-in and to the ring scorekeeper before the match may participate.

Participants must be free of communicable disease, open bleeding or sores. If another competitor causes the wound during sparring competition, the responsible competitor will be disqualified, and the injured competitor will seek medical attention as provided. If the injured competitor cannot return because of medical advice, the competitor will automatically receive a "win" for the last match, but will not be allowed to return to competition. Any competitor that has been knocked out, has lost consciousness, or has received a head injury that appears to have markedly affected his balance or orientation, will not be allowed to continue. No exceptions.

During the match, the contestants shall not receive coaching by any in the audience.  Repeated or severe breaches of civility or politeness, at the center judges discretion, may cause the offender to be penalized or withdrawn from the match.

A round may be stopped by any of the ring judges, the timekeeper at end of round, or the tournament director.

A competitor must not attempt to cause actual harm to their opponent.

These rules have been designed to limit possible harm to participants. Competitors must not attempt to circumvent the spirit of the tournament rules.  Any clarification should be sought prior to the match from the tournament director or a center judge.

These rules will be explained at the ring. Since several styles may participate, these may be adjusted to accommodate all styles present. Safety equipment may be required at the discretion of the judges.