American Martial Art's Center
American Martial Arts Center
Tournament Rules & Guidelines

Tournaments are conducted similarly to testings. All head judges are Certified Instructors.
Assistant judges may be Trainee Instructors or Black Belt students.
Each judge must be a higher rank than the competitors in his/her ring.
Because many rings are active simultaneously, it is important for each competitor
to listen carefully for announced ring assignments and /or changes in scheduled events.
When a student hears their ring announced, he/she should immediately proceed
to that ring.
An instructor/judge will ask for the tournament registration card.
Each student is called into their ring to perform their form.
After the first three competitors have completed their forms, the judges call each
of them back into the ring to be scored. Then the remaining competitors are called
into the ring to execute their forms; these competitors are scored immediately.
The delay in scoring the first three competitors allows the judges to balance

For sparring competition, White, Orange and Yellow belts perform one-steps.
Green and above use mild, controlled, slight contact.
The competitors are called into the ring two at a time. When everyone has completed
one match, the winners are  paired for the second round. The sequence continues
until the top four positions are decided.
Awards are given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Although there is mild contact in scoring a sparring point, points may be awarded if a
competitor comes within four inches of contact area toward the head (kicks), however,
black belts often need to make slight contact to validate a point.
The legal zones which are observed: Hand techniques may be used on the front and side
of the body from the belt to the shoulder. No hand techniques may be delivered to the
face or head. Foot techniques may be delivered to the face, head or body. Foot
techniques may be used on the front and side of the body from the belt to, and
including, the head. Kicks to the back of the head are legal; but it is illegal to
intentionally deliver a hand or foot technique to the back or any area below the belt.

Scoring:
Hand or foot technique to the body = 1 point
Jumping foot technique to the body = 2points
Foot technique to the head = 2 points
Jumping foot technique to the head = 3 points
Penalty points or disqualification may be assessed for failure to observe legal target areas.
The sparring match is finished when one competitor earns five points, or when two minutes
elapse, whichever comes first.

We require the use of head, foot, and hand protective gear, the use of a mouthpiece
and cup (male competitors) at all times during competition.
No exceptions!