AMAA Competition Rules

Referee Seminar 2014

General AMAA Information

• Titles of Officials• 1. The Tournament Director shall be the person hosting the event, in most cases

he/she will be running the event. The Tournament Director may ask for help from AMAA Officials as needed.

• 2. The Chief Referee will be the person appointed to run the ring. They shall be in charge at that ring keeping thing going and judges doing their job.

• 3. The Corner Judges will be the officials that help make up the rest of the court. They will have authority to make calls, question calls, etc. They will be directed by the Chief Referee.

• 4. The Score Keeper shall be the person assigned to keep track of scores, time of the matches, minus points, points, infractions as well as tally up the final scores.

• 5. The Court of Officials will be the Officials listed above, Score Keeper, Chief Referee and Corner Judges. Each ring shall have a Court of Officials and remain there until released by the Tournament Director.

Tournament Ethics• 1. Each competitor will answer loudly with “Yes Sir / Yes Ma’am” when their name is called at the

ring. They will bow to the ring and quickly move into the ring and bow to the Officials. The competitor will remain standing at attention until they see the Officials are ready for them to begin. THE COMPETITOR WILL NOT INTRODUCE THEMSELVES OR THEIR FORM. The competitor will go to ready position and begin their form. At the completion of the form, they will hesitate before returning back to the ready position. The competitor will then bow and follow the instructions of the Chief Referee.

• 2. The division must be completed before a winner can be announced. Each competitor will remain at the ring until dismissed by the Court of Officials.

• 3. In the event of a tie. The LOW score will be dropped. If still tied, then the low score is added back in and the high score dropped. If still tied, the competitors will reenter the ring and following the procedure above do a form again. They may or may not perform the same form as before. At the completion the competitors will stand at attention and the Chief Referee will call “Judges Call”. At this time the Court of Officials will signal the superior performance. Majority of the votes will win.

• 4. Grading shall be done on the following criteria; -Rhythm – Grace – Speed – Balance – Stances – Posture –Power – Execution and Application.

• 5. Competitors must execute a traditional form. The form must be one that is taught at the school and not just made up.

• 6. At the end of the division, the Chief Referee shall announce the winners of the division beginning with 3rd place, then 2nd place, then 1st place. The contestants will bow to the Officials after the awards have been presented and dismiss in a proper manner.

• 7. Weapon Forms will be graded and performed in the same manner, but will also be graded on the proper handling and use of their weapon. The competitor may create their own form with the approval of their instructor.

• Scoring Guidelines

10 = Performance cannot be improved.

9.5 – 9.9 = Superior technique and extra ordinary performance.

9.0 – 9.4 = Powerful technique and good performance.

8.6 – 8.9 = Slightly above average technique and performance.

8.8 = Average technique and performance.

8.0 – 8.4 = Below average technique and performance.

7.5 – 7.9 = Minimally correct. Poor performance.

7.1 – 7.4 = Unsatisfactory performance

7.0 = Incomplete or forgotten form.

Sparring Ethics• 1. Each competitor will answer loudly with “Yes Ma’am / Yes Sir” when their

name is called. The competitor will bow to the ring and enter to the spot directed by the Chief Referee. The competitors will then follow the Chief Referee’s commands. Competitors are not allowed to talk unless directed by the Officials. Proper ethics will be followed at all times. No taunting, mocking or overzealous celebration to influence the Officials scoring. (Raising the hand after a strike is considered influencing in a negative manner)• 2. The tournament rules shall be the same for all AMAA sanctioned event. Each

competitor or student and Official is expected to understand the rules prior to the event. Each competitor must attend the rules meeting before sparring begins and be prepared to follow all the required rules regarding sparring equipment.

• Note: Each Senior Instructor should warn all students against pretending injury or pain as a device to gain time or sympathy. They should always set an example for spectators that shows the Martial Arts teach integrity and a sense of toughness.

Standard AMAA Divisions

• 1. All AMAA Sanctioned tournaments must have a Grand Champion in Forms, Weapons and Point Sparring at a minimum. It is suggested to have a Jr. Grand Champion in some or all of these events as well.• 2. The Championship held at the end of the year will NOT have Grand Champion

events as the winner will be the Champion and then 1st Runner up and 2nd Runner up.• 3. One tournament may have more divisions than another depending on the

amount of competitors for each division. It will be the Tournament Directors responsibility to insure sufficient divisions for the amount of competitors. However, the minimum must meet the standard above.

Appearance and Dress Code• 1. Competitors will wear a clean and neat uniform. Competitors may not wear watches

or jewelry. Competitors must come prepared with all the needed equipment like mouthpieces, cup, pads and so on. They must understand all that is required for the events they wish to participate in. THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE.

• 2. Instructors, Officials and all identified Officials shall be properly dressed in Uniform or Coat and Tie. Women are expected to wear the equivalent. It is important for the total image of the AMAA that the competition day is special for the participants. The adherence to the Dress Code will show proper feedback of excellence of the AMAA to the competitors and spectators.

Judging Ethics

Demonstrations of prejudice, lack of ring attentiveness and so on, shall be cause for warning from higher AMAA Officials at any AMAA tournament. Any such warnings shall become part of that judges permanent record. Three warnings within a 12 month period will result in the expulsion of said Official from Officiating in any AMAA event.

Complaints• 1. Instructors, parents or students that have complaints or appeals during a

tournament are not allowed to do so without proper procedure. Any such violations will result in the disqualification of the student. • 2. The students Instructor or representative may bring an official protest or

appeal forward in a proper manner. The official protest should be brought first to the Chief Referee and if a decision cannot be reached the Chief Referee will consult the Tournament Director.• 3. Each party (Chief Referee & Representative) may be present during this

meeting and present the facts in a proper manner to the Tournament Director. The ruling of the Tournament Director will be final. Any disrespect for the decision may result in the disqualification of the student. • 4. If a decision cannot be reached, another AMAA Official may be brought in and

a decision reached. The ruling will consider the safest and fairest decision for all parties involved and will be respectfully accepted by all that are involved. Any disrespect for the officials will result in disqualification.

Competitor Rules

• Forms and Weapons1. Any traditional form of any style will be judged equally2. All forms will be graded with the score cards provided3. Performance will be graded on : Rhythm, Balance, Stances, Posture,

Grace, Speed, Execution of technique, application of target4. Weapons will be judged in the same manner5. Weapons will also be judged on proper handling of the weapon6. All Forms & Weapons will have a point spread of 7.0 – 10 with 8.5 being average

Breaking• 1. All boards must be approved by the AMAA prior to breaking• 2. Bring your own material ( Wood only)• 3. No concrete stantions• 4. All boards minimum sizes must be as follows: 1) Kids = 1 x 12 x 3

2) Juniors = 1 x 12 x 6 3) Adults = 1 x 12 x 9• 5. Competitors may move up in board size but not down without penalty• 6. For all color belts, the ABC rule applies as follows : A = All stations broke on 1st attempt. B = Any or all station broke after 2 attempts. C1 = One station not broke after 2nd attempt. C2 = Two stations not broke after 2nd attempt. C3 = 3 stations not broke after 2nd attempt.

• 7. There will be a 1 minute time limit for set up• 8. Color belt competitors must break 3 stations• 9. A station is considered breaking that can be done without stepping • 10. All breaking competitors will have only 2 attempts per station• 11. Breaking will be judged according to difficulty, rank and execution• 12. Breaking will be judged with score cards provided• 13. Black Belt competitors may break up to a maximum of 6 stations• 14. No concrete breaking or concrete stantions allowed

Point Sparring Rules

• 1. Legal Scoring Areas• Body = Torso Area, from the top of the breast bone to the belt• Head = From the ears forward, including top, side and face

• 2. Non-Scoring Areas• Back of the head• Neck or throat• Back/ Spine • Anything below the belt

• 2. Valid Scoring Points• Any well controlled punch or kick to the legal torso area will be awarded (1) point• Any well controlled kick to the legal head area will be awarded (1) point

• 4. Illegal Hand Techniques• Any open hand technique ( Ridgehand, Knifehand, etc.)• Punching to the head area (Any type of punch)• Backfist or Spinning backfist

• 5. Other Illegal Techniques• Any attack below the belt• Pushing, grabbing or shoving• Sweeping or throwing• Attacking a fallen opponent• Head butting, knee, elbow, etc.

• 6. Match Duration• All matches will have a (2) minute time limit• All Matches will be (1) round• The winner will be the first with (5) points or the most at the end of regulation• In the event of a tie, there will be 1 round of sudden death. The winner will be determined by

the first full point change.

• 7. Deduction of Points• Punching to the head (Accidental or Intentional)• Attacking a fallen opponent• Intentionally attacking below the belt• Intentionally attacking after “break” is called

• 8. Warnings• Holding, grabbing, shoving• Intentionally running out of bounds• Intentionally falling• Attacking the back• Throwing or sweeping

• 9. Disqualifications• Not having correct equipment within (2) minutes• Unsportsman like conduct by the competitor, instructor, parents or spectators• Any excessive contact ( Judges Discretion)• Deliberate disrespect toward Officials, or Court of Officials

• 10. No Jewelry, no Piercings• This includes, but is not limited to any type of piercings, necklace,

bracelets, watches and rings• Sport glasses are allowed

• 11. Miscellaneous Scoring Information• At least one foot must be inbounds to score• All Judges including Chief Referee have (1) vote• Scoring will be awarded by the majority vote• If a Judge does not see a point, they should not vote• If a competitor has (3) minus points, they are disqualified• (3) warnings will result in (1) minus point

• 12. Point Sparring Gear

• Hand and foot pads are mandatory, they must cover the fist and instep• Foam dipped pads are allowed• No hard plastic pads of any kind• Mouthpieces are mandatory (No strap outside the mouth)• Protective athletic protection (cups) for all male competitors is

mandatory• Headgear is mandatory• Approved Chest Pads are mandatory

Continuous/Olympic Sparring Rules

• 1. Sparring Gear• Regulation Chest Pad (Olympic Style)• Cloth or Foam Shin and Instep Pads (Must be worn under uniform, no plastic)• Foam Dipped Headgear (No face guard)• Forearm protectors (Must be worn under uniform, no plastic)• Mouthpiece (No strap outside of the mouth)• Athletic cups for males/ recommended groin protection for females• Equipment cannot be taped• No jewelry, this includes but not limited to; piercings, necklaces, bracelets,

watches, rings, etc.• No glasses allowed, contacts are ok

• 2. Duration of Matches• All color belts will be 2 rounds, 90 seconds each• All Black Belts will be 2 rounds, 90 seconds each• If advanced and Black Belts are combined, 2 rounds 90 seconds each• There will be a 30 second break between rounds

• 3. Legal Techniques for Scoring• Forefist Only (No open hand tech.) Strait or reverse punch only• Foot (This is anything below the ankle)

• 4. Legal Scoring Areas• Head (This is all areas above the collar bone, including the neck, face, ears,

top and back of the head)• Trunk/Body (This is the area covered by the Chest pad, but does not include

the spine or 2 inches on either side of the spine)

• 5. Points awarded for legal techniques• One point shall be awarded for a legal kick or punch to the trunk/body area• Two points shall be awarded for a kick to the head area• One additional point shall be awarded for a knockdown

• 6. Definitions• Knockdown – When any part of the body touches the floor other than the

feet, from a legal tech. Or when a contestant is staggered and shows no intention or ability to continue. Or if the Referee judges the contest cannot go on due to a legal power technique.• Knockout – A knockout is declared if an opponent cannot continue after the

Referee counts to ten. (Yeol)• Referee stops the contest – If the Tournament Physician determines the

match cannot continue, if the coach throws in a towel to stop the fight, or the contestant protests the call and does not continue after 1 minute.

• 7. Decisions• The winner shall be determined by the following:

a) Win by KO

b)Win by Referee stops the contest

c)Win by points or superiority

d)Win by disqualification

e)Win by withdrawal

f)win by Referee’s punitive decision

• 8. Kyoung-go Penalties (Half Point deductions)a. Turning your backb. Intentionally falling downc. Avoiding the matchd. Grabbing, Holding or Pushinge. Attacking below the beltf. Pretending Injuryg. Attacking with the kneeh. Hitting to the face with handi. Crossing out of boundsj. Undesirable remarks or misconduct

Note: A Kyoung-go can also be a Ju-Wie (warning). It is the Referee’s decision.

• 9. Gamjeom Penalties (Full Point deductions)a. Attacking after “Break” or “Kalyeo” is calledb. Throwing down an opponentc. Intentional attack to the face with fist d. Interruption of the match by contestant or coache. Attacking a fallen opponentf. Violent or extreme remarks or behavior by a coach or contestant

Additional Notes:If a contestant accumulates 4 minus points, they are

declared the loser

Only 2 layers of tape may be used for injury (Must be applied by tournament Physician)

The last odd Kyoung-go does not count

Jr Safety Rules

• 1. The contestants are encouraged to kick to the head area, however the kick must be light and with control causing no injury or excessive contact, or the appropriate penalty will apply• 2. The competitor who executes a successful kick to the head area,

will be awarded 2 points• 3. The competitor who does a successful kick to the head area and

causes minor injury will receive a 1 point deduction. The Referee and judges with or without the tournament physician will determine if the attack was minor or excessive• 4. The competitor who executes a kick to the head area causing the

opponent to not be able to continue because of injury, will be disqualified.

Prepare to call Competitors

Chung or Blue

Hong or Red

Chae-de-yut

Kyoung-yea

Inspect the Blue Player

Inspect the Red Player

Start of each roundChum-bee

Start MatchSi-Jak

To declare BreakKal-yeo

Return to Coaches Chairs

To declare ContinueKye-sok

To assess a Half-Point Deduction

(Kyoung-go)

Break / Kal-yeo

Stop TimeShi-gan

Point to the PerpetratorChung

Assess the DeductionKyoung-go

Assess a Full Point Deduction

(Gam-jeom)

Break / Kal-yeo

Stop TimeShi-gan

Point to the Perpetrator(Hong)

Minus One Point(Gam-jeom)

To asses a Warning

(Joo-eui)

Break/Kal-yeo

Stop timeShi-gan

Point to the Perpetrator

WarningJoo-eui

To count when knockdown or standing count

One-Two / Hanah - Dul

Remove Headgear

To declare Blue WinnerChung - Sung

To declare Red Winner

To stop time for injuryKye-shi

Calling for Point“Judges Ready”