The official rules are provided below and are also available for download. They are subject to change.
Competitors are required to wear a traditional Chinese martial arts uniform or school T-shirt and appropriate Kung Fu-style pants. Martial arts or athletic-type shoes are required for all forms competitions. Street shoes are not permitted.
The following skill level criteria apply to forms competition, push hands, and sparring.
Where 4 divisions
- Novice: < 1 year of training
- Beginner: 1 to < 2 years of training
- Intermediate: 2 to 4 years of training
- Advanced: > 4 years of training
Where 3 divisions
- Beginner: < 2 years of training
- Intermediate: 2 to 4 years of training
- Advanced: > 4 years of training
Where 2 divisions
- Beginner: < 3 years of training
- Advanced: > 3 years of training
All times are given in minutes.
Penalty of 0.2 points deducted for each infraction of 5 seconds or partial increment thereof.
Adult Traditional Advanced divisions only
Min 0:45, Max 2:00
Taiji Hand Forms
Min 3:00, Max 3:30
Taiji Weapons
Min 2:30, Max 3:00
Liuhe Bafa
Max 5:00, No Minimum
|
Adult Wushu Advanced divisions only
Min 1:20, No Maximum
Taiji 24
Performed to completion; No Maximum
Other Internal Weapons
Min 0:45, Max 2:00
Xing Yi & Bagua Hand Forms
Min 1:00, Max 2:00
|
An audible warning will be given 30 seconds prior to time limit for Taiji and Liuhe Bafa.
Interruptions caused by uncontrollable circumstances are not penalized. Re-performing due to forgetfulness, broken weapons, etc., will result in an automatic 1-point deduction from final score in all advanced divisions. All other divisions will be assessed a half-point penalty.
Novice and Beginner
Scores range from 6.0-7.5
Intermediate
Scores range from 7.0-8.5
Advanced
Scores range from 8.0-9.9
Sabers and swords: All sabers and swords used in the traditional teen and adult divisions must be of Loong Quan type steel or heavier steel.
Wushu:Adult divisions require the current standard weapons used in international competition.
Non-compliance with these standards will result in a full-point deduction from the final score.
Grand champion categories and minimum requirements (advanced competitors only):
Pee-Wees
Must enter one hand form, one long weapon, and one short weapon.
Kids
Must enter one hand form, one long weapon, one short weapon, and one open weapon*.
Juniors
Must enter one hand form, one long weapon, one short weapon, and one open weapon*.
Teens
Must enter one hand form, one long weapon, one short weapon, and one open weapon*.
Adults Northern
Must enter one hand form, Guan Dao form (men only), one long weapon, one short weapon, and one open weapon*.
Adults Southern
Must enter one hand form, Guan Dao form (men only), one long weapon, one short weapon, and one open weapon*.
Taiji
Must enter two Taiji hand forms from different styles, Taiji straight sword, and one other Taiji weapon.
Other Internal Styles
Must enter one Xing Yi form, one Bagua form, one Liuhe Bafa form, and one internal weapons form (no Taiji weapons or forms).
*Open weapons includes any weapon except straight sword, saber, staff, or spear.
Scoring: 1st place 10 points, 2nd 7 points, 3rd 5 points, 4th 3 points.
Mandatory protective equipment (must be supplied by competitor)
Head protector, mouth guard, groin cup, chest protector, foam gloves with no exposed fingers, and foam foot protectors that cover entire foot.
Competition format
All matches are single elimination. Two minutes running time. Points awarded and matches stopped with each scoring technique. Five-point spread wins the match. Most points at end of match wins. If tied, first to score wins in sudden death.
Legal contact targets
Light contact to front and sides of torso, light contact to side of head gear.
Legal non-contact targets
Front of face.
Legal techniques
Clean punches and kicks only.
Disqualifications
Excessive force will result in immediate disqualification. Accumulation of 3 warnings will result in disqualification. Unsportsmanlike conduct by athlete, coach, or parent will result in disqualification.
Competition format
All matches are single elimination and will consist of two 1-minute rounds. In the event of a tie, the match will be decided by sudden death: First to score wins.
Progression
Matches begin from Ward-Off; execute three rotations of Ward-Off, Roll Back, Press and Push before initiating competitive pushing. The chief judge will direct match with verbal signals ("begin," "stop," etc.).
Valid techniques
Pushing, pulling with one hand, trapping techniques, non-impact techniques that cause opponent to lose balance, and single-hand grabbing techniques that cause opponent to lose balance.
Scoring
Points are awarded by majority decision.
Fixed-step push hands
For fixed-step push hands, the positioning of the feet must remain the same for the duration of the match. Absolutely no foot movement is allowed after the match begins.
Restricted-step push hands
For restricted-step push hands, the foot forward at the start of the match must remain forward for the duration of the match. Competitors may take a step or steps forward or backward, with either the front or the back foot, but may not reverse the stance. Competitors must keep to the orientation of the center line; they may not step to the side to defend or gain advantage in pushing.
Moving-step push hands
For moving-step push hands, the feet may be moved freely after the start of the match. The competition area is an octagon with a 15-foot diameter and will be clearly marked. An outer marked 20-foot square will also be provided.
Disqualifications
Excessive and dangerous use of force will result in immediate disqualification. Accumulation of 3 warnings will result in disqualification. Unsportsmanlike conduct by the athlete or coach will result in disqualification.
All San Shou competitors with previous experience in San Shou, Boxing, Kickboxing, etc., do
not qualify for Novice San Shou.
Mandatory equipment
All competitors must provide their own equipment, which must include boxing-type head gear, 12-ounce boxing-type gloves, mouthpiece, groin protector, and shin and instep guards. All protective gear is subject to inspection.
Other clarifications will be given during the mandatory meeting on Friday evening.
For Teen and Novice Adult San Shou
Matches in which one competitor is far superior in skill to the opponent will quickly be stopped by the chief judge and the match will be awarded to the superior athlete.
Parent or legal guardian
All Teen San Shou fighters must be accompanied by a parent who will sign a release form on site. If a parent is not present, a legal guardian must sign the release form. A legal guardian must provide a notarized letter from a parent, or other certified document, attesting to his or her status. Teen fighters will not be allowed to participate in San Shou if a parent or legal guardian is not present.
Match duration
In the Teens and Novice San Shou divisions, there will be the best of three 1-minute rounds. In case of a tie, one additional 30-second round will be fought to decide the winner. In the Advanced San Shou divisions, there will be the best of three 2-minute rounds. In case of a tie, one additional 1-minute round will be fought to decide the winner. In case of an additional tie, the winner will be decided by majority vote. San Shou finals will consist of three 3-minute rounds.
Entry restrictions
Advanced San Shou competitors may register for Advanced Submission Grappling but may not register for any other division.
Medical certificate
All San Shou fighters must provide a recent medical certificate which states that the athlete is in good health and able to participate in a full-contact martial arts competition.
Weigh in, medical check, and rules meeting
All San Shou fighters are required to attend a medical screening, which will include a formal weigh in. All fighters are required to attend the rules meeting on Friday evening immediately following the close of the official weigh in.
First aid
Any medical assistance provided at the Championship will be of a first-aid nature only. All fighters will be personally responsible for medical expenses incurred after the immediate first aid.
SCORING FOR SAN SHOU
Three points are awarded if
- There is a clean throw where the thrower does not touch the ring floor with anything other than his feet.
Two points are awarded if
- There is an otherwise clean throw, sweep, or permitted takedown.
- The opponent falls while the other fighter remains standing.
- The fighter hits the opponent in the trunk once with the legs.
- The opponent receives an official warning penalty.
One point is awarded if
- The fighter hits the opponent once on a valid target with a hand, leg, or knee technique.
- The opponent receives a caution once.
- Both fighters remain passive for 8 seconds and a fighter fails to attack when ordered to do so by the referee.
No points are awarded if
- Both fighters hit each other simultaneously.
- The fighter throws the opponent after holding for more than 5 seconds.
- A fighter uses an unsuccessful falling technique to attack.
- The fighter kicks the supporting leg when the opponent lifts the knee for protection.
- A fighter is punched when double holding.
- Unclear techniques are employed by either fighter.
A match is awarded if
- The opponent takes 2 standing 8-counts in a round or 3 standing 8-counts in a match.
- There is a technical knockout.
- An athlete is overmatched by the opponent in power and skill; in that event, the center referee can declare absolute victory.
- There is unsportsmanlike conduct by the fighter or coach.
Illegal targets
- Groin
- Knee joint
- Back of head
- Spine
Illegal techniques
- Knees to the groin or head
- Elbows
- Head butting
- Pile driving
Head contact is allowed for the adult beginner San Shou divisions only (not teens).
Experience divisions
- Novice: < 2 years of training in any grappling art
- Advanced: > 2 years of training in any grappling art
All Submission Grappling fighters are required to attend a medical screening, which will include a formal weigh in. All fighters are required to attend the rules meeting on Friday evening immediately following the close of the official weigh in. Advanced Submission Grappling competitors may register for Advanced San Shou but may not register for any other forms division.
For Teen and Novice Adult Grappling
Matches in which one competitor is far superior in skill to the opponent will quickly be stopped by the chief judge and the match will be awarded to the superior athlete.
Parent or legal guardian
All Teen Grapplers must be accompanied by a parent who will sign a release form on site. If a parent is not present, a legal guardian must sign the release form. A legal guardian must provide a notarized letter from a parent, or other certified document, attesting to his or her status. Teen fighters will not be allowed to participate in Submission Grappling if a parent or legal guardian is not present.
Medical certificate
All Grapplers must provide a recent medical certificate which states that the athlete is in good health and able to participate in a full-contact martial arts competition.
Weigh in, medical check, and rules meeting
All Grapplers are required to attend a medical screening, which will include a formal weigh in. All Grapplers are required to attend the rules meeting on Friday evening immediately following the close of the official weigh in.
Uniforms
Fighting shorts or athletic shorts and wrestling singlet; Sambo, wrestling or martial arts shoes. Laces or any metal must be taped over. T-shirts are optional. No lubricants, oils, lotions, or grip-enhancing products of any kind are permitted. If found, competitor will be disqualified.
Legal Techniques
All chokes (except C-clamping the trachea). All arm locks, shoulder locks, and wrist locks. All leg locks, ankle locks, and foot locks. Heel hooks and twisting leg locks are permitted in Advanced divisions only.
Match duration (All matches are 1 round)
| Teen Novice: 3 minutes | Teen Advanced: 4 minutes |
| Adult Novice: 4 minutes | Adult Advanced: 5 minutes |
Fouls
Fouls, at the discretion of the referee, based on the intent of the grappler committing the foul and the result of the foul, may cause time to be stopped in the bout and warnings, recuperation time and/or disqualification being issued.
Fouls include flagrant disregard of the referee’s instructions, striking of any kind, biting, hair pulling, head butting, fish hooking, gouging of any kind, groin techniques, neck cranks, spiking on the head or neck, small joint manipulation, scratching, clawing, or pinching, being unwilling to engage opponent, intentionally delaying the contest due to improper equipment, or intentionally dropping or spitting out the mouthpiece.
Only a referee can assess a foul. If the referee does not call the foul, judges must not make that assessment on their own.
Winning
Submission (highest form of winning - by verbal or tapping); points; if opponent is disqualified; referee decision.
Scoring
4 Points: Clean Takedowns (a takedown that ends in a control position, i.e. side-control, mount, or knee on stomach)
2 Points: Takedown (that ends in Half Guard or Full Guard)
4 Points: Clean Sweep or Reversal (a sweep or reversal that ends in a control position, i.e., side-control,
mount, or knee on stomach)
2 Points: Sweep or Reversal that ends in Half Guard or Full Guard
3 Points: Full Mount (position must be secured)
3 Points: Back Control (both hooks must be secured)
3 Points: Passing the Guard (pass must end in a control position, i.e., side-control, mount, or knee on stomach)
2 points: Knee on stomach (position must be secured)
Note: To establish a secure position, it must be held for a minimum of five seconds.
Each school with San Shou and/or Grappling competitors is allowed a maximum of 2 corner people.
The Championship is an invitational event. Competitors, coaches, and spectators are required to display proper sportsmanship and respect for the officials and other competitors. The school’s chief instructor is responsible for conveying the proper etiquette to all athletes and supporters. Athletes who are not competing should remain seated, both as a safety precaution and so as not to block the spectators' view. Spectators are required to keep off the competition area. Rings will be properly marked so that spectators may take seats near the competitors they are supporting. Running from one ring to another is not permitted. We encourage you to cheer for your athletes, but we ask that you refrain from wild shouting. Schools that do not display proper sportsmanship will not be invited to future competitions.
a href="registration.htm">
