All Chinese martial arts practitioners may participate in the championships as long as they adhere to the rules and regulations and demonstrate sportsmanship towards fellow competitors and respect for judges and other tournament officials.

*See the Join The Circuit page

Any cotton or silk Chinese styled uniform with frog buttons.

School T-shirts and tournament T-shirts are acceptable.

Martial arts type shoes are required.

All competitors must be present for the opening ceremonies.

Competitors should become acquainted with the competition floor layout. They should know the rings where their divisions will be taking place.

Competitors must be present at ringside when their divisions are about to begin.*

*Note: If you have a conflict due to an event scheduled in another ring, you must notify the Chief Judge. We will do everything possible to see that you have a chance to compete in all of your scheduled events.

The first to register is the last to go. Athletes will be listed in accordance with their date of registration; the earlier your registration is submitted, the lower you will be placed on the list.

Unless you are the first athlete to perform, you will receive an "on deck" call announcing your name and signaling that you should prepare to compete as soon as the athlete ahead of you clears the floor. When it is your turn to compete, you will be called by name.

If you are not present when your name is called, two additional calls will be made over the PA system. The second of these will be a final call. If you do not respond, you will forfeit the event. The forfeiture is final and cannot be reversed.

Once called up, athletes should stand at the call of "ready," enter on the right side of the performance area that faces the Chief Judge, walk smartly to the starting point for their form, come to attention, and salute the Chief Judge.

No spoken presentation of your name, form or style is permitted.

When called to perform, athletes will walk to the place on the competition ring where they will begin their form and greet the Chief Judge with a fist and palm salute. Upon being acknowledged by the Chief Judge, athletes will return to attention and begin their form within 5 seconds.

Upon completing their form, competitors must once again come to attention and salute the Chief Judge. Competitors will wait to receive the scores, then perform one final bow toward the Chief Judge and walk off the floor.

Photo coming soon

All the requirements cited for the empty hand forms salute apply. In addition, each weapon has its own requirements.

The salute with the staff and the spear requires the competitor to hold the weapon with the right fist covered by the left palm. The Pu Dao, Quan Dao and other long weapons will also use this same salute.

Photo coming soon

The salute with the broadsword requires the competitor to hold the weapon in the left hand and cradled in the crook of the elbow. Salute by covering the hilt with the left palm. Double broadswords, other similar single-edge weapons and the three-sectional staff will also use this salute.

Photo coming soon

The salute with the straight sword requires that the sword be tucked under the left forearm. Salute by covering the hilt with the left palm. Double swords and two-handed sword will also use this salute.

Photo coming soon

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 or more years of training

Novice and Beginner
Scores range from 6.0 - 8.0

Intermediate
Scores range from 7.0 - 9.0

Advanced
Scores range from 8.0 - 9.9

All times are given in minutes. A penalty of 0.2 points will be deducted for each infraction of 5 seconds or partial increment thereof.

• Traditional, Advanced divisions only
  Min 0:45 Seconds, Max 2:00 Minutes
• Wushu Forms
  Min 1:00 Minute
• Taiji and Liuhe Bafa Hand Forms
  Min 3:00 Minutes, Max 3:30 Minutes
• Taiji Weapons
  Min 2:00 Minutes, Max 2:30 Minutes
• Taiji 24
  Perform to completion
• Xing Yi and Bagua Hand Forms
  Min. 1:00 Minute, Max. 2:00 Minutes
• Xing Yi - Bagua - Liuhe Bafa Weapon Forms
  Min. 1:00 Minute, Max. 2:00 Minutes

An audible warning will be given 30 seconds prior to the time limit for Taiji and Liuhe Bafa.

In all Taiji and Liuhe Bafa categories, it may be necessary for two athletes to perform simultaneously.

Athletes can begin their form in any quadrant of the competition ring but must face the Chief Judge. The form must end in the same quadrant as the starting point. Forms that end by facing opposite of the starting point will result in a 1-point deduction from the final score. Forms that do not end in the same quadrant as the starting point will result in a 1/2-point deduction from the final score.

Interruptions caused by uncontrollable circumstances will not be penalized. Re-performing due to forgetfulness will result in a 1-point deduction from the final score in all advanced divisions. All other divisions will be assessed a 1/2-point deduction.

Broken weapons will result in a full point deduction from final score; this applies to all skill levels.

All sabers and swords used in the traditional teen and adult divisions must be of Loong Quan type steel or heavier steel; the weapon must be able to sustain its own weight when placed on its tip.

Wushu divisions require the current standard weapons used in international competition.

Non-compliance with these weapon standards will result in a 1-point deduction from the final score.

Medals will be awarded from 1st through 3rd place in each division immediately following its completion.

In tournaments that offer Grand Champion awards for advanced athletes who have entered the required divisions, the winners will be determined by the highest total combined scores.

Only advanced athletes qualify for Grand Champion Awards.

Refer to the individual championship division information sheet for the criteria required to qualify for Grand Champion Awards.

Refer to the Ratings section for information on points for each placement for the 5 Star Rated, 4 Star Rated, and 3 Star Rated Kung Fu championships.

Competition format:

Progression of match:

Valid techniques:

Scoring:

Fixed-step Push Hands:

Restricted-step Push Hands:

Moving-step Push Hands:

Each of the following infractions will result in a warning:

• Excessive use of force
• Striking
• Pulling with both hands
• Not following the Chief Judge's directions

The following will result in immediate disqualification:

• Excessive and dangerous use of force
• Accumulation of 3 warnings
• Unsportsmanlike conduct by the athlete or coach

Requirements

• Kung Fu pants, martial arts shoes, and a short sleeve t-shirt are required
• Jewelry, rings, or necklaces are not permitted
• Fingernails must be kept short to avoid injury to other contestants

The Match Format

1. The match will consist of two 1-Minute rounds with a 30-second rest period between rounds
2. The contestants will engage in a continuous exchange of techniques
3. Sudden death applies if contestants are tied after first two rounds
4. The competition area will consist of an 8' x 8' ring divided by a line
5. The match will be stopped for uniform and equipment failure or to seek medical advice

Match Objective

• Sticking and adhering during a continuous exchange of techniques
• Bridging and trapping skills
• Stable stance with good bridging skills
• Clean blocking and attacking techniques

Match Progression

1. Competitors will meet at center on the ring and engage in rolling hands
2. The Chief Judge leads contestants in 3 sequences of rolling
3. The match begins after the third roll
4. Judges will look for and score good Chi Sao techniques directed at legal targets

Mandatory Equipment

• Protective head gear
• Mouth piece
• Chest protector
• Groin protector

Legal contact area

• The entire torso area which is covered with the chest protector
• Light contact to the area protected by the head gear

Warnings

1. Contact to the face area
2. Kicking
3. Shoving the other competitor
4. Attempts to lock the joints
5. Continuing to strike after time is called or Chief Judge calls "stop"
6. Willingly stepping out of bounds
7. Coaching from the sidelines during the match

Disqualification

• Accumulation of any three warnings will result in disqualification
• Excessive use of force towards the head and face area
• Unsportsmanlike conduct

Weight Classes

Requirements

• Kung Fu pants (Kuzi)
• Shuai Jiao jacket (Yi)
• Shuai Jiao Belt (Dai)
• Jewelry, rings, or necklaces are not permitted
• Fingernails must be kept short to avoid injury to other contestants

The Match Format

1. The match will consist of two 2-Minute rounds with a 30-second rest period between rounds
2. The contestants will engage in a continuous exchange of Shuai Jiao techniques
3. A 1-minute round will be added if contestants are tied after first two rounds
4. If still tied after the first round, the match will be awarded to the most active competitor
5. The competition area will consist of 20' x 20' matted ring
6. The match will be stopped for uniform and equipment failure or to seek medical advice

Match Objective

• Standing Grappling
• Throwing Techniques
• Sweeping Techniques
• Shoot Techniques
• And Other Takedowns

Match Progression

• Competitors will meet at center on the ring and engage each other at the Chief Judge's signal to start
• The Chief Judge controls the match through verbal signals
• Side judges will look for and score good Shuai Jiao techniques

Scoring Points

1. Throwing the opponent, causing them to land on their back, and lands on top of the opponent.
2. Causing the opponent to touch the mat with the hand, elbow or knee while remaining standing.
3. Forcing opponent out of the ring

1. The opponent is thrown and lands on the side or back
2. Causing the opponent to touch both hands or both knees simultaneously on the mat.
3. Remain standing while sweeping the opponent so they fall on the mat.

1. Remain standing while the opponent is thrown 360 degrees and lands on their back.

• Both competitors step out of the ring
• Both competitors simultaneously fall

Warnings

1. Striking the opponent with any part of the body
2. Attacking and attempting to dislocate the joint
3. Biting or spitting
4. Pulling the opponent's pants
5. Smothering opponent's face with hand or forearm
6. Pulling opponent down once thrown
7. Failure to engage opponent
8. Failure to obey Chief Judge's commands

Disqualification

• Accumulation of any three warnings will result in disqualification
• Excessive use of force towards the head and face area
• Unsportsmanlike conduct by competitor or coach

All Sanda competitors with previous experience in Sanda (San Shou), Boxing, Kickboxing, etc., do not qualify for Novice Sanda.

Mandatory equipment

For Beginner Adult Sanda (San Shou)

Match duration

Medical certificate

Weigh-in, medical check, and rules meeting

First aid

SCORING FOR SANDA

• There is a clean throw where the thrower does not touch the ring floor with anything other than his feet.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Groin
• Knee joint
• Back of head
• Spine

• Knees to the groin or head
• Elbows
• Head butting
• Pile driving
• Wrestling
• Striking a downed opponent

Mandatory protective equipment must be supplied by the athlete and must include: Head protector, mouth guard, groin cup, chest protector, foam gloves with no exposed fingers, and foam foot protectors that cover entire foot.

Competition format:

Progression of match:

• Athletes enter the ring at the command of the Chief Judge
• Before initiating competitive sparring athletes salute the chief judge and then each other
• The Chief Judge will commence the match by giving the signal to begin
• The Chief Judge directs the match with verbal signals ("begin," "stop," etc.)

Legal contact targets:

• Light contact to front and sides of torso
• Light contact to side of head gear
• Light contact to upper thigh

Legal non-contact targets:

• Front of face

Allowable techniques:

• Sharp, clean punches and kicks
• Momentarily grabbing the opponent's wrist to execute a technique
• Leg sweep to the front leg

Illegal techniques:

• Elbows
• Knees
• Spinning backfist
• Joint locking
• Striking any area of the opponent's back or groin
• Sweeping the rear leg or the supporting leg when the opponent is kicking
• Any blind technique

The following infractions will result in a warning:

• Willingly running out of the ring
• Use of illegal techniques
• Striking an illegal target
• Not following the Chief Judge's directions

The following will result in immediate disqualification:

• Excessive use of force
• Bleeding that results from an illegal strike
• Accumulation of 3 warnings
• Unsportsmanlike conduct by athlete, coach, or parent