COMPETITOR: Each competitor must present him/herself to the referee suitably attired with proper uniform and equipment and physically prepared to compete. If he/she is not prepared to compete as deemed by the center referee, the competitor may be penalized for delay of time.

DELAY OF TIME PENALTY: Sparring: An automatic warning will be issued to the competitor. A penalty point will be issued for each minute the competitor is not properly ready to compete. Upon 3 penalty points the offending competitor will be disqualified. Form: .10 points will be deducted from the offending competitor’s final score. If a competitor is still not ready to compete after 3 minutes, he/she will be disqualified.

RANK RULE: A competitor must compete at the highest belt level they have earned in the martial arts. A competitor can never compete in a division of which he/she had not earned that rank. Once a competitor competes as a black belt legally, he/she must always compete as a back belt. A competitor can never compete in a lower belt division than the level of belt he/she has earned in the Martial Arts.

PROOF OF AGE RULE: All competitors must have proof of age. If there is a legitimate reason to question a competitor’s age, he/she must present a proof of age (birth certificate, driver’s license, or other acceptable documents to prove his/her age.

LEGAL AGE RULE: All competitors have the option of competing in the same division all year long for rating purposes, by establishing a legal competition age for the year. The age a competitor is on June 30th of the current competition year is their legal competition age for that year. They can compete all year at that age so he/she can earn rating points in one age division all year. A competitor can always compete in his/her chronological age. The legal age rule is developed for rating purposes only.

UNIFORM: All competitors must wear a complete (top and bottom) traditional or professional sport karate (Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, etc.) uniform in a good state of repair. The appropriate color belt or sash must be worn in competition. Point Sparring: All point sparring uniforms must have sleeves that reach at least to the middle of the forearm. No T-shirts, sweats, tank tops or shoes are allowed in the point sparring divisions. Continuous Sparring: A team t-shirt may be warn and belts/sashes are optional (see complete rules below under Continuous Fighting) Form & Weapons: T-shirts, tank tops and sweats shirts are allowed in form if they are part of the competitor’s official school uniform. Uniforms in the form and weapons divisions are allowed more liberties because form is not one-on-one competition where the uniform could cause a decisive disadvantage or advantage to a competitor. Removal of the uniform top is allowed if the removal is considered relevant to the artistic expression or safety of the competitor. Shoes may be worn in form competition if they do not damage or mark the competition floor.

COMPETITOR RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the responsibility of the competitor to know the rules and be ready for competition when called to do so. He/she must be suitably attired, weighed-in and at the appropriate ring when competition begins. Three calls will be made for competition at ring side. If the competitor is not at his/her ring ready to compete when competition begins, he/she will not be able to compete. If a competitor leaves the ring after the competition begins and is not present when his/her name is called to compete, his/her name will be called three times at ringside. If he/she is still not present to compete, he/she will be disqualifies.

RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the competitor’s responsibility to know the rules and to be ready for competition. He/she she must be suitably attired, weighed-in, and at the appropriate ring when competition begins. Three calls will be made at ring side for the current division. If a competitor is not present to compete when the first sparring match or the first weapon or form routine begins in the division, the late or not present competitor will not be allowed to compete.

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED SAFETY EQUIPMENT: NASKA approved head gear, hand and foot pads, mouthpieces and groin cups (for male competitors only) are mandatory for all competitors in sparring divisions. The competitor’s equipment will be checked and if it is deemed unsafe, he/she will be asked to change the equipment before he/she can compete. Hand Pads: A soft padded surface must cover the fingers, wrist and any striking surface of the hand for point sparring. Sparring Gloves: approved continuous light contact gloves that offer sufficient protection to the competitor and their opponent. Foot Pads: A soft padded surface must cover the instep, sides, toes, ankle and back of the heel of the foot. The bottom of the foot does not have to be padded. Head Gear: The front, sides and back of the head must be covered by a soft padded surface. Insufficiently-padded gloves, foot and head hear will not be allowed. Equipment must be in a good state of repair and must be free of heavy taping, tears or any other repairs that may cause injury. The approval or denial of the equipment is ultimately determined by the tournaments head rules arbitrator. A properly-fitted mouthpiece is required. Shin pads and rib/chest guards are highly recommended for additional safety to all sparring competitors. ******* All 17 and younger competitors must wear an approved chest protector and head gear face shield for both point sparring and continuous sparring. The chest guard must sufficiently cover the abdomen and upper chest such that the sternum is completely protected. Rib guards, which cover only the abdomen area, are not sufficient.

REFEREE’S: The referee is the most experienced official in the ring and is thoroughly versed on the rules and order of competition. He/she promotes the safety of the competitors, enforces the rules and ensures fair play. To this end, he/she starts and stops the match, awards points, makes penalty decisions, administrates the voting of the other judges, communicates clearly with the scorekeeper and timekeeper, and announces the winner of each match. Added Powers of the Referee: 1) Match starts and ends only with his/her command (not the command of the timekeeper); 2) Has final decision on any disputes on score; 3) Has the power to issue warnings and award penalty points without a majority decision: 4) Can overrule a majority call only to issue a warning or a penalty point: 5) Automatically has power to disqualify a competitor who receives (3) penalty points; 6) Has power to issue time-outs. A competitor can ask for a time-out, but it is the determination of the referee to issue one. The disqualification of a competitor, where disqualification is not automatic, is determined only by a majority vote of the judges.

JUDGES: The judges call points as they see them.. They may be consulted by the center referee to help in determining penalties or warnings, although the referee alone has the power to issue them. They will asked to vote on disqualification rulings. It is the majority vote of the judges and referee that determines a scoring point.

CALLS AN OFFICIAL MAY MAKE: When the referee believes there has been a significant exchange of techniques, or when signaled to do so by a corner judge, he/she shall call out the word, “STOP!” in a loud voice. The referee shall then returns the competitors to their starting marks and addresses the judges by saying “JUDGES CALL!”. All judges and the center referee cast their votes simultaneously and assertively in the following
Judge Sees A Point - He/she should hold up both colors or hold up one arm if colors are not being used. At the same time, he/she yells out the word “CALL!” in a loud, clear voice to let the referee know he/she has a call.
Point Calling - When singled by the referee, a judge raises the appropriate color (red or white usually) if colors are being used or points to the competitor who scores the point. If a competitor scores a two point kick, the officials should hold up or point with two fingers (index and middle fingers). If only one points is being called, the judge should point with only one finger (Index finger).
No Point Scored - An official crosses his/her wrist at waist level or holds both colors down to indicate that he/she believes that a point was not scored.
Did Not See If A Point Was Scored - The officials holds his/her hand over his/her eyes indicating that he/she could not see whether a point was scored or not. Indicates the official was not in position to see if a point scored. (When using this single, it has the same result as saying no point, but gives the referee, competitors and fans the reason why you are not calling the point).
Clash - Officials make a motion as though they are hitting both fists together, indicating that both competitors scored at the same time.
Penalty - The judge waves the color of the offending competitor in a circular motion. If no colors are used the judge waves the hand and arm in a circular motion while pointing at the offending competitor.
Disqualification - A disqualification vote is taken separately from any other vote. When a disqualification vote is asked for , the referee will say, “JUDGES CALL”. The judges will then hold the color or point to the competitor who is to be disqualified. If the judge does not feel the competitor should be disqualified, he/she crosses his/her wrist or hold both colors down at waist level.
LATE CALLS: All officials should make their calls at the same time. If, in the opinion of referee, the corner judges is making a late call intentionally, the referee can disqualify the call (noise not allowing the judges to hear the referee and the honest mistake of raising the wrong color or pointing at the wrong competitor should be taken into consideration not to disqualify the call).

NUMBER OF OFFICIALS: At least three officials are required in all divisions. Five judges are required in the final form and weapon grand champion round for black belts.

REMOVAL OF OFFICIALS: If a competitor feels that an official should be removed from a forms or weapons division for good reason, he/she must file a protest* before the division begins. If a competitor feels that an official should be removed from a sparring division, he/she may file a protest* at any time. It is totally up to the center referee and the rules arbitrator to determine if an official should be removed.
* Please see "protest policy" printed below.

PROTEST: A competitor has the right to protest an infraction of the rules or if a possible mistake was made (not a judgment call). The US OPEN PROTEST PROCEDURE is as follows:

Two flags will be available on the scorekeeper's table at each ring.  Prior to each match, competitors may assign one person who can lodge a protest for them before, during, or after the competition. The competitor representative (player rep’) must stay out of bounds at all times.

The play rep’ may lodge a protest by raising their flag and announcing the word “conference” so as to be sure to get the referee’s attention. The referee must stop time, and then invite both representatives to the scorekeeper's table for the conference.  (After listening to the conference the referee may determine that an arbitrator should be called if the protest is outside the normal parameters)

A competitor may choose to represent themselves rather than assigning someone, in which case they may politely request the protest conference themselves.

During the conference, only the following may be addressed:

Conferences held before the match:
(a) the composition of the judges, based only upon legitimate conflict of interest (b) an improper matching of competitors according to the scorekeeper's bracket sheet.

Conferences held during the match:
an improper application of the rules by a judge or referee or representative; (b) an injury to their player
a legitimate concern that the score as posted by the scorekeeper is incorrect.

Conferences held after the match:
an improper application of the rules by a judge or referee or representative; (b) a legitimate concern that the score as posted by the scorekeeper is incorrect.
both (a) & (b) above should only be concerning the final point(s) given in the match.

If a representative (or player) calls for a conference during a match for any reason other than those listed, or by any method other than the one prescribed above:
there will be no conference (b) his or her player will be warned, or penalized, for delay of match.

A referee may also warn and/or penalize for requesting a conference during the match that may fall within the criteria stated above, but is obviously frivolous in nature.

Additionally, protests that are lodged according to the rules, but are not done so politely may be ignored or may result in penalization or disqualification.

This is an abbreviated version of the protest policy. Please ask to see the complete version if needed.

LATE ENTRIES: Once a division has started (the first competitor has started his/her form/weapon routine or the first fight divisional fight has started) no competitor/s can be added to that division. BE ON TIME!

THE RING: The size of the fighting and form adult black belt rings shall be approximately 20’ x 20’. Starting lines should be marked approximately six feet apart in the middle of the ring. Additionally, each ring should be posted with a ring number visible to competitors, officials, and medical personnel from across the floor. All youth and under black belt adult rings shall be approximately 16’ x 16’ minimum.

WEIGHING-IN: It is mandatory for all adult fighting competitors - who are in weighted divisions - to weigh in before competition. Only one official weigh-in is required. All competitors must fight in his/her weight division. A competitor cannot fight up or down in another weight division that he/she has not made the proper weight. It is the responsibility of the tournament personal to weigh and properly record the competitors weight.

ORDER OF COMPETITION: Form: Once the final call for the form and weapon divisions has been made at ring side and the divisional seeds have been taken out (see Seeding below) the competition cards will be collected and mix-up thoroughly. The competitor cards will then be drawn randomly for the order of competition. The first three competitors will perform before any scores are awarded. After the third competitor is finished, the first competitor will be called to come back for scoring followed by the second and third competitors. This is to give the judges a sampling of the quality of the competitors. All competitors in the division will be judged in comparison to these first three competitors Sparring: Once the final call for the sparring division has been made at ring side and the four black belt seeds have been taken out, the division is ready to be set up. The competition cards should be collected and counted (if competition cards are not used, count the competitors) to see if byes are needed. If byes are needed, they will be picked randomly. (See bye chart to see how many byes are needed). Matches should always be selected by random, but certain allowances may be given to competitors from the same school who are match up in the first round of competition. They may be separated randomly from each other in the first round if possible. Competitors cannot pick who they want are do not want to fight.

In the youth division, the competitors should be lined up by height (Smallest to the tallest) and split into tall and short divisions if required or offered. Determining tall and short divisions is for safety only, not to split the division equally. A true break in size should be found to determine the taller competitors from the shorter competitors. Once they are lined up by size, make sure someone from the same school is not standing beside each other. If tall and short divisions are not offered or required, line the youth competitors up by height to allow the same size competitors at least in the first round to fight each other.

SEEDING: Form: The four top rated competitors who are present in the division will go last in the division in the reverse order of his/her rating. If four rated competitors are not present, only seed the rated competitors who are present. Four seeds are only require if four seed are present. Sparring: Pick the top four rated competitors in the division to be your four seeds. The four seeds will be taken out and not bracketed until the ring get down to the final four. The four seeds will then be bracketed with the final four in the following order. Place the number one seed in the first bracket, place the number two seed in the eight bracket, place the number three seed in the sixth bracket and place the number four seed in the fourth bracket. If there are less than four seeds in a sparring division and by using byes the seeded competitors can move into the final eight brackets, additional seeds to make four are not needed. If additional seeds are needed, priority is given to rated competitors in other division who have changed divisions because of a age and weight change and then to the previous end of year rated competitors. If neither of these are present, a random draw is used to select the needed seeds.

POINT SPARRING RULES

LENGTH OF MATCH: Two minute running time unless seven points are scored before time has expired. If a match is tied at the end of two minutes, sudden victory (first person to score a point) overtime period will determine the match.

POINT VALUES AND WINNER DETERMINATION: All legal hand techniques that score will be awarded one (1) point. All legal kicking techniques that score will be awarded two (2) points. All penalty points awarded will be awarded one (1) point. The competitor who earns seven (7) points by the end of the two minutes or whoever is ahead at the end of the two minutes is declared the winner. All semi final black belt matches (final four) will use a seven (7)-point spread to determining the winner or whoever is ahead at the end of two minutes. All grand championship matches are two-minute running time 10 point spread

MARJORITY VOTE: Points are awarded by a majority vote of all judges. The majority of judges do not have to agree on the same technique being scored, only that a point was scored. A majority of the judges calling the point must call a two (2) point kick before two points can be rewarded. Otherwise only one point is awarded.

WHAT IS A POINT: A point is a controlled legal sport karate technique scored by a competitor in-bounds and up-right (unless on a declared padded floor) without time being called that strikes a competitor with the allowable amount of focused touch contact.

LEGAL TARGET AREAS: Entire head and face, ribs, chest, abdomen, collarbone and kidneys. ILLEGAL TARGET AREAS: Spine, back of neck, throat, sides of the neck, groin, legs, knees and back. NON-TARGET AREAS: Hips, shoulders, buttocks, arms, and feet. LEGAL TECHNIQUES: Legal techniques are all controlled sport karate techniques, except those listed as illegal. ILLEGAL TECNIQUES: Head butts, hair pulls, bites, scratches, elbows, knees, eye attacks of any kind, take downs on a hard surface floor, ground fighting on a hard surface, any stomps or kicks to the head of a downed competitor, slapping, grabbing for more than one second, uncontrolled blind techniques, any uncontrolled throws, takedowns or sweeps and any other uncontrolled dangerous techniques that are deemed unsafe in sport karate.

GRABBING: A competitor may grab the uniform top of his/he opponent in an attempt to score with a sport karate technique for only one second (immediately), after which time he/she must release the uniform. Likewise, the uniform pants may be grabbed for one second to an upright opponent in an attempt to score.

SWEEPS, TAKEDOWNS, GRABS AND GROUND FIGHTING: Sweeps not to take down an opponent, but only to obstruct the balance so as to follow up with a sport karate technique can only be executed to the back of the front leg at mid-calf or below. A sweep must be deemed a proper sweep and not a kick, to be legal. Controlled Takedowns and sweeps that are meant to take down an opponent are allowed only a declared padded surface. A point is only given when the legal sweep or takedown is effectively and legally followed up with an appropriate sport karate technique immediately. Only a hand technique or a carefully controlled kick or stomp to the body will be allowed on a downed competitor. One Foot must be on the ground throughout the stomp or kick. Never, under any circumstances, may a competitor stomp or kick to the head of a downed competitor.

LIGHT TOUCH CONTACT: Means there is no penetration or visible movement of the competitor as a result of the contact. Light touch is allowed to all legal target areas except to the face of all youth and under black belt adult competitors. Light touch does not have to be made to the head gear in all Youth competitors and adult under black belt competitors but must be approximately two inches away without being blocked.

MODERATE TOUCH CONTACT: Means slight penetration or slight target movement. Moderate touch contact may be made to all legal target areas except the head gear and face.

WARNINGS AND PENALTIES: One and only one warning is allowed for breaking the rules before a penalty point is awarded. After the first warning is given, a penalty point is awarded for each and every rules violation. If a competitor receives four warning (three penalty points) in any one match, he/she will be disqualified. If the severity of the first rules violation is deemed by the referee to be to severe, a penalty point can be issue immediately.

Other Penalty Rules: A competitor cannot be penalized and still receive a point on the same call. A competitor can receive a point for a proper technique and another point from a penalty call against his/her competitor (two points awarded). If, in the opinion of the referee and/or the medical personnel, a competitor cannot continue because of an injury caused by an illegal penalized attack executed by his/her competitor, the offending competitor shall be automatically disqualified.

Other Cause for Penalization: Attacking illegal and non-target areas, using illegal techniques, running out of the ring to avoid fighting, falling to the floor to avoid fighting, continuing after being ordered to stop, excessive stalling, blind, negligent or reckless attacks, uncontrolled techniques, showing unsportsmanlike behavior form from the competitor, his/her coaches, friends, etc., excessive contact, and delay of time are examples of possible penalization.

DISQUALIFICATION: Requires a majority vote by all officials, unless it is an automatic disqualification. Non-Competing Penalty: If, in the majority opinion of the officials, it is considered that the competitors are not making an obvious attempt to fight in the true spirit of competition, both competitors will be warned and if it continues, will be disqualified. Wrong Division: If any competitors competes in a division he/she does not qualify to compete in due to age, weight, rank, gender, style, etc., they will be disqualified.

COACHING: Coaching is a luxury that most competitors do not have access to. Therefore, it sometimes can become an unfair advantage over a competitor who does not have coaching. The rules are made and enforced so no one competitor has an advantage or disadvantage over another competitor. Therefore, coaching is allowed but will follow the following guidelines: 1. Never, at any time, can a coach enter the ring without the referee’s permission; 2. No abusive, violent, unsportsmanlike or overzealous coaching; 3. Coaches cannot ask for a time out (only the competitor may ask for a time out); 4. Coaches can never, at any time, interfere with the proper running of the ring or the decisions of the judges.

OUT-OF-BOUNDS: A competitor is out-of-bounds as soon as he/she does not have at least one foot touching inside or on the boundary line. An out of bounds competitor cannot score a point while out of bounds. An in bounds competitor can score on an out of bounds competitor if the center referee has not called stop.

FORM RULES

TIME LIMIT: Each form or weapons routine must be three (3) minutes or less. The time starts once the competitor inters the competition ring. Four (4) minutes is allowed for each form or weapons routine in the Night Time Finals. SCORING RANGES OF FORM AND WEAPONS : Black Belts: 9.50 to 10.00 points; Advance Belts: 8.50 to 9.50 Points; Intermediate Belts: 7.50 to 8.50; Beginner Belts: 7.00 to 7.50.

TIES: To break ties the high and low scores will be added back in to break ties for 2nd through 8th places only. If after adding the high and low, there is till a tie for 2nd through 4th place, the competitors who are tied must perform again to break the tie. Ties for 5th through 8th place are never run off. If there is a tie for first place, the competitors must perform again to break the tie. If there is a second tie, the majority judges scores will determine the winner. If this does not break the tie, the competitors will compete again.

DROPPING YOUR WEAPON: For safety, a competitor who unintentionally drops his/her weapon, will be automatically disqualified. If a competitor recklessly or carelessly misused his/her weapon, he/she may be penalized of disqualified.

STARTING A FORM OVER: If a competitor starts his/her form over because of a memory lapse or any other reason due to his/her own negligence, he/she may perform the form again. The officials will score as though there was not a mistake, but the center referee will instruct the score keeper to subtract .50 points from the competitor’s final score. The three minute time limit will start over. A competitor can only start over one time. If a competitor has to start over not due to his/her negligence, he/she will not be penalized on the start over.

SPECIAL SCORING PARAMETERS FOR UNDER BLACK BELT DIVISIONS

MAXIMUM DEVIATION RULE WILL BE USED
 
All divisions will have three officials, with the exception of some team events and the inter-divisional run-offs. Since high and low scores are not dropped when three officials are used, the US OPEN has adopted the Maximum Deviation Rule, which has the similar effect of limiting the impact of a judges’ score which is significantly higher or lower than the other judges. When a form or other performance is ready to be scored, the Chief Official will say "Ready," then "Check," at which point the three judges show their scores to each other only.  If a judge has picked a score that is more than .02 higher or lower than the next highest or lowest score, that judge must adjust his score to be at the .02 limit.  Other than this mandatory adjustment, a judge may not change his score.  If no score is more than .02 higher or lower than the next highest or lowest score, then there is no adjustment. The Chief Official then says "Score," and the scores are shown to the audience, the competitors, and the scorekeeper.  This rule prevents a single score from being so high or low as to alone control the placing order.
 
MANDATORY AVERAGE RULE WILL BE USED
 
The US OPEN will also be using the Mandatory Average Rule, which helps insure that all three judges begin their scoring in each division using the same general range of scores. The first three competitors are always run first before any are scored (if there are five or fewer total competitors, all are run before any are scored).  If there are twenty or more, five are run before scoring. After the first three (or five) are run, the Chief Official will inform the other two judges as to what score he will be giving to the competitor he feels is in the middle of the three (or five). He does not reveal who that competitor will be, only what the score will be. That score becomes the Mandatory Average Score, and the other two judges MUST give that score to whichever competitor they each are placing in the middle. They are free to give the other competitors as far above or below this average score as they wish, subject only to the Maximum Deviation Rule.

NASKA FORMS AND WEAPONS CRITERIA
For the 2004 NASKA season, the Board of Directors has separated the forms and weapons competition into four categories: (1) Traditional; (2) Creative; (3) Extreme; and (4) Musical. In addition, the Board has decided to separate the Grand Championship competition between Traditional and Creative/Extreme, and further separate the Youth Grand Championship competition by age and gender (i.e., 13 & Under, and 14-17). This format will result in 16 Youth Grand Champions, and 4 Overall Youth Grand Champions combining boys and girls in the 13 & Younger and 14-17 age groups for forms and weapons. The adult grand championship competition will remain the same, except that 2 additional grand championship competitions were added for the 30 & Older age group in forms and weapons.

Traditional Forms and Weapons
These forms must capture the essence of classic martial arts movements, showcasing the traditional techniques, stances, footwork, and weapons. Emphasis is placed on execution of technique, application of technique, balance, speed, power, solid stances, and focus. Forms may be unmodified or modified from what a system or school considers to be the original version of the form; however, performance of the following movements will result in a downgrade of the form, or upon unanimous vote of the judges, a "no score" as a form inappropriate for the division: more than two kicks with the same leg without putting the foot down in between; front or back flips; cartwheels; front or side leg splits; releases of the weapon other than simple hand switches; or any other gymnastic movements or extreme exhibitions of flexibility or agility with the body or weapon that are deemed in the opinion of the judges to be inappropriate for the division pursuant to the general guidelines set forth here. Commentary: There has been a great deal of debate among reputable martial artists regarding whether a form or series of moves are outside of the bounds of the Traditional Division. Because NASKA is a tournament circuit open to all styles and schools (across the nation and around the world) and from which judges are utilized, each competitor must make his or her own decision regarding whether to include movements which might be to be objectionable for the Traditional Division.

Creative Forms and Weapons
The Creative Division allows forms to include contemporary martial arts techniques that have evolved over the last 30 years. These may be added to traditional form, or the form may be devised in its entirety by the competitor. The Creative Division was formerly known as the Open and before that the American Division. A form in the Creative Division must ONLY include techniques which originate form martial arts and like the Traditional Division, emphasis will be placed on execution of the techniques, application of the techniques, balance, speed, power, solid stances, and focus Spinning kicks, jump spinning kicks, flying kicks, multiple kicks, splits, weapon twirls, weapon releases, and other creative martial arts techniques are permitted. Movements that involve more than a 360 degree spin, require the body to be inverted more than parallel to the floor, or are similar to movements found in gymnastics and/or non martial arts disciplines, or forms that meet the above definition of strictly traditional forms, will result in a downgrade by the judges or, upon a unanimous vote of the judges, a "no score" as a form inappropriate for the division. Commentary: The Creative Division is intended for those competitors who do not wish to compete with a strictly traditional form, and/or do not wish to compete against other participants who execute extreme gymnastic-type movements. Over the past several years, it was often observed that judging these "creative" forms in the same division with forms including extreme martial arts "tricks" was essentially comparing apples and oranges, and to be fairer to the participants these divisions should be separated. NASKA has therefore created a separate "Extreme Division", as detailed below, separate and distinct from the Creative Division, thus allowing the Creative Division to include only those forms with movements that originate more inherently from the classic martial arts systems.
Regarding the Creative Weapons Divisions, it is important to note that any particular weapons movement shall NOT be a factor in determining whether the weapons form constitutes a Creative or Extreme Form. The determining factor shall be the particular body movements as defined below in the Extreme Divisions. Consequently, a Creative Weapons competitor is permitted to perform weapons move (i.e., twirls, releases, spins, etc.), but is not permitted to perform "Extreme" body movements (i.e., flips, 540 and above spins or any inverted body moves, etc.)

Extreme Forms and Weapons
The Extreme Divisions allow the competitor to perform any movements whether they originate from traditional or contemporary martial arts systems or otherwise. However, (1) at least half of the form must originate from martial arts techniques, and (2) the competitor must execute at least one technique that involves an inverted move or greater than 360 degree spin. Emphasis is placed on the quality of execution of techniques and movements, martial arts skills, balance, speed, power, degree of difficulty, and showmanship. In addition, only those movements that portray a definite offensive or defensive martial arts purpose, or are included to illustrate extreme flexibility or agility, are allowed. Inclusion of other movements, or the performance of a form or weapons form meeting the criteria above for a Traditional or Creative form, will result in a downgrade by the judges, or upon a unanimous vote of the judges, a "no score" as a form inappropriate for the division.

Commentary: As martial arts evolves from the Traditional to Creative to Extreme, this category allows for the integration of techniques and movements from all martial art styles, gymnastics, acrobatics, dance, and athletic disciplines. If a competitor wishes to participate in a division with moves not permitted in the Traditional and Creative Divisions but meeting the guidelines described here, the competitor should compete in the Extreme Division.

Musical Forms and Weapons
The Musical Divisions requires a form or weapons form meeting the above criteria for a Traditional, Creative, and Extreme form, choreographed in a general sense to the beats or rhythm of music chosen and provided by the competitor. Primary emphasis shall be placed on innovative choreography of moves to the music, however, the basic criteria listed above for all forms must also be observed. Simply performing a Traditional, Creative, or Extreme form with background music, or a form not meeting the basic criteria for all forms above, will result in a downgrade by the judges, or upon unanimous vote of the judges, a "no score" as a form inappropriate for the division.
Each competitor must provide a music player of reasonable and non-intrusive size at ringside to play his or her music, and an attendant at the player who must be present at all times during the performance. As each form begins, a music volume check must be made, during which time the player attendant will look to the center judge for a nod of approval or a signal to lower the volume. Once this volume is set, it may not be increased during the performance of the form. Commentary: The Youth Creative Weapons Division permits music as an option. Because such divisions are not Musical Divisions by the above definition, choreography to the beats or rhythm of the music is not required. Likewise, because the Grand Championships are not considered Musical Divisions, choreography to the beats or rhythm of the music is not required. Please note that even though your form does not have to be choreography to the beats and rhythm of the music in the above circumstances, if a competitor decides to use music, the music will be judged as part of their form or weapon form performance.

Commentary: If a competitor receives a "no score" decision by the judges because they feel the competitor's form is not appropriate for the division, the competitor is not allowed to redo his/her form or weapon form in that division. It is the responsibility of the competitor to read and understand the rules of the division he/she is competing in before competition starts.

The above rules are a summary of the UTK (NASKA) Rule book. It is important to know that NASKA encourages but does not requires NASKA National and World tournament to use NASKA rules in the under black belt divisions. In many cases the NASKA rules are used with minor regional changes. Always check with the tournament promoter for the rules to be used in the under black belt divisions.

Under Black Belt Florida Supertour Addendum to Rules

Traditional Forms and Weapons:
Time limit three (3) minutes. Competitors must announce their name, style or system and the name of their Form.

Advanced Forms: (please see TIME IN DIVISION below)
The form does not have to be a “classical form” but shouldn’t deviate too far in form and content from the classical forms associated with the competitors announced style or system. Competitors exhibiting forms that are too “free”, have gymnastics or other non martial arts techniques in them, or are comprised of elements from more than one style, should probably enter the “open” division. Otherwise the competitor risks downgrading or disqualification from the traditional division.

Intermediate Forms: (please see TIME IN DIVISION below)
All the restrictions and conventions from the advanced division apply plus: No jump-spinning hook kicks, flying side or hook kicks; extreme exhibitions of agility (e.g. back flips) or flexibility (e.g. front splits). A competitor may execute one kick per direction with a maximum of two (2) directions before setting their foot down. Multiple kicks are otherwise allowed only in one direction.

Beginning forms: (please see TIME IN DIVISION below)
All the restrictions from the advanced and intermediate divisions apply plus: No spinning hook kicks, jump spinning crescent kicks, dropping or flying kicks. Competitors may execute a maximum of two (2) kicks in a single direction only before putting their foot down If a majority of the judges feel that a competitor has violated any of the above criteria a full point will be deducted from the competitors total score for each infraction. If three points or more are deducted the competitor will be considered disqualified and may not place in the division, however few competitors there may be.

TIME IN DIVISION:

ADULT: In all adult underbelt divisions, no competitor may compete for more than 1 year in the beginner division, 2 years in the intermediate division, or 3 years in the advanced division. In the advanced division, any competitor that wins for 2 years in a row, must move up to the black belt division.

CHILDREN: In all children underbelt divisions, no competitor may compete for more than 2 years in the beginner division, more than 3 years in the intermediate division, or 4 years in the advanced division. Any competitor that wins the advanced division for 3 years in a row must move up to the black belt division.

US Open & ISKA World Martial Arts Championships FedEx/DHL/UPS: 6020 NW 4th Place Suite G  Gainesville, FL 32607, USA US Open Hotline: (352) 331-0260, (352) 331-3557 24-Hour Fax Line: (352) 331-2119 Email: help@usopen-karate.com