The official competition guidelines.

• The Traditional Forms Division is designed to highlight the discipline, structure, and spirit of classical martial arts systems.
• While minor modifications may be made to reflect school-specific variations, forms must remain grounded in traditional techniques and presentation.
• Creative, musical, or theatrical elements are not permitted.

Each competitor has 90 seconds to complete their form.

• Recognized traditional forms from established martial arts systems.
• Modified traditional forms based on a classical style, provided they do not include techniques or movements from creative, musical, or extreme divisions.

Acrobatic or theatrical elements are strictly prohibited.

Performances including any of the following will be downgraded or, in egregious cases, disqualified. Disqualification requires a unanimous judge decision.

• Flipping (front or back aerials).
• Cartwheels or any inverted movement beyond parallel to the floor.
• Stylized salutes, exaggerated bows, or theatrical gestures.
• Extreme flexibility displays (splits, contortion, hyperextensions).
• Acrobatic techniques such as butterfly kicks or kip-ups.
• Kicks involving more than 360 degrees of rotation.

All five categories are equally weighted.

Kihap (shout) is optional, but may positively influence scoring when effective and well placed.

City Limits uses a relative ranking scoring method. Judges will observe all competitors before assigning scores, track rankings with a hashmark system (I, II, III), and assign numeric scores only after the final performance.

• No competitor may receive a score lower than 9.90 unless disqualified.
• Each judge may use scores of 9.99 to 9.96 only once per division.
• Scores are averaged, not added.
• The Head Judge's score breaks any ties.

The 9.90-9.99 scale replaces the old 1.0-5.5 scale. Both offer ten unique scoring options; the new scale aligns with national tournament standards, reduces ties, and gives clearer feedback to parents and competitors.

This rule ensures fairness and scoring integrity when only three judges are used.

• Identify the middle score.
• The other two scores must fall within ±0.02 of the middle.
• Any score outside that range is automatically adjusted to within 0.02.

It prevents one judge from disproportionately skewing the result, and maintains fairness without dropping high and low scores.

Adjusted average 9.977, against 9.963 without adjustment. The rule prevents unfair point loss caused by a single outlier.

• If a competitor forgets their form, judges will score what was completed.
• Restarts are only allowed for external interruptions, not mental errors.
• Verbal coaching from the sidelines is prohibited and may result in deduction or disqualification.

Competitors must wear a traditional martial arts uniform appropriate to their style. Sleeveless tops and hybrid or modern uniform cuts are not allowed.

Judges or ring coordinators may disqualify or remove a competitor from the ring prior to performance for uniform violations.

• All judging decisions are final.
• Any disputes or unclear rulings will be resolved by the Tournament Director or designated Head Judge.

Points are awarded following the Center Judge's call of 'Score,' after which all judges display their decision simultaneously.

• Contact is required for a point to be awarded. This applies to all ranks.
• Contact is required for warnings and strikes to be issued.
• Contact to the face shield is neutral, no point or warning, unless the contact is excessive.
• Leg checks are not permitted. If the target leg is off the ground, no call is made. If the foot is grounded and a leg check occurs, a warning is issued and the opponent earns a point.

When a warning is issued, the opponent receives a point.

• Excessive contact to a valid target area, not severe enough to warrant disqualification.
• Contact to a non-target area, back, face, or below the belt.
• Intentionally stepping out of the ring with both feet more than once. A competitor cannot score while outside the ring, and a warning is only issued if they do not immediately attempt to re-enter.

• Dangerous or excessive contact, depending on the target area.
• If any judge determines that a competitor's safety is at risk.

• Each round lasts 90 seconds.
• There is no score limit per match.
• Time should only be paused for injury. Matches must proceed efficiently.
• A 10-point mercy rule is in effect.
• One Division Coordinator oversees bracket flow and prepares the next competitors in advance.

The Division Coordinator is essential to the timing of each ring. They must be trained and capable of managing 8, 9 and 10-competitor divisions within 30 minutes.

1. 01Mark the winner with a check on the score sheet as the Center Judge raises their arm. The top competitor listed is 'RED' and the bottom is 'White'. RED always stands to the right of the Center Judge when the match starts. Do not write any names yet.
2. 02Bring out the next two competitors. Transition time should match the time it takes to call 'Break' and render a decision.
3. 03Start the timer for the next match when the Center Judge starts the match.
4. 04Record the match results.
5. 05Prepare the subsequent competitors.
6. 06Review the score sheet for accuracy and confirm the match number.

• Each competitor is allowed 15 seconds per break.
• No practice attempts are permitted. Competitors may only touch the board to set up their technique, and must then proceed with the break.
• Judges should warn any competitor taking too long. If time remains an issue, the break should be counted as unsuccessful.
• Competitors must be fully prepared when their name is called. This is not the time to practice or decide on a technique.

Each competitor performs six breaks, three rounds, left and right sides. Unless a tiebreaker is required, all competitors complete all three rounds.

1. 01Round 1: any hand technique with the left side, then the right. Techniques may differ.
2. 02Round 2: any standing kick with the left side, then the right. Techniques may differ. Black belts must perform a spin side kick.
3. 03Round 3: any technique, hand or kick, with the left side, then the right. Techniques may differ.

After Round 3, total the points for each competitor. If a tie exists, proceed to tiebreakers in order of age, youngest first. Stop once the tie is resolved, do not continue rounds unnecessarily.

Order the tied competitors by age, youngest to oldest, then start at Tiebreaker Round 1.

• Round 1: the head judge selects one new technique. The first competitor performs it left then right, and all remaining tied competitors attempt the same technique in order.
• Round 2, if needed: the head judge selects a new technique and all tied competitors repeat the left-right format in order.

Continue to additional rounds if needed. Once all tied competitors have had a chance to go first, restart from Round 1 and repeat until no tie remains.

Divisions are determined by age, rank, and the number of registered participants.

Flag sparring is a beginner-friendly sparring event designed for students who have not yet learned sparring. Competitors score by pulling flags from the opponent, no striking techniques are allowed.

This division is intended for beginner students only. Final placement into divisions is determined by age, height, rank, and for older competitors, gender.

• Mouthpiece: required for all competitors.
• Helmet: tournament helmets are available and sanitized between matches; competitors may also use their own.
• Flags: two flags, left and right hip. Flags are short belts tucked into the competitor's belt.

• One Center Judge and two Corner Judges officiate each match.
• The Center Judge controls the match, start, stop, reset, and calls 'Score'.
• Corner Judges confirm scoring and warnings, and display calls simultaneously when prompted by the Center Judge.

• Format: double elimination bracket.
• Round length: 90 seconds.
• Continuous scoring during the round. The competitor with the higher score at the end of time wins.
• The Center Judge may briefly stop time only for safety or to discuss a ruling with the Corner Judges.

If a flag falls out on its own, there is no call. The Center Judge will reset and reattach the flag.

• Flag pulls only. Competitors may grab and pull the opponent's flags, but may not grab the belt, uniform, or body.
• Controlled blocking is allowed, parries and deflections to prevent a flag pull.
• Competitors must maintain good sportsmanship and control at all times.
• After a flag pull, the Center Judge calls 'Break', confirms the score, and resets competitors to the center. Flags must be reattached before the match resumes.

Warnings are issued when a competitor violates the rules. When a warning is issued, the opponent receives 1 point.

• Intentionally grabbing anything other than the flags, belt, uniform, or body.
• Intentionally holding, clinching, or excessive pushing or roughness that does not rise to disqualification.
• Intentionally stepping out to avoid engagement or waste time.
• Stalling or avoidance behavior after instruction to engage.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct, arguing, disrespect, refusing to follow directions.

A competitor may be disqualified for unsafe or prohibited actions. Judges' decisions on disqualification are final.

• Intentional tackling.
• Intentional striking, or any deliberate attempt to strike.
• Intentional pushing that creates a safety risk.
• Any action the judges determine threatens competitor safety.

If the score is tied at the end of 90 seconds, the match continues and the next point wins.

Divisions are determined by age, height, and rank. For older competitors, divisions may also be separated by gender as needed based on registrations.

Demonstration Team competitions allow teams to showcase one or more martial arts disciplines in a creative, engaging format. Routines may include synchronized or individual elements and are evaluated on execution, presentation, and difficulty.

• Time limit: a maximum of 4 minutes. Time begins when the first team member enters the ring and ends when the routine is clearly complete. Exceeding the limit may result in a scoring penalty or disqualification at the judges' discretion.
• Team size: there is no maximum, but each member must contribute meaningfully. Oversized teams that dilute individual contributions may be scored lower in presentation.
• Category: open, with no age or rank divisions.

• Allowed: props that enhance the routine, flags, practice weapons, boards for breaking.
• Prohibited: dangerous, sharp, flammable, or messy props requiring excessive cleanup, such as powders, liquids, or confetti.
• Teams are responsible for their own prop setup and cleanup. All props must be pre-approved by the Tournament Organizer prior to the event day.

All five categories are equally weighted.

Kihap (shout) is optional, but may positively influence scoring when effective and well placed.

City Limits uses a relative ranking scoring method. Judges will observe all teams before assigning scores, track rankings with a hashmark system (I, II, III), and assign numeric scores only after the final performance.

• No team may receive a score lower than 9.90 unless disqualified.
• Each judge may use scores of 9.99 to 9.96 only once per division.
• Scores are averaged, not added.
• The Head Judge's score breaks any ties.

The 9.90-9.99 scale replaces the old 1.0-5.5 scale. Both offer ten unique scoring options; the new scale aligns with national tournament standards, reduces ties, and gives clearer feedback to parents and competitors.

This rule ensures fairness and scoring integrity when only three judges are used.

• Identify the middle score.
• The other two scores must fall within ±0.02 of the middle.
• Any score outside that range is automatically adjusted to within 0.02.

It prevents one judge from disproportionately skewing the result, and maintains fairness without dropping high and low scores.

Adjusted average 9.977, against 9.963 without adjustment. The rule prevents unfair point loss caused by a single outlier.

• If a team forgets their form, judges will score what was completed.
• Restarts are only allowed for external interruptions, not mental errors.
• Verbal coaching from the sidelines is prohibited and may result in deduction or disqualification.

Teams may wear a traditional martial arts uniform or a team uniform appropriate to their style.

• All judging decisions are final.
• Any disputes or unclear rulings will be resolved by the Tournament Director or designated Head Judge.