Patterns/Forms Rules

TRADITIONAL PATTERNS/FORMS

All the competitors will be seated outside their assigned ring, preferably opposite the judges. Competitors should remain quiet; they can sit and stretch quietly.

The competitor will be drawn at random for the order of competition. Patterns/forms competition should have 5 judges and a score keeper assigned per ring.  If the tournament is low on volunteers a minimum of 3 judges can be used. In the case of 3 judges all scores will be used. In the case of 5 judges the highest and lowest scores are tossed out using the middle 3 scores.

Competitors are called individually to perform their pattern/form:

All competitors will use a forms introduction given to them by their school.  The following is an example:

1. When a competitor’s name is called reply with a loud "Yes sir" or "Yes ma'am" they should stand-up and ensure their uniform and belt are straight.
2. Quickly approach center back of the ring, bow and approach the center judge (about 3 feet away from the center judge) bow then ready position.
3. State:
1. First & Last Name
2. Name of Association or School and/or Martial Art Style
3. Pattern/form Name then the word pattern, form or kata
4. Ask permission to proceed “May I begin sir?”

Example: "John Doe, Vail Taekwon-Do, Do-San pattern.  May I begin Sir?", "Judges my name is John Doe.  I am from Vail Taekwon-Do.  Today I would like to perform Do-San pattern.  With your permission may I begin?"

1. Upon given permission snap back to attention and bow, and then walk backwards to where to start their form (DO NOT TURN YOUR BACK TO THE JUDGES). Once at your starting point bow then assume the pattern's/form's ready stance.
   • Steps 2-4 may vary depending on the school the competitor is from. The above is a guideline on how the competitor can introduce themselves and declare what form they will do.
   • Some school's introduction will have a request to be able to continue to start. It is the responsibility of the Head Judge to say 'Yes' or 'Proceed'.
2. Perform their entire pattern/form.
3. When the form is complete the competitor goes back to ready stance, bows then attention stance and hold.
4. Head Judge will call for "Judge's Scores" and the scorekeeper will tally the scores. 
   
5. Scorekeeper announces the final score: "Final Score: X"
6. When "Final Score" is called the competitor will snap to attention, bow, say "Thank you Sir" and step out of the ring.

   PATTERNS/FORMS ARE JUDGED ON

1. Correctness of Techniques: correct order of movement, location of techniques, etc.

• There may be a variation in how techniques are performed. The end position should be the same but the transition may be different depending on the way the student was taught.
• Look for consistency of technique. If all middle punches are in a consistent location they are deemed correct.  If each punch is placed differently it is not correct.
• If you do not know the pattern being performed go by consistency of technique location. 

2. Stance: correct stance for the technique and the stance is correct

• Look for consistency in stance. One martial art or even different schools in the same martial art may teach a stance a little different. Some use very deep stances other schools use shallow stances. Ask yourself does the first front stance look like the last front stance?

3. Attitude: respectful to judges and competitors and shows confidence and energy

• Does the competitor talk loudly and proudly?
• Do you feel their energy?
• Does the competitor make you look forward to 'watching the show' or make you think of 'how many points you will take away'.

4. Power: techniques performed with power, strong breath control, and or yell.

• Every competitor's full power level is different; think of what that competitor can do for power and judge them on what they should physically be able to do.
• Are their hands tights?  Does their foot flop when they throw a kick

It is up to each judge to decide what is most important to them and judge that way for all competitors.

• Attitude may be the most important for one judge and least important for another.
• As long as each judge is consistent the competition will be fair.
• Break the four areas into points based on the point system used.
• Judges will score some students the exact same score for different reasons. Do not feel compelled to increase a score because of the other judges.
• Try to not think or compare the competitor to other competitors; judge them individually on their performance and let the total of scores determine the winner.

Multiple methods of scoring exist.  Here are some examples:

• Hands Only Method
• Judges will show their score by holding up 6 to 10 fingers. If the judge’s fingers are 'blinking' it signifies a half a point. Holding up seven fingers that are blinking designate a 7.5.
• Blinking is when the judge opens and closes his hands showing the score.
• This method you can see the 4 areas as each one point, then award 0, .5 or 1 point on each of the for areas then add them together

• 10 point Method
• Judges are given a base score and add a decimal value from 0 to 9 to the base score.
• Based of 7 for beginners, 8 for Intermediate, 9 for advanced and black belts
• This method requires some way of showing the score: white board, flip chart, etc.
• This method you have a total of 10 points to split amongst the 4 sections, so 0, 1 or 2 points each with 2 extra points as an X-Factor 

When called to show the score by the score keeper saying "Judges Score" the judges will show their score and the score keeper will go down the line and record the scores. The score keeper will say out loud the score they are recording. All Judges will keep their score up until all the judges' scores have been recorded.

If the scorekeeper misstates the score the judge is giving that judge will inform the score keeper politely of the correct score.

FINAL SCORE

The score keeper will record the scores; throw out the highest and lowest value (when 5 judges) then tally the remaining three scores.

Once tallied the judge near the score keeper can review the math to ensure it is correct.

The score keeper will then announce "Final Score" then the score the competitor received.

TIE

If there is a tie the two thrown out scores are added back in to determine the tie breaker. If still tied the competitors will perform a "pattern/form off". The competitors will be called up in front of the judges and they will perform A DIFFERENT pattern/form at the same time. When competitors are finished the scorekeeper will call "Judges Call". At this point the judges point toward the winner.

(Optional) Instead of a pattern/form off both are awarded the same award.  Example two people tied for 1st would both get a 1st place medal and the next a 3rd place medal. 

RESTARTING A PATTERN/FORM

If a competitor starts his/her pattern/form over because of a memory lapse or any other reason due to his/her own negligence, he/she may perform the pattern/form again. The judges will score as though there was not a restart, but the head judge will instruct the scorekeeper to subtract a penalty from the competitor's final score. A competitor can only start over one time for scoring. If a competitor has to start over not due to his/her negligence, he/she will not be penalized.

Definition of Traditional Pattern/Form

These patterns/forms must capture the essence of classic martial arts movements, displaying the traditional techniques, stances, footwork, and weapons. Emphasis is placed on execution of technique, application of technique, balance, speed, power, solid stances, and focus. Patterns/forms may be unmodified or modified from what a system or school considers to be the original version of the pattern/form; however, performance of the following movements will result in a downgrade of the pattern/form, or upon unanimous vote of the judges, a “no score” as a pattern/form inappropriate for the division:

1. Movements that involve more than a 360-degree spin;
2. Require the body to be inverted more than parallel to the floor;
3. More than two kicks with the same leg without putting the foot down in between;
4. Front or back flips;
5. Cartwheels;
6. Front or side leg splits;
7. Releases of the weapon other than simple hand switches;
8. 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. (EXCEPTION – A Forward Roll is a legal Traditional Technique.) 

   WEAPON BREAKS OR AND WEAPON CRACKS

1. A competitor will be disqualified if he/she breaks their weapon, separates into 2 or more pieces.
2. If the Weapon cracks, does not separate, the competitor may continue the routine and will not be disqualified. The competitor may have their score lowered, if in the opinion of the judges, the Crack impacted the execution of the pattern/form or the effectiveness of the weapon.

   DEDUCTIONS AND DISQUALIFIERS IN WEAPONS FORMS

1. If a competitor drops their weapon then each judge deducts a point from the score.
2. If a competitor drops their weapons twice they will be disqualified.
3. If a competitor strikes a spectator, judge, or other person with the weapon regardless of intent they are disqualified