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Head to Head Traditional Patterns/Forms

 

TRADITIONAL PATTERNS/FORMS

A Traditional pattern must come from a traditional martial arts set of patterns/forms/katas codified in a book.

Examples of styles:

  • Chang Han
  • Taegeuk
  • Palgwae
  • Songahm
  • Pinan 
  • Pyung Ahn
  • Poomsae 

Head to Head Patterns/Forms competition uses a single elimination or double elimination bracket tournament.  Where competitors go head to head until 1st through 3rd place is determined.

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 competitors will be drawn at random for the brackets.  Head to Head Patterns/Forms competition can have 3 or 5 judges.

Competitors are called up in pairs to compete against each other in performing their Pattern/Form.  They will perform at the exact same time upon command to start by the head judge.

Blue competitor is on the left from the judge’s view and Red competitor is on the right from the judge’s view.

Performing Head to Head Patterns/Forms

  1. Competitors take their position in attention stance
  2. Head judge gives the following order
    • Bow in: Cha-reh-ut Kyung Neh
    • Ready Position for Pattern: Joon-bee
    • Start: Shee jahk
  3. When competitor finishes their pattern/form they return to attention stance then bow and hold attention stance.
  4. Head Judge will call for "Judge's Score"
    • Judges either point to the side that wins or hold up Red or Blue flag depending on the winner
    • Head Judge Declares the winner
  5. Scorekeeper marks who won the round and the competitors are dismissed. 

 

If the competitors patterns/forms overlap and will run into each other then one or both of the competitors will pause to allow the other to continue out of the way.  The pause is NOT held against either competitor.   

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. 
  1. 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?
  1. 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'.
  1. 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

 

RESTARTING A PATTERN/FORM

Competitors cannot restart their pattern unless some sort of interference from outside the ring causes the disruption. 

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.)