Open/Creative Pattern/Form Division

The Open/Creative Division allows patterns/forms to include contemporary martial arts techniques that have evolved over the last 50 years.  These may be added to a traditional pattern/form, or the pattern/form may be devised in its entirety by the competitor.  

A pattern/form in the Open/Creative Division must ONLY include techniques which originate from 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.

An Open/Creative Pattern/Form must include at least one of the following but not to exceed 50% of the pattern/form.

Required Element (at least 1 but no more than 50% of pattern/form)

• 360+ degree kick
• 2+ continuous kicks with one leg
• 3+ hand techniques in rapid succession with a stance change
• Inversion (head lower than hips) with a martial arts technique
• Rolls, cartwheels and flips that contain a martial arts technique
• Kip Up
• Exhibitions of flexibility with a martial arts technique 
• Exhibitions of balance with a martial arts technique 
• Exhibitions of strength with a martial arts technique 

Items not allowed

• Gymnastic techniques that does NOT include a martial arts technique
• Dance moves

The pattern/form must contain at least 25 movements and cannot take longer then 3 minutes to complete.

Music Optional

The competitor may have music played during their Open/Creative pattern/form.   No music needs to be played.   If a competitor uses music they must follow the rules below.

• 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.
• The movements of the pattern/form must be accented by and performed in conjunction with specific beats, notes, or words in the music.  Simply performing your form to the same rhythm or cadence of a song is not satisfactory.
• Overall, all music, and sound effects used, must compliment the pattern/form, and both the pattern/form and music will be judged together and viewed as an overall performance, not simply as a form performed with music playing.  If must playing in the background the lowest possible score will be awarded  
• Songs may NOT have any of the following.  If the song violates any of the following the competitor will get the lowest possible score. 
  • No profanity 
  • No Adult or sexual content
  • No Cursing