Don't forget to bring your gear! It's sparring week! Our school practices multiple types of sparring including kickboxing, point sparring, grappling, and mma.
In point sparring, students learn to control their techniques as they practice techniques against their opponent with controlled power and accuracy. This style of sparring is used in most Karate competitions including the “Black Belts for Christ” tournaments.
Point sparring rules (These are our school point sparring rules. Most Karate Tournaments use these same basic rules. However, there may be some differences in scoring, target areas, or etiquette depending on the circuit you are competing in.)
1. Objective: The objective of point sparring is to gain the most points by contacting your opponent with legal techniques while keeping yourself guarded. The maximum number of points need for victory is decided by the center judge. Examples:
a. Three minute match, most points wins
b. First to five points or a three point lead
c. First to five points or most points after set time
2. No excessive force: Point sparring is meant to develop speed and accuracy in a safe manner. If a student strikes their opponent with too much force a warning will be called against the aggressor. Too many warnings will lead to loss of points or disqualification. The amount of force allowed is decided by the judges and based on the age and skill levels of both participants.
3. Target Areas: Points are only awarded for contact to the front or sides of the torso or the sides or top of the head. Light contact to the face is allowed for adults and advanced students but is not recommended for the sake of avoiding a penalty. A controlled punch that stops an inch or so from the face but could have made contact is still awarded a point. Strikes to the arms and shoulders are considered blocks and do not count as points. Strikes to the back, the neck, or below the belt are not allowed and will be counted as penalties.
4. Boundaries: Sparring rings are marked on the Dojo floor and competitors must stay inside the boundaries. If a student lands a technique with one or both feet outside the ring there is no point awarded. However, if a student with both feet in bounds lands a technique while their opponent is out of bounds, the technique is legal and a point is awarded.
5. Judges: Most in-school point sparring is conducted with three judges. The senior judge will take the roll of center judge and call for points. If contact is made, any judge can call break. The competitors must stop when any judge calls break and both must return to their starting position. The center judge will then call out “Judges Score?” and each judge must IMMEDIATELY give their score. They have the option to point in the direction of either competitor indicating a point. If they wish to call a warning they will point downward in the direction of the offender. If both competitors make contact simultaneously, the judge with hold both fists together indicating a clash. No points are awarded for a clash. If a judge does not see the contact first hand, they will cover their eyes indicating a “no see”. At least two out of three judges must agree for a point to be scored. Remember, sparring is fast paced and the judges may not catch everything. It is the student’s responsibility to show respect for the judges at all times. This means DO NOT ARGUE with the judges call.
6. Conduct: Remember, Martial Arts teaches respect. In some Dojos, students are required to bow and say “Thank you sir or ma’am” each time they are struck by an opponent. This practice is not required in our Dojo, but respect and good sportsmanship is required at all times. Students will bow, shake hands and say “Thank you sir or ma’am” at the beginning and end of each sparring match. Students must also practice controlling their emotions during a match. If a student gets angry during a round the judges may call break and the student may be disqualified. Remember a good Martial Artist has control of his body and emotions alike.
In point sparring, students learn to control their techniques as they practice techniques against their opponent with controlled power and accuracy. This style of sparring is used in most Karate competitions including the “Black Belts for Christ” tournaments.
Point sparring rules (These are our school point sparring rules. Most Karate Tournaments use these same basic rules. However, there may be some differences in scoring, target areas, or etiquette depending on the circuit you are competing in.)
1. Objective: The objective of point sparring is to gain the most points by contacting your opponent with legal techniques while keeping yourself guarded. The maximum number of points need for victory is decided by the center judge. Examples:
a. Three minute match, most points wins
b. First to five points or a three point lead
c. First to five points or most points after set time
2. No excessive force: Point sparring is meant to develop speed and accuracy in a safe manner. If a student strikes their opponent with too much force a warning will be called against the aggressor. Too many warnings will lead to loss of points or disqualification. The amount of force allowed is decided by the judges and based on the age and skill levels of both participants.
3. Target Areas: Points are only awarded for contact to the front or sides of the torso or the sides or top of the head. Light contact to the face is allowed for adults and advanced students but is not recommended for the sake of avoiding a penalty. A controlled punch that stops an inch or so from the face but could have made contact is still awarded a point. Strikes to the arms and shoulders are considered blocks and do not count as points. Strikes to the back, the neck, or below the belt are not allowed and will be counted as penalties.
4. Boundaries: Sparring rings are marked on the Dojo floor and competitors must stay inside the boundaries. If a student lands a technique with one or both feet outside the ring there is no point awarded. However, if a student with both feet in bounds lands a technique while their opponent is out of bounds, the technique is legal and a point is awarded.
5. Judges: Most in-school point sparring is conducted with three judges. The senior judge will take the roll of center judge and call for points. If contact is made, any judge can call break. The competitors must stop when any judge calls break and both must return to their starting position. The center judge will then call out “Judges Score?” and each judge must IMMEDIATELY give their score. They have the option to point in the direction of either competitor indicating a point. If they wish to call a warning they will point downward in the direction of the offender. If both competitors make contact simultaneously, the judge with hold both fists together indicating a clash. No points are awarded for a clash. If a judge does not see the contact first hand, they will cover their eyes indicating a “no see”. At least two out of three judges must agree for a point to be scored. Remember, sparring is fast paced and the judges may not catch everything. It is the student’s responsibility to show respect for the judges at all times. This means DO NOT ARGUE with the judges call.
6. Conduct: Remember, Martial Arts teaches respect. In some Dojos, students are required to bow and say “Thank you sir or ma’am” each time they are struck by an opponent. This practice is not required in our Dojo, but respect and good sportsmanship is required at all times. Students will bow, shake hands and say “Thank you sir or ma’am” at the beginning and end of each sparring match. Students must also practice controlling their emotions during a match. If a student gets angry during a round the judges may call break and the student may be disqualified. Remember a good Martial Artist has control of his body and emotions alike.
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