Weapon Fighting Rules

The intent of this division is for the competitors to explore the concepts they learn in their weapon sets in a live environment against a resisting oponent.

This will be a score limited competition

The match will be awarded to the competitor reaching full score first.

Full score will be a total of seven (7) points.

Scoring:

• Strikes to the head and torso (front and back) and/or disarming the opponent - 3 points
• Strikes to the arms and/or legs - 2 points

Equipement:

• Lei Tai style helmet (provided)
• Lei Tai style gloves (provided)
• Approved foam padded weapon (provided)

Protective gear:

• Groin protection (mandatory - not provided)
• Chest protector (optional - provided)

NOTE: Competitors must restrain themselves to the use of straight sword or broadsword techniques in the short weapons division and staff or spear techniques in the long weapons division.

Southern Double Knives Competition Rules:

The intent of this division is for the competitors to explore the concepts they learn in their weapon sets in a live environment against a resisting opponent. Since this is a double weapon division, competitors are judged more favorably for using combinations rather than single weapon hack and slash techniques, or wild flailing. Note also that since the weapons are bladed weapons, competitors must treat them as such – blunt edged “stick fighting” style techniques will be discouraged.

Ring Size:
16 x 16 ft.

Match Format:
This will be a performance and score limited competition. The match will be awarded to the competitor reaching full score first.
- Competitors will start each exchange with at least one foot on the edge of their respective ring sides.
- Competitors will wait for the judge’s signal to begin, at which point they may engage.
- Competitors are separated after a 5 second exchange period, or after a "kill" shot is achieved during the five second exchange period.
- Points are awarded to each competitor after each exchange.

Scoring:
Full score will be a total of twelve (12) or (21) points depending on the number of competitors and set at the discretion of the judges.
The entire body is a legal target. However, scoring follows the following format:
-Clean entry/controlling slash followed by a secondary slash or stab to lethal area: 3 points
-Clean entry slash followed by a secondary slash or stab to a non-lethal area: 2 points.
-Clean single slash or stab to a lethal area: 2 points.
-Clean single slash to a non-lethal area of the body or legs, followed by backing off: 1 point
-Disarm: 4 points
-Simultaneous kill shots: No points, each cancel the other.
-Competitors leaving the match area 3 times are deducted 1 point.

Lethal “kill” areas are those designated by:
• The head and neck
• The middle of the torso via a stab
• Major artery areas of the arm and leg.

Judges:
There will be 3 corner judges, one middle referee, and a time keeper.

Equipment:
-Lei Tai Style Helmet (provided)
-Forearm padding (provided)
-Approved foam padded weapon (provided)

Protective Gear:
-Groin Protection (mandatory, not provided)
-Chest Protector (optional, provided)

Technical Considerations:

Only techniques delivered while attempting to remain in contact with your
opponent will be considered by the judges.

Defense consists of the use of your skills to negate, neutralize, deflect,
avoid or suppress the offense of the other competitor. The competitor will
be judged on his sticking skills, stance, footwork, and posture in the
performance of defense. He may not counterattack, strike, trip or shove
the attacker. The judges are to count off for excessive reliance upon Li
or brute strength.

Offense consists of the use of your skills to hit those areas allowed by
the rules of this competition. The competitor will be judged on his
sticking skills, stance, footwork, and proper posture in the performance
of offense. Simply breaking contact and attacking is not bridging hands
and will be judged as poor technique. Overuse of strength will be
considered poor technique. It is therefore possible to strike more
times than an opponent and still lose if the method used inferior bridging
technique.

Bridging hands is, at its heart, controlling ones opponent through
sensitivity, trained reflexes, and proper technique.