CACMA© Form Competition Rules
General Rules – download a copy
1. Rules Responsibilities – CACMA will present these rules to the competitors via the CACMA website and at the competitors meeting following the opening ceremonies. At the point the competitor enters the ring; competitors should know the rules and be ready for competition when called to do so. If there is still a question, it is the responsibility of the competitor to get clarification before the particular event entered has started competition.
2. Registration – Competitors must register and compete in a division appropriate to their level. Competitors must compete at the same skill level in all categories. If a competitor competes in advanced empty hand forms, and they want to spar, they must compete in advanced sparring. If competitors in two-person forms are of different levels, the team will compete at the highest experience level of the two persons.
3. Competition Levels – Beginner: 0-2 year; Intermediate: 2-4 years; Advanced: 4 years and up. Senior Divisions are available and are for 40 years old and up competitors. (Seniors may compete in regular divisions)
4. The Grey Area – It is also important that the competitor and his/her Sifu register in the proper level of competition. There is always some grey area in various styles of Chinese Martial Arts, as well as, when one transfers from another Chinese art or from a non-Chinese art. Example: If a competitor has 10 years’ experience in Choy Li Fut and switches to Northern Mantis, that competitor overall is not a beginner in martial arts. Likewise, if one comes from a non-Chinese art, i.e. Karate, with an intermediate ranking and enters at that level, but only has a few months of Chinese style experience, the level of competitiveness may be higher for than that person. (Most Chinese styles beginner forms may be long and more complex in the beginning than non-Chinese styles) Yet that person’s sparring ability may be superior to a beginner Chinese stylist and therefore, would need to be in the higher level. Ultimately, Judges will reserve the right to disqualify or move up a competitor which appears to be in too low a competition level. This is especially important at sparring levels. CACMA does not allow low ranked Chinese stylist with a high ranking transfer from other Chinese or non-Chinese styles to fight down levels. If you are advanced in a previous style, you are advanced in sparring period! —- If you or your Sifu have a question on your placement in the competition, get it clear before the competition starts!
5. Single Event Times – The order, time, and ring location of events are fluid at tournaments and therefore, subject to change at any moment during the day. Therefore, it is imperative that all competitors listen to announcements and be aware of what events are going on at the moment and which events are being announced on deck. CACMA is not responsible for missed competitor ring calls and will not refund a competitor for missing his/her ring call.
6. Tardiness – All competitors must be at ringside prior to when their event starts. Each event will be called three times by the head table at the end of which time all competitors will be expected to be at the ring. At that time, when instructed, you must give the Head Judge and/or Scorekeeper you name and competition level (beginner, intermediate, advanced.) No one will be allowed to enter a ring event once the competition for that event has started. NO EXCEPTIONS!! If the competitor is competing in concurrent events, they must report to one ring and inform the head judge of the situation and then report to the other ring and do the same. They must stay in the ring that they feel will call them first, but also listen up for the other rings competitors name call in order to hear their name called to compete. CACMA takes no responsibility for a competitor missing his/her ring assignment.
7. Competitor Presentation – The Competitor must salute when entering and exiting the ring. He/She must salute the Judges; state their name, style of Kung Fu and then request permission to begin. Once the Scorekeeper has confirmed the Competitor’s Name on the competition list, he will be instructed by the Head Judge to begin. Once in the ring, each competitor must present himself/herself to the head judge and judges ready to compete and be suitably attired with proper uniform and equipment and weapons if applicable. Understanding that not all schools have uniforms, competitors should wear something that is conducive to doing your style of martial arts. Street clothes will not be accepted. Keep in mind that neatness counts in whatever you wear in the minds of the judges. *No vulgar words or pictures will be allowed on your uniform nor will writings or pictures not related to your school or style, be allowed on your uniform.*
8. Awards – Medals will be presented to the top three, highest scoring competitors in each event. All event competitors are expected to be present during the award presentation at the end of each ring event. If there is a conflict with another event the competitor must inform the ring’s head judge.
9. Conduct – Representative of a Martial Artist Competitors, their Sifu, fellow school members and their guests are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the high level of discipline and respect associated with the martial arts. No disrespect towards any CACMA officials, volunteers or fellow competitors of the tournament will be tolerated. Any person who acts in a disrespectful manner toward any official will be expelled from the CACMA Tournament and may be banned from any future CACMA events. If there is any questions or concerns by a competitor or their Sifu, if must be formally presented in written form to the CACMA Arbitrator within three days of the end of the event. Issues can be addressed with the Arbitrator at the event and possibly resolved. Otherwise, formal complaints or concerns must be filed as stated in the following Arbitration section.
10. Divisions of Competition – There must be a minimum of three competitors per division. If not, Tournament Officials may combine divisions to satisfy this requirement.
11. Scoring – Scoring will be based on the following 6.00 – 9.99 Point System:
- Beginners 6.00-7.50
- Intermediates 7.00 – 8.50
- Advanced are 8.50-9.99
Ties – Ties will be broken by having the medal winning tied competitors compete again. Competitors may choose to perform the same form or another.
12. Scoring Criteria – Each competitor will be expected to demonstrate a form based on the Chinese style/styles in which he/she has been trained in. Judges will score forms based on the following proper execution:
- Stances – strong and correct
- Eyes – follows the form or movements (i.e. doesn’t stare at the floor)
- Chi – displayed based on the level of the competitor
- Spirit – is the form alive and believable
- Movements of the form – did competitor forget, leave out moves or stop the form prior to its ending
- Strength or Power – is this demonstrated for the level of the competitor
- Command of the weapon – if performing a weapon form
- Teamwork and choreography, if 2 man set
Specific Rules
1. Restarts – From time to time, a competitor must restart their form due to some distraction or forgetfulness. If a competitor stops their form for whatever reason, they will be allowed to start over. A Restart will only be allowed ONCE and will result in a mandatory .10 point reduction from their score. Note: If a restart is necessary due to a spectator, or other outside interference, entering the ring, that competitor will not be penalized.
2. Time of Performance – Competitors do not have a time limit placed on them during form competition. The Judges have requested, however, that the Competitors try to limit their forms to 3 minutes max. If you need more time, please inform the Head Judge in your ring prior to competition.
3. Exceeding Ring Space – Occasionally, Competitors need more space than is allowed to perform a particular form. If this is the case, the Head Judge must be notified so that space can be allowed for without interfering with another ring or possibly encroaching on spectators, etc.
4. Weapon Drops – If a competitor drops their weapon, but continues to move in a martial way toward their weapon, retrieves it, and then continues the form without interruption, then there will be no mandatory point deduction. However, if the competitor does not do so in this manor, he/she will receive a mandatory .10 point reduction. Restarts as a result of a drop will follow the restart rules and be carried in conjunction to this rule.
5. Weapon Inspection – All weapons must be of good quality with no broken or loose parts. If a weapon breaks during a form, the competitor may begin again with no point deduction, with a different weapon of the same genre, as per the Judge’s discretion as to the cause of the breakage. Judges may refuse to allow use of a weapon deemed to be unsafe or fragile, or even non-appropriate for the form of division. No Wushu weapons will be allowed in the traditional weapons division and will only be allowed in the Wushu Division.
6. Competitors, Order of Ring Competition – Competitors order of competition will be randomly listed by the administrative desk for said ring on the Judges Competitors’ List. The first three competitors will compete before any scores are awarded. After the third competitor has finished, the Judges will confer with each other and then the first competitor will be called back for scoring followed by the second and then the third. All remaining competitors in the division will then be judged in comparison to the first three and scored immediately upon completion of their form.
Arbitration and Disputes
Any coach or competitor disputing the results of a match and wishing to have arbitration of a match for any reason must notify the chief referee or tournament director within 15 minutes of the end of the match. They must provide a written request & a $300 arbitration fee to the tournament Arbitrator within 30 minutes of the end of the match to have resolution that same day. If the arbitration is settled in favor of the arbitrating team, a full refund of the arbitration fee will be given; otherwise no refund will be given.