State Championship Annual Tournament
Sparring Division
Sparring is continuous (non-stop) semi-contact (light contact) as conducted at classes. It is an elimination contest meaning that half the competitors will be eliminated after their first bout and only the winners will progress to the next stage. Adult bouts are for ages 18 and above and consist of 2 x 1.5 minute rounds. Children’s bouts consist of 2 x 1 min rounds. Students of age 15-17 have the option to enter the adult division if they prefer.
The bout takes place in a ‘square’ or boxing ring. There is a 30 second break between rounds. For safety reasons, competitors must wear the approved, regulation sparring equipment of good condition as outlined below. Toe nails must be trim and jewelry must be removed.
There will be two judges and a referee for most bouts. After the bout, each judge will raise a red or yellow flag, representing the competitor they declare the winner. The winner of the bout will later be paired with another winner. They will spar another two rounds. This process will continue until only two competitors remain to compete in the finals.
Contact to the head is permitted for competitors in the adult divisions. Competitors in the children’s divisions must not make contact to the head.
Judges do not count points but will make their decision based on quality and variety of techniques which make contact. Being a freestyle or mixed martial art system, judges look for a balanced display of our art including punching and kicking. If two competitors appear to have performed equally but one has mainly punched and the other has used a balance of punching and kicking, then the decision is likely to go to the competitor who demonstrated a more balanced display of the freestyle mixed martial art concept. If two competitors appear to have punched and kicked equally but one has landed kicks requiring a higher skill level, such as spinning kicks, jumping kicks, double kicks and head kicks, then the decision is likely to go to the competitor who demonstrated the more advanced level of skill and techniques. Controlling the bout and moving forward will be judged favorably over a competitor who is regularly retreating.
Protective Equipment
The brands Twins, Ringsport and SMA have been used by Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centres over the past 18 years and offer the high level of padding and protection that we require. All Cobra Martial Arts students should already be using these brands during class, as other brands have not been tested by our Master Instructor are not permitted during classes nor at the tournament.
Adult Divisions
16oz fully enclosed gloves with padded thumb (men)
12oz fully enclosed gloves with padded thumb (women)
‘Thick’ style Shin & Instep Protectors are compulsory (thin slip-on cotton style do not offer adequate protection and are not permitted)
Groin protector (male)
Mouth guard
Children’s Divisions
10-12oz fully enclosed gloves with padded thumb
Bag gloves are not permitted
Shin & Instep Protectors (cotton is permitted for children only)
Groin protector (male)
Mouth guard
Referees will inspect gloves for soft or flat spots, tears and damage which can cause cuts or grazes. Please ensure your equipment is in good order. Head guards will be available and supplied by the school and is recommended that competitors wear them.
Level of Contact
Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centres has a strict safety policy. This is not a full-contact tournament however strikes must make light contact to be recognised by the judges. You cannot 'win' by injuring or ‘knocking-out’ your opponent. Injuring an opponent due to hard contact is likely to result in disqualification.
In the case where the referee or a judge believes the contact level of a particular competitor to be excessive, a warning will be given on the first instance. On the second instance the referee will ask the judges to take the matter (lack of control) into consideration when making their final decision. This means that even if your performance has appeared to be better that your opponent’s, if you injure them due to excessive contact, this will work against you. On the third instance the offending competitor may be disqualified if the referee or judges deem this appropriate. If the contact results in an injury (even on the first instance) depending on the nature of the injury, disqualification may be immediate. This decision may be made by the referee, judges or Senior Instructor officials.
Knee techniques are permitted, however understand that you do not wear padding on your knees, so you risk disqualification if you injure your opponent. Ensure to keep knee techniques light / touch contact only. Knee strikes to the head will be recognised, but these must not make contact. Standup grappling, holding and holding with punching and / or kicking is permitted. Strikes / techniques are permitted to the back of the head and body, for instance if your opponent turns their back. Locks, holds and chokes are permitted whilst standing and controlled submissions whilst standing will be recognised by the judges, however you cannot 'win' by submitting your opponent unless you are competing in the wrestling division. Kicks can be caught and held and you may strike your opponent whilst holding a leg. If their supporting leg is kicked (not swept) above the knee, the technique will be recognised. If the kick is to the front or side of the knee joint, for safety reasons, a warning may be given and if this continues, in some cases disqualification may result. Deliberate sweeps and takedowns are not permitted. Spinning hand techniques must be controlled.
Disqualification
Warnings or disqualification may result from the following illegal techniques, depending on the severity or frequency used. This decision will be determined by any of the referee, judges or Senior Instructor officials:
Injuring your opponent
Stepping out of the square / ring regularly
Elbow techniques
Contact with the knee to the head
Deliberate takedowns such as trips and throws
Strikes to groin
Kicks to the knee joint (kicks to the legs must be above the knee joint)
Head butts
Biting
Eye gauging
The referee or a judge may order a competitor to cease the use a particular technique if it is felt that the competitor’s use of that technique, or lack of control in that technique, is likely to cause injury.
Understand that spectators will be present, including existing students, friends and family of students, prospective students, children and possibly representatives from the World Kickboxing Association. Disrespect in any form to anyone, including swearing, arguing with officials, public dispute of a decision, bad sportsman/womanship, bad attitude, loss of temper / self control, may result in disqualification.
Kata Division
Each competitor will perform a kata of their own choice. The kata can be chosen from the curriculum, another martial art, or may be the student’s own compilation. It may be enhanced for added effect such as set to music.
Judges will make their decisions, based upon a number of factors including level of difficulty, originality, creativity, speed, power, precision, neatness, overall impressiveness, showmanship / show-woman-ship. Each judge will give each competitor a score out of 10. The sum of these will determine the competitor’s final score. The competitor with the highest overall score will be declared the winner.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Wrestling) Division
For safety reasons wrestling will begin from the knees rather than from a standing position. A bout will be 1x4 minutes in duration. You may win by submitting (tapping out) your opponent within the time frame. If there is no submission each judge will raise a red or yellow flag, representing the competitor they declare the winner. The competitor with the majority of votes will be announced the winner and invited to wrestle in the next round. The judges will nominate the competitor, who they deem to have attempted or used, the most techniques, as well as who controlled the bout. As we are working to a time-frame, just pinning your opponent, but not attempting submissions will not influence the judges in your favor. The referee may break the bout and restart it if a competitor appears to be ‘stalling’ the bout by pinning their opponent but not attempting submissions. The winner of the bout will be paired with other winner. This process will continue until only two competitors remain to compete in the finals. Carelessness, recklessness or excessive force, which could result in injury, may result in a warning, and in further instances will go against the competitor in question or result in disqualification.
Demonstration Division
Competitors are to develop and perform their own demonstration lasting no more than 2 minutes. Demonstrations may include the following:
Breaking
Multiple persons / partner work
Weapons
Padwork
Judges will make a decision, based on level of difficulty, originality, creativity, speed, power, precision, neatness, overall impressiveness and showmanship / show-woman-ship. Each judge will give each competitor a score out of 10. The sum of these will determine the competitor’s final score. The competitor with the highest overall score will be declared the winner. Demonstrations must be discussed with the Master Instructor beforehand, to ensure they are not overly dangerous or a risk to spectators.
Dress Code
All competitors, judges, referees, officials and volunteers must wear correct, full traditional uniform, clean and ironed. For Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centre students it is compulsory that the small school crest patch be displayed on the left, chest area and it is recommended that the school’s large crest is displayed on the rear of the uniform jacket. Toe nails must be trim (unless wearing full foot padding) and will be inspected before each bout. Jewelry must not be worn. If a T-shirt is worn under the jacket it must be the correct colour for your rank (black shirt for green belts and above, otherwise white). Under shirts must be plain, without writing or other logos showing through (unless a Cobra school T-Shirt). Only authorised Martial Arts shoes may be worn on the mat.