Where applicable, the USAWKF Nationals and U.S. Junior Team Trials will follow the international rules as established by IWUF. Go to the IWUF website to review the IWUF rules. Otherwise, the following rules will apply.
Competition Scoring Range Guidelines:
Beginning (0-2 years, 0-3 years): 6.0 – 7.0 Intermediate (2-4 years): 7.0 – 8.0 Advanced (4+, 3+ years): 8.0 – 9.0+
Time Limits for Nationals and New England Championships:
Traditional Kung Fu Barehand and Apparatus Routines: 40 seconds minimum, 2 minutes maximum
Adult Contemporary Wushu Barehand and Apparatus Routines: 1 minute, 20 seconds minimum
Taijiquan:
All Divisions. 3 minutes minimum — 3 minutes, 30 seconds maximum.
Other Internal:
All Divisions: 45 seconds minimum — 2 minutes, 30 seconds maximum
Internal Weapons:
All Divisions: 1 minute, 30 seconds minimum — 3 minutes, 30 seconds maximum
Choreographed Fighting Sets:
All Divisions: 45 seconds minimum.
Group Events:
External Divisions: 45 seconds minimum — 2 minutes maximum
Internal Divisions: 3 minutes minimum — 6 minutes maximum
Penalties for all forms divisions: If finished before minimum or after maximum time, 0.1 point will be deducted for each 5 seconds or partial increment thereof.
Example: A traditional form lasting only 33 seconds is 7 seconds too short. 0.2 points is deducted, since 7 seconds is in the 2nd “5 second” interval outside the range. Competitors should make sure their forms fall within the time limits.
Restricted Step Push Hands:
Two rounds. Each round will be 60 seconds — 15 second break between rounds. Time is suspended when referee calls a point or verification and announces decision.
Moving Push Hands:
One round of 90 seconds. Time is suspended when referee calls a point or verification and announces decision.
Light Contact Sparring
Best of 3 rounds of continuous sparring. Each round will be 30 seconds — 1 minute break between rounds.
Protective Equipment
Competitors are responsible for their own protective equipment. The following is a list of the mandatory and optional equipment.
MANDATORY: Head Protector, Mouthguard, Groin Cup (males), Safety Gloves, Foot Protection
OPTIONAL: Goggles, Chest Protector, Shin Protection
Break: A Break will be called by the Referee should any of the following events occur:
Head contact that might result in an injury or a call for Foul/Disqualification.
Controlled, non-contact technique scored on the back.
A competitor scores three, quick, unanswered techniques to the opponent.
One or both competitors goes to the floor.
When any Judge calls Foul
Warning: A penalty will be issued on the judges’ majority vote for any of the following:
Illegal techniques
Contact to a non-contact area
Excessive force (without malice or intent)
Failure to break on the call
Caution: A non-penalty term recommended by any Judge, or called by the Referee.
Excessive Force: A head strike that results in bleeding, whipping of the head and/or neck, bruising or swelling of the face. Unreasonable force to the body, for example, a kick that moves an opponent from a stable or rooted stance to the floor or outside the ring.
Disqualification: The following results in the loss of a bout:
If an injury occurs to an opponent as a result of a foul
Accumulating four Warnings
Running out of the ring, second offense
Repeated and deliberately exposing of a Foul area
Any of the following will not be tolerated and may result in immediate disqualification:
Deliberate excessive force/intent to injure
Deliberate Fouling
Rude or belligerent behavior
Use of objectionable or abusive language by a contestant or by his/her school
Legal Contact Areas:
Torso – front and sides
Outside of thigh
Outside of leg
Entire arm
Front and side of head gear
Legal Non-Contact Target: Please note that these areas are legal for non-contact techniques only. Any contact to these areas could result in a Foul and possible Disqualification.
Front of face
Horizontal strikes to the top of the head gear
Legal Techniques:
Punches
Kicks
Open hand to the body only
Sweeps to the opponent’s front leg
Illegal Techniques:
Knee strikes
Elbow strikes
Finger strikes
Take-downs or throws
Joint locking or breaking attempts
Head butts
Biting
Floor or ground fighting
Groin strikes
Open hand strikes to the front of face
Sweeps to an opponent’s back leg or sweeps that attempt both legs of an opponent
Dangerous blind attempts at spinning hand or foot strikes