Sparring Divisions

SPARRING DIVISIONS: RULES AND REGULATIONS

Point Fighting Division

What is a Point?
A point is a legal technique that strikes a competitor’s valid target area, performed within bounds and when the opponent is upright (not down), and does so with the allowable amount of contact. In point fighting, only the first touch is considered; any additional touches beyond that are not scored.

Point Values

Jump spinning kicks to the head: 3 points
Legal kicking techniques to the body: 2 points
Legal hand techniques: 1 point
Take-downs, legal sweeps, and follow-ups: 2 points (if permitted by rules; check specific competition rules)

Legal Target Areas

Sides of the head
Front and sides of the body
Abdomen
Below mid-calf (for sweeps)

Prohibited Areas (Non-Scoring Attacks)

Facial contact with open-hand techniques (open-hand techniques to the face are forbidden due to the risk to the eyes).
Throat contact (even the slightest contact will be penalized, unless the competitor caused it).
Knee contact or striking to any joints.
Attacks to a downed opponent after five seconds.
Techniques below the belt may score, except for the hip or groin area.
If both competitors strike at the same time, the higher-scoring technique wins. If both techniques score in the same area and time, no point is awarded.
Uncontrolled techniques that pose a safety risk to the opponent should not be used.
No clinching, wrestling, or standing chest-to-chest contact without attempting a scoring technique or take-down.
No attacks with knees or elbows.
Overacting to light contact (such as staggering or faking injury) will result in a penalty or disqualification from the tournament if repeated.
Faking injuries: Competitors who exaggerate injuries will be warned. If no injury is found, they will be disqualified.
A technique delivered after the stop order or round ending is not scored, and may result in a penalty.

Illegal Target Areas

Direct face contact
Eyes, joints, throat, side of the neck
Groin, knees, back, and legs

Non-Scoring Target Areas

Hips, shoulders
Buttocks, arms, feet
Elbows, knees

Illegal Techniques

Headbutts or hair pulls
Bites or scratches
Take-downs on hard surfaces
Ground fighting on a hard surface
Stomps to the head of a downed opponent
Uncontrolled throws, take-downs, or sweeps
Uncontrolled or blind techniques
Shoving or pushing an opponent out of bounds

Scoring Criteria
A score is awarded based on the following factors:

Good form
Sporting attitude
Vigorous (but controlled) application
Awareness
Good timing
Correct distance

Sweeps, Take-Downs, Grabs, and Ground Fighting

Grabbing a uniform top or pants is allowed for 5 seconds for scoring purposes.
Sweeps should aim to obstruct balance (not to take down the opponent) and must only target the back of the front leg below mid-calf.
Take-downs can be legal if performed with control and immediately followed by a scoring technique.

Downed Competitor:
A downed competitor has three points of contact with the ground (e.g., one hand and two feet). If unconscious, the match will stop. Dangerous throws, where the opponent is not held or is thrown without control, will result in warnings or penalties.
After a throw, the competitor has a brief period to attempt a scoring technique.

Competition Ring

The ring will be square, with dimensions ranging from 14 to 20 feet depending on the division (Little Dragon, Junior, or Adult).
Each ring will have clearly marked boundaries and starting lines, with visible ring numbers for competitors, officials, and medical personnel.

Time of Rounds

13-under: 1 round, 1.5 or 2 minutes
14-17: 1 or 2 rounds, 2 minutes
18-35: 1 or 2 rounds, 2 minutes
36-up: 1 or 2 rounds, 2 minutes
Championship Rounds:
- 13-under: 2 rounds, 1.5 or 2 minutes
- 14-17: 2 rounds, 3 minutes
- 18-35: 2 rounds, 3 minutes
- 36-up: 2 rounds, 3 minutes
1-minute rest period between rounds
Championship matches must be won by two points. Matches will also follow the 10-point spread rule (see Match Time/7-10 Point Lead Rule).

Preliminary Matches: 2 judges
Championship Matches: 4 judges
Round time may vary based on the tournament director’s discretion.

Point Fighting as a Sport
Point fighting is a controlled sport, where techniques are banned for safety reasons. Strikes to the head, face, neck, groin, and joints are highly vulnerable to injury and therefore must be executed with control and good form.
Special attention should be given to younger divisions (Little Dragons and Juniors).

Continuous Sparring Division

General Rules

Participants must be at least 8 years old.
Striking areas: Padded headgear, chest, stomach, thigh, and lower leg.
No contact areas: Face, back of the head, eyes, neck, spine, groin, and knees.
Prohibited Techniques: Elbows, knees, headbutts, joint locks, sweeps/throws, take-downs, body slams, and knockout punches.
No contact allowed when an opponent is on one leg. Once down, no more attacks are allowed.

Over-Reacting to Light Contact:
Faking or exaggerating injuries to gain a penalty for your opponent will result in an immediate penalty or disqualification from the tournament.

Extreme Sparring Division

General Rules

Open to advanced competitors only (minimum 1 year of experience in martial arts).
Age groups:
- 14-17 (Junior)
- 18-35 (Adult)
- 36-up (Senior)
Striking areas: Headgear, chest, stomach, thighs, and lower legs.
Legal techniques: Punches, kicks, throws, take-downs, and jujitsu-style techniques.
No contact areas: Face, back of the head, eyes, neck, spine, groin, knees.
Prohibited techniques: Elbows, knees, headbutts, small joint techniques, body slams, spiking, and striking on the ground.

Rounds

3 rounds, 2 minutes each, with a 1-minute rest in between.
If a competitor wins the first two rounds, the third round is not required.

Scoring

Strikes: 1 point for clean strikes.
Knockdowns: 2 points for a clean knockdown.
Take-downs: 2 points for a clean throw.
Ground control: 10-second window for submission attempts.

Forfeit Procedures

A match can be forfeited by:

A verbal or non-verbal submission.
Turning your back or leaving the ring.
Entering the ring without permission.
False forfeiture signals will result in immediate disqualification.

Faking Injuries:
Competitors who fake injuries to gain an advantage will face disqualification.

Weight Classes for Extreme Sparring

Featherweight: 145 lbs & Under
Lightweight: 146 – 155 lbs
Welterweight: 156 – 170 lbs
Middleweight: 171 – 185 lbs
Light Heavyweight: 186 – 205 lbs
Heavyweight: 206 lbs & Above

Ring Sizes

Extreme Sparring matches will take place in a 16-20 ft boxing ring.

Dress Code for Extreme Sparring

Competitors must wear sweatpants, martial arts uniform pants, or shorts with only school logos, UMAF logos, or plain clothing.

Conclusion

These rules ensure the safety, fairness, and integrity of the competition. Competitors, instructors, and officials must adhere to all rules and regulations. Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the event and forfeiture of any awards. The UMA's tournament officials will supervise all events to ensure these standards are met.

4o mini