Tournament Sparring Rules

Wah Lum Temple 2025 Tournament

Free Sparring Rules

(Continuous Light Contact Sparring)

  • Matches:
  • All matches will be based on a series of controlled techniques and counter attacks.
  • All matches are single elimination. Lose and you are eliminated. Win and you advance to the next bracket.
  • Each match will consist of three 1-minute Rounds unless the head judge calls for time out (injuries, equipment adjustment etc.).
  • Winner of first two Rounds wins the Match.
  • In case of a tie, there will be a 30-second sudden-death to determine the winner.
  • The contestants will wear a red or white flag during their match.

 

  • Judges:
  • Advanced divisions: Three corner judges and a head judge (referee).
  • All other divisions: Minimum of two corner judges and a head judge. There will be one timekeeper for each ring.

 

  • Scoring:
  • A match will consist of a series of encounters, which the head judge will stop periodically to maintain control of the match.
  • Each corner judge will keep score on the opponents throughout the match.
  • At the end of the match the corner judges will vote red or white to determine the winner of the match by majority.
  • If the scores are tied at the end of the match, a thirty-second sudden death match will be granted. The winner will be determined by a majority vote of the judges and the head judge.
  • Legal Techniques:
  • All closed hand strikes and kicks used with control to legal targets.
  • Light contact to the headgear with closed hand strikes and kicks.

(Advanced & Intermediate Divisions Only can make head contact: ALL COMPETITORS IN ADV/INT MUST HAVE FACE MASK OR CAGE)

  • Legal Contact Targets:
  • Head: (adult advanced/intermediate and 16-17 youth advanced/intermediate).

          Beginner adult and all youth divisions, body targets only.

  • Chest
  • Abdomen
  • Front and Side of torso
  • Outside of the thigh (above the knee and below the hip)
  • Sweep to the outer side front leg only (below the knee)

NOTE: The above targets require good control since any excessive contact to these areas will result in immediate disqualification.

  • Competitors will be disqualified for:
  • Not obeying the rules of the officials.
  • Verbal abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct from the participants or coaches.
  • Using illegal techniques deliberately or by accident that would be harmful to the opponent.
  • Excessive contact to the face (facemask), head or body (to be determined by the head judge).
  • Causing any bleeding or swelling to the opponent’s face or head.
  • Receiving three warnings for running out of the ring.
  • Using illegal techniques such as: choking, elbows, knees, finger strikes, head butting, sweeps or takedowns.
  • One warning may be given for using an illegal technique or hitting an illegal target (to be determined by the head judge). Next infraction would be immediate disqualification.

 

  • Illegal Targets:
  • Headgear (for beginners and youth)
  • Sides and back of the neck and the throat
  • Spine and back of ribs
  • Groin
  • All joints
  • Mandatory Protective Equipment:
  • Headgear (face mask mandatory for ADV/INT)
  • Mouth piece (all participants)
  • Groin cup (mandatory for male participants)
  • Foot pads must cover the entire foot: ankle and toes (no shoes)
  • Gloves (foam or vinyl/leather)
  • Chest protectors optional
  • Shin guards are optional

 

These are Free Sparring Rules and will be strictly enforced by all officials.

 

NOTE: By definition, light contact sparring implies that strikes and kicks are of a tagging nature and NOT of a jarring nature executed with heavy impact force!