Intermediate & Advanced Color Belts - Competition Guide

How a Tournament Works

Students are divided into rings based on:

Age
Gender
Height
Rank

This ensures fair and safe competition between students with similar experience levels.

Each competitor is assigned a ring number. Ring assignments are posted on the regional Facebook page (ATA Northwest District Tournament Circuit) the day before the competition.

Every ring is led by three black belt judges—volunteers who donate their time to make the event fun and positive. Judges will explain how each event runs and help newer students as needed.

Competitive Events

Students compete using the same skills they practice in class. There are different divisions and event types, depending on experience.

Recreational Division

Perfect for newer competitors or students who have NOT memorized their entire form.

Forms (Recreational Division):
Perform the form lines practiced in class. Judges score:

Kicks
Stances
Blocks
Strikes
Overall technique quality

You don't need to know an entire form to compete; the judges can guide you if you get stuck!

Weapons (Recreational Division):
Perform a 30-second freestyle using the Weapon we're currently working on in class. Judges score:

Stance
Strikes
Targeting & accuracy
Weapon control

Champion Division

For students with competitive experience who can confidently demonstrate their entire form without missing any techniques.

Forms (Champ Division):
Perform your complete Songahm form from start to finish. Judges score:

Kicks, stances, blocks, strikes
Overall technique quality
Memorization

NOTE: If you miss more than five moves, your score will be "0."

Weapons (Champ Division):
Perform one of the traditional ATA weapons forms. Judges score:

Stance, strikes, targeting, accuracy, control
Memorization

NOTE: Missing more than five moves will result in a score of "0."

Sparring & Combat Sparring (Recreational & Champion Divisions)

Sparring:

Two students compete to 5 points.
2-minute time limit.

Combat Sparring:

Two students spar using combat sticks.
First to 10 points wins.
2-minute time limit.

How to Register

If you've competed before, log in to ataezsignup.com to register.

If it's your first time, you'll need to create a new account before signing up.

NEW COMPETITORS

We recommend the Recreational Division with Forms & Sparring as your first events.

Note:

Recreational competitors cannot enter Creative or Xtreme events.
Only Champion Division students with instructor approval may register for Creative & Xtreme events.

Which Division Am I In?

You're ready for the Champion Division if you can perform your full traditional form without:

Stopping or taking long pauses to remember techniques
Skipping techniques
Turning the wrong way

If you're unsure which division best fits you, ask your instructor for guidance!

WHAT TO BRING

Tournament Tips for Parents

🗓️ Before the Tournament

Register early! This helps tournament staff organize divisions and keeps event-day stress low.
Double-check that your child's uniform, belt, Weapon, and gear are packed the night before.

⏰ On Tournament Day

Arrive early! This allows time to find parking, get through the door, and warm up.
Label everything — uniforms, gear, weapons — to avoid mix-ups in busy staging areas.
Stay in the designated parent viewing areas during events.

👏 Be a Positive Spectator

Cheer respectfully for all competitors.
Avoid coaching from the sidelines — it is against the rules and can result in your child being disqualified.
Let the judges handle scoring and ring management.

⭐ Scoring Cheat Sheet

🥋 Traditional Forms Scoring (Recreational Division)

Forms are scored comparatively — students are ranked against everyone in their division that day. Judges score the overall performance, not memorization.

🔍 What Judges Look For:

Power
Balance
Strong stances
Accuracy and precision
Rhythm and flow
Confidence and focus
Presentation and attitude

💡 A form can be technically correct but still place lower if other competitors show stronger performance qualities.

🥷 Traditional Weapons Scoring (Recreational Division)

Weapons are also scored comparatively.

🔍 What Judges Look For:

Weapon control and safety
Smooth transitions and flow
Strength and dynamics
Footwork and stances
Accuracy and precision
Confidence and presentation

⚠️ Deductions

Dropped Weapon: –1 point from each judge

Incorrect Pickup: –2 points from each judge

⚔️ Combat Weapons Sparring – Scoring

Points are awarded for clean, controlled strikes.

Point Values

1 Point: Torso, arms, legs, chest guard, back

2 Points: Head, weapon-holding arm (below elbow), stab to front thigh

+1 Bonus Point: Jumping strike (both feet must leave the ground)

🎯 Legal Targets

Torso
Arms
Legs
Headgear (controlled contact)

❌ Illegal Targets

Throat
Face stabbing
Groin
Excessive-force strikes

⚠️ Dropped Weapon Rule

Match pauses
Opponent receives 1 point
Competitor retrieves weapon
Match resumes

🥊 Traditional Point Sparring – Scoring

🎯 Legal Target Areas

Torso (chest protector, ribs)
Headgear (kicks only)

❌ Illegal Target Areas

Any area below the belt
Spine or lower back
Punches to the head
Excessive force

Point Values

1 Point: Controlled punch to the torso

1 Point: Kick to torso

2 Points: Clean kick to headgear

2 Points: Jump kick to torso

3 Points: Jump kick to headgear

🗣️ How Points Are Called

Judges call "Break!", competitors return to the center
The center judge awards points

⚠️ Warnings

Warnings may result in point awards to the opponent or disqualification.

🚫 Non-Contact Warnings

Leaving the ring
Turning the back
Falling intentionally
Unsportsmanlike behavior
Coaching

🔥 Contact Warnings

Excessive force
Illegal targets
Unsafe techniques

👨‍👩‍👧 Quick Parent Notes

Forms and weapons are scored comparatively, not pass/fail.
Scores change depending on the division that day.
Sparring is light-contact and safety-focused.
Judges assist beginners and recreational competitors.