Kung Fu Sparring League

[Xiao3 Meng4]

Martial artists need frequent, safe and comprehensive sparring experiences that challenge and develop their skills.

The Kung Fu sparring league fulfills those needs by providing a series of ranked leagues that offer fun, level appropriate sparring opportunities to members of all grades, from martial arts beginners to combat sports veterans.

Multiple divisions in each league offer a gradual introduction to sparring. Members build knowledge and sparring skills while improving their health.

The standardized and progressively challenging sparring opportunities are based on the games approach to teaching sports. When members gain enough skill and experience in certain types of sparring, they obtain access to more challenging divisions and leagues.

The ranking system is designed to match rank with experience. Members collect points by competing in the various league divisions; advanced divisions and leagues require members to have collected a certain number of points in order to participate.

Next up: league organization

[Xiao3 Meng4]

1. Initial ladder rankings will be based on the ladder point standings of the previous season. Unranked competitors will be randomly placed below the ranked competitors.*Everyone starts off with 0 points or their points from the previous season.

Example A
1) Lucas - 0
2) Joe - 0
3) Henry - 0
4) George - 0
5) Sasha - 0
6) Burt - 0

2.*Competitors can challenge the player one or two positions above them on the ladder. A competitor who makes*a successful challenge swaps rungs with the person they beat. Therefore a player may jump (or drop) up to two positions at a time.

3. During each meet of the season, the first challenge is placed by the member on the lowest rung. In example A, Burt can challenge either Sasha or George.

Example B
Burt challenges George. Burt wins and switches places with George on the ladder. The new ranking is
1) Lucas
2) Joe
3) Henry
4) Burt
5) Sasha
6) George

4. If a person being challenged refuses the challenge or is not in attendance to accept the challenge, then a NO CONTEST is called. The challenger switches places with the person being challenged. No points are awarded.

Example C
It is now Sasha's turn to challenge either Burt or Henry. Since Burt has already competed against George, he is exempt from being challenged until the next meet. Sasha must therefore challenge Henry, but Henry refuses. The match is declared "No Contest" and Sasha switches places with Henry. The new ranking is
1) Lucas
2) Joe
3) Sasha
4) Burt
5) Henry
6) George

5. Competitors joining mid season can challenge any position on their first challenge. If they lose their first challenge, they are placed at the bottom of the ladder.

6. All challenges are to take place on club premises during sparring day, in the presence of a sanctioned club referee. Challenges outside of the club are not valid and will result in disciplinary league action.

7. All league members must attend and participate in at least 10 league matches a season. Failure to do so will result in the forfeit of their points for that season.

8. The winner of a match receives up to 15 points for a win. Each match has 15 total points that can be scored. Players need at least 8 points to win.

Example D
Round 1: Burt scores 3 points, George scores 2 points (total 5)
Round 2: Burt scores 3 points, George scores 2 points (total 5)
Round 3: Burt scores 3 points, George scores 2 points (total 5)
Match total: Burt scored 9 points, George scored 6 points (total 15)
Result: Burt wins and collects 9 points. George collects 1 point.

If, however, the winner's opponent fails to score any of their 6 possible points then those points are considered unclaimed and are added to the winner's score.

Example E
Round 1: Burt - 3, George 0 (2 unclaimed points)
Round 2: Burt - 3, George 2 (no unclaimed points)
Round 3: Burt - 3, George 1 (1 unclaimed point)
Match total: Burt scored 9 points. George scored 3 points (total 12 out of 15)
Result: Burt wins and collects 12 points (9 points plus the 3 unclaimed points.) George collects 1 point.

10. The defeated player always receives 1 point for each match that he/she competes in.

11. In the event of a draw, a sudden death round with no time limit is added to the match. The winner gets 8 points, their opponent gets 1 point.

12. If *either competitor wishes to forfeit the match at any time, they can record this with the referee. The match is then won by the opponent, who collects 8 points. The forfeiting player collects 0 points.

13. League and Division placements are according to points. League points determine which division a player is in. Total points determine which league a player is in.

Points needed to compete in a certain division are:
Beginner – 0 league points. New members are beginners or have recently moved up one league.
Intermediate – 150 league points. A Beginner who has at least 10 flawless matches in a season will end up with at least 150 points and be able to play the next season at the intermediate level.
Advanced – 300 league points. An intermediate player who has at least 10 flawless matches in a season will end up with at least 300 points and be able to play the next season at the advanced level.
Elite - 450 league points. An advanced player who has at least 10 flawless matches in a season will end up with at least 450 points and be able to play the next season at the Elite level.

14. League ladders are run in 3 month seasons. You can sign up for a ladder at any time during the season if there is space available.

15. Season results determine member rankings, eligibility for the playoffs and larger tournaments.

16. To be eligible for the playoffs you must be ranked in the top 8 or top half of your division, whichever is less. Playoffs are via elimination.

17. Each league has 3 divisions, which are attained via point standings. In order to be promoted to the next league, a member must collect at least*450 league points OR place at least 3rd in the advanced playoffs. An advanced player who participates in the end-of-season playoffs and places at least 3rd will collect the required amount of points to bring their league total to 450.

Points needed to compete in a certain league are:
Sumo league: 0 total points
Boxing league: 450 total points*
Throwing league: 900 total points
Sanda league: 1350 total points
Wrestling league: 1800 total points
Mma league: 2250 total points

Next up: rules common to all leagues and divisions

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Who can Participate
All members and affiliates aged 18 and up.

Match Organization
A Match consists of 2 players of the same sex and of the same Division, 2-4 cornermen, and 1 referee.
A match has three 3-minute rounds, with a 1 minute break between rounds.
In the event of a draw, there is an unlimited-time sudden death round after the last round.
In the event of a player winning 2 rounds in a row, the opposing player will be given the choice to either concede round 3 (giving the winner an extra 5 points) or to play the final round and attempt to prevent the winner getting those points.
*
Fight Suspensions
*
Rounds are temporarily suspended when
A player gets a point
A player is given a warning (3 warnings = 1 penalty)
A player is given a penalty
A player is injured
Problems or dangers arise on the platform (malfunctioning equipment)
Both players are showing passivity for 8 seconds*

After a temporary suspension, the referee resets the players and continues the round.

Rounds are ended when
One of the players achieves the round objective
Time runs out in the round
*
Matches are ended when
One of the players wins the standard rounds or the sudden death round
The referee steps in because one of the players is no longer able to defend themselves intelligently (technical knock-out [TKO])
The referee disqualifies one of the players (3 penalties = disqualification [DQ])
One of the players is knocked out or injured and cannot go on
One of the cornermen throws in the towel
A player concedes the 3rd round

The ref is in charge of the match at all times.
*
Attire
Players must remove all jewelery before playing a match.
Player's clothes must be clean.
Players are to wear either a thick cotton uniform without zippers or buttons, or drawstring shorts and a T-Shirt.
Players must be clean and free of makeup, scents or hair products.
Player's fingernails and toenails must be clipped.
Players with healing or open wounds must securely bandage and cover them, and be cleared by a doctor before returning to play.
Players choosing to wear footwear must use soft-soled shoes approved by the referee.
Players must wear any equipment required by their league and division rules. The equipment must be clean, in good working order, and inspected by the referee before the match.*
*
Legal Techniques
All martial sport techniques are allowed unless otherwise specified within a league or division.
*
Illegal Techniques
Biting, scratching, eye-gouging, fish-hooking (will result in disqualification)
Throwing players onto their heads (will result in disqualification)
Excessive or malicious force (will result in disqualification)
Striking the back of the head, throat, spine or groin (will result in a penalty and a 1 point deduction)
Grabbing the groin (will result in a penalty and a 1 point deduction)
Techniques which are not allowed in the league or division (will result in a warning)

Next up: Sumo League Rules

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Beginner's division
Who can Play
Members with less than 150 points in the Sumo league.

Equipment needed
A flat surface of at least 2x2 meters.

Objective
1 point is awarded for making your opponent take a step.
3 points are needed to win a round.

Technical Rules
No Trips or throws (results in a warning)
No Grabbing the clothes or legs (results in a warning)
No Strikes of any kind (results in a penalty and -1 point)
No Self-Sacrifice techniques (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Intermediate division
Who can Play
Members with between 150 and 300 points in the Sumo league.

Equipment needed
A Ringed area of at least 3x3 meters, with at least 1.5" dense foam padding

Objective
1 point is awared for ejecting your opponent from the ring.
3 points are needed to win a round.

Technical Rules
No Trips or throws (results in a warning)
No Grabbing the clothes or legs (results in a warning)
No Strikes of any kind (results in a penalty and -1 point)
No Self-Sacrifice techniques (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Advanced division
Who can Play
Members with between 300 and 450 points in the Sumo league.

Equipment needed
A ringed area of at least 3x3 meters, with at least 1.5" dense foam padding

Objective
1 point is awarded for ejecting the opponent from the ring.
3 points are needed to win a round.

Technical Rules
No grabbing the legs or clothes (results in a warning)*
No Strikes of any kind (results in a penalty and -1 point)
No Self-Sacrifice Techniques (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Next up: Boxing league rules

[Xiao3 Meng4]

Beginner's division
Who Can Play
Members with at least 450 points in the Sumo league and up to 150 points in the Boxing League.

Equipment Needed
A ringed area of at least 3x3 meters with at least 1.5" dense foam padding
Mouth Guard
Athletic Support
Chest Protector
AIBA Headgear
AIBA Gloves (M - 10 oz. F - 8 oz.)

Objective
*
1 point is awarded for boxing your opponent out of the ring.
3 points are needed to win a round.

Technical Rules
No Clinching or tripping (results in a warning)
No punching to the head (results in a warning)
No Palm Strikes, Elbows, Head Butts, Knees, Kicks (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Intermediate division
Who Can Play
Members with at least 450 points in the Sumo league and between 150-300 points in the Boxing League.

Equipment Needed
A ringed area of at least 5x5 meters, with 1.5" dense foam padding
Mouth Guard
Athletic Support
Headgear (AIBA Approved)
Chest protector
Boxing Gloves (M - 10 oz. F - 8 oz.)
Shin/instep guards (WTF approved)

Objective
1 point is awarded for boxing or kicking your opponent out of the ring.
3 points are needed to win a round.
A TKO wins the match.

Technical Rules
No Clinching or tripping (results in a warning)
No Kicking the head (will results in a penalty and -1 point)
No Palm Strikes, Elbows, Knees, Head Butts (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Advanced division
Who Can Play
Members with at least 450 points in the Sumo league and between 300-450 points in the Boxing League.
*
Equipment Needed
A ringed area of at least 5x5 meters, with 1.5" Padding
Mouth Guard
Athletic Support
Headgear (AIBA Approved)
Chest protector
Boxing Gloves (M - 10 oz. F - 8 oz.)
Shin/instep pads (WTF approved)
Elbow/forearm pads
*
Objective
1 point is awarded for boxing, kicking, pushing, tripping or throwing your opponent out of the ring.
3 points are needed to win a round.
A TKO wins the match.
*
Technical Rules
No Palm Strikes, Elbows, Head Butts (results in a warning)
No knees to head (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Next up: throwing league rules

[Xiao3 Meng4]

Beginner's division
Who Can Play
Members with at least 450 points in the Sumo league and up to 150 points in the Throwing League.

Equipment Needed
A ringed area of at least 3x3 meters, with at least 1.5" dense foam padding

Objective
1 point is awarded for making your opponent touch the mat with any part of their body other than their feet.
3 points are needed to win a round.

Technical Rules
No Strikes (results in a penalty and -1 point)
No Self-sacrifice techniques (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Intermediate division
Who Can Play
Members with at least 450 points in the Sumo league and between 150-300 points in the Throwing League.

Equipment Needed
A ringed area of at least 3x3 meters, with 1.5" dense foam padding

Objective
1 point is awarded for making your opponent touch the mat with their hip.

Technical Rules
No Strikes (results in a penalty and -1 point)
No Self-sacrifice techniques (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Advanced division
Who Can Play
Members with at least 450 points in the Sumo league and between 300-450 points in the Throwing League.

Equipment Needed
A ringed area of at least 3x3 meters, with 1.5" dense foam padding

Objective
1 point is awarded for throwing your opponent onto one shoulder.
3 points are needed to win a round.

Technical Rules
No Strikes (results in a penalty and -1 point)
No Self-Sacrifice Techniques (results in a penalty and -1 point)

Next up: sanda league rules