• Home
• About UKA Instructors
• Class Times and Locations
• Belt Ranking Requirements, Sign-Up Forms, and On-Line Payment
• Tournaments
• Tournament Rules
• Events
• Belt Promotion Dates
• Ippon Kumite
• Dojo Directory
• UKA Association Rules and Guidelines
• KICKBOXING SUPPLIES
• KARATE SUPPLIES
• STUDENT CONNECTION -Click to join karate group

• Belt Rank Request Form

Adobe Reader is needed to view pdf forms found on this site. Download it here.

1.1 Organizers

To hold a tournament, the sponsoring dojo must provide the following:

1. A clean, safe location for competition to take place.
2. Competitors
3. Judges
4. Organizers
5. Scorekeepers
6. Timekeepers
7. Supplies (pens, score sheets, bye sheets, rulebook, timing device, etc.)

1.2 Tournament location

1. Floor space should be ample enough to run a minimum of three (3) rings.
2. Tables, chairs, ring tape, flags, scorecards and other similar set-up items should be provided by the tournament organizer.
3. The venue should provide a separate seating area for spectators.
4. Restrooms and/or locker rooms should be available for all attendees.

1.3 Competitors

1. All dojo members are eligible to participate in an event.
2. All individuals not belonging to a sponsor’s dojo, but whom the event sponsor invites, may participate in a NCKL tournament.

1.4 Safety Equipment:

1. Mouth guards - mandatory
2. Hand protection - mandatory
3. Groin cup – mandatory for male competitors
4. Head, feet, and/or chest protection is at the discretion of the tournament organizer
   ( West Valley Tournament requires approved head, hands, and feet protectors)
5. Competitors are required to wear a clean, white uniform that is free of tears or holes. Uniforms must be sufficient in length to cover the competitor’s elbows and knees.

1.5 Judges

Judges are expected to know and to follow the rules of competition. Judges decide matches and control the tournament area, and are subject only to the authority of the (EO) Event Organizer. For kumite, the referee controls the match and assisted by the corner judges (typically 4 corner judges, but may be 2 "moving" judges as determined necessary by the Event Organizer), decides the winner. Judges may be required to attend a judging seminar prior to being allowed to officiate a NCKL event.

1.6 Organizers

A tournament must have more than one organizer. Generally, the head instructor of the sponsoring dojo will act as the (EO) Event Organizer, as well as fill the position of Chief Judge when needed to settle disputes. It is recommended that the EO also pre-assign several people to act as (CO) Co-organizers to facilitate registration, ring assignments, awards, and to answer all logistical questions, thus ensuring the event is run in an orderly fashion. COs will also be responsible for assigning the Scorekeepers and Timekeepers to each ring as needed.

2.1 Individual Kata

1. Kata matches will be conducted on a point system. A tally of the five (5) ring judges will determine a competitor’s score. Of the five scores, the highest scores will be eliminated. The remaining scores will be added to determine the final score. In some situations, at the discretion of the EO, (3) ring judges will determine a competitor’s score. All four scores would be used in determining a competitor’s score.
2. Mudansha (kyu level) kata competitors must perform a kata that is no higher than their next testing kata. Dansha (black belt) competitors may perform the kata of their choice.
3. In the event of a tie between two or more competitors, the eliminated scores will be brought back into play. First, the highest score will be added to the competitor’s total score in an attempt to break the tie. In cases where this process does not break the tie, the competitors involved will have to perform another kata. In most cases, brown and black belt competitors must perform a kata different than their original, while all others have the option of repeating their first kata.

2.2 Team Kata

1. Team kata matches will be conducted on the same point system as individual kata matches.
2. The highest-ranking team member will determine division placement.
3. Beginning and Intermediate teams must perform a kata within their belt level. Advanced teams (brown and black belt) may choose any kata.
4. Ties will be handled in the same manner as in individual kata (see above).

2.3 Individual Kumite

1. Matches will be two (2) minutes in length, with time only stopped at the request of the referee.
2. Beginning and intermediate level (10^th – 4^th kyu) matches will be "Ippon Shobu", or two (2) waza-ari to win. Brown and black belt matches will be "Sanbon Shobu", or three (3) waza-ari to win.
3. In the case of a tie, a "sudden death" (may be one or two minutes) match will be held, with the first competitor to score a point emerging as the winner. If a tie remains after this match, the judges will determine the winner by decision.

2.4 Team Kumite TBD

1. Teams will consist of three (3) members, with the highest-ranking team member determining division placement.
2. Beginning and intermediate level (10^th – 4^th kyu) matches will be "Ippon Shobu", or two (2) waza-ari to win. Brown and black belt matches will be "Sanbon Shobu", or three (3) waza-ari to win.
3. Teams must register the order in which the members will fight.
4. All team members must be present at the first round. After the first round, teams lacking a member may continue competing, but must fight in the registered order.
5. Matches will be held in the registered order, and individual results (win/lose) are compared to determine the winning team.
6. There are no extensions in team kumite. In case of "Hikiwake" (draw), the draw is split between the two teams.
7. If at this point there is a tie, then the individual scores (match points) are taken into account. If there is still a draw, then one more match is held with each team’s chosen representative fighting to decide the winner.

2.5 Hansoku (rules violations)

The following actions are prohibited and may result in a warning, loss of match or "Shikkaku" (expulsion from event).

1. Excessive contact, intentional or not
2. Biting or (intentional) scratching
3. Excessive grabbing and holding
4. Using dangerous throws, joint locks or uncontrolled techniques
5. Un-sportsman like conduct (foul language or gestures)
6. Intentionally attacking after "yame" has been called
7. Attacking legs, or vital areas such as the groin and eyes

In an obvious case of rules violation a competitor may be given "hansoku chui" (warning). Two hansoku chui in one match results in a defeat and the opponent is declared the winner. For minor infractions "keikoku" (advisory warning) may be given, however two keikoku in a single match will be an automatic hansoku chui. For a serious infraction and/or if the opponent is injured, hansoku is given immediately and the opponent is declared the winner.

2.6 Jogai (out of bounds)

If a competitor touches the ground outside of the enclosed ring with any part of his or her body, a "jogai keikoku" is given. A second jogai infraction in the same match results in "jogai chui" being given. If it happens a third time during the match, "jogai hansoku" is given, and the opponent is declared the winner.

2.7 Shikkaku (expulsion)

Serious rules violation may result in an immediate Shikkaku, and the competitor is immediately expelled and may not continue in the tournament.

2.8 Kiken