Competitors in the Team Kata event perform traditional Ju Ki Do system Kata, its Bunkai, or their own designed kata. Teams must have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 members. Competitors are permitted to have music to accompany their performance. Competitors are responsible for their own music and proper cueing. Synchronization of moves among participants while demonstrating the form and/or the ability to perform both the Kata form and the Bunkai in perfect synchronization make this event unique.
Age and rank requirements
None
Uniform requirements
Competitors in the Team Kata event are permitted to wear stylish or traditional uniforms or costumes. Costumes are to be in proper taste for a family oriented environment. Traditional Martial Art, Kung Fu or Tai Chi shoes as well as Japanese Tabi socks are permitted to match the appropriate costume for the type of creative kata being demonstrated. See acceptable uniforms here.
Time requirements
Competitors in the Team Kata event will have a minimum of 30 seconds and a maximum of 3 minutes, from the time the judge grants permission to start, to complete their kata.
A complete performance includes the following tasks:
Presentation
All the competitors bow to the judges at the same time before entering the ring, and upon reaching the center of the ring, all competitors will bow again. They will verbally present their name, style, and name of the kata being performed and declare if their kata calls for any of the team to step out of the ring. Once presented, they request and await the judge’s permission to begin performance.
Gratitude
Once permission is given, the Team Leader extends a thank you to the judges for the honor of being able to perform.
Performance
The competitors perform the Kata, Bunkai or a simultaneous demonstration of both, remaining within the ring boundaries, unless declaration has been made that they will be stepping out of the ring.
Close
The competitors indicate completion of the kata by facing the judges in an at-ease position and addressing them as “judges.” Competitors are not to leave the ring until dismissed by the judges. When given permission to leave, the competitors bow before the judges then leave the ring without turning their back to the judges.
Scoring
Competitors will be scored by three judges in five different areas. Each area represents one of the six pillars of the making of a champion. Each judge will grade the competitor’s performance with a number between 0 and 5 in each area, where 0 represents poor or no demonstration and 5 represents excellent demonstration. The sixth pillar, excellence, is reserved as an overall score and is used to determine a winner in the event of a tie. Excellence uses a 0-9 point scale. Points will be given based on the following criteria.
| SPEED | POWER | FOCUS | INTENSITY | ACCURACY | EXCELLENCE | |
| 0 | no contrast between fast and slow techniques; not coordinated with music | no kias; weak, sloppy execution of technique; no definitive stances; poor uke response | steps out of ring without prior declaration; turns back on judges during open or closing salutation; restarts kata; demonstrates obvious loss of orientation; obvious demonstration that they forgot the kata; poor teamwork | poor performance quality; no kias; lack of energy; basic techniques; disrespect toward other competitors or judges; poor teamwork | quitting during performance; disrespect toward other competitors, teammates, or judges | credence scale grading from 0 – 9 of competitor’s overall presentation and performance |
| 1 | little contrast between slow and fast techniques; poorly coordinated with music | little or no kias; quiet kias; weak stances; weak technique | may step outside of ring during performance; demonstrates lack of attention to performance details such as chambers; restarting kata; demonstrates obvious loss of place in kata | complete performance; low to no kias; weak technique execution; non-conveyance of practicality of technique | perform all or part of kata; specific weapon may not reach specific targets; failure to demonstrate basic principles of self defense | |
| 2 | little contrast between slow and fast techniques; generally coordinated with music | audible kias; recognizable stances but lacking strong definition; no power behind techniques | completes kata from beginning to finish; demonstrates low attention to performance detail such as chambers; rushes/ mumbles salutation | complete performance; some kias; impractical technique execution | perform entire kata; techniques are in general arena of specific targets; consistent level of demonstration of basic principles of self defense | |
| 3 | good contrast between slow and fast; good coordination with music | defined stances; clear, precise kias; good power in technique execution | presents complete salutation and completes kata from beginning to finish | complete performance; loud kias; solid stances; intense facial expressions; demonstration of challenging techniques and interactions | entire kata performed; accurate striking points; solid demonstration of basic principles of self defense | |
| 4 | very clean demonstration of contrast; good rhythmic breaks; control/ not appearing rushed; incorporates music into the performance | well defined stances; clear, precise kias; solid demonstration of technique execution | solid presentation of salutation; performs kata from beginning to end with good attention to performance details; solid chambers | performs as if in real combat; loud kias; solid stances; intense facial expressions; demonstrates very challenging techniques and interactions | full kata performance; clear demonstration of specific weapon to specific target; clear demonstration of basic principles of self defense | |
| 5 | splendid demonstration of contrast between slow and fast techniques; excellent demonstration of rhythmic breaks; music fully incorporated into performance | explosive kias; solid stances; extreme and controlled power in technique execution | excellent salutation performance; solid performance of kata from beginning to end with great attention to performance details such as solid chambers | demonstration of extremely challenging techniques and interactions; loud kias; solid stances; confident salutation and presentation of kata | full kata performance; confident demonstration of specific weapon to specific target; confident demonstration of basic principles of self defense |