The Creative Board Break event will be conducted similarly to the Traditional Board Break event. The significant difference is that competitors in the Creative Board Breaking event will have more freedom in the number of breaks they execute, the techniques used, and their transitions between breaks (i.e. do a shoulder role while moving from one break to the next). Competitors will execute a series of board breaks with a minimum of 3 breaks with no maximum number of breaks. Techniques can be selected from outside the approved Traditional Board Break Technique Catalog, and there is no restriction on the number of techniques used. Competitors are permitted to have music to accompany their performance. Competitors are responsible for their own music and proper cueing. All colored belts are limited to breaking wood boards. The competitor’s Sensei will approve all break techniques.
Age and rank requirements
Competitors must have a green belt or above to compete in this event.
Uniform requirements
Competitors in the Creative Board Breaking 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 Requirement
Competitors in the Creative Board Breaking event will have up to 3 minutes, from the time the judge grants permission to start, to set up, perform, and clean up their breaks.
A complete performance includes the following tasks:
Presentation
The competitor bows to the judges before entering the ring, and upon reaching the center of the ring, will bow again. The competitor then verbally presents their name, style, and breaks in the sequence that the breaks will be performed. Once presented, the competitor requests and awaits the judge’s permission to begin performance. Once the judge grants permission, the 3 minute clock starts.
Gratitude
Once permission is given, the competitor extends a thank you to the judges for the honor of being able to perform.
Setup
The competitor must have the entire break sequence pre-planned and ready to put into position. The competitor will arrange the board holders and/or cinder blocks in the proper location for the breaks and ensure the boards are held/placed properly.
Performance
The competitor performs the breaks, remaining within the ring boundaries. The competitor can have 4 misses total and still continue. If a competitor has 5 misses, their routine ends.
Clean Up
The competitor and the competitor’s team clears all boards, debris and other material (cinder blocks, etc.) from the breaking area. The board holders leave the ring.
Close
The competitor indicates completion of the performance by facing the judges in an at-ease position and addressing them as “judges.” The 3 minute clock stops. Competitor is not to leave the ring until dismissed by the judges and when leaving, the competitor does not turn 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 | exceeds 180 seconds | No successful breaks | Subjective to be influenced by:- Authority in setting up breaks- Accuracy in setting up- Complete clean up- Time to transition between breaks- Composure and professionalism in presenting the breaks | 0-Don’t complete performance | failure to successfully complete any breaks | credence scale grading from 0 – 9 of competitor’s overall presentation and performance; overall time of breaking performance |
| 1 | 120-180 seconds | 1-4 is subjective influenced by:- Number of misses- Forcefulness of kias- Force of impact | 1-5 is subjective influenced by:- Complexity (difficulty) of breaks attempted (not dependent on achieving breaks)- Intensity of performance- Solid traditional stance based transitions (forward, horse, scissor, etc.) | 4 misses | ||
| 2 | 90-120 seconds | 3 misses | ||||
| 3 | 60-90 seconds | 2 misses | ||||
| 4 | 30-60 seconds | 1 miss | ||||
| 5 | 0-30 seconds | All breaks on first attempt | 0 misses |