Competitors in the Partner Self-Defense event will demonstrate three (3) of the canon self-defense techniques with their partners. The competitor can defend against a strike, grab, or knife attack, depending on the technique used. See acceptable self-defense techniques here.
Age and rank requirements
None
Uniform requirements
Competitors in the Partner Self-Defense event are to be dressed in full traditional gi. See acceptable uniforms here.
Time requirements
Competitors in the Partner Self-Defense event will have 3 minutes, from the time the judge grants permission to start, to complete their demonstration of the three (3) techniques.
A complete performance includes the following tasks:
Presentation
The competitor and his/her assistant bow to the judges at the same time before entering the ring. The competitor walks to the center of the ring with his/her assistant following. Once at the center of the ring, the assistant lines up to the left rear of the competitor, standing and facing the judges. The competitor and assistant bow together before the judges. The assistant remains at-ease while the competitor speaks to the judges. The competitor will verbally present his/her name, style, and the attacks they will defend against. Once presented the competitor requests and awaits the judge’s permission to begin performance.
Gratitude
Once permission is given, the competitor extends a thank you to the judges for the honor of being able to perform.
Performance
The demonstration of each one of the three (3) techniques will follow a two part sequence, remaining within the ring boundaries:
Part 1: The rhythm
Competitor and assistant demonstrates the technique in methodical manner to show the intricate motions of the technique.
Part 2: The performance
Competitor and assistant performs the entire technique at full speed.
Close
The assistant will line up to the left of the competitor, in an at-ease position. The competitor indicates completion of the demonstration by facing the judges in an at-ease position and addressing them as “judges.” Competitor and assistant are not to leave the ring until dismissed by the judges. When given permission to leave, the competitor and assistant bow together before the judges then leave 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; lack of teamwork and synchronization; audible corrections being made during performance | no kias; weak, sloppy execution of technique; poor uke response | turns back on judges during open or closing salutation; restarts demonstration; demonstrates obvious loss of orientation; obvious demonstration that they forgot the technique; poor teamwork | poor performance quality; no kias; lack of energy; non rank appropriate technique selection; 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; small timing corrections between partners; low synchronization of movements | little or no kias; quiet kias; weak technique | demonstrates lack of attention to performance details such as chambers; forgets technique | complete performance; low to no kias; weak technique execution; non-conveyance of practicality of technique | specific weapon may not reach specific targets; failure to demonstrate basic principles of self defense | |
| 2 | little contrast between slow and fast techniques; overly long pauses or excessively fast (rushing) | audible kias; recognizable stances but lacking strong definition; no power behind techniques | completes demonstration of all techniques; demonstrates low attention to performance detail such as chambers; rushes/ mumbles salutation | complete performance; some kias; impractical technique execution | 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; appropriate pauses; teamwork is evident | defined stances; clear, precise kias; good power in technique execution | presents all techniques from beginning to end with clarity | complete performance; loud kias; solid stances; intense facial expressions | accurate striking points; solid demonstration of basic principles of self defense | |
| 4 | very clean demonstration of contrast; good rhythmic breaks; control/ not appearing rushed; good teamwork | well defined stances; clear, precise kias; solid demonstration of technique execution | solid presentation of salutation; good attention to performance details; solid chambers | performs as if in real combat; loud kias; solid stances; intense facial expressions; rank appropriate technique selection | 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; control of self: absolutely not rushed or delayed; great teamwork; well performed choreography | explosive kias; solid stances; extreme and controlled power in technique execution | excellent salutation performance; solid performance of techniques from beginning to end with great attention to performance details such as solid chambers | rank appropriate or advanced technique selection; loud kias; solid stances; confident salutation and presentation of techniques | confident demonstration of specific weapon to specific target; confident demonstration of basic principles of self defense |