Competitors in the Traditional Weapons event will present their proficiency with a single traditional weapon by performing the traditional kata associated with that weapon. See acceptable traditional weapons kata here.
Age and rank requirements
Competitors must have a green belt or above to compete in this event.
Uniform requirements
Competitors in the Traditional Weapons event are permitted to wear a traditional gi or traditional Shaolin/Samurai clothes aligned with the weapon being demonstrated. Traditional Martial Art, Kung Fu or Tai Chi shoes as well as Japanese Tabi socks are permitted to match the appropriate clothing for the type of weapon being demonstrated. See acceptable uniforms here.
Time requirements
Competitors in the Traditional Weapons event will have 2 minutes, from the time the judge grants permission to start, to complete their kata.
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. They will verbally present their name, style, and name of the kata being performed. The competitor must then present their selected weapon to the judges for inspection, declare if their kata calls for the weapon to ever touch the ground during performance, if so how many times, and if the competitor needs to step out of the ring. 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 competitor performs the kata, remaining within the ring boundaries, unless a declaration has been made that he or she will be stepping out of the ring.
Close
The competitor indicates completion of the kata by facing the judges in an at-ease position and addressing them as “judges.” Competitor is not to leave the ring until dismissed by the judges. When given permission to leave, the competitor bows before the judges then leaves 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 | went over 2 min time limit; no contrast between fast and slow techniques | no kias; weak, sloppy execution of technique; no definitive stances | loss of control of weapon; turns back on judges during open or closing salutation; restarts kata; demonstrates obvious loss of orientation; obvious demonstration that they forgot the kata | poor performance quality; no kias; lack of energy; non rank appropriate kata selection; disrespect toward other competitors or judges | weapon touching the ground without prior declaration; quitting during performance; disrespect toward other competitors or judges | credence scale grading from 0 – 9 of competitor’s overall presentation and performance |
| 1 | within time limit; little contrast between slow and fast techniques | 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; kata steps performed out of order; failure to demonstrate basic principles of self defense | |
| 2 | within time limit; 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 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 | within time limit; good contrast between slow and fast; appropriate pauses | 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 | 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 | 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; rank appropriate kata selection | full kata performance; clear demonstration of specific weapon to specific target; clear demonstration of basic principles of self defense | |
| 5 | within time limit; splendid demonstration of contrast between slow and fast techniques; excellent demonstration of rhythmic breaks; control of self: absolutely not rushed or delayed | 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 | rank appropriate or advanced kata selection; 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 |