Official IMAC Rules

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

The sport of tournament point karate and forms competition has come of age. These sports athletes have advanced to such tremendous skills and artistic levels that the difference between winning and losing is usually determined by a fraction of a second or 1/100th of a point. Therefore, in such a highly competitive sport, It is essential that everyone knows and understands the rules of the game.

We invite all organizations and independence large and small to use the IMAC rulebook. We encourage you to take part in this solution of unified tournament rules and we welcome your suggestions thoughts and ideas to make this great opportunity in reality.

FOUL LANGUAGE OR BAD ATTITUDES BY COMPETITOR, COACH, OR TEAM MEMBERS WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION

Special Notice: Gear bags, clothes, coolers, etc., left on spectator seats will not be allowed. All gear bags must go under seats or against convention room walls. Any items left on any spectator’s chairs will be removed and sent to staff security.
You must always wear shoes when not in the convention center.
Children must be accompanied by an adult when not in the convention center.
Please keep children Under control.

Music is NOT provided for musical divisions. Please bring a battery powered stereo. NO POWER OUTLETS are available for use.

VERIFICATION OF AGE

All competitors must have proof of age. If there is a legitimate Reason to question of a competitor’s age, he/she must present proof of age i.e. birth certificate, driver’s license, or other acceptable documents to prove his/her age. If proof of age cannot be presented and the Competitor win’s a division his/her awards and rating points (if rating points are awarded) will be held until proof of age is furnished. Proof of age must be furnished within 7 days of the tournament date.

All IMAC members will have the option of competing in the same division all year long by establishing a legal age for the competition year instead of their chronological age. However, all competitors will always be allowed to compete in the division dictated by their chronological age, but once this decision is made it cannot be reversed for that competition year. A competitor’s legal age is there age on January 1st of the current year.

RANK RULE

All competitors must compete at the highest belt level they have earned in the martial arts. A competitor can never compete in a division of which he she/has not earned that rank. Once a competitor competes as a black belt he/she must always compete as a black belt.

COMPETITOR RESPONSIBILITY

Each competitor must present him/herself to the referee suitably attired and physically prepared to compete. Jewelry or any object which the referee Fills might endanger either competitor cannot be worn. Finger and toenails must be properly cut or covered to eliminate any possible chance of injury to an opponent. It is the competitor’s duty to be ready to compete when called upon to do so if he/she is not suitably attired or physically prepared to compete, as deemed by the center referee the competitor may be penalized for delay of time.

It is the competitor’s responsibility to know the rules and to be ready for competition when called to do so. He/she must be suitably attired and at the appropriate ring when competition begins; 3 calls will be made for competition; first call, a second call, and a final call. If the competitor is not at his/her ring to compete when competition begins, he she will not be allowed to compete. If a competitor leaves the ring after the ring competition begins and is not present when his her name is called to compete (his/her name will be called 3 times at ringside) if he/she is still not present to compete on the 3rd call he/she will be disqualified.

UNIFORMS

Weapons and Forms:
- All competitors must wear a complete (top and bottom) traditional or professional sport karate (Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, etc.) uniform in a good state of repair.
- The appropriate color belt or sash must be worn in competition. (With the exception of Grappling and IMMA)
Sparring:
- All sparring uniforms must have sleeves that reach at least to the middle of the biceps. School T-shirts are ok,
- The appropriate color belt or sash must be worn in competition (Except for IMMA and Grappling divisions).
No sweats, tank tops or unapproved shoes are allowed.

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED SAFETY EQUIPMENT

EQUIMENT:
- IMAC approved headgear,
- hand pads (NO MMA GLOVES IN POINT OR CONTUIUES DIVISIONS)
- foot pads (must cover toes)
- mouthpieces,
- groin cups (for male competitors only)
- Shin pads and rib/chest guards are highly recommended.
The competitor’s equipment will be checked and if it is deemed unsafe or does not fit properly, he/she will be asked to change the equipment before he/she can compete. Insufficiently padded gloves, foot, and head Gear will not be allowed.
Equipment must be in a good state of repair and must be free of heavy taping, tears or any other repairs that may cause injury.

If a competitor is missing required equipment or the equipment does not meet IMAC requirements, as it is deemed unsafe, prior to their division being called for competition, he/she is subject to the Delay of Time Penalty and may be disqualified, it is the responsibility of the competitors to have the proper equipment. The tournament’s official rules the arbitrators ultimately determine the approval or denial of the equipment.

JUDGES

Our aim is to run an organized and fair event. We hope that you will help us with the officiating duties.

All center officials will be IMAC certified and will be responsible for the quality of their corner officials.
Junior Black Belts and adult Brown Belts can be used if necessary.
Each judge will be picked for his/her experience in judging.
Only center referee or arbitrator will settle all judgment calls. After the arbitrator or center judge has made his/her final judgment, and competition resumes, the decision is final.
Only a competitor or a coach wearing a wrist band will be allowed to file complaints and must be done in an orderly and respectful manner.
We appreciate all volunteers that are helping run the tournament in a smooth, Fair, orderly manner.
Any black belt that has not volunteered to officiate at the event will not be allowed to interrupt or arbitrate any division.
Black belts that have not volunteered to help officiate will not be allowed to jump in and Judge their students divisions.
All Black Belts NOT Judging are required to Purchase a spectator pass or coaches pass.

SPECIALTY DIVISIONS

DEMO TEAM

You may do all your tricks, dance moves, gymnastics, acrobatics, etc.
In this division. Creativity is important but don’t forget about martial arts techniques.
Music is optional.
Minimum of 5 people.
7-minute max.

Synchronized forms:

2 to 5 members per team
3-minute time limit
weapons in music may be used
scoring is based on
- synchronization
- martial arts techniques
- creativity

SELF DEFENSE

Center judge has final say as to what is and what is not allowed and any other issues that may arise during competition.
Number of techniques:
- the competitor will be required to demonstrate 3 self-defense techniques.
- There are no restrictions as to the nature of attacks defended against except that competitor cannot use a weapon except one that has been disarmed from his attacker.
Use of weapons:
- The competitor may use no object unless it is first disarmed from the attacker.
- No competitor can use a weapon against the attacker unless:
  - The weapon has been disarmed from an attacker.
  - And the weapon is being used against a weapon.
  - If the attacker attacks with no weapon the disarmed weapon must be dropped and it cannot be used against an attacker.
  - Any weapon used against an unarmed attacker will disqualify the competitor.
  - All weapons must be under control at all times.
  - All weapons will be shown to the center judge before the competition begins.
  - Any weapon that is used without control by the attacker or the competitor will have a minimum deduction of .5 taken off the competitor final score.
- Time limit attackers:
  - No more than 6 separate attackers can be used.
  - You have a 3-minute time limit
  - Any competitor that runs over 3 minutes will be disqualified your time starts the second your foot enters the ring
- Judging:
  - Competitors will be judged on the following areas as seen by the judges.
    - Presentation an execution although competitor is not required to demonstrate the defense slow and then fast the judges may score competitors higher if they do this demonstrate the defense in this manner.
    - Periodically, once you defend against an attacker do you leave yourself open for further attacks.
    - Effectiveness, does their defense actually stop the attacker or is it just showboating
    - Traditional, does it conform with martial arts Sciences and the basic understanding of self defense

Breaking

All competitors will have 2 atemps if needed
there is a limit of 6 breaks with a minimum of 3 breaks
when a competitor is called up he she will have 4 minutes to set up breaking material, 3 minutes to complete breaking techniques, and 2 minutes to clear the broken material and stands.
No glass breaks.
Each breaker will be scored after all their material is cleaned up. (A dumpster will be provided)
anyone living before completely cleaning their breaking area will be disqualified.
all competitors must place their initials on each end of all breaking materials this way we can be sure that no one leaves the material.
Competitors, please help other competitors to set up and clean up after each break.
scores will be given based:
- Material broken
- size of competitor
- difficulty
- creativity

ALL WEAPONS AND FORMS DIVISIONS

EXTREME WEAPONS AND FORMS

The Extreme Divisions allow the competitor to perform any movements whether they originate from traditional or contemporary martial arts systems or otherwise
At least half of the form must originate from martial arts techniques. (This is a judgment call by the Judges.)
The competitor must execute at least one technique that involves an inverted move or greater than 360-degree spin.
Emphasis is placed on:
- The quality of execution of techniques and movements;
- Martial arts skills,
- Control of weapons.
- Balance, speed, and power;
- Degree of difficulty;
- And showmanship.
- In addition, only those movements that portray a definite offensive or defensive martial arts purpose, or are included to illustrate extreme flexibility or agility, are allowed.

NOTE – Although one extreme move qualifies a competitor for the extreme divisions, it should be expected that an extreme form or weapon routine with multiple extreme moves of good quality would prevail as the winner, assuming all other criteria is met.

MUSICAL WEAPONS AND FORMS:

The Musical Divisions requires an empty hand form or weapons form to meet all the criteria for a Traditional or Creative Form and additionally meet the requirements of the “Divisional Music Rule” below.
Music Choreography will be judged as follows:
- The movements of the form must be accented by and performed in conjunction with specific beats, notes, or words in the music. Simply performing your form to the same rhythm or cadence of a song is not satisfactory.
- If sound effects are added to the music, the form should not solely be choreographed to the added sound effects.
- Music and sound effects should appropriately match each other and set the overall mood for each performance.
- Overall, all music, and sound effects used, must compliment the form, and both the form and music should be judged together and viewed as an overall performance, not simply as a form performed with music playing.

Each competitor must provide a battery powered music player of reasonable and non-intrusive size at ringside to play his or her music, and an attendant at the player who must always be present during the performance.

TRADITIONAL WEAPONS AND FORMS:

These forms must capture the essence of classic martial arts movements, displaying the traditional techniques, stances, footwork.
Emphasis is placed on:
Execution of technique.
Application of technique.
- Balance,
- Speed,
- Power,
- Solid stances,
- And focus.
Forms may be unmodified or modified from what a system or school considers to be the original version of the form.
Performance of the following movements will result in a downgrade of the form:

(EXCEPTION -Traditional Chinese Techniques.)

Movements that involve more than a 360-degree spin;
Require the body to be inverted more than parallel to the floor;
Front or back flips
Cartwheels
Front or side leg splits;
Any other gymnastic movements or extreme exhibitions of flexibility or agility.

(EXCEPTION – A Forward Roll is a legal Traditional Technique.)

CREATIVE WEAPONS AND FORMS:

The Creative Division allows forms to include contemporary martial arts techniques.
These may be added to a traditional form, or the form may be devised in its entirety by the competitor.
A form in the Creative Division must ONLY include techniques which originate from martial arts.
Emphasis is placed on:
- Execution of technique.
- Application of technique.
- Balance,
- Speed,
- Power,
- Solid stances,
- And focus.
Forms may be unmodified or modified from what a system or school considers to be the original version of the form.
Performance of the following movements will result in a downgrade of the form:

(EXCEPTION – Traditional Chinese Techniques.)

Movements that involve more than a 360-degree spin;
Require the body to be inverted more than parallel to the floor;
Front or back flips
Cartwheels
Front or side leg splits;
Any other gymnastic movements or extreme exhibitions of flexibility or agility.

(EXCEPTION – A Forward Roll is a legal Traditional Technique.)

ALL SPARRING DIVISIONS

EQUIMENT:

IMAC approved headgear,
hand pads (NO MMA GLOVES IN POINT OR CONTUIUES DIVISIONS)
foot pads (must cover toes)
mouthpieces,
groin cups (for male competitors only)
Shin pads and rib/chest guards are highly recommended, but not required, for additional safety to all sparring competitors in all divisions.
The competitor’s equipment will be checked and if it is deemed unsafe or does not fit properly, he/she will be asked to change the equipment before he/she can compete. Insufficiently padded gloves, foot, and head hear will not be allowed.
Equipment must be in a good state of repair and must be free of heavy taping, tears or any other repairs that may cause injury.
If a competitor is missing required equipment or the equipment does not meet IMAC requirements, as it is deemed unsafe, prior to their division being called for competition, he/she is subject to the Delay of Time Penalty and may be disqualified, it is the responsibility of the competitors to have the proper equipment. The tournament’s official rules arbitrator ultimately determines the approval or denial of the equipment.

Legal target areas:

Torso
Ribs
Headgear (side and top)

Illegal target areas:

Face
Joints
Neck
Throat
Spine
Legs (front leg to front leg sweeps permitted boot to boot only)
Pelvis
Back of head
Groin (EXCEPTION – West Coast Sparring)

Contact:

No Touch to the Face or Face Shield.
Light touch to headgear
Face shields are considered part of headgear light touch
Moderate body touch
No touch that endangers a competitor shall be permitted
No blind touch (all spinning strikes or kicks must be sighted. i.e. Spinning back knuckle, spinning heal or hook kicks, etc…)

Point sparring

Light touch / contact to the head gear.
No contact to the face or face shield
Light to moderate contact to body.
No Contact to the Back Area.
No contact below the waist.
No spinning back fist.
No hand plank kicks (hand cannot touch floor)
No running out of the ring to avoid the match.
No grabbing or holding the opponent.
No hitting opponent that is fully out of the ring.
2-minute match or first to 5 points.
2 points for all kicks above the waist, no groin.
1 point for lead hand strikes that touch the head gear, no lead hand strikes that touch the body.
1 point for rear hand strikes that touch the head gear or contact the body.
If fighters’ foot is out of the ring, he can’t score but can be scored on.
If a fighter has both feet out of the ring, the fighters will be reset.
AFTER TWO WARNINGS FOR EXCESSIVE CONTACT, THE COMPETITOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (COMPETITOR, COACH OR PARENT) COMPETITOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

WEST COAST POINT SPARRING

Light touch/contact to head gear.
Light to moderate contact to the body.
No contact to the face / face shield.
No contact below the groin.
No spinning back fist.
No hand plank kicks (hand cannot touch floor)
No running out of the ring to avoid the match
No grabbing or holding opponent.
No hitting opponent that is fully out of the ring.
2-minute match or first to 5 points.
2 points for all kicks above the waist.
1 point for kick to the groin.
1 point for lead hand strikes that touch the head gear, no lead hand strikes that touch the body.
1 point for rear hand strikes that touch the head gear or contact the body.
If fighters’ foot is out of the ring, he can’t score but can be scored on.
If a fighter has both feet out of the ring, the fighters will be reset.
AFTER TWO WARNINGS FOR EXCESSIVE CONTACT, THE COMPETITOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (COMPETITOR, COACH OR PARENT) COMPETITOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

Continuous Point Sparring

This is Not a Full Contact Division.

No Touch to the Face or Face Shield.
Light Touch Contact to Head Gear Only.
Light Moderate Contact to the Body.
No Kicks to the Knee Joints or Below the Waist.
No Groin Contact.
No spinning back fist.
No hand plank kicks (hand cannot touch floor)
No Eye Gouging or Strikes to the Neck.
No Grabbing or Holding opponent.
A Competitor must Use 3 hand strikes in a row followed by a Kick or disengage by taking a step back before re-engaging.
Must have No more than 3 Consecutive Punches before Kicks.
A Competitor can Throw endless Kicks during the Match.
A Fighter must have both Feet in bounds in order to Score.
No Hitting opponent that is out of the Ring.
No Running out of the Ring, 2 warnings will result in Disqualification.
If a fighter’s foot is out of the ring, he can’t score but can be scored on.
If a fighter has both feet out of the ring, the fighters will be reset.
Two 45 Second Rounds with a 30 Second Break in between the rounds.
All Light Strikes that touch the Head Gear & Light contact to the body (torso area) are 1 pt.
All Kicks that Touch the Head Gear or make light contact to the body (torso area) are 2 pts.
AFTER TWO WARNINGS FOR EXCESSIVE CONTACT, THE COMPETITOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (COMPETITOR, COACH OR PARENT) THE COMPETITOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

(MERCY RULE CAN BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE CENTER REFEREE)

If a competitor is not engaging or defending themselves, the center referee can stop the match and give a warning to the unengaging competitor. If they do not start engaging in the match, it will be called, and the match will be awarded to the engaged competitor, who will be declared the winner.

Tae-Kwon-Do Sparring

Light touch / contact to the head gear.
No contact to the face or face shield
Light to moderate contact to body.
No Contact to the Back Area.
No contact below the waist.
No spinning back fist.
No hand plank kicks (hand cannot touch floor)
No running out of the ring to avoid the match.
No grabbing or holding the opponent.
No hitting opponent that is fully out of the ring.
2 Minute Match or first to 10 Point.
1 Point for all Front and Rear Hand Strikes that touch the Head Gear.
2 Points for all Kicks to the Body.
3 Points for all High Kicks to Head Gear.
If a fighter’s foot is out of the ring, he can’t score but can be scored on.
If a fighter has both feet out of the ring, the fighters will be reset.
AFTER TWO WARNINGS FOR EXCESSIVE CONTACT, THE COMPETITOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (COMPETITOR, COACH OR PARENT) COMPETITOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

CONTROLLED SPORT IMMA SPARRING

THIS IS NOT FULL CONTACT MMA.

Light touch to head gear only.
No touch to back of head/neck/face or face shield.
Moderate contact to the body.
No Groin Contact.
No kicks to the knee joint or below.
Sweeps only boot to boot.
No body slams.
No heal hooks
Controlled ground contact.
No ground and pound.
When the players go to the ground, and one loses head gear the match stops immediately.
COMPETITOR SLIPPING OUT OF HEAD GEAR PURPOSELY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
EXCESSIVE CONTACT AND UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.
TWO 1-minute rounds.

If a competitor is mounted and is taking strikes, he will have five seconds to escape before the match is stood up and restarted one time only. After the second time, the opponent will be declared the winner.

It is our goal to make this event fair and safe for all involved. Please help us make this run smoothly by keeping a positive attitude and respecting all the judges involved. After all, this is the Martial Arts Way.

GRAPPLING

No unsportsmanlike conduct will be allowed. You may be disqualified or ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Officials will be shown maximum respect at all times.
Their decisions are final and will not be overturned.
Full long sleeve Gi must be worn in grappling with Gi.
Shirt must always be worn no tank tops in grappling no-Gi
Points are awarded as follows:
- 2 points for a take down or throw.
- 2 points for a sweep from the guard
- 3 points for passing the guard
- 2 points for knee on the stomach from a cross position
- 4 points for mounting both knees on the floor
- 4 points for getting on the back/both feet hooked.
All positions must be held for 3 seconds or longer
Prohibited Techniques:
- No unsportsmanlike conduct will be allowed. You may be disqualified or ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
- No heel hooks are permitted
- No small joint locks (like fingers and toes)
- No gouging, biting, hair pulling or face locks
- No strikes or kicks
- No slamming allowed.
  - Illegal slamming will be defined as slamming your opponent to escape submissions and/or to pass the guard
  - standing from the guard and/or jumping from a standing position to slam your opponent.
  - Slamming will result in an automatic DQ.There are no exceptions to this rule.
  - Takedowns are NOT considered slams, but you must deliver your opponent safely to the mat.
- Competitors will be allowed to continue grappling anywhere on the matted area, provided they don’t interfere with another match.
- If the competitors near the edge of the mat, they will be restarted from the same position, unless the official is unable to duplicate the position for any reason. In case the official is unable to duplicate the position, the competitors will restart from a standing position.
- If a competitor flees the ring when a submission is locked in and the competitor is obviously fleeing to avoid submission, he or she will be automatically disqualified.
- Submission wins or most points or advantages
- Advantages awarded for attempted finishes or sweeps when the fighter is stalling.
- Adult matches 3 minutes
- Children’s matches 3 minutes
- One coach per fighter allowed
- Weight classes will be made at the tournament based on how many fighters are present
- Levels will be determined based on the amount of levels
- Girls and boys fight together in children’s divisions
- People from the same school could end up fighting each other, although we will attempt to avoid that as much as possible.