🥋 TOURNAMENT RULES & REGULATIONS

2025 USA-NKF / WKF Modified Rules


📜 General Rules

  • The Tournament Director may combine or split categories.

  • The Tournament Chief Referee may use 3 or 5 Judges/Referees.

  • Repechage System will be used only in Advanced categories.


🛡️ Gears and Uniform (Equipment Requirements)

Item Requirement Notes/Distinctions
Karate Gi White Recommended for Kata.
Fist Guards Mandatory Must be Red, Blue, or White.
Shin Guards & Foot Pads Mandatory Must be Red, Blue, or White.
Mouth Guard Mandatory Standard requirement.
Groin Protector Preferred Not strictly mandatory, but encouraged.
Patch Allowed School, dojo, or country/national patch is permitted.
Headgear  Mandatory Optional for 14+.
Chest/Body Protectors Optional under 14 Recommended for 14+ (showing a shift in expected impact level).

 


⚔️ Kumite Rules

All techniques to the face, head, and neck must be executed with absolute control.

  • Ages 16 & over: Non-injurious “light skin touch” with the hand is allowed.
  • Ages 14-15 & under: Any hand technique making contact with face/head/neck will be penalized. "Skin touch" is allowed for kicks only.
  • Ages 13 and younger: No Jodan (face/head/neck) contact of any kind is permitted!


⏱️ Kumite Match Duration

Age DivisionTime (Effective)Scoring
13 & under 1.5 minutes 8-point ceiling
14+ (except 18–34 Advanced) 2.0 minutes 8-point ceiling
18–34 Advanced & Open 3.0 minutes 8-point spread

🥇 Kata Regulations

Beginner / Novice / Intermediate – Flag System

  • Competitors perform simultaneously, two at a time.

  • Kata may be repeated in all rounds.

Advanced – Flag System

  • Competitors perform simultaneously, two at a time.

  • Must perform a different Kata each round.

  • At least two different Katas required; cannot be repeated consecutively.

Advanced / Elite – Point System

  • Competitors must perform a different Kata in each round.

2025 SC 2 Skyscraper

Get In Touch

Silverado Cup is a proud division of the Japanese Martial Arts Academy, a distinguished dojo dedicated to the practice of traditional Japanese martial arts. 

(734) 447-3000 main
(734) 365-6925 call/text

JMAA
13101 Eckles Rd. Blg2, Suite 209 Plymouth, Michigan 48170