#Sabaki challenge rules registration#

A fighter may not encircle the opponent’s leg with one arm, or hold the leg up with two hands. Hand must release hold after three seconds. All kicks to the legs and sweeps to the legs are allowed, with the exception of a direct blow to the front of the knee.Ī fighter may grab his opponent’s shoulder or gi (of arm or leg) for three seconds only while executing a technique. Kicks and strikes to the groin are not permitted. Hand or elbow strikes or head butts to the neck and face area are not permitted. In the event that the judge’s decision is tied and the referee calls a “draw,” then there will be a one minute overtime to decide the match. If both fighters have the same number of points and penalties, the match will go to a judges’ decision. If the score at the end of the match is tied, the fighter with fewer penalties will be declared the winner. The quarter-final and semi-final and final matches will consist of two two-minute rounds of fighting. All fighters must wear a karate gi (in good repair: with long pants, sleeves to the elbows, and belt). Taping the hands and feet is not permitted. Hand or foot guards are not allowed to be worn. This handicap will apply to the preliminary, quarter-final, semi-final and final rounds of the tournament.įighters are required to wear a mouthpiece and a groin cup. Any fighter who exceeds the upper limit of his weight division will be penalized in the following manner: for each pound he is over the limit for his weight division, one point will be awarded to his opponent at the start of the match. There will be a weigh-in at the meeting the night before the tournament.

Attendance at this meeting is required, and must be considered when making arrangements for coming to the SABAKI CHALLENGE. There will be a mandatory meeting for all fighters and judges held the evening before the SABAKI CHALLENGE.

#Sabaki challenge rules registration#

We just might win.In order to be considered as a contestant in the SABAKI CHALLENGE, an applicant must be at least 21 years of age and submit his Application, Fighter Questionnaire, Medical Certificate, Proof of Medical Insurance, Photograph, Videotape and Registration Fee no later than the application deadline. But let’s train for it now knowing that it is ahead of us. For some of us, we’re closer to it than others. Wouldn’t you also be training hard in the dojo, studying your opponent, putting good food into your body, and meditating regularly? Of course you would.įor my students and yet-to-be-students, at least one of these fights is coming. Perhaps a fight against cancer, against heart disease, against poor mental health, or against anger that renders families, hearts, and minds. And you would pursue a diet that would meet your nutritional needs and power you with the best fuel possible.īut what if I told you you have a different fight ahead of you. You would study your potential opponents and you would practice the high percentage techniques that you believe would lead you to sure victory. You see, if I were to prepare for you a full-contact competition such as the Sabaki Challenge, you better believe you would be training hard in the dojo, on the track, and in the gym to get you in the best shape possible. Most of us are FAR more likely (as is most everyone in the United States) to die of heart disease, cancer, or suicide than we will at the hands of violence.

When it comes to violence, my students and I are lucky enough to live in one of the safest countries in the world, in a fairly safe city and community to boot. Over my years of training in karate (It’s been over 20 now, ack!), and teaching the young and old, my vision of what it means to be capable of self-defense has changed from a stance of reaction to one of education and preparation. But I believe that I would be doing a disservice to all of my students if i were to limit my understanding of self-defense to only punching, kicking, and grappling. As a martial arts instructor I am certainly familiar with the importance of preparing my students for exactly these types of violence. Most peoples’ concept of self-defense is simply a reaction to an assault or attack of some sort–the bad guy jumping out of the bushes, the robbery, the sexual assault. Learning the differences between reacting and preparing.