What to Know Before Training in Your First Martial Arts Tournament

By Ruth on March 19, 2014 in sports
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It takes a long time to master a martial art. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t compete. You can fight in a tournament within a couple of months of learning a new martial art. Here are some things that you may want to do.

Learn the Rules Before Competing

Every martial art has its own standards when competing. This can make things very complicated if you are competing in a tournament with people from other martial arts. You may end up fighting against people from other martial arts disciplines and you will all be held to the same standard. It is a good idea to find out what the tournament rules are beforehand.  Here are some possibilities that you will need to consider:

  • Some tournaments forbid any contact to the head. This can be an annoying change if you have trained in Tae Kwon Do or another style where you are allowed to kick to do so.
  • Some tournaments also forbid any contact below the belt. Many people who have studied Muay Thai or other Northwest Fighting Arts kickboxing styles are used to kicking to the legs. You will be at a significant disadvantage if you compete with people who are used to kicking higher.
  • Some tournaments bar any type of grappling techniques.
  • Strikes to the face are grounds for disqualification in almost any tournament.
  • Some tournaments rely on a three-point rule. This means that the first fighter to earn three points is the winner. Other tournaments have timed matches and the player that scores the most points in that time frame is the winner.
  • You may find that the judges have different standards than your instructor for breaking, katas or other forms. The standards are subjective so it is a good idea to know what different judges tend to look for.

These are some of the most basic rules that you may need to be prepared for. Ask your instructor for more information before competing. They may not be familiar with a particular tournament’s rules either, but they can help guide you through the competition before your first match.

Standard of Etiquette

Being a great martial artist is more than fighting well or performing great katas. You also need to show that you have good character and sportsmanship. Most martial arts stress that this is an important lesson to carry throughout life, but it is even more important when you are in a tournament. You could have points docked or even be disqualified for failing to follow policies. Here are some things that you should know:

  • You will usually need to bow to the judges and your opponent before and after each match.
  • You may be required to turn and kneel if you accidentally hurt your opponent during the match.
  • It is always a good idea to shake hands with your opponent after each fight. This may not be a requirement, but reflects well on you and your school.

People from different styles have different standards of etiquette. It is a good idea to find out what the general expectations are before competing.

About the author: Kalen began training in martial arts when he was eight years old and fought in his first tournament shortly after learning Tae Kwon Do. He recently began studying a mixed martial arts style with a Muay Thai base.

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RuthView all posts by Ruth
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

2 Comments

  1. Martial Development November 2, 2016 Reply

    Before entering a tournament, learn the rules by all means. But expect other competitors to break them!

    I once saw a fighter lower his hands, assuming that just because head kicks were illegal, they would not occur. He went down really hard. :/
    Martial Development recently posted…Karate Kata Secrets of the NBAMy Profile

  2. Caleb April 11, 2014 Reply

    It is essential to get your mind right for training and the tournament as well. So many individuals go into training without their mind and heart into which translates into a bad tournament appearance.

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