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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