Young competitor at federation tournament

Competition

Tournaments

Two federation tournaments each year — an inter-school event every May and our flagship championship every November.

Annual Schedule

Yearly · Every May

Inter-School Tournament

Our spring event brings together affiliated schools for hyung, sparring, breaking, and weapons divisions. A great opportunity for students to compete in a supportive federation environment.

Inter-School Tournament
Yearly · Every November

Federation Championship

Our flagship annual tournament — the largest federation event of the year. All affiliated schools are encouraged to participate. Divisions for all ages and ranks.

Federation Championship

Official Rules

Tournament Procedures & Scoring

  • Tiny Tigers & kids under 13 — all competitors are placed: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd
  • Weapons, Kummooyeh, Black Belts, and ages 13+ — placements are 1st, 2nd, 3rd only
  • Awards — presented at the end of the event, not after each group, to keep the tournament running efficiently
  • Scoring scale — 5 (lowest) to 10 (highest) points

01 Forms / Weapons

  • Generally 3–5 judges. The head judge is seated in the center and controls the ring, including the start of the form and calling for the display of points.
  • The score keeper calls the name of the first competitor and one "on deck." The competitor bows at the edge of the ring, enters, announces their name and form, then performs.
  • Upon completion, the head judge calls "score" — all judges display their score. The score keeper totals and records. Placement is awarded based on total score.
  • If a competitor forgets their form, they may start again one time with no penalty. A second restart results in disqualification.
  • There will be no music forms in this division.
  • In the event of a tie, contestants perform their form again simultaneously; judges point to the better contestant.

02 Breaking

  • Wood only — must be purchased onsite.
  • Maximum of 3 stations. Multiple boards per station are allowed.
  • No spacers allowed.
  • Children's standard board: ¼ inch thick.
  • Adult standard board: nominal 1 inch thick (measured at ¾ inches).
  • Maximum of 3 attempts per break — then move on to the next board.
  • If a tie occurs, tied contestants may perform an additional break, or the higher numerical score wins.
  • Do not penalize the competitor for poor board holding.

03 Free-Sparring

Matches

  • Point style system — NOT Olympic style.
  • Grand Champion (men 18+) — 5 minutes; unlimited total points. A Master from a different school must judge each corner.
  • Black Belt — 3 minutes, or until one contestant scores 5 points.
  • Tiny Tiger & Color Belts — 2 minutes, or until one contestant scores 3 points.
  • If tied at the end of regulation, sudden death overtime — first point wins.
  • 1st round advances use the "bye" system.
  • Full sparring equipment required: head gear, hand and foot pads, mouthpiece/face shield, cup (men), and chest protector (all competitors). Borrowing chest gear from a fellow competitor is permitted if needed.
  • Light, controlled side head contact allowed for Color Belts — strictly enforced to prevent injury.
  • Side head contact permitted for Black Belt and Grand Champion divisions.

Scoring

  • Legal targets: chest and stomach (hand or foot); side of the head (feet only).
  • No hand techniques to the head or face.
  • No techniques to the front of the face or back of the head.
  • All techniques are worth 1 point.
  • A majority of judges must see the point for it to score; the head referee gets one vote.
  • If judges are tied on a point vs. warning call, no point is awarded.
  • Corner judges are encouraged to move within their corner for a better view.

Warnings

  • 1st: Verbal warning
  • 2nd: Point deduction
  • 3rd: Disqualification

Warnings given for: kicking or punching illegal areas (below waist, back, hand techniques to face); excessive contact; running out of the ring to avoid fighting; blind techniques, sweeps, or holding.

Automatic Disqualifications

  • Causing bleeding or redness of the face from contact.
  • Malicious contact.
  • Flagrant display of improper martial arts attitude — including unsportsmanlike conduct by a family member or friend encouraging poor behavior.

Judge Indications

  • Point — Announce "Score" and raise appropriate color flag 90°.
  • No Point — Both flags waved crisscrossing at waist level.
  • Warning — Announce "Warning" and point appropriate color flag to the floor.
  • Couldn't See — Both flags raised and crisscrossed in front of face.

Timekeeper / Scorekeeper

  • Use stopwatch to track time; announce "time" and throw bean bag into ring when time elapses.
  • Track score of contestants.

04 Tiny Tiger Speed Breaking

  1. 10 boards required — ¼ inch "thin" boards to participate.
  2. A parent must hold boards; competitors work as a team.
  3. Each Tiny Tiger must have their own board holder.
  4. This is a speed competition — 1st Tiny Tiger to break all 10 boards wins 1st place; remaining placements follow in order.
  5. Breaking technique must be hammer fist only.
  6. Alternating hands is not permitted — same hand for all 10 boards.
  7. The official Tournament Procedure and Scoring Sheet will be followed when necessary.

05 Demonstration Team Competition

  • 1 team per school.
  • Unlimited number of demonstration students.
  • Any rank level and age may participate.
  • Demonstration must not exceed 5 minutes — teams exceeding the time limit are disqualified.

06 Team Forms

  • Any age group. Limit of 3 students per team, or 1 family.
  • One synchronized form practiced as a team.
  • Music is allowed.
  • Form must be demonstrated and approved by your master prior to competing.
  • Rules and scoring are similar to individual Forms competition.

2026 USK Invitational Registration

Competitors must be current students of an affiliated federation school. Arrive in full uniform at least 30 minutes before your division.

To register, contact federation headquarters or ask your instructor. Schools submit their competitors together ahead of the event.