Blade Fighting Tournament (chalked foam blades)

Blade Sparring rules were designed with two things in mind: 1) to create a realistic scoring system that reflects probable knife strike injuries, and 2) to be able to score easily, without the need for complex hit evaluations.

Striking

Only stabbing or slashing using the provided BladeSport competition knives (chalked foam blades) is allowed. No striking is allowed including, but not limited to punching, kicking, elbows, knees, or head butting. No punyo strikes or pummeling allowed. However, pinning and holding of arms and leg checks are allowed. Front leg to front leg sweeps going with the joint is allowed.

Disarms

Open hand disarms are allowed. Attempts must be made to opponent’s blade hand below the elbow only.

Grappling

No grappling will be permitted and there are no intentional throws allowed. If your opponent falls, you can continue to slash and stab at the opponent for 3 seconds after such time the center referee will stand both competitors back up and continue the match.

Scoring Click here for diagram:

Scoring is a point system, where 5 points is a win.

Throat/neck - 4 points for a slash or stab.
Head - 2 points for a slash or stab.
Chest and Back (rib cage area) - 1 point for a slash, 2 points for a stab.
Abdomen and Groin (between rib cage and legs) - 2 points for a slash or stab.
Anywhere else (arms, legs) - 1 point for a slash or stab.

Disarm – 1 point + points for the subsequent strike.

Extra Considerations

2 slashes or stabs to the same hand/arm will make that arm unusable.  The knife can be transferred to the “good” arm but the injured arm can no longer be used to carry the knife.

2 slashes or stabs to the same leg will make that leg unusable.  You must either hop on your "good" leg, or put your "bad" leg's knee on the ground.

If you lose your knife (disarm) there is no point deduction. However, the opponent has 3 seconds to score a point before the center referee calls break.

In Double Blade divisions, the competitor’s highest scoring points in a pass will be counted.

Warnings and Penalties

Warnings and penalties are issued by the judges at their discretion for any infraction to the rules. Penalty point will occur on the 2nd warning issued to the competitor. A point is awarded to the opponent of a competitor receiving a penalty. Disqualification occurs on the 2nd penalty issued to the competitor.

Types of Warnings:

• Unintentional illegal techniques (including, but not limited to the following)

  • Punching

  • Kicking

  • Elbows

  • Knees

  • Punyo strike

  • Pummeling

  • Joint Manipulations

  • Strikes against the joints

  • Kicking leg sweeps

  • Sweeping of supporting leg or both legs

• Blind spinning techniques

• Unintentional delay in break on the call by the Center Judge

• Lack of control over weapon

• Loss of weapon (excluding disarm)

• Moving both feet outside of the ring

Types of Penalties:

• Intentional illegal techniques

• Intentional failure to break on the call by the Center Judge

Disqualifications

Disqualifications must be agreed on by all judges at their discretion. The offender forfeits the fight and the competitor is awarded the win. Disqualification will occur for the following:

• Accumulating 2 penalties

• Deliberate excessive force/intent to inflict bodily injury

• Deliberate fouling

• Malice act resulting in injury

• Rude, belligerent, and/or disrespectful behavior by a competitor and/or their school. (Can include but is not limited to the use of foul and/or offensive language)

• Unsportsmanlike conduct

Judges

All matches will be run by a center judge and either 2 or 4 corner judges. Novice and Intermediate divisions will be run with a total of 3 judges, and all Advanced divisions will be run with a total of 5 judges.

Time

2 minute rounds or first to 5 points.

Equipment

Approved protective eye goggles

Light gloves

Mouth guard

Groin guard

All equipment is subject to judge’s approval prior to the match.

Ring Size

20’ x 20’

Divisions

Single long knife vs. single long knife

Novice (0-1 yr experience)

BLS -1 Kids M/F under 10

BLS -2 Juniors M/F 11-12

BLS -3 Pre-Teens M/F 13-14

BLS -4 Teens M/F 15-18

BLS -5 Adult Male over 18 - Light weight 145 and under

BLS -6 Adult Male over 18 - Middle weight 146 - 175

BLS -7 Adult Male over 18 - Heavy weight 176 and over

BLS -8 Adult Female over 18 - all weight

Intermediate (1-2 yr experience)

BLS -9 Kids M/F under 10

BLS -10 juniors M/F 11-12

BLS -11 Pre-Teens M/F 13-14

BLS -12 Teens M/F 15-18

BLS -13 Adult Male over 18 - Light weight 145 and under

BLS -14 Adult Male over 18 - Middle weight 146 - 175

BLS -15 Adult Male over 18 - Heavy weight 176 and over

BLS -16 Adult Female over 18 - all weight

Advanced (2 yr- plus experience)

BLS -17 Kids M/F under 10

BLS -18 Juniors M/F 11-12

BLS -19 Pre-Teens M/F 13-14

BLS -20 Teens M/F 15-18

BLS -21 Adult Male over 18 - Light weight 145 and under

BLS -22 Adult Male over 18 - Middle weight 146 - 175

BLS -23 Adult Male over 18 - Heavy weight 176 and over

BLS -24 Adult Female over 18 - all weight

Double long knife vs. Double long knife

Novice (0-1 yr experience)

BLD -1 Kids M/F under 10

BLD -2 Juniors M/F 11-12

BLD -3 Pre-Teens M/F 13-14

BLD -4 Teens M/F 15-18

BLD -5 Adult Male over 18 - Light weight 145 and under

BLD -6 Adult Male over 18 - Middle weight 146 - 175

BLD -7 Adult Male over 18 - Heavy weight 176 and over

BLD -8 Adult Female over 18 - all weight

Intermediate (1-2 yr experience)

BLD -9 Kids M/F under 10

BLD -10 Juniors M/F 11-12

BLD -11 Pre-Teens M/F 13-14

BLD -12 Teens M/F 15-18

BLD -13 Adult Male over 18 - Light weight 145 and under

BLD -14 Adult Male over 18 - Middle weight 146 - 175

BLD -15 Adult Male over 18 - Heavy weight 176 and over

BLD -16 Adult Female over 18 - all weight

Advanced (2 yr- plus experience)

BLD -17 Kids M/F under 10

BLD -18 Juniors M/F 11-12

BLD -19 Pre-Teens M/F 13-14

BLD -20 Teens M/F 15-18

BLD -21 Adult Male over 18 - Light weight 145 and under

BLD -22 Adult Male over 18 - Middle weight 146 - 175

BLD -23 Adult Male over 18 - Heavy weight 176 and over

BLD -24 Adult Female over 18 - all weight

Tactical Short Blade vs. Tactical Short Blade

Advanced (2 yr- plus experience)

BTS -1 Adult Male over 18 - Light weight 145 and under

BTS -2 Adult Male over 18 - Middle weight 146 - 175

BTS -3 Adult Male over 18 - Heavy weight 176 and over

BTS -4 Adult Female over 18 - all weight