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Forms Competition Rules - 2008 International Kung Fu QUEST - a part of Disney's Martial Arts Festival

Procedures
All events will be pre-scheduled and posted in various places. All competitors should familiarize themselves with the order of events, and check in from time to time to make sure that no event has been re-scheduled. They should also check the morning of the event to find the competing order, which will also be posted. Competing orders are randomized by computer. It is each competitor's own responsibility to be at his or her event on time to compete.
The following procedures will be explained again by the ring manager before each event:

• Before the beginning of each event the judges names will be introduced. All competitors will be summoned to the ring at least 10 minutes before the beginning of the event. Should a competitor have an obligation in another ring, he or she must at this time tell the ring manager so they can make accommodations.
• When the official sees that all is ready he or she will call out the name of the first competitor and then the names of the following two competitors to prepare.
• When the competitor's name is called, he/she will enter the ring and give a salute to the main ring judge. The judges will be observing as soon as the competitor's name is called.
• Upon receiving the signal from the main ring judge to enter the ring, the competitor will walk directly to his/her beginning position.
• Once the beginning position is found, the competitor will stand perfectly still at attention, showing the judges and timekeepers that the form is ready to begin. The time clock will begin at the first sign of movement from this attention position.
• The time clock will stop when the form is finished and the competitor returns to a stationary position. Upon completion, the competitor will return to the same place he/she entered and face the judges and officials, awaiting his/her score.
• After receiving his or her final score, the competitor will acknowledge the score by saluting the ring officials. Only now is the competitor finished with his or her form, and may leave the ring area.
• Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded at the end of the event. Competitors will all stand, and beginning with the Bronze medal winner, will be called forward to receive their medals. Then all competitors will salute the judges, and the event is over.

Forms Scoring Definitions

Scoring Ranges
6.0 - 6.99 Beginner Level
7.0 - 7.99 Intermediate Level
8.0 - 9.99 Advanced Level

Scoring Detail
For all forms events, the judges will utilize white boards. Judges should use two decimal places and NOT simply use one decimal only. Ties can be minimized if both decimal places are used.

Tie Breakers
There will be no tie breakers except for 3-star Divisions.

Judging Guidelines

Traditional Barehand Form Competition
Although the judging of forms competitions is very subjective on the part of the judges, each judge will be using the following guidelines in determining one's score:

• Correctness of Form
• Strength of Stance/Stability
• Speed - Ultimately, the form must be of actual fighting speed
• Power - (Not Muscle Tightness)
• Spirit - Martial Spirit with sense of opponent
• Overall Impression

The lack of any one of these attributes can critically affect one's final score. Each judge will evaluate, in his/her opinion, how each competitor “rates" in these guidelines.
Should any competitor have any questions as to what category his/her form fits into (i.e.: Long/Short Hand, Traditional Northern, etc.), he/she should inquire about this upon checking in with the Coordinator of the Competitions long before any competitions begin. Do not wait until the event is about to begin.

Traditional Weapons Competition
The same guidelines as the barehand events will apply here as well. In addition, the judges will be looking for the following:

• Same guidelines as barehand events
• Body movement coordination with the weapon
• Correct application of the weapon
• Familiarity of the weapon
• Speed and power of the weapon

Should a weapon break during one's form, that competitor may get another weapon and re-perform, but with a ½ point penalty. Should a weapon break during the competition and the competitor continue, ½ point will still be deducted. All competitors should be responsible for the quality of their weapons. Judges may inspect weapons for safety.

Time Limits for Traditional Barehand and Weapons

• Minimum Time for Advanced Divisions: 45 seconds
• Minimum Time for Non-Advanced Divisions: 30 seconds
• Maximum Time for All Divisions: 1 ½ minutes
• Penalties: .2 point deducted for each 5 second or partial increment thereof.
• 42 Taiji: 5 minutes minimum to 6 minutes maximum
• Open Events: 1 minute maximum
• Sparring Routines: 45 second minimum
• All Other Contemporary Events: 1 minute 20 seconds minimum

Contemporary Wushu Barehands and Weapons Forms Competition
The guidelines for the Contemporary Wushu barehand and weapons competitions will be the same as those dictated by the International Wushu Federation.
All schools are encouraged to participate in these events as it is a good opportunity to represent one's school as opposed to being hidden individually among many other competitors. The top three groups will be given awards as finishing first, second and third.

Taiji Forms Competition
The taiji forms competitions are divided into 4 categories as follows:

• Chen Style Taiji
• Guan Ping Style Taiji
• Wu Style Taiji
• Yang Style Taiji
• Other Style Taiji

Time Limits
Taiji Forms: 3 minute minimum to 4 minute maximum
24 Forms: 4 minute minimum to 5 minute maximum
42 Competition Forms: 5 minute minimum to 6 minute maximum
During the competition, the competitor will be given an audible signal at the minimum time mark. The competitor will then have one minute to complete his/her form. At the maximum time limit, the timekeeper will call out the word "time." At that point, the competitor should immediately bring their form to a close. Failure to do so will result in a .2 point penalty if a second signal to stop is given. Under time penalty shall be .2 points for each 5 second increment or partial increment thereof.

Baguazhang Form Competition
The bagua competitors will be judged on the following nine criteria:

• Knowledge of the applications - the competitor must understand the applications of his/her form
• Correct alignment
• Posture
• Stances
• Footwork
• Body and Arms
• Martial Spirit
• Choreography
• Overall Impression

Time Limits
Both Baguazhang and Xingyiquan: 45 second minimum, 2 ½ minute maximum

Xingyiquan Forms Competition
The same judging parameters as given in the other barehand forms competitions apply.

Taiji Sword Competition, and Other Internal Weapons Competition
The judging parameters for these events will be the same as for the other internal events mentioned above.

Time Limits
Taiji Sword and Other Internal Weapons: 1 ½ minutes minimum, 3 ½ minutes maximum. Penalties will be the same as for Taiji form.