Rules for Tourneys

[thekomusosystem]

At our last meeting we decided that we would hold regular tourneys.

It was felt these should allow for an amount of contact in order to keep our practice real and to bring out the best in our style.

I have only one concern relating to this and that is all efforts should be made to ensure combatants utilise the "style" and they do not degenerate into MMA style scrapping.

I do not have anything against this type of combat percee however, the idea of these tourneys is to "pressure test" our skills and not to revert to uncontrolled brawls.

I do appreciate that often things may look untidy and unkempt but we should endeavour to maintain our self control. This does not mean the level of ferocity in attack or ammount of contact alowable as these can be agreed by individual participants on the day. Rather how we perform technique etc.

your thoughts

Chris

[Lee]

Agreed, the purpose of the days should be to give ourselves a forum to experiment with the style and see what we can make work for ourselves, introduce a real feeling of danger, get the adrenalin really going and appreciate the effect this can have, physically and mentally.

I think, although we want to try and keep the bouts as real as possible, it would be prudent to have a referee/observer who, if the bout did become too scrappy, could then break up the action and remind the combatants on the purpose of the match, and re-start.

Another important (maybe the most important) point is that these gatherings are not the time to try and prove who the best fighter is, or settle any differences etc. Leave your ego at home…the reason for these days is to test yourself, learn from the experience and grow as a martial artist.

[thekomusosystem]

Absolutely!! Could not have put it better!

Perhaps some discussion over rules might be necessary. Perhaps we should not use the word referee, as this role is well established in the psyche.

The person should really just observe, and move things on, so that bouts don't become to protracted. It needs to be a fast moving dynamic event with everyone involved.

Chris

[Lee]

to quote from Crafty Dog, the leader of the dog brothers...

' a referee means the combantants delegate the responsibility of self control to somebody else'

as our aim is not to seriously hurt our training partners we need to stay conscious of what is happening during the fight and back off when needed. This should also hopefully help to increase our awareness and stop the brawling that we want to stay away from.

Perhaps we should therefore use the term 'observer' for thrid man in the arena?

[thekomusosystem]

Sounds good!

It seems to me the Dog Brothers have a reasonable model we could look at as somewhere to start. I am keen for it to evolve as something unique ish to us.

A way of expressing our system and core beliefs in a more total way. Also I like the whole pack type theme they use, although I would not like to use the same metaphor, there is something very cohesive about this style of practice. This cohesive "brotherhood" type ethos seems to grow from tough environments. It is also a good generator of committed members and revenue.

I do feel the "observer"should have a role in moving fights on and avoiding excessive "lag" particularly evident in grapple scenarios

Chris

[thekomusosystem]

Also I have been thinking that we might utilise the day for other activities. Such as bringing a guest instructor in for skills we do not practice currently. For example I could invite the Archery coach over and you guys could have a taster session. Would any one be interested in outdoor survival techniques as a taster session. We should develop ourselves in as many areas as possible. Let me know your thoughts

chris

[thekomusosystem]

I post for your consideration the current rules for UFC tournaments and although what I think we are proposing is something quite unique they are worth a perusal.

Weight classes: [Top]
Lightweight - over 145 lbs. to 155 lbs.
Welterweight - over 155 lbs. to 170 lbs.
Middleweight - over 170 lbs. to 185 lbs.
Light Heavyweight - over 185 lbs. to 205 lbs.
Heavyweight - over 205 lbs. to 265 lbs.

Bout duration: [Top]
All non-championship bouts shall be three rounds.
All championship bouts shall be five rounds.
Rounds will be five minutes in duration.
A one-minute rest period will occur between each round.

Fouls: [Top]
1. Butting with the head.
2. Eye gouging of any kind.
3. Biting.
4. Hair pulling.
5. Fish hooking.
6. Groin attacks of any kind.
7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
8. Small joint manipulation.
9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head.
10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
13. Grabbing the clavicle.
14. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
15. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
16. Stomping a grounded opponent.
17. Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
18. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
19. Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
20. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
21. Spitting at an opponent.
22. Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
23. Holding the ropes or the fence.
24. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
25. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
26. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
27. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
28. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
29. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
30. Interference by the corner.
31. Throwing in the towel during competition.

Ways To Win: [Top]
1. Submission by:
Physical tap out.
Verbal tap out.
2. Technical knockout by the referee stopping the contest.
3. Decision via the scorecards, including:
Unanimous decision.
Split decision.
Majority decision.
Draw, including:
Unanimous draw.
Majority draw.
Split draw.
4. Technical decision.
5. Technical draw.
6. Disqualification.
7. Forfeit.
8. No contest.


Referee may Restart the round: [Top]
If the fighters reach a stalemate and do not work to improve position or finish.

[thekomusosystem]

Also here is the nearest to a set of rules I could find on the Dog Bros site. Although they are talking about stick fighting I think their ideal is closer to our own.

"At the beginning of a "Gathering of the Pack", a passage in the magic words that begin the day goes, "No judges, no referees, no trophies. One rule only Be friends at the end of the day. This means no one should spend the night in the hospital, and everyone should leave with the IQ that they came with."

There are too many ways that human ingenuity can come up with to damage someone else irreparably, especially with a stick, for us to think up and be able to enforce rules against all of them. The spirit of the fights is that of members of the same tribe helping each other to prepare to defend the land, women, and children of the tribe. Both going too hard and going too soft are counterproductive. In this spirit, what might be too much for one man to handle, could be too little for another. It is a sign of respect for your "opponent" to really go after him—you are saying you respect and believe in his skill and spirit to deal with it, yet at the same time even in the adrenaline of the moment you are looking out for his welfare so as to not damage him and thus weaken the tribe. It is in your best interest that he be as good a warrior as possible when you stand together in battle.

A stickfight is an intense adrenal experience. The Learning that takes place in this altered state is of an entirely different order from ordinary learning. The greater the intensity of the fight, the greater the need to simultaneously tap into a centered awareness that keeps you from taking the shot that would be too much. The cultivation of this duality, i.e. greater adrenaline & greater centering, is what we mean by the full credo: "The greater the dichotomy, the profounder the transformation. Higher Consciousness through Harder Contact." It is our hope and belief that this deeper learning carries over to the rest of one's life; and should one ever need to use one's skills that it will be done with a calmness that allows for good judgement as well as good skill. "

Source Dog Bros Website quoting Crafty Dog.

[thekomusosystem]

Dog Bros URL

www.dogbrothers.com/wrapper.php?file=faq.htm

[thekomusosystem]

As within the system we have a strong junior section and this is set to increase considerably this year we should allow for juniors to take part in tourneys.

We need therefore to consider what rules should apply to juniors and also confirm a minimum adult age for combatants.

Perhaps we should have rules regarding contact whilst teaching juniors the necessary skills to self mediate.

your thoughts Please

[thekomusosystem]

The Rules. - Adults

You must wear a gum shield, knee and elbow protection, MMA style gloves and head protection. Or you cannot take part. You can wear additional protection it is your choice.

You can only enter the combat on invitation from either a combatant or the third man in the ring.

The Third man “chief” will only observe and ensure the combat progresses in acceptable manner. He/She may stop the combat at any time and at the end of bouts.

Scenarios will be set before the Touney and they may be armed, unarmed single or multiple attackers.

Anyone who interferes with the combat other than the third man “chief” will be banished from the Tourney.

Anyone losing control of themselves in any way which is seen as dangerous BY THE THIRD MAN “Chief” will be banished from the tourney and will have to face a disciplinary committee of their peers to explain their behaviour.

Bouts will initially last 2 mins max.

You may yield from a bout by calling “yield” , Holding your arms above your head during bouts or tapping out in the traditional way. You must officially yield or you may be legally engaged again.

Rules – Juniors

You must wear Komuso system recommended head, hand, shin , elbow and knee protection. You must have a groin protector and gum shield. Or you cannot take part.

All rules are the same however the level of control is different.

Juniors must only practice semi/light contact.

Consistent excessive contact will lead to banishment from the Tourney.

[thekomusosystem]

Here are the proposed fouls list for the tourney they are pretty much the same as the UFC rules posted earlier. I might add that elbows may not make contact on joints or above the shoulders. Let me know your thoughts.


1.Butting with the head.
2. Eye gouging of any kind.
3. Biting.
4. Hair pulling unless directed as part of a scenairio.
5. Fish hooking.
6. Groin attacks which make contact.
7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
8. Small joint manipulation.
9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head.
10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
12. Grabbing the clavicle with excessive force.
13. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
14. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
15. Stomping a grounded opponent.
16. Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
17. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
18. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
19. Spitting at an opponent.
20. Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
2. Using abusive language in the ring.
21. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
22. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the third man.
23. Attacking an opponent after the third man signifies the end of the period of combat.
24. Flagrantly disregarding the third man.
25. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
26. Interference by other members without direction from the third man.

I am not really that keen on adding so many rules to what should really be a no rule contest however we should let these be guidlines for behaviour.

You as combatants must still be responsible for defending yourselves and controlling yourselves. These guidlines do not take responsibility away from you as warriors.

walk soft fight hard

[MMA Monster]

Are you guys letting anyone enter these events?

[thekomusosystem]

Sorry for the delay in responding!!

At the moment we are just holding tourneys amongst members of our system. That does not mean we won't ever be letting anyone join in, but it will probably mean you will have to satisfy insurance requirements and demonstrate a reasonable level of skill.

You are welcome to join our system train with us for a while and you will of course be invited to attend.

Keep your eye on our Tourney Fighter magazine for more details.
available free from our website.

All the best

Chris

[feralfish]

That is a real shame. What are you intending to do with this? I mean what is the point? Is it a competition? The rules sound scary I looked at dog bros site ofter seeing the link here those guys are insane!!

I would be interested in having a go though if it is as it seems a means to test your self in a "real" environment. Keep us posted!!