Traditional Kata Rules

Japanese, Korean, Chinese.

Table of contents
 Rules for Kata - FRFK - WFKO

Art. 1. Definition
Art. 2. Categories
Art. 3. Uniform and appearance
Art. 4. Competition area
Art. 5. Organisation of the competition

Art. 6. The commission of arbitrators

Art. 9. Equipment For the Kata Divsions

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Art. 1. Definition
Kata is a battle with one or more imaginary opponents, being a succession of
combinations in a predetermined order specific to each martial arts school.
The purpose of kata competitions is to offer martial arts practitioners the opportunity
to measure their knowledge and craftsmanship in presenting their most effective
techniques.
Art. 2. Categories
Girls / Boys / Mixed
Individual or Synchronized (Team)
Children (6-8 years), small cadets (9-12 years), big cadets (13-15 years), juniors (16-
18 years), seniors (19-45 years)
Additional information on categories
Depending on the number of competitors, the competition organizer may decide to
modify the age categories, or to divide them according to the grade, or the origin of
the styles.
All category changes will be made with prior notification to the coaches or instructors
of the participants;
An athlete may participate in a higher age category (not exceeding two categories).
Art. 3. Uniform and Appearance
Participating athletes will compete in karate uniform (karate gi) or that specific to the
practiced style. The uniform must be clean and ironed. Belt is mandatory. Kickboxing
uniform is not allowed.
Under the kimono, boys are not allowed to wear anything, and girls can wear a white
T-shirt (or a white bustier). Competitors with long hair will only enter the tatami with
their hair secured with discreet clips or clips, but not metal.
Athletes are not allowed to wear bandages or other medical protection without the
approval of the competition doctor.
Where there are hard and soft categories, the uniform of the soft competitors must be
of traditional Chinese styles.
Art. 4. Competition Area
The competitive area must be at least 6x6m, consisting of tatami plates, at least 3m
away from other surfaces and at least 1m away from the official table.
The competition surface must be at least 6x6m, made of tatami tiles, with a distance
of at least 3m from the other surfaces, and at least 1m from the official table.
Art. 5. Organization of the Competition
The order of entry into the competition is decided by drawing lots and will be
announced in advance.
The athletes in the following category will line up at the edge of the competition area
in order of entering the competition and will greet the refereeing committee.
The head referee will announce the first competitor. After the execution of the first
form in the category, the next athlete will start the execution of his form, without
announcing the marks of the first competitor.
Afterwards, the arbitration commission will show, one by one, the marks for each of
the two athletes, during which they will wait on the competition surface in the place
indicated by the referees. The marks will be shown after the head referee gives the
command to the "hanta". After showing the marks, facing the competitors, the
referees will turn the marks and towards the official table, at the command of the
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chief referee, remaining with their hands outstretched until the marks are written by
the speaker.
The following competitors will be noted immediately after the execution of the form.
In the case of synchronous kata categories, team members will use the "triangle"
formation with the tip facing the head referee.
Art. 6. The commission of arbitrators
The organizing committee is made up of five judges and a speaker. One of these
judges is delegated as the chief judge and the others are judges.
Judges must be practitioners of traditional karate or any other traditional style. Those
who only practice kickboxing cannot judge the kata’s.
Art. 7. Duties of the Chief Referee
 Are responsible for the running of the competition in good order and conditions.
 Appoint the 5 judges.
 Read the competition and the drawing of positions of competitors.
 Are responsible for compliance with the kata regulations.
 Stand at the front of the competition tatami.
 Supervise the whole competition.
Art. 8. The Scorekeeper of the Competition
The scorekeeper of the competition sits at the official table. They have the following
attributes:
 Call the contestants in the order of the draw.
 Read the awarded scores.
 Record the score obtained by each competitor.
 Calculate the score and communicate the place obtained by each competitor.
Art. 9. Equipment For the Kata Division’s
 Whistle for the chief referee.
 Tablets for score.
 Chairs for referees.
 Speaker audio system (microphone, speakers, etc.).
Art. 10. Placement of Referees On The Tatami
At the beginning of the competition, the chief referee will sit the 5 judges in line at the
front of the score table with I meter distance between each judge.
Art. 11. Criteria for Scoring the Kata’s
The execution of the kata should not be classed as good or bad, the following criteria
should be considered:
 The sequence of movements.
 Correct stances and Positions
 Balance.
 The correct speed and power.
 Correct timing of kiai’s.
 Correct breathing.
 Execution force
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 Concentration.
 Alert spirit - zanshin.
 Sharpness of techniques.

For a higher grades, the judges will also consider the mastery of the techniques
performed, the degree of difficulty of the form and the attitude of the competitor,
reflected in the demonstration of perfect understanding of the form.
In the synchronized kata category, the synchronization of the movements will also be
noted, including the bows.
Art. 12. The Scoring System
Grades Between 7 and 9.9 will be Awarded.
Art. 13. Mistakes and Disqualification of the Competitor
0.1 points will be deducted for each minor fault, 0.2 or 0.3 points for each medium
fault and 0.4 or 0.5 points for major faults.
The following are considered small mistakes: positions with small "flaws":
 Facial expression is not suitable
 Small imbalances.
 Momentary hesitations quickly corrected.
The following are considered average mistakes:
 Incorrect strikes and blocks
 Perceptible pauses in execution.
The following are considered major mistakes:
 Direction of sight.
 Techniques too high
 Lack of kiai’s.
 Rhythm of execution.
 Forgetting a technique.
 Unsafe execution.
 Modification of a kata.
The competitor who stops during their performance for more than 5 seconds, or loses
their balance or falls, will be disqualified, and receive a score of 7.
Competitors who leave the tatami during their performance will be disqualified and
receive a score of 7.
Art. 14. Calculation of grades and ranking
Highest and lowest marks will be deducted. The three remaining marks will make the
final score.
• In case of a draw for first, second or third place (all 5 scores are compared, and the
highest
scores are highlighted)
See diagram below:

J1 J2 J3 J4 J5
9.6 9.6 9.5 9.3 9.4 XX
9.4 9.4 9.6 9.5 9.6 XXX WIN

The competitor with the most highlighted scores wins. If there is still a draw both
competitors will
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compete again.
If in this case the result is equal, the competitors will be asked to perform the kata
again.
When competitors perform the kata again, they must choose another kata. If they
present the same one, the judges will deduct a full 1.0 point from their score.