Federation rulebook

Rules & Divisions

Search the full rules library — sparring, kata, weapons, self-defense, extreme sparring, conduct, and safety.

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Extreme Sparring Division

Combines elements of point, boxing, kickboxing, and MMA-style competition with three aspects: stand-up striking, takedowns, and ground control.
Advanced competitors only. Juniors 14–17 and Seniors 36+ divisions are offered; minimum age 14 with parental permission.
Striking areas: padded headgear, chest and stomach, thigh and lower leg.
No-contact areas: front of face, back of head, eyes, neck, spine, groin, knees.
Prohibited techniques: elbows, knees, head-butts, small-joint manipulation, body slams or spiking. No striking a downed opponent.
Format: three 2-minute rounds with one minute rest; a competitor who wins the first two rounds does not fight the third.
Scoring: 1 point for a clean strike, 2 points for a knockdown, 2 points for a clean throw while remaining standing, 1 point for grabbing and holding a kicking leg for 3 seconds with a clean strike.
After a takedown the match continues 10 seconds on the ground for a submission attempt; if none is achieved, position and submission threat are judged.
Weight classes: Featherweight (≤145 lb), Lightweight (146–155), Welterweight (156–170), Middleweight (171–185), Light Heavyweight (186–205), Heavyweight (206+). Youth 17 and under are not categorized by weight.
Referees may stop the contest for serious skill mismatch, injury from a legal technique, or refusal to follow instructions.

Sparring Division

Point tournament: a point is called when a judge sees a proper scoring technique made with controlled, non-excessive contact, in-bounds, and upright.
Point values — Jump-spinning kicks to the head: 3 points. Legal kicks: 2 points. Legal hand techniques: 1 point. Legal takedowns, sweeps, and follow-ups: 2 points (where permitted).
Legal targets: front and sides of head, front and sides of body, abdomen, sweeps below mid-calf.
Illegal targets: direct face contact, eyes or joints, throat and side of neck, groin, legs, knees, back.
Illegal techniques include head-butts, hair pulls, bites, scratches, elbows, knees, any eye attack, uncontrolled throws or takedowns, stomps on a downed competitor, and shoving an opponent out of bounds.
Grabbing: the uniform top or pants may be grabbed for up to 3 seconds to set up a legal technique, then must be released.
Rounds — ages 13 and under: 1 round 1½–2 minutes. Ages 14+: 1–2 rounds at 2 minutes. Championship matches: 2 rounds at 2–3 minutes (must win by 2; 10-point spread rule).
Preliminary matches use 2 judges; championship matches use 4. Round length is set by the Tournament Director.
Tournament directors reserve the right to merge or split divisions by age, rank, weight, and number of competitors.

Continuous Sparring

Action does not stop after each scoring technique; judges score throughout the round and all techniques must be light contact.
Minimum age 8. Striking areas: padded headgear, chest, stomach, thigh, lower leg.
No-contact areas: face front, back of head, eyes, neck, spine, groin, knees.
Prohibited: elbows, knees, head-butts, chokes, joint locks, sweeps, throws, takedowns, body slams, and knockout strikes. No attacks to a standing leg when the opponent is on one leg; no attacks on a downed opponent.
Faking or exaggerating reactions to light contact will trigger an immediate penalty or disqualification.

Katas & Forms Competition

A choreographed pattern of movements performed solo or as a team; featured event at all tournaments and conducted before sparring.
Divisions: Open (Creative), Team, Weapons, Traditional, and Extreme Forms.
Divisions may vary by tournament; check tournament postings for availability. Kata is conducted before sparring.
Age categories: Little Dragons (5–9), Junior (10–13), Young Adults (14–17), Adult (18–35), Senior (36+).
Competition area for black belt forms: 18'×18' (youth rings may be smaller). Additional space is a privilege, not a guarantee.
Time limit: 3 minutes maximum (4 minutes for grand championship). A half-point penalty applies per 15 seconds beyond the limit; exceeding the limit can result in disqualification.
Judging criteria: proper technique and form, fluid motion, power, balance, technical difficulty, focus and intensity, overall presentation, head and eye movement.
Restart rule: a conscious mistake may be restarted once with no points lost; a second failure receives the minimum score for the division.
Open Creative: empty-hand, no music, no weapons, no external aids.
Traditional: form must reflect the essence and traditional values of the named style; deviating too far risks disqualification or downgrading.
Weapons: referee inspects weapons for safety; no sharp weapons in youth or under-belt divisions. A black belt who drops a weapon is disqualified; under-belts may restart with no point deduction.
Extreme Forms: music required; at least one inverted move or greater-than-360° spin; no weapons, no stage props; complete uniform must remain on.
Performance procedure: when announced, move to the designated starting area, bow to the Head Judge, and announce your name, school, and kata name. Wait for the Head Judge’s signal, then bow again before beginning the performance.

Long Weapons Sparring

Long weapons are provided at the competition. No age limit; competitors are categorized by age, not weight.
Mandatory safety equipment: headgear with face protector, neck protector, groin protector for men.
No-contact areas: back of head, spine, groin.
Prohibited techniques: punching, kicking, takedowns.
Bouts: 1 round of 2 minutes. The referee restarts the action if a competitor falls or a weapon drops.
Scoring — 2 points: strikes to head or body when the opponent cannot quickly retaliate. 1 point: strikes to arm, hand, or leg under the same condition. Simultaneous strikes: no points. Points scored only with the weapon.
A bout may also be won by taking control of the opponent's weapon via the handle within 3 seconds.
Ring officials: 1 referee, 2 judges, plus time- and score-keeper. Beginner level uses non-continuous contact; Intermediate and Advanced/Black Belt use continuous contact.
Fighters should demonstrate control, accuracy, speed, and good defense.
Penalties or disqualification for excessive force, contact to no-contact areas, prohibited techniques, disrespect to officials, or repeated warnings (3+).

Short Weapon Sparring

Competitors bring their own short weapon. No age limit; competitors are categorized by age, not weight.
Mandatory safety equipment: headgear with face protector, groin protector for men, chest protector for women.
No-contact areas: back of head, neck, spine, groin.
Prohibited techniques: punching, kicking, takedowns.
Bouts: 1 round of 2 minutes; restart on a fall or dropped weapon.
Scoring mirrors long weapons: 2 points for strikes to head/body, 1 point to arm/hand/leg, no points for simultaneous strikes, points only with the weapon. Taking the opponent's weapon within 3 seconds also wins the bout.
Ring officials and level rules match the long-weapons division.

Self-Defense Techniques Division

Two-person event: teams demonstrate five simulated attack-and-defense techniques against each other.
Three judges score each technique on a 1–5 scale (5 highest). 3–5 teams compete at once.
Each technique includes 6–20 movements; both teammates must demonstrate attack and counter; no technique may be repeated.
Required techniques (3rd–5th belt): countering a punch, countering a kick, rear bear hug with arms pinned, two-handed front push, head-lock escape.
Additional techniques (5th belt through black belt also do 6–8): disarming a stick, disarming a knife, disarming a gun.
White and yellow belts may not compete; all black belts compete together regardless of degree.
Striking partner is not allowed under any circumstance — strikes, throws, sweeps, takedowns, climbs, and wrist locks must be controlled. Any contact with a strike results in penalty points or disqualification.
Props (plastic or rubber knives and guns; 2-foot stick) are provided or may be brought. Losing control of a prop incurs penalty points and may lead to disqualification.
Judging emphasis: power, speed, accuracy, form, and degree of technical difficulty.

Tournament Competitors Conduct

Each competitor is responsible for knowing the rules and being ready when called. Three unanswered calls result in disqualification.
All instructions from referees and officials must be followed; failure results in immediate disqualification.
Negative crosstalk between competitors or instructors results in immediate disqualification.
Children under 14 must be chaperoned at all times; horseplay is not tolerated.
No jewelry, body piercings, or objects deemed unsafe; finger and toenails must be trimmed.
Competitors must keep a positive attitude in victory or defeat; grievances must follow the formal protest procedure.
Three referee-approved time-outs are allowed in sparring; only the competitor may request a time-out.
Hair must not obstruct bout conduct; headbands, hair slides, and decorations are prohibited; discreet rubber bands or pony-tail retainers are permitted.
Anyone found under the influence of alcohol or drugs is removed from the tournament grounds.

Coaching Conduct

Coaching is allowed only before or between rounds, never during time-outs.
An instructor, teammate, or parent must not enter the ring without the referee’s permission. Entering without permission is treated as the competitor’s forfeiture.
During competition, instructors, corner staff, and teammates must remain seated in their designated area.
Abusive, violent, negative language and overzealous unsportsmanlike coaching are not allowed.
Coaches and instructors must not interfere with the running of a ring or event, or with any tournament official’s decisions.
Coaches must present their accreditation together with their competitor’s at the official table, sit in the provided chair, and not interfere with the match by word or deed.

Fairness and Impartial Rule

For an incident or dispute not covered by UMAF tournament rules, the Arbitrator or Tournament Director, together with appointed officials, may overrule, modify, or change a rule for fairness. This discretion applies only in extreme circumstances, such as accommodations for handicapped or disabled competitors.

Safety Equipment & Dress Code

Hand pads (Mandatory): A soft padded surface must cover all striking surfaces of the hand.
Foot pads (Optional): When worn, soft padding must cover all striking surfaces of the foot; the sole does not need to be covered.
Headgear (Mandatory): Soft padding must cover the sides and back of the head. A clear plastic face shield is optional.
Mouthpiece (Mandatory): Must fit securely in the competitor’s mouth.
Groin cup (Mandatory): Must fit securely and be worn during sparring competition.
Recommended optional gear: chest protector for women; shin, elbow, and knee pads.
The referee inspects equipment and determines its approval or denial. Worn, torn, damaged equipment or gear with missing straps must be replaced immediately; otherwise the competitor is disqualified (see Time Delay). Equipment examples do not promote any company or brand.
All mandatory safety equipment must remain correctly fitted throughout a match. A round cannot begin until it is in place; the referee will correct a dislodged mouthpiece or loose hand or foot pad at the proper time.
Sparring dress code: complete uniform (top and bottom), appropriate belt or sash, no t-shirts or sweats, no unapproved shoes that could damage the floor.
In kata, weapons kata, self-defense, and technique demonstrations, t-shirts or sweatshirts must be plain or carry a school or UMAF logo. This also applies to shirts worn under the uniform. Uniform tops may be removed for artistic expression or safety in accordance with tournament regulations.
Shuriken throwing requires a T-shirt; long sleeves may endanger throwers and spectators.
Glasses and soft contact lenses may be worn at the competitor’s own risk.
Unauthorized apparel, clothing, and equipment are forbidden. Tournament officials may authorize sponsor labels or trademarks.
Jacket sleeves: no longer than the wrist bend and no shorter than halfway down the forearm; sleeves may not be rolled up.
Jacket sleeves must be securely tied.
Pants: long enough to cover at least two-thirds of the shin and no lower than the anklebone; trouser legs may not be rolled up.
Bandages, padding, or supports due to injury must be approved by the referee.

Tournament Classification Overview

Classification reflects the level of competition, number of competitors, and championships or divisions involved, determining the prestige and scale of the event.
Class Gold: highest-level tournaments, including World, Regional, and State Championship matches and all UMAF open divisions. These attract the largest number of competitors, a wide variety of schools, and very high competition levels. All UMAF divisions are offered; the tournament may be a two-day event.
Class Silver: Regional Championship-focused tournaments. A step below Gold in size and intensity, but still highly competitive. Check individual event listings for offered divisions. Usually a one-day event, though duration may vary.
Class Bronze: smaller, intimate events, typically involving 5–6 schools. Seminars are often followed by a tournament; only Point Sparring (Kumite) and Forms (Kata) are offered. Usually a one-day event.

UMA Championship Titles

Regional Championship: open to competitors from specific regions.
State Championship: open to competitors who reside in the state they are competing in.
World Championship: the highest honor, held once a year.
Black-belt verification is required for World and State Championship competitors.
Every tournament features two core events: Point Sparring (Kumite) and Open Forms (Kata).
All Championship divisions are sanctioned by UMA's Sanctioning Director, William R. Brown.
Tournament year runs February 1 through November 1.

Free Events Rules & Regulations

Free events are optional youth-friendly events introduced by a judge before competition begins.
Best Kick: perform a specified kick judged by rank-appropriate technique, execution speed, and ability to follow instructions.
Flexibility: perform a full unassisted split for 10 seconds after a brief guided warm-up.
Push-Ups, Sit-Ups, and Dips: complete as many properly executed reps as possible while following pace and form rules.
General standards: participation is optional, open to age 12 and under when youth-only, judges may separate male and female competitors when needed.

The Ten Benefits of Competition in Martial Arts

Sparring against new opponents broadens experience beyond your usual training partners.
Cross-disciplinary exposure introduces styles, timing, and strategies you would not see in one school alone.
Learning to perform under pressure builds composure that carries into life outside the ring.
Consistent competition produces measurable growth and a real confidence boost.
Tournament experience teaches valuable life lessons in preparation, accountability, and respect.
Watching top-level competitors provides inspiration and a clearer picture of what's possible.
Repeated competition teaches athletes to manage fear and emotional response.
Losses become structured opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.
Competing makes you a better teacher: you understand pressure and preparation from the inside.
Above all, competition should be fun — friendly, fair, and a celebration of the art.