Intent

The goal is to promote a certain aspect of martial fighting that favors deeper cuts.  In cutting it is understood a good cut can not be done at the tip or the very end of the sword.  This format encourages martial strikes that would either deeply wound a combatant or incapacitate them.  This means it values the potential to cut off an arm and has the same value as embedding a sword into the head. Inversely, a “scratch”, “tap” or “harassing strike” is not ignored and can still be awarded if one can safely get away.  This format is also meant to strongly encourage the afterblow and defend the afterblow.  The theory is that a “free” swinging sword is only awarded because of deception and measure, and deep actions are rewarded through single-time actions and parrying afterblows.  

This tournament also also aimed to toward beginner to intermediate fighters, where experience is more important than winning.  With that, there will be no elimination bracket and only the top four will have a round robin finals.  There will be at least two rounds of pools and if time permitting, a 3rd round.  This is so the majority of fighters will have the same amount of fights, win or lose, and no one partictualr win or loss will be a determining factor of continuing on. The Finalist will be determine by the top 4 of Pool Standing which will be a combination of wins to lose, and points acquired. 

Because of the burn time rule (described in the Points section under Doubles)  with the weighted afterblow, the aim is to encourage “smarter” fencing.  Because points can be easily negated, it hopes to incentive more careful approaches and ensuring safety after an attack.  High risk attacks can only be paid off through measure and time, and miscalculation can result in the defender's advantage.  This also helps mitigate faulted doubles when a fighter goes for a deep target and the opponent throws a sniping action instead of defending. 

Judging

The main aim is for directors to train assistant directors and line judges.  Professionalism and being fair according to the rules is key.  Line judges will be assigned to focus on one fighter on whether they hit and how deep, and the director and assistant will judge but observe both fighters and determine hits, timing, doubles, and afterblows.

(1) Director - the director will act as a judge in helping determine the score but also has the responsibility to make a final determination on any judges’ differing calls.  The director is also in charge of awarding additional points or giving out penalty cards.

(1) Assistant director - will act as a standard judge in most tournaments, using the batons to indicate what is seen.  The assistant will look out for tempo and whether the afterblow was defended.

(2) Line judges - each line judge will focus on their assigned fighter and whether they hit or not.  If a point is called and their assigned fighter attempts to score but fails, the judge will show the sign “no quality”. 

Points should only be awarded if two judges/directors confirm a hit was made.  

Directors should

• Talk to fighters on the expectations 

• Talk to their assistant, line judges and table to make sure everyone is on the same page

•  help their assistant and line judges, taking time to help correct or teach

• declare each exchange if a Double or an Afterblow had occur (even though the result is the same) to help the assistant and line judges distinct a double from an afterblow

• Check in with  fighters as the pool progress to make sure expectations are maintained

• Check in with the assistant and line judges at the end of pools

• Talk to the tournament manager if anything needs to be addressed

Assistant director should

• Make sure the Director is following the rules

• help line judges if there are confusions

• Talk to the tournament manager if the Director fails to address anything

Line Judge

• Make sure the Director is following the rules 

• Talk the tournament manager if anything is not addressed

Judge and Directing Rotation

There will be 6 pools of 4 or 5, and if it's a smaller tournament (less than 20), there will be 4 pools of 4 or 5. Fighters are expected to judge at least one pool.  This will be based on the honor system, so be cool.

For 6 Pools

• Round 1

•  Pools 1 & 2 Will Fight

• 5&6 Will Judge

• Round 2

• Pools 3 & 4 Will Fight

• 1 & 2 Will Judge

• Round 3

• Pools 5 & 6

• Pools 3 & 4 Will Judge

Anyone who wants experience directing, please contact Jonathan Ying. Everyone else will line judge, table or be assistant director.