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Capture The Flag

Capture the Flag (also called Flag Sparring) is intended as non-contact sparring event for young competitors. It's a standalone event for competitors who are not yet ready for point or continous sparring, but would still like to experience competition.

Division Setup

  • format: This division can be done with any bracket format, but is recommended to have the same bracket as the other sparring event's at the tournament.
  • recommended experience level: beginners only
  • recommended max age: 8
  • grouping: by either weight or height, depending on tournament logistics
  • ruleset: There are two rulesets that Capture the Flag can be done under. It will depend on what sparring event you'd want to push them towards.

Equipment

  • Each competitor shall wear a flag belt with three flags total.
    • One flag in front of each hip and one at the spine.
    • The belts must allow for individual flag removal without detaching the entire belt.
  • No other protective gear is required.

Officials & Procedures

  • Each match shall have 1 head judge and two side judges.
  • The head judge is responsible for:
    • Ensuring the flags are securely attached before the start of each round.
    • Flags are reset as needed
    • Enforcing rules and issuing penalties
  • Side judge are to assist the head judge with the flags and controlling competitors

Rules

  • Competitors can not grab anything except the flags.
  • Competitors may use their hands to block or prevent opponent from capturing a flag, but they may not push or hold opponents.
    • Previous grabbing rule still applies.
  • Flags can not be captured from a downed opponent.
    • A competitor is considered 'downed' if any body part other than the soles of their feet touches the floor.
  • Both competitors must have both of their feet inside the action area for a flag to be captured.
  • 3 penalties / warnings. On the fourth penalty, they lose the match.
    • The same penalties as sparring apply: grabbing, pushing, capturing after action is stopped, unsportsmanlike conduct, leaving the ring, etc.
  • A competitor loses when:
    • They have no more flags attached.
    • They have fewer flags than their opponent when the round ends.
  • If the round ends with competitors tied, then the match moves to golden flag (point style sudden death)
    • All flags are attached.

Point Style

This version if modeled after point sparring.

  • A match consists of single 1m30s round.
  • When a competitor captures a flag, the head judge shall call Stop, then Judges Call. The Judges will raise their hands towards the competitor that captured the flag first.
    • If competitor(s) remove a flag before the Stop, then the flags shall stay removed.
    • If the flag was removed after Stop, it will be reset and the offending competitor will receive a penalty.
    • The head judge will reset the competitors at the center of the ring.

Continuous Style

This version if modeled after continous sparring.

  • Matches are best 2 out of 3 rounds, with each round lasting 30s.
    • There shall be a 30s break to reset the flags.
  • Action does not stop when a flag is taken.
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