🥋 USA KARATE–COMPLIANT EVENT RULES
🛡️ Equipment & Uniform Requirements
Karate Gi
- All competitors must wear a clean, solid white karate gi, in accordance with USA Karate regulations.
- Sleeves and pant legs must meet USA Karate length requirements.
- Belts must be red and blue only for competition.
Kobudo & Iaido Attire (If Applicable)
- Kobudo and Iaido competitors must wear attire approved under the USA Karate Rules of Competition for those disciplines.
- All uniforms must comply with current USA Karate appendices regarding color, style, and presentation.
Mandatory Protective Equipment (Kumite)
All kumite competitors must wear USA Karate–approved equipment, including:
- Fist Guards: Red (AKA) or Blue (AO) elite only. Or just white for everyone else.
- Shin Guards & Foot Protectors: Red (AKA) or Blue (AO) elite only. Or just white for everyone else.
- Mouth Guard: Mandatory for all kumite competitors
- Groin Protector: Mandatory where required by USA Karate regulations
- Chest/Body Protector: Mandatory for divisions as required by USA Karate (Required for all under 14 years old)
- Headgear: Mandatory for under 14 years old – approved and free of metal bars or guards. It can be white color.
⚔️ Kumite Rules
General Conduct
- All techniques must be executed with control, proper form, and regard for competitor safety, in accordance with USA Karate and WKF standards.
- Excessive contact, lack of control, or prohibited techniques will be penalized per USA Karate rules.
Contact Levels
Non-injurious light skin touch contact is permitted for punches and kicks.
- All ages. Any technique causing impact or injury will result in a penalty.
- All ages. All techniques to the face, head, and neck must be executed with absolute control
Match Duration
- Kumite bout duration shall follow the official USA Karate Rules of Competition for each age and division.
- No local modifications to match time are permitted for qualifier divisions.
Scoring
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Scoring shall follow the WKF scoring system as adopted by USA Karate, including:
- Yuko (1 point)
- Waza-ari (2 points)
- Ippon (3 points)
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An 8-point ceiling or 8-point spread will be used.
🥇 Kata Competition Rules
Beginner, Novice, and Intermediate Divisions
- Beginner, Novice, and Intermediate divisions may perform only the kata listed at the bottom of the page.
- Kata repetition: Competitors in Beginner, Novice, and Intermediate divisions may repeat the same kata.
- Judging format flag or points will be consistent with USA Karate standards and will be published in the event bulletin.
Advanced & Elite Divisions
- Advanced competitors will need minimun two different kata during competition.
- Kata shall be judged using the point or flag system in accordance with USA Karate and WKF rules.
- Elite competitors must perform a different kata in each round, as required by Kata listed at the bottom of the page.
- Kata repetition is prohibited where restricted by USA Karate regulations.
👨⚖️ Officials & Judging
- All referees and judges must be USA Karate–certified or approved for sanctioned competition.
- Match conduct, penalties, protests, and appeals shall follow USA Karate procedures.
📄 Rule Interpretation
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The rules will be presented during our official Referee Seminar on Friday evening. All coaches are welcome to attend:
https://silveradocup.com/index.php/refereeAll safety-related decisions made by referees are final.
✅ Compliance Statement
This event is conducted under the USA Karate Rules of Competition (effective January 1, 2026). All sanctioned divisions are intended to meet USA Karate standards for qualification eligibility.
