MUSICAL FORM RULES

  World Mixed Martial Arts Federation      

MUSICAL FORM RULES

Traditional Forms

A person performing a form must express and demonstrate a mentally and physically realistic approach to the various defense scenarios he/she is trying to emulate. The moves within the Form must be appropriate to the style being performed. Techniques should be performed with full power, focus and explosiveness. When executing the form all basic techniques should be performed logically and be relative to the selected Form. The Competitor’s name, the name of the form and club, (or country) must be announced to Judges in all styles. In all sections 4 people will qualify for the final, and will perform again in reverse order. It is optional at National level that the winner can be decided after only one round. In all World level competitions, wherever rankings are available, heats must be seeded.

Scoring 3-5 judges scoring with the highest and lowest scores taken away Points are given to one decimal place

In preliminary rounds will range between 6,0 and 8,0 (starting point 7), in finals between 8,0 and 9,9 ( starting point 9 )

CRW – Creative weapons – no music

A self-made Form without music but with weapons, with no gymnastic moves. The Creative weapon Form should contain only the use of standard martial arts techniques, along with the individual’s creative variation. All creative forms without music and with weapons, and any so called traditional Kobudo styles which are not listed must be performed only in this division of creative weapon forms. All Karate, Korean and Wushu weapon forms may have traditional moves only. It must consist of traditional techniques, stance and blocks. No machine gun kicks etc. In this kind of forms the competitor must wear a martial arts uniform. Weapon must be used and is highly important for the scoring. The use of stage props such as Lasers, Smoke, Fire or “Dry Ice“, is not permitted. The duration of a creative form must be between 1 and 3 minutes. The time starts with the first move of the form, not the announcement. A Timekeeper will be appointed.

Scoring should be based on: Manipulation of the weapon, speed of the weapon techniques, showmanship, degree of difficulty, basic hand and feet techniques, balance, basics stances, strength and focus. Traditional performance in all Kobudo styles of traditional forms. The form will be scored on the use of the weapon, not Kicks and other techniques.

WEAPON KATA

In WEAPON KATA division a competitor or team shows their skills in a particular weapon Kata of their choice. This weapon Kata can be a traditional or a modern weapon form (NO FIRE GUNS WEAPONS ARE ALLOWED!!!)

Weapons Kata are for real defending or/real attacking. Therefore it is not allowed to work with soft-weapons.
– Also traditional weapons like Katana (sword), Kama (sickle), Tanto (knife), Tonfa, and others have to be made of Iron / Metal / Wood and not of plastic.
– Inside the WEAPON KATA division there are 2 subdivisions : WEAPON KATA INDIVIDUAL and WEAPON KATA SYNCHRONIC

Single competitors compete in Weapon Kata and teams composed of 3 members compete in Weapon Kata Synchronic

PRINCIPLES of WEAPON KATA 7

  1. WEAPON KATA has to be alive and has to be performed with feeling. The purpose of techniques must be clear, they should have a combat value. A WEAPON KATA must not be just a dance, nice for looking but devoid of combat value.
  2. There has to be “spirit”. Energy, force and mind must come together in one point in a short moment. Here we can talk about “Focus”.


3. The power of strong and weak, hard and soft, flex and relax. This we have to see in a WEAPON KATA

4-The timing of fast and slow. There has to be a variation in speed. There is a difference between action and no action in a WEAPON KATA. In this manner there will be a rhythm reflecting a character and conveying a feeling of a battle.


5. Rhythm of breathing, the right way of breathing in and out. It is important to gather power and energy in the area of the energy-centre in the lower abdomen


6. Balance is very important in every exercise. For right and effective techniques it is important to have a good balance of the body. Some techniques in a WEAPON KATA are just for development of balance of the body

7. Synchronization is very important in WEAPON KATA SYNCHRONIC.

Disqualification in WEAPON KATA

If one competitor/team is not coming to compete, after 30 seconds follows disqualification.
– When a competitor or team stops the performance before the end, disqualification will follow.
– When a competitor or member of a team moves out of the competition area, the competitor ore the team will be disqualified.
– When a performance is less or more than the time limit .

SELF-DEFENSE COMBAT

In Self-Defense Combat a team is composed of 2 competitors, 1 attacker and 1 defender. – MALE teams is composed strictly by two (2) male members having the same age category. – FEMALE teams is composed strictly by two (2) female members having the same age category. – MIXT teams is composed strictly by two (2) members, one male and one female having the same age category.
– In Self-Defense Combat there must be 70% of the performance in a reality way of fighting, 30% of the performance is allowed for show choreographic


SELF-DEFENSE SPORT is a team of 4 competitors, 3 attackers and 1 defender.
In the choreography of Self-Defense Sport there must be 50% realistic fighting techniques and 50% of the performance must be show/choreographic. Basically 50% of the decision will be for the realism and 50% for the show/acrobatic techniques/choreography.
– All teams are composed strictly of four ( 4 ) members , from any sex category , from any age category

Weapons used in SELF-DEFENSE divisions

The weapons used for the SELF-DEFENSE performances have to be real weapons (not sharpened but made of iron / wood / metal and not from plastic, NO FIRE GUNS WEAPONS ARE ALLOWED!!!). Weapons within SELF-DEFENSE are for real defending or real attacking. Therefore it is not allowed to work with soft-weapons

WEAPON SELF–DEFENSE

In the Weapon Self-Defense division there will be a traditional fight „weapon vs. weapon”. The weapons used for the Self-Defense performances have to be real weapons (not sharpened but made from iron / wood / metal and not from plastik or silicon).Just traditional Martial Arts Weapons are allowed or traditional national weapons of somebody’s country. All weapons must be used in a very traditional manner and not in a very modern survival one. The Chairmen of Referees has the final decision in this case

TEAMS in WEAPON SELF-DEFENSE

There are two (2) kinds of WEAPON SELF-DEFENSE teams: – MALE teams composed of two (2) male members having the same age category. -FEMALE teams composed of two (2) female members having the same age category


Time limit of WEAPON SELF-DEFENSE divisions

Each team must take care of the time limits of their performances which will be mandatory as follows : 2-4 minutes

Disqualification in WEAPON SELF-DEFENSE

If one team is not coming after the head referees call them by the microphone to compete, after 30 seconds follows disqualification.
– When a team stops the performance before the end, disqualification will follow.
– When any member of a team moves out of the competition area the team will be disqualified––When the performance is less or more than the time limit

LIGHT MMA RULES

 Light MMA Rules

1) Competition Area
• Square mat area: 6×6 m
• Safety perimeter: 1 m (total 8×8 m)

2) Uniform and Equipment
• Shorts, groin guard, shin guards (soft), open-hand gloves with covered thumbs
• Head guard and mouthpiece mandatory
• Women: chest protector mandatory
• No jewelry (rings, necklaces, earrings, etc.)
• All equipment must be approved and inspected by jury

3) Duration of Matches
• Age 7–9: 2×1.5 min, 30s interval
• Age 10–12: 2×2 min, 1 min interval
• Age 13–15: 2×2 min, 1 min interval
• Age 15+: 2×3 min, 1 min interval

4) Legal Targets
• Strikes allowed with control to all parts except: groin, throat, eyes, back of neck, spine
• Punches, kicks, and knees (knees only to body) allowed
• Strikes must be controlled; overextended = “without control”
• No striking opponent when on the ground or while grappling
• Age 10–12: no striking while grabbing, submission forbidden
• Age 13–15: no striking while grabbing, submission allowed but only demonstration (not finalized)

5) Throws
• Any throw allowed except direct vertical drops on head/neck or causing opponent to fall on knees
• Throws starting inside fighting area valid even if finished outside
• Takedown = any action bringing opponent to ground and gaining top position

6) Immobilizations
• Points awarded for holding opponent immobilized on mat
• Immobilization = 10 sec (5s count + 5s referee)
• Escaping outside the fighting area stops count
• Rear mount exception: lower position still scores points
• Points awarded based on final position

7) Submissions
• Allowed: choking, strangles, compressions, arm locks
• No hands on opponent’s face
• Finalization ends fight
• Dangerous finalizations may be stopped by referee (penalty: -1 point)
• Mouthpiece loss: fight continues, referee replaces later
• No ripping (violent) joint locks, no finger locks
• Submissions must be applied progressively

FULL MMA RULES

🥋 FULL MMA RULES

1️⃣ Competition Area
• Matches take place in a kickboxing-style ring (preferably 4 ropes).
• Jury table + 3 side judges’ chairs are outside the ring.
• Floor must be properly padded with mats.

2️⃣ Uniforms & Equipment

👕 Shorts
🛡️ Groin guard
🦵 Shin & instep guards (no hard parts)
🥊 Open-finger gloves (thumbs covered, 3 cm padding)
🦷 Mouth guard (must stay in place)
🩹 Hand wraps (secured with single tape turn)
👩 Women must wear a chest protector.

All equipment must be approved and inspected by the jury.

3️⃣ Duration of Match

⏱️ 2 rounds × 3 minutes each
🛑 1-minute rest between rounds

4️⃣ Legal Targets

✅ Strikes allowed to entire body except:
• ❌ Spine
• ❌ Back of neck
• ❌ Throat
• ❌ Groin

Allowed techniques: punches 👊, kicks 🦵, shins, knees.
🚫 No striking an opponent on the ground, or while you are grounded.
👉 “Grounded” = at least one hand or knee on the mat.

5️⃣ Throws

✔️ Any kind of throws are permitted (except submissions).
✔️ Striking while holding or being held is allowed.
❌ No head/neck-first throws, no throws onto knees, no throwing outside ropes.
👉 A takedown = forcing the opponent to the ground (with or without falling on them).
🚫 Holding ropes is forbidden.
If unable to continue after a throw → referee counts to 8 → may be declared out of action (like KO).

6️⃣ Immobilization
• Ground control allowed.
• Points only for the fighter in an advantageous position (all top positions + rear mount).
• Locks & chokes allowed for control or submission.
• Referee may count up to 5 seconds for immobilization → awards points.
• If fighter cannot continue → referee counts up to 8 → KO may be declared.

7️⃣ Submission

✔️ Allowed: chokes, strangles, compressions, joint locks (e.g., armbars).
🚫 No finger locks, no violent/ripping submissions. Must apply progressively.
⏹️ Referee may stop dangerous submissions → 1-point deduction for the caught fighter.
🦷 Lost mouth guard = fight continues until ground phase ends.

8️⃣ Illegal Techniques 🚫
• Hands on opponent’s face
• Strikes to neck, spine, top of head, groin
• Attacking after referee’s stop
• Striking a grounded opponent
• Grabbing ropes, cage, or shorts
• Headbutts
• Elbow strikes
• Biting, scratching
• Eye attack or simulation 👁️
• Talking during the fight 🗣️

9️⃣ Scoring
• End of each round:
• Winner = 10 points
• Opponent = 9 points (or 8 for big gap)
• Deductions: penalties & referee counts.
• Final score = total across all rounds.
• Equal points in elimination → judge must give preference.
🏆 Winner = majority decision.

📄 Appeals must be filed in writing immediately with the chairman + fee.

🔟 Referee
• Commands: “Fight” ▶️, “Stop” ⏹️, “Break” ↔️.
• Signals:
• Projection = arm raised
• Immobilization = arm extended horizontally
• Counts aloud during immobilizations (up to 5).
• May extend count up to 10 for knockdown situations.
• Can stop bout for safety, injury, or inactivity.
• Consults ringside doctor when needed.

1️⃣1️⃣ Judges
• Score techniques, combinations, accuracy, effectiveness.
• Record projections & immobilizations.
• Fill out full scorecard.

1️⃣2️⃣ Jury

👤 Timekeeper – stops clock only at referee’s signal, announces “seconds out” 10 sec before round.
🎤 Announcer
📋 Commissioner – ultimate authority
🩺 Ringside Doctor – decides if injured fighter continues (final decision).

1️⃣3️⃣ Points (Detailed Scoring)
• Throw (both legs lifted) → 3
• Throw → 2
• Takedown → 1
• Side immobilization → 2
• Full/rear mount immobilization → 3
• Punch → 1
• Kick to leg → 1
• Kick to body → 2
• Kick to head → 3
• Knee to body → 1
• Knee to head → –1 (deduction)
• High efficacy technique → +1

1️⃣4️⃣ Weight Divisions ⚖️

Men (19–40 yrs): 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, +90 kg
Women (19–40 yrs): 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, +65 kg
Junior Male (16–18 yrs): 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, +75 kg
Junior Female (16–18 yrs): 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, +60 kg

1️⃣5️⃣ Exit from Fighting Area
• A: If side/full mount achieved → restart in same position at ring center.
• B: If no mount → restart standing.
• C: If pending submission → -1 point from at-risk fighter → restart standing.

1️⃣6️⃣ Injuries 🩺
• Injury from foul technique → 3 minutes recovery time.
• Ringside doctor decides if fighter continues → decision is final.

1️⃣7️⃣ Clinch 🤜🤛
• Defined as stalemate (standing or ground) ~5 seconds without progress.
• Can be used to stall for time → referee may intervene.

ELITE MMA RULES

 ELITE MMA RULES

(for World Championship)

1) Place of Competition
• Matches are held inside a caged octagon, 7–10 meters in diameter.

2) Clothing & Protective Gear
• Fighters must wear MMA shorts.
• Protective gear: groin guard, open-hand gloves with covered thumbs, mouthpiece.
• Women: T-shirt/top + chest guard required.
• All gear must be jury-approved.

Gloves
• Padding thickness: 3–4 cm.
• Thumb coverage: padding 0.5–1 cm.
• Gloves must cover up to the middle of knuckles.

3) Duration of Matches
• 2 rounds × 5 minutes, with 1 minute interval (both eliminations & finals).

4) Legal Targets & Allowed Techniques
• Strikes allowed to the entire body except: spine, nape, top of head, throat, groin.
• Allowed: punches (closed fist), kicks, knees, shin strikes.
• A grounded fighter may kick a standing opponent in the face.

5) Takedown
• Allowed to grab, hold, throw in any manner (not during submission finalization).
• Striking while grabbing is allowed.
• Forbidden:
• Holding ropes/cage.
• Throwing over the cage.
• Dropping opponent on neck/head first.
• Forcing opponent to fall directly on knees.

6) Immobilizations
• Immobilization = 10 seconds control to earn points.
• Allowed: locks & chokes to maintain immobilization or force surrender.
• Advantage based on position (rear mount always considered dominant).

7) Submission
• Fight can be finalized by: chokes, strangles, compressions, arm/leg/foot locks.
• Not allowed: finger locks, attacking face with hands.
• Referee may stop dangerous submissions (victory awarded).
• Mouthguard loss: referee pauses, reinserts, resumes.

8) Scoring
• Judges award 10–9 system (10 to better fighter, 9 or 8 to opponent).
• Points deducted for penalties.
• In case of tie: referee’s preference decides.
• Winner: majority of verdicts.
• Claims must be submitted immediately in writing with fee.

9) Referee
• Commands: “Fight!”, “Stop!”, “Break!”.
• May stop fight for:
• KO (3 clean face shots on grounded passive opponent).
• Fighter in great difficulty.
• Injury (doctor consulted).

10) Judges
• Evaluate: strikes, combos, throws, immobilizations.
• Fill official scoring sheets.

11) Jury

Includes:
• Timekeeper (time stops only on referee’s command).
• Announcer.
• Commissioner (ultimate authority).
• Doctor (decides on fighter safety).

12) Points System
• Throw lifting both legs: 3 pts.
• Throw: 2 pts.
• Takedown: 1 pt.
• Immobilization: 1 pt.
• Side immobilization: 2 pts.
• Mount / Rear mount: 3 pts.
• Punch: 1 pt.
• Kick to body: 1 pt.
• Kick to head: 2 pts.
• Knee to body: 1 pt.
• Knockdown count: –1 pt.

13) Weight Divisions

Men: 56, 60, 65.8, 70.3, 77.1, 84, 93, +93 kg
Women: 50, 55, 61, 68, 76, +76 kg

14) Injury
• Foul injury: 3 minutes recovery time (doctor decides).
• No contest: if stopped before end of Round 1.
• After Round 1: winner decided by scorecards.

15) Clinch
• Defined as 10s of inactivity in standing or ground position.
• Used to stall → referee intervenes.

16) Illegal Actions

 Grabbing shorts or gloves
 Grabbing cage
 Scratching, biting, headbutts
 Elbow strikes
 Strikes to neck, groin, spine, top of head
 Pushing face with head
 Using oils/ointments (unless approved by referee)

Light MMA Rules

📜 Light MMA Rules

1) Competition Area
• Square mat area: 6×6 m
• Safety perimeter: 1 m (total 8×8 m)

2) Uniform and Equipment
• Shorts, groin guard, shin guards (soft), open-hand gloves with covered thumbs
• Head guard and mouthpiece mandatory
• Women: chest protector mandatory
• No jewelry (rings, necklaces, earrings, etc.)
• All equipment must be approved and inspected by jury

3) Duration of Matches
• Age 7–9: 2×1.5 min, 30s interval
• Age 10–12: 2×2 min, 1 min interval
• Age 13–15: 2×2 min, 1 min interval
• Age 15+: 2×3 min, 1 min interval

4) Legal Targets
• Strikes allowed with control to all parts except: groin, throat, eyes, back of neck, spine
• Punches, kicks, and knees (knees only to body) allowed
• Strikes must be controlled; overextended = “without control”
• No striking opponent when on the ground or while grappling
• Age 10–12: no striking while grabbing, submission forbidden
• Age 13–15: no striking while grabbing, submission allowed but only demonstration (not finalized)

5) Throws
• Any throw allowed except direct vertical drops on head/neck or causing opponent to fall on knees
• Throws starting inside fighting area valid even if finished outside
• Takedown = any action bringing opponent to ground and gaining top position

6) Immobilizations
• Points awarded for holding opponent immobilized on mat
• Immobilization = 10 sec (5s count + 5s referee)
• Escaping outside the fighting area stops count
• Rear mount exception: lower position still scores points
• Points awarded based on final position

7) Submissions
• Allowed: choking, strangles, compressions, arm locks
• No hands on opponent’s face
• Finalization ends fight
• Dangerous finalizations may be stopped by referee (penalty: -1 point)
• Mouthpiece loss: fight continues, referee replaces later
• No ripping (violent) joint locks, no finger locks
• Submissions must be applied progressively

FULL MMA RULES

🥋 FULL MMA RULES

1️⃣ Competition Area
• Matches take place in a kickboxing-style ring (preferably 4 ropes).
• Jury table + 3 side judges’ chairs are outside the ring.
• Floor must be properly padded with mats.

2️⃣ Uniforms & Equipment

👕 Shorts
🛡️ Groin guard
🦵 Shin & instep guards (no hard parts)
🥊 Open-finger gloves (thumbs covered, 3 cm padding)
🦷 Mouth guard (must stay in place)
🩹 Hand wraps (secured with single tape turn)
👩 Women must wear a chest protector.

All equipment must be approved and inspected by the jury.

3️⃣ Duration of Match

⏱️ 2 rounds × 3 minutes each
🛑 1-minute rest between rounds

4️⃣ Legal Targets

✅ Strikes allowed to entire body except:
• ❌ Spine
• ❌ Back of neck
• ❌ Throat
• ❌ Groin

Allowed techniques: punches 👊, kicks 🦵, shins, knees.
🚫 No striking an opponent on the ground, or while you are grounded.
👉 “Grounded” = at least one hand or knee on the mat.

5️⃣ Throws

✔️ Any kind of throws are permitted (except submissions).
✔️ Striking while holding or being held is allowed.
❌ No head/neck-first throws, no throws onto knees, no throwing outside ropes.
👉 A takedown = forcing the opponent to the ground (with or without falling on them).
🚫 Holding ropes is forbidden.
If unable to continue after a throw → referee counts to 8 → may be declared out of action (like KO).

6️⃣ Immobilization
• Ground control allowed.
• Points only for the fighter in an advantageous position (all top positions + rear mount).
• Locks & chokes allowed for control or submission.
• Referee may count up to 5 seconds for immobilization → awards points.
• If fighter cannot continue → referee counts up to 8 → KO may be declared.

7️⃣ Submission

✔️ Allowed: chokes, strangles, compressions, joint locks (e.g., armbars).
🚫 No finger locks, no violent/ripping submissions. Must apply progressively.
⏹️ Referee may stop dangerous submissions → 1-point deduction for the caught fighter.
🦷 Lost mouth guard = fight continues until ground phase ends.

8️⃣ Illegal Techniques 🚫
• Hands on opponent’s face
• Strikes to neck, spine, top of head, groin
• Attacking after referee’s stop
• Striking a grounded opponent
• Grabbing ropes, cage, or shorts
• Headbutts
• Elbow strikes
• Biting, scratching
• Eye attack or simulation 👁️
• Talking during the fight 🗣️

9️⃣ Scoring
• End of each round:
• Winner = 10 points
• Opponent = 9 points (or 8 for big gap)
• Deductions: penalties & referee counts.
• Final score = total across all rounds.
• Equal points in elimination → judge must give preference.
🏆 Winner = majority decision.

📄 Appeals must be filed in writing immediately with the chairman + fee.

🔟 Referee
• Commands: “Fight” ▶️, “Stop” ⏹️, “Break” ↔️.
• Signals:
• Projection = arm raised
• Immobilization = arm extended horizontally
• Counts aloud during immobilizations (up to 5).
• May extend count up to 10 for knockdown situations.
• Can stop bout for safety, injury, or inactivity.
• Consults ringside doctor when needed.

1️⃣1️⃣ Judges
• Score techniques, combinations, accuracy, effectiveness.
• Record projections & immobilizations.
• Fill out full scorecard.

1️⃣2️⃣ Jury

👤 Timekeeper – stops clock only at referee’s signal, announces “seconds out” 10 sec before round.
🎤 Announcer
📋 Commissioner – ultimate authority
🩺 Ringside Doctor – decides if injured fighter continues (final decision).

1️⃣3️⃣ Points (Detailed Scoring)
• Throw (both legs lifted) → 3
• Throw → 2
• Takedown → 1
• Side immobilization → 2
• Full/rear mount immobilization → 3
• Punch → 1
• Kick to leg → 1
• Kick to body → 2
• Kick to head → 3
• Knee to body → 1
• Knee to head → –1 (deduction)
• High efficacy technique → +1

1️⃣4️⃣ Weight Divisions ⚖️

Men (19–40 yrs): 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, +90 kg
Women (19–40 yrs): 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, +65 kg
Junior Male (16–18 yrs): 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, +75 kg
Junior Female (16–18 yrs): 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, +60 kg

1️⃣5️⃣ Exit from Fighting Area
• A: If side/full mount achieved → restart in same position at ring center.
• B: If no mount → restart standing.
• C: If pending submission → -1 point from at-risk fighter → restart standing.

1️⃣6️⃣ Injuries 🩺
• Injury from foul technique → 3 minutes recovery time.
• Ringside doctor decides if fighter continues → decision is final.

1️⃣7️⃣ Clinch 🤜🤛
• Defined as stalemate (standing or ground) ~5 seconds without progress.
• Can be used to stall for time → referee may intervene.