United States and World Breaking Associations- Competition Rules

General

Judging and Scoring Method:

1. Scoring point range varies by division.

2. 3-7Judge system – Tally all points. This will be at division director’s discretion, but will be consistent for all competitors.

3. Any/each violation will cause a deduction of points according to the Rules set forth by each respective Division and Competition.

4. Competitors will be judged on: difficulty, creativity, focus, expression, balance, poise and grace, and completion of breaks.

5. Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided as outlined in each division.

6. Arbitration and Protest: Competitors who feel they received an unfair score may file an Official Protest by presenting their argument to the USBA/WBA Representative on site ($20.00 Protest Fee may be imposed at any time). The protestor will present the case to the USBA/WBA Representative through the ring coordinator. Any decision rendered by the USBA/WBA Representative will be final. If the USBA/WBA Representative finds in favor of the protestor, then the decision will be rectified and the Protest Fee will be returned. Protests must be made before the end of their particular division.

Ring Sizes: Basic size 20’ x 20’, depending on the kind of breaking, at judges’ and promoter’s discretion.

Warnings and Disqualification:

Disruptive behavior, use of profanity, or other unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a warning being issued. If the behavior is deemed by the Judges to be malicious, it will result in deduction of a point (as appropriate for the event) or disqualification.

Materials:

1. Purchase of Materials: All breaking materials must be purchased from the Supply Committee on-site, with the exception of the Creative Multi-Direction Wood Breaking, Creative Open Breaking and Extreme Breaking divisions (which must be inspected by Judges). All breaking materials must to be approved by Ring Judges and Selected Committee.

2. Inspection of Materials: Judges and/or USBA/WBA reserve the right to inspect any materials that are to be used for breaking.

3. Removal of Materials: All breaking materials must be removed from the competition area by competitors and put into the dumpsters provided by Committee after completion of each performance.

Uniforms:

Competitor Uniform: In order to compete, the competitor MUST be wearing a uniform at the time he/she is called to the ring. This uniform must consist of, at a minimum: Studio or team t-shirt and Martial Arts type pants. No shorts, tank tops, jeans, ripped clothing, hats, etc. may be worn. If you have a question please see an official USBA/WBA representative before the start of your division. The uniform top may be removed as part of a Creative breaking routine.

Divisions:

1. Weight Divisions: Where specified, weight divisions will be as follows: Men- Light Weight – 199.9 and under, Heavy Weight - 200 and over; Women- Light Weight- 160.9 and under, Heavy Weight - 161 and over. Weigh-in will take place at the registration area as registration is done or at the rings. The competitor’s weight will be written on his/her competition ticket.

2. Divisions with Fewer than 5 Competitors may be combined with the next closest division at the discretion of the Judges.

3. Rank Breakdown:

Beginner: 1-12 months of training; white, yellow, orange; 10^th, 9^th, 8^th belt level.

Intermediate: 12-24 months; lt. blue, green, purple; 7^th, 6^th, 5^th belt level.

Advanced: 24-48 months; brown, red, navy, stripe belts; 4^th, 3^rd, 2^nd, 1^st belt level.

Black Belt: All Black Belts regardless of training period or rank.

4. Entries: Competitors may enter as many divisions as they wish (it is the competitor’s responsibility to enter all competitions when called).

5. Divisions with Cash Prizes: Cash prizes will be awarded at the promoter’s discretion. At most events you must be a USBA/WBA member to be eligible for cash awards.

Time Limits:

1. IMPORTANT: In order to keep the breaking divisions running smoothly, competitors will be required to adhere to the time limits outlined. This is very important, and deductions will be enforced. It would be to the competitor’s benefit to practice set-ups, breaks, and clean-ups before the day of the event.

2. Competitor Readiness: A competitor must be ready to compete, as determined by the judges, as soon as that competitor’s name is called in the ring.

Safety: The safety of the competitor and the audience comes first, NO EXCEPTIONS! The safety of the competitor is very important and we request that the instructor of the competitor approve all breaks. If the break is deemed to be unsafe by the Judges or the USBA/WBA Representative on site, we reserve the right to restrict the break. No material may leave the ring as a result of breaking unless planned for beforehand, to ensure that no other competitor, spectator, or Judge will be struck or put in danger by material as a result of a break. If this occurs, the Judges have the right to disqualify the competitor if they feel that the safety of others was compromised. Also, the break cannot cause damage to the facility or surrounding fixtures.

Creative Multi-Direction Wood Breaking

Materials: Wood boards only. Competitor may purchase boards on-site or provide their own.
Props: Props and “prop stations” may be used. Competitor will be allowed a maximum of 3 prop stations that will not be included in their routine for scoring purposes. Competitor must communicate prop stations to the ring coordinator and judges before the start of their routine.
Techniques: All techniques are allowed. Competitor may use any strike to break.
Breaking Stations: Tiny Tott & Beginner and Intermediate Competitors- 4 Stations Max., Advanced and Black Belt Competitors- 8 Station Max. The competitor may set up the maximum number of breaking stations for his/her specific rank. Each break will be considered one station. Simultaneous breaks will be considered one station. If competitor leaves the ground all breaks executed before he/she returns to the ground will be considered one station. A station may be free standing, set on stands, or held by assistants. Competitor will be responsible for all materials required to set up their stations. Competitors will also be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 3 minutes to set-up, break, and clean up the area. A deduction of 3 points will be taken off the competitor’s final score for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 3-minute mark. Time is cumulative, determined as follows: time starts when competitor starts set-up, time stops when competitor completes set-up, time starts again upon the attempt of the first break, time stops when the ring is cleared as determined by the ring coordinator.
Judging: Competitor will be judged on difficulty, creativity, focus, and completion of breaks.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the exclusion of low and/or high scores, a 1-station break-off, or a show of hands—at the Judges’ discretion.

Creative Multi-Directional Team Breaking

Team Members: teams must consist of 2 competitors. Neither age nor rank needs to be in the same category
Materials: Wood boards only. Competitor may purchase boards on-site or provide their own.
Props: Props and “prop stations” may be used. Competitor will be allowed a maximum of 3 prop stations that will not be included in their routine for scoring purposes. Competitor must communicate prop stations to the ring coordinator and judges before the start of their routine.
Techniques: All techniques are allowed. Competitor may use any strike to break. Breaking Stations: 8 Station Max. Regardless of rank. The competitors may set up the maximum number of breaking stations. Each break will be considered one station. Simultaneous breaks will be considered one station. If competitor leaves the ground all breaks executed before he/she returns to the ground will be considered one station. Both competitors must break, but there is no requirement as to how many breaks each competitor must perform, only that the combined total of breaks stations is 8 or less. A station may be free standing, set on stands, or held by assistants. Competitor will be responsible for all materials required to set up their stations. Competitors will also be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 3 minutes to set-up, break, and clean up the area. A deduction of 3 points will be taken off the competitor’s final score for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 3-minute mark. Time is cumulative, determined as follows: time starts when competitor starts set-up, time stops when competitor completes set-up, time starts again upon the attempt of the first break, time stops when the ring is cleared as determined by the ring coordinator.
Judging: Competitor will be judged on difficulty, creativity, focus, and completion of breaks.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the exclusion of low and/or high scores, a 1-station break-off, or a show of hands—at the Judges’ discretion.
Points: there will be NO points awards towards the annual ratings for this event.

Creative Open Breaking - Any Materials, No Fire or Glass Breaks

Materials: Any materials can be used except fire and glass breaks. Examples of materials are cement blocks, wood boards, concrete, wood poles, bricks, metal, etc. Creativity of materials used, props, and techniques will increase a competitor’s score. Music is allowed, but competitor will be responsible for music.
Props: Props and “prop stations” may be used. Competitor will be allowed a maximum of 3 prop stations that will not be included in their routine for scoring purposes. Competitor must communicate prop stations to the ring coordinator and judges before the start of their routine. Glass may be used as a prop, such as a bed of glass, as long as it is contained and not broken on site.
Techniques: All techniques are allowed. Competitor may use any strike to break.
Breaking Stations: The competitor may set up a maximum of 10 stations. Each break will be considered one station. Simultaneous breaks will be considered one station. If competitor leaves the ground all breaks executed before he/she returns to the ground will be considered one station. A station may be free standing, set on stands, or held by assistants. Competitor will be responsible for all materials required to set up their stations. Competitors will also be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 6 minutes to set-up, break, and clean up the area. A deduction of 3 points will be taken off the competitor’s final score for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 6-minute mark. Time is cumulative, determined as follows: time starts when competitor starts set-up, time stops when competitor completes set-up, time starts again upon the attempt of the first break, time stops upon the completion of the last break, time starts when clean-up begins, time stops when the ring is cleared as determined by the ring coordinator.
Judging: Competitor will be judged on difficulty, creativity, focus, and completion of breaks.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the exclusion of low and/or high scores, a 1-station break-off, or a show of hands—at the Judges’ discretion.

Power Concrete Breaking

Hand

Materials and Spacers: Blocks must be purchased on site from Supply Committee. Carpenter pencil spacers will be provided.
Techniques: Hand technique only (Palm, punch, chop, etc.). Technique must be a downward strike.
Weight divisions: See “General: Divisions” above.
Stations: One station will be used. Blocks will be set on a block base. Competitors may set up as many blocks as they wish. Competitors will be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
One Strike Only! Competitor has one attempt to break the blocks.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 6 minutes to set up. Time starts when the competitor signals he/she is ready, time stops when the competitor signals to the ring coordinator that his/her set-up is complete. Additional time will be counted if a set-up is to be significantly altered as determined by the ring coordinator. A deduction of ½ block will be taken off the competitor’s total break for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 6-minute mark.
Judging: Judges will count the number of blocks broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most (or, in the event of a tie, has the highest percentage broken) is the winner.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the highest percentage broken. Example: Competitor “A” breaks 10 out of 10; competitor “B” breaks 10 out of 12. Competitor “A” broke at 100%; competitor “B” broke at 83%. Competitor “A” is the winner. If more than one competitor has the same percentage broken after their initial break, there will be a break off to determine the winner. If there is a tie created by more than one competitor breaking 100% of their stack (example: 2 competitors break 10 out of 10), the competitor that broke the amount first is the winner

Elbow

Materials and Spacers: Blocks must be purchased on site from Supply Committee. Carpenter pencil spacers will be provided.
Techniques: Elbow technique only (drop elbow, overhand elbow, etc.). Technique must be a downward strike.
Weight divisions: See “General: Divisions” above.
Stations: One station will be used. Blocks will be set on a block base. Competitors may set up as many blocks as they wish. Competitors will be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
One Strike Only! Competitor has one attempt to break the blocks.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 6 minutes to set up. Time starts when the competitor signals he/she is ready, time stops when the competitor signals to the ring coordinator that his/her set-up is complete. Additional time will be counted if a set-up is to be significantly altered as determined by the ring coordinator. A deduction of ½ block will be taken off the competitor’s total break for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 6-minute mark.
Judging: Judges will count the number of blocks broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most (or, in the event of a tie, has the highest percentage broken) is the winner.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the highest percentage broken. Example: Competitor “A” breaks 10 out of 10; competitor “B” breaks 10 out of 12. Competitor “A” broke at 100%; competitor “B” broke at 83%. Competitor “A” is the winner. If more than one competitor has the same percentage broken after their initial break, there will be a break off to determine the winner. If there is a tie created by more than one competitor breaking 100% of their stack (example: 2 competitors break 10 out of 10), the competitor that broke the amount first is the winner.

Foot

Materials and Spacers: Blocks must be purchased on site from Supply Committee. Carpenter pencil spacers will be provided.
Techniques: Foot technique only (Stomp, Axe kick, etc.). Technique must be a downward strike.
Weight divisions: See “General: Divisions” above.
Stations: One station will be used. Blocks will be set on a block base. Competitors may set up as many blocks as they wish. Competitors will be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
One Strike Only! Competitor has one attempt to break the blocks.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 6 minutes to set up. Time starts when the competitor signals he/she is ready, time stops when the competitor signals to the ring coordinator that his/her set-up is complete. Additional time will be counted if a set-up is to be significantly altered as determined by the ring coordinator. A deduction of ½ block will be taken off the competitor’s total break for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 6-minute mark.
Judging: Judges will count the number of blocks broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most (or, in the event of a tie, has the highest percentage broken) is the winner.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the highest percentage broken. Example: Competitor “A” breaks 10 out of 10; competitor “B” breaks 10 out of 12. Competitor “A” broke at 100%; competitor “B” broke at 83%. Competitor “A” is the winner. If more than one competitor has the same percentage broken after their initial break, there will be a break off to determine the winner. If there is a tie created by more than one competitor breaking 100% of their stack (example: 2 competitors break 10 out of 10), the competitor that broke the amount first is the winner.

High Jump Board Breaking

Highest Jump: The competitor with the highest jump kick that breaks a single board is the winner. Competitors will be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
Materials: Boards will be supplied by Supply Committee. No spacers are allowed. Each competitor will be supplied up to 3 boards
Techniques: Any type of jump kick may be used. The competitor will be allowed to run a short distance and then jump into the kick.
Attempts: The competitor will have 3 attempts to produce the highest jump while breaking the board. The best of the 3 attempts will be used. The board must be broken or the jump will not count.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 1 minute for each attempt. Time starts when the competitor signals he/she is ready. A deduction of 1 inch will be taken off the competitor’s best attempt for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 3-minute total mark.
Judging: Judges will measure height to determine winner. Height will be determined from the top of the competitor’s head to the lowest part of the board.
Disqualification: If a competitor fails to break any boards in all three attempts the competitor will be disqualified and no place will be awarded.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be the competitor who produced the highest jump in their second best attempt. If there is still a tie, the winner will be determined by the total height produced by all 3 attempts.

Power Board Breaking

Hand

Materials and Spacers: Boards must be purchased on site from Supply Committee. Carpenter pencil spacers will be provided.
Techniques: Hand technique only (palm, knife-hand or chop, hammer fist, etc.). Technique must be a downward strike.
Weight divisions: See “General: Divisions” above.
Stations: One station will be used. Boards will be set on a block base. Competitors may set up as many boards as they wish. Competitors will be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
One Strike Only! Competitor has one attempt to break the boards.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 5 minutes to set up. Time starts when the competitor signals he/she is ready, time stops when the competitor signals to the ring coordinator that his/her set-up is complete. Additional time will be counted if a set-up is to be significantly altered as determined by the ring coordinator. A deduction of 1 board will be taken off the competitor’s total break for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 5-minute mark.
Judging: Judges will count the number of boards broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most (or, in the event of a tie, has the highest percentage broken) is the winner.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the highest percentage broken. Example: Competitor “A” breaks 10 out of 10; competitor “B” breaks 10 out of 12. Competitor “A” broke at 100%; competitor “B” broke at 83%. Competitor “A” is the winner. If more than one competitor has the same percentage broken after their initial break, there will be a break off to determine the winner. If there is a tie created by more than one competitor breaking 100% of their stack (example: 2 competitors break 10 out of 10), the competitor that broke the amount first is the winner.

Elbow

Materials and Spacers: Boards must be purchased on site from Supply Committee. Carpenter pencil spacers will be provided.
Techniques: Elbow strike only (drop elbow, overhand elbow, etc.). Technique must be a downward strike.
Weight divisions: See “General: Divisions” above.
Stations: One station will be used. Boards will be set on a block base. Competitors may set up as many boards as they wish. Competitors will be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
One Strike Only! Competitor has one attempt to break the boards.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 5 minutes to set up. Time starts when the competitor signals he/she is ready, time stops when the competitor signals to the ring coordinator that his/her set-up is complete. Additional time will be counted if a set-up is to be significantly altered as determined by the ring coordinator. A deduction of 1 board will be taken off the competitor’s total break for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 5-minute mark.
Judging: Judges will count the number of boards broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most (or, in the event of a tie, has the highest percentage broken) is the winner.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the highest percentage broken. Example: Competitor “A” breaks 10 out of 10; competitor “B” breaks 10 out of 12. Competitor “A” broke at 100%; competitor “B” broke at 83%. Competitor “A” is the winner. If more than one competitor has the same percentage broken after their initial break, there will be a break off to determine the winner. If there is a tie created by more than one competitor breaking 100% of their stack (example: 2 competitors break 10 out of 10), the competitor that broke the amount first is the winner.

Foot- Spaced

Materials and Spacers: Boards must be purchased on site from Supply Committee. Carpenter pencil spacers will be provided.
Techniques: Foot strike only (stomp, axe kick, etc.). Technique must be a downward strike.
Weight divisions: See “General: Divisions” above.
Stations: One station will be used. Boards will be set on a block base. Competitors may set up as many boards as they wish. Competitors will be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
One Strike Only! Competitor has one attempt to break the boards.
Time Limits: Competitor will have a maximum of 5 minutes to set up. Time starts when the competitor signals he/she is ready, time stops when the competitor signals to the ring coordinator that his/her set-up is complete. Additional time will be counted if a set-up is to be significantly altered as determined by the ring coordinator. A deduction of 1 board will be taken off the competitor’s total break for every 15 seconds over the allotted time. Deductions will begin after the 5-minute mark.
Judging: Judges will count the number of boards broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most (or, in the event of a tie, has the highest percentage broken) is the winner.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the highest percentage broken. Example: Competitor “A” breaks 10 out of 10; competitor “B” breaks 10 out of 12. Competitor “A” broke at 100%; competitor “B” broke at 83%. Competitor “A” is the winner. If more than one competitor has the same percentage broken after their initial break, there will be a break off to determine the winner. If there is a tie created by more than one competitor breaking 100% of their stack (example: 2 competitors break 10 out of 10), the competitor that broke the amount first is the winner.

Adult Wood Foot- With Machine - Any Foot Technique Except Stomp

Materials and Spacers: Boards must be purchased on site from Supply Committee. NO SPACERS!
Techniques: Any kick technique, except stomp. Competitor may skip or jump. NO RUNNING!
Weight divisions: See “General: Divisions” above.
Stations: One station will be used. Boards will be held by machine to be broken in a horizontal direction. Competitors may set up as many boards as they wish. Competitors will be required to ensure the safety of fellow competitors and spectators as outlined in “General: Safety” above.
Attempts: Competitor will have 2 attempts to break the most boards. The better of the 2 attempts will be used. All competitors will execute their first attempt before the start of the second round of attempts.
Order: All competitors will complete their first attempt. After first attempt all competitors will complete their second attempt.
One Strike Only Per Attempt! Competitor may execute one strike per attempt to break the boards.
Time Limits: Competitors will be expected to keep the division progressing in a timely fashion. Because of the apparatus used times may vary. Any competitor that fails to comply with the ring coordinator’s instructions in an attempt to keep the division progressing will be subject to a penalty to be determined by the ring coordinator at the time of the infraction
Judging: Judges will count the number of boards broken to determine the winner. The competitor who breaks the most boards in either round is the winner. Some examples:
1. Competitor A breaks 8 of 8 in the first round. Competitor B breaks 8 of 8 in the second round. Competitor A wins because you cannot intentionally tie the first round. (Assuming 8 is the largest amount broken)
2. Competitor A breaks 8 of 10 in the first round. Competitor B also breaks 8 of 10 in the first round. This is an unintentional tie. The winner of the second round will determine the winner. (Assuming 8 is the largest amount broken) The judge should prevent a tie in the second round by disallowing competitors that are tied to put up the same amount of boards.
3. Competitor A breaks 8 of 10 in the first round. Competitor B breaks 8 of 8 in the second round. Competitor B wins by percentage. (Assuming 8 was the largest amount broken)
4. Competitor A breaks 8 of 10 in the first round and 6 of 6 in the second round. Competitor B breaks 6 of 7 in the first round and 8 of 10 in the second round. Competitor A wins by percentage, 87% compared to Competitor B at 82%.
5. Competitor A breaks 8 of 10 in the first round and 6 of 6 in the second round. Competitor B breaks 6 of 6 in the first round and 8 of 10 in the second round, creating an unintentional tie. Competitors must break a third time to determine the winner. The judge should prevent a tie in the tie breaker round by disallowing competitors to put up the same amount of boards.
Ties: In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the highest percentage broken. Both rounds will be considered in deciding a tie. The original order will be maintained during tie breakers. See “Judging” above for more detail.