Black Dragon Ninjitsu Competition Rules for Sparring & Jujitsu Matches

This will be the last blog for the month of September, so I wanted to address something which has been asked of me and I figure this will head off some questions. The question asked over and over again since I offered the idea of a Ninjutsu Competition has been "What are the rules of sparring or jujitsu competition in Black Dragon Ninjitsu? "

So allow me to provide some answers...

Competition Matches will be divided into 3 rounds each round lasting only 2 minutes for those of 10th Kyu grade. These sparring matches will be "punching only" (essentially boxing matches). Points are awarded as follows;

• A knock out wins the match... A knock is judged by the fighter losing consciousness for 10 seconds or be struck in such a way as to unable to intelligently defend themselves due to a strike.
• 5 points for a knock down, 3 knock downs in a single round is a Technical Knock Out.
• 1 point is awarded for a clean strike to the chin, jaw or solar plexus.
• 1 point is awarded for a clean block against a punch.

 

For 9th & 8th Kyu grades, it becomes more of a Kickboxing style event allowing knees and elbows similar to Muay Thai. Rounds are increased in number to 5 rounds at 3 minutes per round.

• A knock out wins the match... A knock is judged by the fighter losing consciousness for 10 seconds or be struck in such a way as to unable to intelligently defend themselves due to a strike.
• 5 points for a knock down, 3 knock downs in a single round is a Technical Knock Out.
• 1 point is awarded for a clean strike to the chin, ribs, kidneys, temple, jaw or solar plexus.
• 1 point is awarded for a clean block against a strike, to include kicks, knees and elbows.
• 2 points are awarded for initiating a clinch/head control. Fighters are not stopped due to tying up in a clinch for 5 seconds or less.
• 1 point awarded for showing controlled aggression & dominating the fight.
• -1 point for first act of "un-sportsman like conduct." (first offense)
• -5 points  for second act of "un-sportsman like conduct." (second offense)
•  Disqualification for third act of "un-sportsman like conduct." (third & final offense)
• Un-Sportsman Like Conduct is defined as, striking to intentionally injure one's opponent, cursing at, spitting or biting one's opponent, fish-hooking (pulling on an opponent's mouth with the fingers), eye gouges, groin strikes or throat strikes or grabs, elbows strikes to the nose, temple, base of skull or sternum & head butts to the nose.
• Head butts to the Chin are Permitted, but not points are awarded for effective strike with the head.

7th Kyu Grades & up...
At 7th Kyu and up Competition takes on a variety of forms adding grappling & weapons sparring to the sparring allowing for jujitsu competition to become a basis for other competitions (meaning a Black Dragon Ninjitsuka would be able to use Jujitsu techniques in competition with Kendo Shinai as part of learning to use the sword as well). Such a jujitsu/taijutsu competition would also be comprised of 5 rounds at 5 minutes each, at 5th Kyu this becomes 8 rounds at 5 minutes each & 10 rounds at 5 minutes each at 2nd Kyu;

 

A knock or wins the match... A knock is judged by the fighter losing consciousness for 10 seconds or be struck in such a way as to unable to intelligently defend themselves due to a strike.

A Choke out wins the match, choking an opponent unconscious wins the match.

Submission is signaled by tapping the mat or opponent repeatedly or saying "Matte" when a fighter forfeits the match and surrenders.

Matches can also be stopped when the referee or majority of 2 of 3 judges during a competition decide the fighters are not of the same ability levels.

5 points for a knock down, 3 knock downs in a single round is a Technical Knock Out.

1 point is awarded for a clean strike to the chin, ribs, kidneys, temple, jaw or solar plexus.

1 point is awarded for a clean block against a strike, to include kicks, knees and elbows.

2 points are awarded for initiating a clinch/head control. Fighters are not stopped due to tying up in a clinch for 5 seconds or less.

2 points for a standing choke.

2 points for a standing arm-lock.

2 points for taking the fight to the ground

5 points for a throw or takedown knocking an opponent to the ground.

-3 points for being taken to the ground.

1 point for gaining dominant position on the ground.

2 points for reversals and taking the dominant position on the ground.

1 point for arm or legs locks on the ground.

2 points for chokeholds on the ground.

1 point awarded for showing controlled aggression & dominating the fight.

-1 point for not showing aggression during a fight.

-1 point for first act of "un-sportsman like conduct." (first offense)

-5 points  for second act of "un-sportsman like conduct." (second offense)

 Disqualification for third act of "un-sportsman like conduct." (third & final offense)

Un-Sportsman Like Conduct is defined as, striking to intentionally injure one's opponent, cursing at, spitting or biting one's opponent, fish-hooking (pulling on an opponent's mouth with the fingers), eye gouges, groin strikes or throat strikes or grabs, elbows strikes to the nose, temple, base of skull or sternum & head butts to the nose. Any strikes on the ground. "Tapping out" and initiating physical contact afterward, between rounds or when told to stop.

Headbutts to the Chin are Permitted while in the clinch, but not points are awarded.

Techniques which are not permitted in Competition; Finger or Wrist-locks, Neck Locks (not chokes), Spinal Locks or throws which "spike the other fighter on the head."

On the Ground No Striking is Permitted, a Fighter has 30 seconds to achieve a submission or chokehold on the ground to achieve a "Choke Out" or Submission.

 

Belts & Colors:
Mukyu (no rank) No Belt, Student has to earn their White Belt usually takes about 15 to 30 days.

10th Kyu White Belt

9th Kyu Yellow Belt

8th Kyu Yellow Belt

7th Kyu Orange Belt

6th Kyu Orange Belt

5th Kyu Green Belt

4th Kyu Green Belt

3rd Kyu Green Belt

2nd Kyu Brown Belt

1st Kyu Brown Belt

1st Dan Black Belt

 

 This format would allow the Black Dragon Ninjitsu student to practice striking a moving target, at each point closing the gap to allow for infighting and then focus on grappling methods. After 7th Kyu grappling methods would dominate one's unarmed combat training. And as the student adapts to a particular area of focus adds to the foundation by "adding tools to the tool box" crafting their own style of fighting designed to fit their personality.

More so, and more importantly, this allows an instructor to train with their students to limit themselves to spar and train with their students. Not simply walking around commanding the students through drills but, training with them demonstrating the character traits of mental toughness and showing that the instructor is still seeking to build themselves up. In Black Dragon Ninjitsu instructors do not say "go forth before and do as I say..." in Black Dragon Ninjitsu instructors say "Follow me..." we seek to build leaders and leaders don't seek to command others, they go forth sometimes alone and inspire others to follow them.