The USKSF follows the TWKSF General Competition Rules
Wing Chun rules are provided below.
Chi Sao Rules
Definitions:
Daan Da: Single-hand strike delivered with control and structure.
Seung Da: Two-hand coordinated strike or control action.
Sweep: A controlled off-balancing action using the leg that results in a takedown or loss of balance.
Push Out: Forcing an opponent out of the competition boundary through legal technique and structure.
Control: Demonstration of structure, balance, and technical superiority without excessive force.
Excessive Force: Any action delivered with unnecessary power beyond technical control and safety.
Competition Area
The competition area will include defined boundary line marks.
A competitor is considered out of bounds when both feet step outside the boundary line. If a competitor is forced out of bounds by legal technique and control, points may be awarded according to the scoring criteria.
If both competitors step out simultaneously, no points shall be awarded, and the referee will restart the bout in the center.
At the referee’s command, competitors shall return to the center and resume from the designated starting position.
Skill Divisions
Beginner/Intermediate Division: Competitors training at the Chum Kiu level and below.
(0–3 years of Wing Chun experience)
Advanced Division: Competitors training at the Biu Jee level and above.
(3+ years of Wing Chun experience)
Depending on the number of participants, divisions may be combined at the Committee’s discretion.
Weight Classes
Men
- Light (under 143.3 pounds)
- Welter (> 143.3 pounds to 165.3 pounds)
- Middle (> 165.3 pounds to 187.3 pounds)
- Heavy (> 187.3 pounds)
Women
- Light (under 114.6 pounds)
- Welter (> 114.6 pounds to 132.2 pounds)
- Middle (> 132.2 pounds to 154.3 pounds)
- Heavy (> 154.3 pounds)
If there are fewer than three competitors in a weight class, adjacent weight classes may be combined.
According to actual needs, the Committee reserves the right to change and/or combine weight classes.
Weigh-Ins
All competitors must weigh in at the designated time prior to the competition.
Competitors must weigh in wearing appropriate undergarments or competition attire.
If a competitor does not make weight, they may be given one additional attempt within 1 hour of the allotted weigh-in period.
Failure to make weight may result in disqualification or reassignment to another weight class at the discretion of the Competition Committee.
Time
- The contest shall consist of three (3) rounds.
- A fourth round will be used only in the event of a tie.
- Each round is 60 seconds.
- A 30-second rest period follows each round.
Tie-breaker round:
- 60 seconds total
- 30 seconds Daan Chi Sau
- Competitors switch hands and continue for 30 seconds
Uniform & Appearance
Uniforms must be clean, presentable, and in good condition.
- The shirt shall be short sleeved and tucked into the pants.
- The shirt shall be free from buttons, zippers, snaps and the like.
- All items of clothing shall be in a state of good condition with no loose thread.
The following are prohibited:
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Hard hair accessories
- Any object that may cause injury
Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed short.
Long hair must be securely tied back.
The referee may require adjustments or removal of any item deemed unsafe.
Required Equipment
Competitors must provide their own:
- Headgear
- Mouthguard
- Groin protector (male competitors)
Options for headgear without masks include the following:
Combat Corner: https://combatcorner.com/c2-headgear
Before the Bout
- Competitors turn to the Head Table and salute.
- Competitors face each other and exchange a salute.
- If contact is broken unintentionally, the referee will call “Ting” and reset the competitors to the starting position.
- At the start of each round, competitors shall assume the designated Chi Sau starting position as directed by the referee.
- Competitors will establish and perform three complete rolls before starting.
- The referee will call “Kaishi” to begin the round.
During the Bout
Round 1: Blue attacks, Red defends only. Head is not a valid target.
Round 2: Red attacks, Blue defends only. Head is not a valid target.
Round 3: Both competitors may attack and counterattack. The head is a valid target with control.
After the Bout
- The referee declares the winner by raising the winner’s hand.
- Competitors face each other and exchange a salute.
Scoring the Bout
Permitted Techniques
- Striking with fist, palm, or elbow
- Sweeping (single, fluid takedown)
Daan Da (single-hand strikes):
Chung Choi, Jou Sau, Lat Sau Jik Chung, Ding Jeung, Go/Dai Wang Jeung
Seung Da (two-hand strikes):
Paak Da, Taan Da, Laap Da, Po Jung, Huen Da, Jau Sau, Laan Da, Gum Da, Po Pai Jeung
Permitted Targets
Trunk: Shoulder line to waistband (front only).
Head: Allowed only in Round 3 with control and no excessive force.
Important: Use of prohibited methods or targets may result in warning or disqualification.
Valid Points
Points are awarded for accurate and controlled techniques landing on valid targets.
1 point: Daan Da
2 points: Seung Da
3 points: Opponent falls or is forced off platform
If a competitor is pushed out of bounds three times in one round, the round ends.
The competitor with the highest total score after three rounds wins the bout.
Invalid Points
Points will not be awarded if:
- Competitor intentionally falls
- Illegal act follows a valid technique
- Prohibited action is used
Prohibited Targets
- Throat
- Neck
- Knees
- Groin
Prohibited Methods
- Headbutts or finger strikes
- Joint pressure in an adverse direction
- Clinching/wrestling longer than ½ second
- Head attacks before Round 3
- Elbows to head before Round 3
- Kicks or stomps
- Spinning or uncontrolled techniques
- Attacking a downed opponent
Penalties
Penalties include warnings and point deductions.
- Two warnings = 1 point deduction
- 1 deduction point awarded to opponent
- Three warnings = automatic loss
The referee will call “Ting” to stop action when issuing penalties.
Warning Penalties
- Grabbing with both arms
- Pushing
- Excessive strength/manhandling
- Clinching
- Turning back to evade
- Intentional falling
- Pretending injury
- Face strikes (Advanced division only rules apply)
Deduction Penalties
- Knee strikes
- Groin attacks
- Kicking or stomping
- Attacking a fallen opponent
- Attacking after “Stop”
- Attacking the back of head
- Severe face strikes
- Throwing
- Misconduct by competitor or coach
A competitor refusing to follow rules or referee instruction may be declared the loser.
Three warnings in one round = loss by penalties.
Decision of Bout
Victory may be awarded by:
- Referee stoppage
- Score
- Withdrawal
- Disqualification
- Referee’s punitive decision
Injury & Medical Stoppage
If a competitor is injured during the bout, the referee will stop the match and allow the designated medical personnel to assess the competitor.
If the injury is caused by a legal technique and the competitor cannot continue, the result shall be determined based on the score or referee’s decision.
If the injury is caused by an illegal technique the offending competitor will receive a warning or penalty. If the injured competitor cannot continue, the offending competitor will be disqualified.
The referee, in consultation with medical personnel, has the authority to stop the bout for safety reasons at any time.
Wing Chun Wooden Dummy Rules
General:
- Although several styles of martial arts use the apparatus known as the Wooden Dummy or (Mook), this competition is intended to display the concepts and techniques of Traditional Wing Chun.
- Competition for this event will be evaluated by three (3) scoring judges.
Skill Divisions:
- If enough competitors are present, the events will be separated by skill levels. Otherwise, divisions will be combined by the tournament staff.
Time:
- Intermediate (INT) competitors must complete their competition in 2 minutes.
- Advanced (ADV) competitors must complete their competition in 2 minutes and 30 seconds (2.5 min).
- The Scorer’s table will signal with a bell when 15 seconds remain before exceeding the allowable time.
- Where the divisions are combined, the competitor will not receive a time penalty for finishing within 2 minutes, but will received a time penalty for exceeding the maximum time of 2 minutes and 30 seconds (2.5 min.).
Judging Criteria:
- Judges will be looking for the application of Traditional Wing Chun attributes on the Wooden Dummy including but not limited to:
- Structure during execution of techniques.
- Appropriate generation of power.
- Suitable rhythm when executing sequences.
- The Chief Judge will take a 0.1 point deduction from the final score for exceeding the maximum time limit.
- Intermediate competitors shall perform the first 4 sections of the Wooden Dummy Form.
- Advanced competitors shall perform the complete set.