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2
Qualifications
1) ATF Member in good standing with a certified
ATF school: The ATF National
Championship Program is only allowed for current members of the ATF. While
guest martial artist may compete in ATF tournaments, they will not obtain
any ATF National Championship points.
2) Must have minimum rank of 1st Degree
Recommended Black Belt: The
minimum rank requirement of 1st Degree Recommended is in effect because
the ATF National Championship Program is meant for black belts only.
3) Must compete in at least one the "Nationals"
in Montgomery, AL usually held in March or November: Each competitor must compete in either the March Nationals or the November Nationals. Both Nationals are held in Montgomery, AL and hosted by Grand Master Chung. Competitors are encouraged to compete in both nationals, but they are only required to compete in one in order to be eligible to compete in the National Championship Tournament.
4) Must compete in at least 3 tournaments in the tournament season: Competitors must support the other ATF tournaments besides the Nationals. All competitors are encouraged to compete in as many tournaments as possible in order to obtain the maximum amount of points, but only a total of 3 tournaments are required. The three (3) tournament requirement can be obtained by any combination of National or Regional tournaments as long as at least one is a National Tournament. It should be noted that competitors are allowed and encouraged to earn points in more than 3 tournaments. A competitor may compete and earn points in every ATF sanctioned tournament if they choose.
5) At least one tournament must be an
out of state tournament:
Since a competitor is competing for a “National” Championship and not a “State” Championship, an out of state tournament is required. During the course of the ATF tournament season, a qualified competitor MUST compete in at least 1 tournament that is in a different state than his/her home state. The out of state requirement may be fulfilled in either a National or Regional Tournament.
Once these qualifications are met, the top five (5) competitors in each division will be invited to compete for ATF National Champion.
3
Top 5
Points
1st place forms or sparring 5 points
2nd place form or sparring 4 points
3rd place
forms or sparring 3
points
4th place or below forms
AND sparring (participation only) 1
point
NOTE: One tournament per season is awarded double points based on the furthest distance from the ATF Headquarters.
Participation Only Points: A competitor who wins in either forms or
sparring will not be eligible for the participation only point. The only
way to get a participation point is to place fourth place or lower in both
forms and sparring.
4
Rings and
Divisions
It is very important to understand the difference between a “Ring” and a “Division”. A ring is who you compete against in an actual tournament. Rings are decided upon the day of the tournament, usually by the tournament host. A ring is flexible concerning ages and ranks. A division is set in stone at the beginning of the ATF tournament season. A division is determined by age, gender, and rank and cannot be modified. ATF Divisions are determined at the beginning of each ATF tournament season by the ATF Tournament Committee and the ATF Board. Typical ATF Black Belt Divisions are as follows:
ATF Black Belt Divisions:
Girls 10 - Under
Girls 11 - 12
Girls 13 -
15
Boys 10 - Under
Boys 11 - 12
Boys 13 - 15
Women 1st - 2nd 16
- 32
Women 3rd & up 16
- 32
VIP Women 33 - 45
Executive Women 46 - Up
1st - 2nd Degree Men 16 - 32
3rd
Degree & Up Men 16 - 32
1st - 2nd VIP Men 33 - 45
3rd and Up
VIP Men 33 - 45
Executive Men 46 - Up
~During a tournament, one or more divisions may be combined to
create a ring. A general rule of thumb is if 3 or more competitors show up
who are in the same division, they should compete in their own
ring.~
~If there is a single competitor for any division, the competitor will receive first place points in forms and sparring for their correct division. For competition only, they will be combined into another ring determined by tournament officials. ~
Example: Jane is an
18 year old 1st degree, Mary is a 30 year old 3rd degree, and Sally is a
36 year old 4th degree. They are the only adult female black belts that
show up to compete. They are obviously in 3 separate divisions, but for
the sake of competition the 3 divisions would be combined into 1 ring.
Mary, Jane, and Sally would compete against each other in the same ring,
but they only earn points in their proper divisions.
Using the above example, this ring
finished as outlined below.
|
Name &
Division |
Forms |
Sparring |
Awarded
Points |
|
Jane (18 year old 1st) |
1st (5 points) |
2nd (4 points) |
10 1st and 1st |
|
Mary (30 year old 3rd) |
2nd (4 points) |
3rd (3 points) |
10 1st and 1st |
|
Sally (36 year old 4th) |
3rd (3 points) |
1st (5 points) |
10 1st and 1st |
Jane would receive 10 points in the
1st-2nd degree women's division
Mary would receive 10 points in the 3rd
degree up women's division
Sally would receive 10 points in the VIP
womens division
Even though they competed against each
other in the same ring, they all earned points in their separate
divisions.
Every attempt possible will be made to keep black belt rings the same as the Top 5 divisions. However, due to participation in some cases, divisions may be combined to form one ring. A general rule of thumb is if 2 or more competitors show up who are in the same division, they should compete in their own ring.
~
Although the above is only a sample guideline and example, tournament officials have the right to make any determination on ring size they choose. The combination of rings is determined the day of the tournament by the tournament officials and should not be questioned.
~
5
Rank and Age
Changes
It is very important to understand the following information. The proper division in which a competitor will earn points is based on age and rank. All black belt competitors can qualify for the championship finals in only one division. The ATF tournament season in broken into two halves; the midpoint is separated by December 31st at midnight.
|
1st Half of
Season |
July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
December |
|
2nd Half of
Season |
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
Age Changes
The ATF competition age is determined by the mid-season cut-off date of December 31st. The competition age of the competitors will be determined by their birthday as of January 1st of the tournament season. If ATF Summer Camp / ATF Finals is in June 2018, then the age of the competitor as of January 1, 2018 will be the ATF competition age. The age they are at that time will indicate where they should compete and earn points throughout the entire tournament season.
Example #1
Bob’s birthday is September 10th, at which time he will be 11 years old. His ATF competition age is 11. He should compete and earn points in the 11-12 year old division for the entire tournament season (he will be 11 as of January 1st of of the tournament year).
Example #2
Susan’s birthday is March 14th, at which time she will be 13 years old. Her ATF competition age is 12. She should compete and earn points in the 11-12 year old division for the entire tournament season (she will be 12 as of January 1st of the tournament year).
Example #3
John’s birthday is December 29th, at which time he will be 16 years old. His ATF competition age is 16. He is a 1st Degree Black Belt. He should compete in the men’s 16-31 1st Degree Division for the entire tournament season (he will be 16 as of January 1st of the tournament year).
Example #4
Betty’s birthday is April 3rd, at which time she will be 33 years old. Her ATF competition age is 32. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt. She should compete and earn points in the Women’s 3rd-up Degree 16-32 Division for the entire tournament season. (she will be 32 as of midnight January 1st of the tournament year).
Rank Changes
It is important to remember that you are only able to qualify for one division at the ATF National Championship Finals. If anyone has to move into a new division because of higher rank, then no points can be transferred into the new division. If anyone is serious about competing for the title of ATF National Champion, they should plan their rank testings accordingly.
Rank changes are only an issue in a few divisions as all junior black belts are separated by age only and not by rank.
The easy rule of thumb is if the competitor ranked up first or second half of the ATF tournament season. The national testings (November/March) are in each of the halves of the ATF tournament season.
-
If a competitor successfully tests for 3rd degree at the November national testing they should compete in the 3rd-up division(s) for the entire ATF tournament season
-
If a competitor started the season in a higher rank division due to an anticipated rank change in November but received a no change at the November National Testing, they should drop back down to the lower ranked division for the remainder of the season. Any previously, awarded points will transfer to the lower ranked division.
-
If a competitor successfully tests for 3rd degree at March national testing they should compete in the 1st-2nd degree division(s) for the entire season
6
ATF Tournament Season
The ATF National Championship tournament season will begin and end at the ATF summer camp, usually held in June. There will be several tournaments held throughout the year in various ATF Regions.
7
ATF National Championship Finals
The Top 5, qualified competitors will compete in a “finals” tournament called the “ATF National Championship Finals.” The purpose of having a finals tournament is to ensure a fair and equal National Championship. The National Championship finals will determine who will be named ATF National Champion for the respective tournament year. Finishing with a high number of Top 5 points does not ensure a National Championship; it simply gains you an invitation to compete in the ATF National Champion Finals. Finishing with the highest number of Top 5 points gives an advantage over other competitors in placement for forms, byes, etc.
The ATF Championship Rankings in every Black Belt division will be announced at the end of the tournament season after all black belt results have been collected and tabulated. All Top 5 qualified finishers in each division will have the opportunity to compete for the title of ATF National Champion in their division.
Qualified Competitors
Qualified competitors are determined by the qualifications section in these rules. Only the official ATF Top qualified 5 competitors in each division are allowed to compete in the ATF Championship Finals. After the Top 5 are announced, if one or more of the competitors are unable to compete in the finals completion (for whatever reason) those empty slots will not be filled.
Example:
James earns the number 5 position in the 1st -2nd Degree Men’s division. Due to his work obligations he cannot attend the ATF National Championship Finals, and he is unable to compete for the title of ATF National Champion. Sam, who is the number 6 finisher, will not move up into the number 5 position. James will remain in the number 5 position and will be given credit for such.
If there is a tie for 5th place then all competitors involved in the 5th place tie will be allowed to compete in the finals.
Finals Date/Location/Time
The exact date/location/time will be announced each year. However, the ATF National Championship Finals will be held sometime during the ATF National summer camp, which is usually held in June.
Finals Competition Rules
The competition rules for the ATF National Championship Finals will follow the same standards as National and Regional ATF tournament rules. All qualified Top 5 competitors will compete in traditional (forms/sparring) competition.
FORMS: The #1 seed will
be given a choice of when to perform, and then the #2 will be given the
next choice and so forth.
SPARRING: In a typical
top 5 ring the #1, #2, and #3 seed will be given byes. The #4 and #5 seed
will spar in the first round. Then #1 seed would spar the winner of the
1st round, and #2 and #3 would spar.
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Top 5 Points ?
Championship Finals Points
It is important to understand the difference between Top 5 points and Championship Finals Points. Top 5 points earns you the right to compete in the Championship Finals and are earned throughout the tournament year, Championship Finals points determine who will be champion and are earned during the ATF National Championship Finals.
Top 5 points are earned throughout the tournament season. The competitors with the 5 highest accumulated Top 5 points earns the privilege to compete in the ATF National Championship Finals.
Championship Finals Points are exclusively earned during the ATF National Championship Finals competition only. Championship Finals points will determine who will be awarded the title of National Champion. At the end of the Finals Competition, whichever competitor has the highest Championship Finals points will be awarded the title of ATF National Champion. The Championship Finals points are the same values as the Top 5 point values. (5-1st, 4-2nd, 3-3rd) The maximum Championship Finals points any competitor may receive is 10 points (1st forms, 1st sparring) All qualified competitors enter the ATF National Championship Finals with 0 Championship Finals Points.
Example #1Bob qualified and competed in the ATF National
Championship Finals. He placed 1st in forms and 3rd in sparring. Bob
earned 8 Championship Finals points.
Example
#2Jane qualified and competed
in the ATF National Championship Finals. She placed 2nd in forms and 3rd
in sparring. Jane earned 7 Championship Finals points.
Example
#3Richard qualified and
competed in the ATF National Championship Finals. He placed 3rd in forms
and 3rd in sparring. Richard earned 6 Championship Finals points.
Winning the ATF National Championship
The competitor who wins the most
Championship Finals points at the ATF Championship finals in their
division will be awarded ATF National Champion.
EXAMPLE: The
following is a list of the year?s total of Top 5 points earned in one
division.
Example: 1st degree Men Division
Top 5 results
|
Place |
Name |
Top 5 Points |
|
1 |
Bob |
55 |
|
2 |
John |
52 |
|
3 |
Jason |
48 |
|
3 |
David |
48 |
|
5 |
Michael |
45 |
The day of the ATF National Championship
Finals, the following competitors won.
ATF
Championship Finals Results
|
Forms |
Sparring |
|
1st Bob |
1st
David |
|
2nd John |
2nd Michael |
|
3rd David |
3rd
John |
|
Name |
Forms |
Sparring |
Championship
Points |
|
Bob |
1st (5
points) |
4th or
below |
5 |
|
John |
2nd (4
points) |
3rd (3
points) |
7 |
|
Jason |
4th or
below |
4th or
below |
0 |
|
David |
3rd (3
points) |
1st (5
points) |
8 |
|
Michael |
4th or
below |
2nd (4
points) |
4 |
In this example David would be awarded the title
of ATF National Champion
because he won the ATF Championship Finals by
finishing with more
Championship Finals points than any of his other
Top 5 competitors.
Tie Breaker
In
some rare cases two Top 5 competitors may earn the same amount of
championship points.
Jane
placed 1st in Forms and 3rd in sparring ? 8 points
Mary
places 2nd in forms and 2nd in sparring ? 8 points
In the rare event of two Top 5 competitors earning the same amount of Championship Finals points, a tie breaker competition will determine who will be awarded the title of ATF National Champion. The tie breaker competition will be board breaking. This competition will be based on the normal ATF board breaking competition rules, with slightly different regulations. Competitors are allowed to choose their own board breaks. Competitors should declare their board breaks to the judges before the breaking competition starts. The highest seed competitor decides if they want to break first or 2nd.
If competitor #1 breaks and competitor #2 fails to break, then competitor #1 wins the tie breaker. If both competitor #1 and competitor #2 breaks then judges will score the breaks similar to normal board breaking competition. If neither competitor #1 nor competitor #2 breaks then both will be given another chance until at least 1 competitor breaks. In case of a 2nd try by both competitors then the competitors may choose to change their break as long as it is one of the original choices in the sealed envelope. Whichever competitor wins the Board Breaking tiebreaker competition will be named ATF National Champion for their division.
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