Summer Shiai

summer karate tournament

Summer Shiai 試合

Saturday July 27th 2024


Summer Shiai Chambers Hall Gym

University of Pittsburgh @ Greensburg

150 Finoli Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601


summer shiai gym


Summer Shiai SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 8AM registration, 9AM Weapons 10AM Black Belt Meeting, 10:30 Opening Ceremonies, Ninja Demo, 10:45 Forms, Followed by Sparring

More info. Text Bill Viola Jr. 724-640-2111


The “Summer Shiai” is a family oriented martial arts competition open to all schools, styles, and organizations.

🏆🥇👊

Sensei Says 🥋:

Shiai 試合 is Japanese for “competition.”

Pronounced (she-eye) like a karate yell… kiai!

Click to view:

Summer Shiai

Summer Shiai! 👊 Welcome to the annual Summer Shiai 試合, a collaboration of the entire Viola family and the Viola Karate Dojo.  The tournament continues the “Laurel State” Karate legacy that Shihan Viola established in the 1970s.  This is an “open” event that welcomes all styles and schools of karate, tang soo do, tae kwon do, kung fu etc. Whether you are from an Okinawan, Japanese, Korean and Chinese style background, you are encouraged to visit, compete, and make new friendships.  We strive for good sportsmanship within a professional atmosphere.  All our rings are matted.  Fair judging is a cornerstone of this competition.  If you are a black belt from a school attending, please contact me personally so we share the rules with you and add you to the judging panel.  We want to have a diverse referee core and do not discriminate from any style. *Pre-registrations received will be seeded (added/placed) in the bottom half of forms divisions brackets.    If you have any questions, my personal cell phone is 724-640-2111.

Summer Shiai Divisions

Ninja Demo8- m/fallnorwin ninjas demo
4-m/fallForms
5m/fallForms
6m/ffirst timers  Forms
6m/fnoviceForms
7-8m/ffirst timers  Forms
7-8m/fnoviceForms
7-8m/fintermediateForms
7-8m/fadvancedForms
9-10m/ffirst timers  Forms
9-10m/fnoviceForms
9-10m/fintermediateForms
9-10m/fadvForms
11-12m/ffirst timers  Forms
11-12m/fnoviceForms
11-12m/fintermediateForms
11-12m/fadvancedForms
13-14m/ffirst timers  Forms
13-14m/fnoviceForms
13-14m/fintermediateForms
13-14m/fadvancedForms
15-17m/fnoviceForms
15-17m/fintermediateForms
15-17m/fadvancedForms
18+m/f advancedForms
18+m/fnoviceForms
35+M/Fsenior noviceForms
35+m/fsenior advancedForms
40+m/fBlack Belt  MastersForms 
AgesGenderRank2 minutes total points
4-m/fallPoint Sparring
5m/fallPoint Sparring
6mallPoint Sparring
6fallPoint Sparring
7-8mnovicePoint Sparring
7-8fnovicePoint Sparring
7-8mintermediatePoint Sparring
7-8fintermediatePoint Sparring
7-8madvancedPoint Sparring
7-8fadvancedPoint Sparring
9-10mnovicePoint Sparring
9-10fnovicePoint Sparring
9-10mintermediatePoint Sparring
9-10fintermediatePoint Sparring
9-10madvancedPoint Sparring
9-10fadvancedPoint Sparring
11-12mnovicePoint Sparring
11-12fnovicePoint Sparring
11-12mintermediatePoint Sparring
11-12fintermediatePoint Sparring
11-12madvancedPoint Sparring
11-12fadvancedPoint Sparring
13-14mnovicePoint Sparring
13-14fnovicePoint Sparring
13-14mintermediatePoint Sparring
13-14fintermediatePoint Sparring
13-14madvancedPoint Sparring
13-14fadvancedPoint Sparring
15-17mnovicePoint Sparring
15-17fnovicePoint Sparring
15-17mintermediatePoint Sparring
15-17fintermediatePoint Sparring
15-17madvancedPoint Sparring
15-17fadvancedPoint Sparring
18+fnovicePoint Sparring
18+fadvancedPoint Sparring
35+fnovicePoint Sparring
35+fnovicePoint Sparring
35+ fadvanced
18+mnovicePoint Sparring
18+madvancedPoint Sparring
35+mnovicePoint Sparring
35+ advancedPoint Sparring
AgesGenderRankWeapons
6-m/fallweapons
7-8m/fnoviceWeapons
7-8m/fintermediateWeapons
7-8m/fadvancedWeapons
9-10m/fnoviceWeapons
9-10m/fintermediateWeapons
9-10m/fadvancedWeapons
11-12m/fnoviceWeapons
11-12m/fintermediateWeapons
11-12m/fadvancedWeapons
13-14m/fnoviceWeapons
13-14m/fintermediateWeapons
13-14m/fadvancedWeapons
15-17m/fnoviceWeapons
15-17m/fadvancedWeapons
18+m/fnoviceWeapons
18+m/fadvancedWeapons
35+m/fnoviceWeapons
35+m/fadvancedWeapons
AgesGenderRankTeam Events
6-m/fall ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3)Tag Team sparring
7-8m/fall ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3)Tag Team sparring
9-10m/fall ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3)Tag Team sparring
11-12m/fall ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3)Tag Team sparring
13-14m/fall ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3)Tag Team sparring
15-17m/fall ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3)Tag Team sparring
Black Belt PointWAKO RulesBlack Belt Points Sparring (WAKO Rules)
10-mblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
10-fblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
11-12mblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
11-12fblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
13-14mblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
13-14fblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
15-17mblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
15-17fblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
18+mblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
18+fblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
35+mblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
35+fblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
48+mblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
48+fblack belt point sparringopen weight point sparring
Black Belt WeaponsWeapons
10-m/fblack belt weaponsweapons
11-12m/fblack belt weaponsweapons
13-14m/fblack belt weaponsweapons
15-17m/fblack belt weaponsweapons
17-m/fcreative / musical black belt weaponsweapons
18+m/fcreative / musical black belt weaponsweapons
18+mblack belt weaponsweapons
18+fblack belt weaponsweapons
35+m/fblack belt weaponsweapons
48+m/fblack belt weaponsweapons
Black Belt Adult FormsAdult Forms
18+mJapanese/OkinawanAAU Style Kata (all advanced/black belts eligible)
18+fJapanese/OkinawanAAU Style Kata (all advanced/black belts eligible)
18+mBlack Belt Koreanforms
18+mBlack Belt creative/musicalforms
18+mBlack Belt Koreanforms
18+mBlack Belt creative/musicalforms
18+m/fAdvanced / Black Belt Chineseforms
Black Belt Youth KataAAU Style
10-madvanced/Black beltAAU Style Kata
10-fadvanced/Black beltAAU Style Kata
11-12madvanced/Black beltAAU Style Kata
11-12fadvanced/Black beltAAU Style Kata
13-14madvanced/Black beltAAU Style Kata
13-14fadvanced/Black beltAAU Style Kata
15-17madvanced/Black beltAAU Style Kata
15-17fadvanced/Black beltAAU Style Kata
17-m/fcreative/musicalblack belt forms
17- m/fchineseblack belt forms

SUMMER SHIAI RULES

*rules are subject to change, please check with center judge for any updates. 

RINGS: Matted area for divisions

JUDGES: All divisions have the option to use 3 or 5 judges.

MAXIMUM DEVIATION: (only used with a 3-judge panel) .02 is the maximum deviation permitted from the “middle score.” This eliminates the impact of one judge altering the outcome of the entire division. This theory has been tested and utilized in national and international events.

TIES: Broken by head-to-head comparison scores of each individual judge (treated as votes). The majority of votes (higher individual preliminary scores) will break the tie if possible. If it is a “true tie” (unable to be broken) the competitors will run their form again and judges will point (by show of hands) to the winner.       Running a different form is optional and not mandatory.

PROTESTS: Must be made at the time of the ruling. Protocol is to ask the coordinator/scorekeeper to alert the center referee. If the situation requires further investigation the ruling can be arbitrated.. All decisions by the arbitrator are final.  *Protests can only be made by someone with an official coach’s pass.

UNIFORM: All competitors must wear a martial arts uniform with no foul or offensive language.

AGE: Competitors must compete their age as of the tournament date as of the event. 

SEQUENCE: Luck of the draw, competitor’s names will be shuffled via unventex. 

CLOSED DIVISION: A division is considered closed once the first player bows-in to perform a form or once the first sparring match is started. *Exception: computer-based or staff related errors.

RESTARTS: 1 restart is permitted for under black belt divisions only.  No restarts for black belt divisions *Exception: restart for weapons that break during performance.

SCORING RANGE: 9.90-10 (black belts)  9.80-9.90 (under black belts)

TRADITIONAL: No gymnastics, splits, rolls, or creative interpretations. Any traditional uniform with a tie-over-style top is permitted. Patches and/or logos are a non-factor and permitted. A pure white uniform is NOT required, however the uniform should hold true to the standards of the style. Classical Japanese/Okinawan divisions enforce a maximum 4 kiai rule and based on unaltered kata.

FIRST TIMERS:  First timer divisions are for competitors with little to no tournament experience. The purpose it to build self-confidence.  All competitors win an award.

TEAM FORMSTeam forms must have a minimum of 2 players.  No maximum.  The entire team must perform in the “oldest” and/or “highest rank” of any team members.  (Therefore teams can “bump up” divisions but not down).  Teams may perform kata or weapons.  Judges will score on synchronization, technique, intensity and creativity. Music and weapons are permitted.

SPARRING (POINT FIGHTING)

UNIFORM: No t-shirts or shorts. No exposed jewelry or metal.  No shoes.

EQUIPMENT: It is MANDATORY for all competitors to provide and wear their own approved sport karate head gear, safety boots, safety gloves, mouth guard, and protective cup (males). Highly recommended but not mandatory:  face shields, chest protectors, leg pad, arm pad, elbow pads and knee pads.

WEIGH-IN: ALL players competing in a weighted division must weigh-in prior to the division (1lb allowance)

BYES: All byes are randomly selected by computer based lottery. Competitors from the same school (not team) will not be matched in the first round if possible. *optional: logic is followed by same country then state.

OUT OF BOUNDS: Out of bounds (exit) is when any part of the body touches outside the mat (tatami).  No points can be scored out of bounds.  Intentional exit or avoiding the fight: 1-point penalty.  A contact exit, force-out, or offensive player who steps out due to momentum is not a penalty.

GROUND FIGHTING: Is not permitted. *Exception:1). All WKC/WAKO sweeps are legal (including base leg) and are scored as 1-point if the opponent is deemed down from the sweep. Follow up is an additional 1-point if it scores. Momentum contact is not a penalty.

DOWN BY CONTACT: A player is considered down by contact when any part other than hands/feet are touching the ground [knee, elbow, hip, or backside etc.] after making contact with their opponent. The match is stopped.  No Penalty.

FALLING DOWN: A player is considered “fallen” down if they “intentionally” fall to the ground on their own accord (with or without contact).  1-point penalty by majority judge’s discretion.

SCORING TARGETS: Headgear area, face, torso (front/side) with control, light or moderate contact depending on player’s option, skill level, and division.

POINT TECHNIQUES: All clean martial arts punches, kicks, ridge hands, and back fists that use appropriate contact and form in the designated scoring areas. (Important: a hand or foot that touches the scoring area does not always warrant a point. The technique demonstrate martial arts merit). *This is a subjective matter, similar to umpires calling balls/strikes in baseball.  Protests cannot be filed on judgment of points.

SPREAD: 10-point spread (mercy rule) is in effect.

SCORING: 1-point: hand techniques and body kicks. 2-points: head kicks, jump body kicks, and spinning body kicks.  3-points:  spinning head kicks, elevated (jump) spinning kicks (including cartwheel kicks). 1-point for sweeps (that cause the other player to go down additional point if score on the downed opponent). *WKC/WAKO-style either front leg or rear leg sweeps are permitted.  Player with the most total accumulative points after the 2-minute round is the winner. Preliminary tie: Sudden Victory (next point wins).

Win BY 2: All “first place” matches must have a 2-point spread to determine the winner.

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES: Haymaker (swinging/wild punches) with no regard for control, strikes to the groin or throat, uncontrolled, excessive or malicious contact to any area, intentional striking to non-scoring areas (spine, joints, legs etc.), late hits, dropping to the ground to avoid the fight, intentional running out of bounds. LEGAL CONTACT:

  • -CONTROL:  No touch/pulled (Halo)……
  • -LIGHT: Touch…………………………….
  • -MODERATE: Slight penetration………..
  • PENALTY CONTACT:
  • -UNCONTROLLED:  Beyond legal contact (majority judges discretion)
  • -EXCESSIVE: Extreme penetration  (majority judges discretion)
  • -MALCIOUS:  Intentional excessive contact:  Automatic DQ  (majority judges discretion).

PENALTIES: 1-point penalty points: (all infractions based on majority of judges) Uncontrolled contact to any area, intentional running out of bounds, intentionally falling (to avoid the fight),  intentional late hits, retaliation hits, unsportsmanlike conduct.

DQ (Disqualification): is based on the majority vote of the judges (*or if the arbitrator is ringside and witnesses the infraction). Malicious contact is automatic disqualification. Incidental excessive contact, accidental contact and/or self-inflicted injuries that may cause swelling or draw blood are subject to discretion of the arbitrator after consultation with judges. Medical staff has the final say if a competitor can continue or not.

INJURY: If a player is unable to continue on his own accord or is advised by medical staff to bow out due to incidental contact, accidental contact or self-inflicted injury then his opponent will advance.  Players will not        advance if they intentionally injure their opponent or use malicious contact.

CLOCK MANAGEMENT: 2-minute running clock except final 10 seconds (clock is stopped on each “stop” break). Match over at “0” on scoreboard.

(1) Ten-second time out is permitted per match. Coaches must stay within specified coach’s area. Only 1 coach per box.  Coaching without a wristband is a penalty. The timeout can only be used during standard match breaks (not during the flow of a match). A coach does not have to be a black belt (parents are permitted to coach with a coach’s pass.  Coaches are only allowed on the competition floor when the specific division is being staged or in progress.  No coaches on the floor for forms divisions.

TAG TEAM SPARRING 

Normal point sparring rules apply.  Create your own team, or partner up with a friend(s) from another school. Minimum of 2 players to make a team, maximum of 3 players. 2-minute matches/Total Points.  Each time a player scores, the scoring player must tag in a new teammate.  If a player is scored on 3 consecutive times, and automatic tag is made.  The “switch” or tag only takes place on the call/break by the center judge. 1-time out permitted per team. The team that calls timeout, may make a switch if they choose to.

New AAU-style Flag Kata.

Any traditional Japanese or Okinawan kata is permitted.  Both competitors perform simultaneous.  One on a red side, the other on a white side.  After the kata is completed, judges raise the flag to the winner.  A kata can be repeated, but the final found is recommended different kata.    

Modified AAU Flag Kata Rules

Any Japanese/Okinawan Kata will be permitted (no kata list for this event)

There are multiple rounds, you may change your kata each round, or repeat.  This event is to introduce AAU style competition.  At full AAU events you must have multiple kata ready.

Both competitors shall enter the match area and space themselves so as to avoid collision or interference in the performance of their Kata.

The competitors will bow and announce their Kata. They shall commence their performance at the sound of the whistle by the Referee.  

After both competitors have finished their kata, the referee calls for a decision (HANTEI) and blows a two-tone whistle. The judges simultaneously raise their flags, and after about five seconds, the referee blows a short whistle to lower the flags. The decision is for either Aka or Shiro, and there are no ties.

The flags shall be raised at the same time.

The Referee shall blow a further short blast on the whistle, whereupon the flags shall be lowered. • The decision shall be for Aka or Shiro.  No ties are permitted.  The competitor who receives   the   majority of  votes   shall   be   declared   the   winner.   

The Referee will then raise the flag for the winner.

The competition is head-to-head and will run on a repechage fashion according to uventex.