WAKO MUSICAL FORMS

A musical form is a sort of imaginary fight against one or more opponents in which the performer uses techniques coming from oriental Martial Arts to specifically chosen music. The choice of music is personal.

Art. 2 - Rhythm

All Forms divisions must be performed to music. Martial Arts technique must go according to the rhythm, with the exception of soft styles (Note: Until 2005 Szeged World Championships only. Later on even Soft styles will have to follow our basic rules: that the martial arts techniques must be performed according to the rhythm of the music).

Art. 3 - Length

Hard forms cannot be longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds, presentation excluded, with the presentation not exceeding 30 seconds. In soft styles the performance cannot exceed 2 minutes presentation excluded, with the presentation again not exceeding 30 seconds. In the event of a violation of the present rule, the chief referee can ask for a deduction of 0.5 point.

If a form is less than 30 seconds in length the chief referee can ask for a deduction of 1.0 point.

Art. 4 - Age

• For musical forms competition the allowed age groups are:
  • Boys and girls - 7, 8 and 9 years old.
  • Younger cadets - 10,11 and 12 years old.
  • Older cadets - 13,14 and 15 years old.
  • Juniors - 16,17 and 18 years old.
  • Seniors - 19 to 45 years old.
• Age categories are the same for male and female competitors.
• Boys and girls and cadets categories can be merged.
• Younger competitors can participate only in the next older category.
• Age divisions will be determined in the following manner: a competitor will be placed in an age division according to his year of birth, not his actual birthday, and he will be required to compete all year in this age category. Positive proof of age will be required at all events.

Art. 5 - Divisions

In Musical Forms competition there are four divisions both for men and women:

• Hard styles (coming from Karate or Taekwondo).
• Soft Styles (coming from Kung Fu and Wu-Shu).
• Hard styles weapons (using weapons: kama, sai, tonfa, nunchaku, bo).
• Soft Styles weapons (using weapons: naginata, nunchaku, katana, tai chi chuan sword, chain, wushu long stick, two swords, hook sword and two hook swords, etc.).

Each competitor in Musical Forms can enter one or more divisions in each Championship.

Art. 6 - Uniforms

There is no specific uniform for musical forms competitors. They can wear any kind of uniform, which must be clean and decent. In Hard styles, competitors must be bear footed, while in Soft Styles they can wear sport shoes.

They can also be shirtless for their performance (apart from women, of course).

Art. 7 - State off Weapons

Each athlete is responsible for the perfect state of his or her weapon, which is individual and which cannot be exchanged during the competition. The chief referee can ask to inspect the competitor's weapon if he wishes to do so. No real sword can be used in competitor's performance.

Art. 8 - Acrobatic Movements

Both in Hard or Soft styles, no more than THREE GYMNASTICS MOVEMENTS are allowed in WAKO musical forms.

Violation of this rule may lead to a 0.5 point deduction. A gymnastic movement is a movement with no martial art purpose (no striking). Some gymnastic movements can be modified by adding a kick or a punch to the movement. In that case, it is not considered a gymnastic movement.

Art. 9 - Criteria of Judging

Each judge must take into consideration, before awarding any decision:

• Synchronization (in hard styles, perfect timing, the relationship between movement and music; in soft styles, the relationship between movement and music).
• Showmanship (competitor's presence and role playing, and the presentation of choreography).
• Degree of difficulty (kicks, jumps, combinations, gymnastic movements).
• Basics (stances, punches, kicks and blocks according to the basic technique of the original styles).
• Balance, strength, focus (perfect balance and movements done with energy).
• Manipulation (with regard to weapons, of course. The competitor must show perfect control and mastery of the weapon being used by doing outstanding work with said weapon). This should be the first criteria to consider in the weapon division.

Art. 10 - Scoring

After a musical forms performance judges will grade the performance as follows:

• Boys and girls, younger and older cadets: 5.0 to 7.0.
• Juniors: 6.0 to 8.0.
• Seniors: 7.0 to 9.0 in European Championships, 8.0 to 10.0 in World Championships.

Minus points:

• 1.0 - if the competitor interrupts his performance and starts again from the beginning, the grade will be lowered by 1 full point.
• 0.5 - if the competitor looses synchronization with his music.
• 0.5 - if the competitor looses his balance.
• 0.5 - if the competitor performs any disallowed movements.

• If the competitor breaks off his performance before the end, the judge will give the minimum mark.
• If the competitor looses or leaves his weapon, he will be disqualified.
• During a performance of musical form with weapon the weapon may not, in any case, leave the competitor's hand. If the competitor looses or leaves a weapon he will be disqualified.

Art. 11 - Dance Movements

Dance movements will not be allowed, accepted or tolerated during a form performance. Competitors who choose to incorporate dance moves such as "break or jazz dancing" or even "classical" will receive the lowest mark, a 5.00 from each judge.

Art. 12 - Costumes and Make-ups

Theatrical costumes, including make-up, masks or any type of uniform that is not recognized as a legal Martial Arts uniform will not be accepted.

Art. 13 - Special Effects

Any special effect, such as lasers, smoke, fire, explosions, etc. will not be tolerated. Infractions to the above-mentioned rule will lead to the immediate disqualification of the competitor.