US Open 2026
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Pattern Rules
ITF Patterns only.
Brackets
Brackets are sorted by age, gender, and rank. (The senior umpire can make changes based on competitors.)
Single elimination rounds.
Judging panel of 3 - 5 black belts.
Color Belts
Color belts will perform 1 pattern of their choice.
Black Belts
Black belts will perform 2 patterns. The designated pattern is chosen by the center umpire and they will select from Chon-Ji to Choong-Moo. The optional pattern must be a black belt pattern or Choong-Moo (for 1st dans). Scoring is done after both patterns have been completed.
Sparring Rules
Brackets
Brackets are sorted by age, weight, height, gender and split between color belt and black belt divisions)
Required Gear
Sparring gear is required (handgear, footgear, headgear, groin cup (boys), mouthguard).
Point Scoring System:
1 point - kick to the body, punch to the body, punch to the head
2 points - kick to the head, flying kick to the body, flying punch to the head
3 points - flying kick to the head
Tie Breaker
There will be 4 corner judges, one center referee, one time-keeper, one tie-breaker, and one head table judge. In the event of a tie between the 4 corner judges, the tie breaker will announce their score. In the event of the tie breaker also having a tie, the winner will be decided based on who has less minus points. If the amount of minus points are equal, the winner will be decided based on who has less warnings.
Breaking Rules
Brackets
Brackets are broken up based on age, gender, and rank.
Adults
Women Black Belt Adults 18+
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike, punch
First break
1 white board hand break
2 white board side kick
Add the points
Then2 white board hand break
3 white board side kick
Move up or tie breaker
Men Black Belts Adults 18+
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike, punch
First Break
2 white board hand break
3 white board side kick
Then3 white board hand break
4 white board side kick
Move up or tie breaker
Women Color Belt Adults 18+
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike, punch
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
2 Boards Blue side kick
Then
Add one to each
Men Color Belt Adults 18+
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike, punch
First Break
1 white board hand break
2 white board side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Female Black Belts (Juniors under 18)
Female 9-12 years old (Black belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
1 Board Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Female 13-14 years old (Black belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
1 Board Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Female 15-17 years old (Black belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
2 Boards Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Male Black Belts (Juniors under 18)
Male 9-12 years old (Black belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
1 Board Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Male 13-14 years old (Black belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
1 Board Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Male 15-17 years old (Black belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
2 Boards Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Female Color Belts (Ages 10-17)
Female 10-12 years old (Color belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Green Hand break
1 Board Green Side Kick
then...
Add next color
Female 13-14 years old (Color belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Green hand break
1 Board Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Female 15-17 years old (Color belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
2 Boards Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Male Color Belts (Ages 10-17)
Male 10-12 years old (Color belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Green Hand break
1 Board Blue Side Kick
then...
Add next color
Male 13-14 years old (Color belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
1 Board Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Male 15-17 years old (Color belt)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Inward knife-hand strike, Outward knife-hand strike
First Break
1 Board Blue hand break
2 Boards Blue side kick
Then:
Add one to each
Pee-Wee Female Color Belts (Ages 9 and under)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Downward Strike with the Side Fist
First Break
1 Board Orange hand break
1 Board Green side kick
Then:
Add one color increase
Pee-Wee Male Color Belts (Ages 9 and under)
Allowed Kick: Side piercing kick
Allowed Hand technique: Downward Strike with the Side Fist
First Break
1 Board Orange hand break
1 Board Green side kick
Then:
Add one color increase
In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by an additional round of the opposite leg/hand
Team Patterns Rules
Teams may mixed ranks (color belts and/or black belts) or black belts teams. Teams will be evaluated based on the members and split into a color belt division and black belt division on the day of the tournament.
You can create your team the day of the event or come prepared.
Minimum of 3 competitors and maximum of 5 competitors per group.
Teams can perform the pattern of their choosing (based on the lowest ranking member of the team)
There are no limits to the number of ripples in the pattern.
Team patterns event is open to all students! Make a group and have fun!