Rules – Carding

  • Actions that can result in a warning include but are not limited to:
    • Striking with excessive force.
    • Striking at an illegal target (i.e. back of head, spine, etc.).
    • Intentionally showing an illegal target (i.e. turning your head to deny your opponent a valid target).
    • Locks, small joint manipulation, elbow/knee drops, punching/kicking/elbow strikes, etc. (see Grappling Rules for more examples).
    • Continuing a grapple/fight after “TAP” is indicated or called by your opponent.
    • Continuing a fight after “HOLD” is called by anyone.
  • Though not limited to competitive situations, if a card is issued in a competitive situation then that exchange, round, etc. is considered an immediate loss.
  • Card expiration is situational not purely time dependent; e.g. a red card may require an instructor to witness a number of fights showing sufficient quality and safety; etc. If in doubt please speak to an instructor.
  • Issuing of a card may be appealed with the Marshal.

A verbal/informal warning may be issued for a minor and/or unintentional offence
(e.g. an unintended strike to ground; a strike with excessive force due to a slip/trip rather than lack of control).

Yellow

  • Issued for a first infraction.
  • Acts as an official warning.
  • All instructors will be made aware of the carding.

Double Yellow

  • Optionally issued for a second infraction if deemed unrelated or minor.
    (e.g. a yellow card is issued for excessive force, separately a second yellow card is issued for an incidental “flick” to the back of an opponent caused by jostling in unit combat).
  • Acts as an escalated warning for a repeated or more severe infraction when a red card is not warranted.
  • There is no “third” yellow card, an additional infraction will result in a red card.
  • All instructors will be made aware of the carding.

Red

  • Issued for severe, deliberate or repeated infractions.
  • In the context of an event, a red card will result in immediate disqualification from the event.
  • If a red card is issued to a member of the Academy, then that member is prohibited from sparring activities unless supervised by an instructor or a senior student explicitly designated by an instructor. If no one is available to supervise (because they are sparring, supporting other students, etc.) then the member is not permitted to spar. This will continue until the Academy is comfortable that the member has made improvements and can consistently spar safely.
  • Ignoring this prohibition will result in further action, potentially including a ban.
  • All instructors will be made aware of the carding.

Black

  • In the most severe instances a member of the Academy may be temporarily or permanently banned from any or all activities.
  • All instructors will be made aware.