THE ESCRIMA CONCEPT TOURNAMENT ORGANISATION
The Escrima Concept Tournament Organisation (ECTO) rules have come into being as an attempt to create a uniform international system of rules for the entire ECTO. Escrima Concepts has been researched for thirty years and only in the last few years have we established a tournament that has helped our effective fighting art establish a sport that does not ruin what the art was developed for. It is a sport sprung from a fighting art but with honest intentions that show the effect of how a weapon and the unarmed come together with strategy.
We accept that as soon as protective clothing is worn that the real fighting art will be removed and that the sport takes over but we expect competitors to fight as if they had no protection and to fight as they train in normal club environments.
In Escrima Concepts our members often train and do well in other organisations tournaments - we like to test ourselves and at the same time support other tournaments from the very basic events to the hard-core competitions and we welcome others but we always accept that the minute protection is put on the rules of combat will be influenced and therefore it will be a sport. Therefore we run our safe yet effective competition for the enjoyment and safety of our members.
As we improve and grow bigger it is possible that some rules may have to be changed. Any decision to change these rules will be made with the approval of the Tournament Director and his Committee. Certain changes and adjustments may have to be made concerning different countries regarding the regulations and laws etc of the country in question, however, these changes will be followed up by each countries official representative, in conjunction with the Tournament Director and his International Referee Committee with Master Steve advising when requested.
At present we are designing two types of Tournament 1/ Amateur (Protected Clothing) 2/ Professional (Minimum Protective Clothing).
We want to ensure that each county is correctly represented and prepared for tournaments and therefore we run Referee and Official Courses as we need them.
Master Steve Tappin
Chief-Instructor for Escrima Concepts
ECTO has through the last years held several full contact tournaments in Escrima. A realistic set of rules makes it possible for the participants to do, and the spectators to see, a realistic, exciting and safe sport.
The 6 square meter large tournament mat may only be entered equipped with protective equipment; this contains of; Escrima helmet, protective vest, gloves and elbow padding (groin and mouth guard optional). The 70 cm tournament stick also has a light padding. These protective measures are designed to limit and remove injuries.
The Rules
Ring size: 6 x 6 m marked with stand-up lines for the competitors.
Match time: 3 x 1 minute effective time with 30 seconds break in between.
Competition categories:
Beginners Student Grades (SG): (1-5 SG)
Advanced: (6 SG and above)
(Professional Competitions are being considered for the future)
Weight categories
Men: -70, -75, -80, -85, -105 and +105 kg.
Women: -55, -65, +65.
Referees: 1 Head Referee (HR), 1 Ring Referee (RR), 2 Point Referees (PR)
A match can be won by (a) Walkover (WO) (b) Points, (c) When a competitor cannot or is unable to continue the fight (d) Technical superiority (e) Knockout (KO) or (f) Disqualification.
Point’s Given and Legal Techniques Point’s Given
Hit to the head with stick 3 points
Disarming opponent 3 points
Kick/knee to the head 2 points
Hit/elbow to the head 1 point
Hit to hand/arm w/ stick 1 point
Hit to body w/ stick/fist/elbow 1 point
Stick to body w/ stick 1 point
Hit to thigh w/ stick 1 point
Kick/knee to body 1 point
Kick/knee to thigh 1 points
Hit w/ stick to foot/ shin when kicking 1 points
The areas allowed to hit are the front and side of the body from the waist up to the head and arms and thighs.
To score an attack a competitor has to hit with intention and accuracy and the hit has to be solid. The competitors have to hit with such power that the hit would have been significant for the outcome in a fight without protective clothing.
When both competitors hit each other’s heads at the same time, no points are given.
Illegal Actions
Attacks towards areas other than the ones mentioned above.
Sweeps and throws.
Attacks with the back of the stick so called “butt-strikes”
Holding and takedowns with the stick
Uncontrolled swinging with the stick
Turning your back to your opponent
To repeatedly leave the ring during the fight
To repeatedly go into a passive clinch
To fake an injury or exaggerate an injury to get an advantage
Protest against the referees’ decisions during a fight
Serious Illegal Actions and Techniques
Actions or techniques that obviously are meant to hurt the opponent
Attacks to the throat, back, back of the head, groin and knees
Straight kicks to the head or thighs
Attacks towards an opponent lying/sitting down
When a competitor acts against the rules the RR usually gives a warning at first
If the competitor breaks the rules again the RR removes three (3) from the offender and awards (three (3) points to the opponent)
If the competitor breaks the rules again he/she is disqualified
When a competitor commits a serious illegal action the RR can choose to disqualify the competitor immediately
Rules can be changed without notice for the safety and enjoyment of all that attend.
Tournaments are held throughout the year, every year, in different countries - talk to your instructors or check out the web-sites for further information or contact info.escrima@btinternet.com.
In EC our members often train and do well in other tournaments - we like to test ourselves and at the same time support other tournaments from the very basics to the hard-core competitions and we welcome others but we always accept that the minute protection is put on the rules of combat will be influenced and therefore it will be a sport.
