2011 wrap up continued
NASKA Changes and/or comments for 2012:
1. In the past competitors could only enter one traditional, one creative, one musical and one extreme form and/or weapon division. In 2012 competitors will have the options to compete in as many form and weapon divisions as they want in their various required sex, age and rank requirements. (One Example: A black belt competitor in the 18-29 age divisions can now compete in more than one traditional form division. If they chose, they can now compete in all three traditional form divisions: Japanese/Okinawan, Korean and Chinese. The same applies for weapons.)
2. Form and Weapons Seeding Adjustment: The new Group-A and Group-B seeding, explained below, will start on the fourth (4) world tournament of the year after the current year’s rating are updated. In 2011 the top 4 black belt competitors who were present in each division were shuffled to determine the placement of order. In 2012 there will still be shuffling of seeds but with the following change: Instead of looking at the top four rated competitors who are present, we will first look at the actual #1, #2, #3 and #4 rated competitors in the ratings who are present as “Group- A” and anyone rated #5 or higher as “Group-B” (Group-B also includes any rated competitors moving into the new division because of age change. The rated competitors in the division take priority over rated competitors moving into the division from a younger division. Group-B includes only enough competitors to make a total of four including Group-A competitors.) A maximum of 4 seeds will still be selected. Group-A will be shuffled together and go last in the division. If there are less than 4 competitors in Group-A, Group B competitors will be shuffled for the remaining seeds. (Example 1: If the #1, #3, #6, #8 & #9 rated competitors are present, the #1 and #3 rated competitors(Group-A) will be shuffled together to see who goes in the last two positions and the #6 and #8 rated competitors, (Group-B) will be shuffled together to determine the other two seeded positions. The #9 competitor will not be seeded because only 4 seeds are selected. Example 2: if competitors #2, #5, #6 and #1 from a younger division is moving up in age are present. The #2 rated competitor will automatically go last because he/she is the only one in Group-A. Group-B consist of competitors #5, #6 and #1. They will be shuffled together for the other three seeded positions. This process gives the actual # 1, #2, #3 and #4 rated competitor’s priority first, anyone rated 5th and below priority second and competitors moving into an older division priority third. The “Changing Age Division Rule”: If rated competitors are moving into an older division because of age change, they are qualified for a seed in the Group-B shuffle if there are not already 4 seeds present in the division. There is no change in determining fighting seeds.
3. Comments from those who participated in the “Competitor, Parent, Coaches Survey” were overwhelmingly about the importance of the Officials Certification Program (OCP). We will make the OCP one of our major issues for 2012. The development, expansion and implementation of the OCP is paramount for the sport to continue to grow.
4. Promoters have the option to use the fighting rules used in “Team Fighting” in the “Overall Fighting Men and Women Grand Championship” matches. (If a fighter goes down to the ground, one point is awarded to their opponent. If a fighter goes out of bounds, one point is awarded to their opponent. In overtime all points values are one point and you must win by two points.) All other basic NASKA fighting rules are the same. These changes can only be used in the Overall Grand Championship Finals only.
