Test Methods
The test method to be used for a test is up to the test conductor. Other methods than the one listed here may be used, but the important thing is that the test is challenging.
Points Testing Method
This method consists of the tester fighting a single opponent for brief rounds to accumulate points. A round consists of an engagement between fighters where a wound is suffered and ends when there is a distinct pause in the fight. At the end of each round the point total is scored and summed, and if the tester goes over the target point total of 30 points the test is completed as passed at that time. If after 20 rounds, or when it is mathematically impossible to reach 30 points in 20 rounds, if 30 points is not reached the test is failed.
In each round, wounds are added for points as follows:
Arm: 2 Points
Leg: 1 Point
Kill: 5 Points
Thus, two legs are worth 2 points, an arm and a leg are worth 3 points, and two arms are worth 4 points. A kill, via three limbs is the same as a body shot and still worth 5 points.
Wounds the tester lands score positive points, but wounds the tester suffers count as negative points. Thus, if both participants are the same rank, a mutual kill would count as 0 points because 5 -5 = 0. If the tester is fighting a higher rank, the values of wounds for a higher ranked opponent are multiplied to represent the higher difficulty. For one rank up, the multiple is 2 and thus, an arm is worth 4 points and so on. Using the example from before of a mutual kill, with a opponent of a higher rank the kill would be worth 10, but dying is worth -5, so the total score for the round would be 5 points.
Illegal shots, (head, neck, and groin if helmets are not being used,) are treated as normal and anything in connection with them does not count. An illegal shot committed by the tester results in the end of the round and at best 0 points. An illegal shot committed by the opponent results in whatever points were earned in the round (minimum 0), and the round gets to be re-done. For the following examples, Brandon is the tester and his opponent is one rank up:
If Brandon hits his opponent in the head and suffers no wounds, he would get 0 points for the round.
If Brandon hits an arm and then on a separate swing hits his opponent in the head and suffers no wounds, he would still get 0 points.
If Brandon hits his opponent in the head and is killed in the process he would get -5 points for the round.
If Brandon hits his opponent in the arm and then in a separate swing hits his opponent in the head and dies in the process
the arm points would still help to cancel out the death points and Brandon would get -1 points for the round
(2 arm X 2 rank – 5 death = -1 points for the round.)
If on round 4, Brandon is hit in the head and in the process gets an arm, he would get to re-do round 4 and have 4 points added.
A boundary should be established by the test conductor to give a way for wounded participants to end the round. Boundaries should be visible and easily discernible when they are crossed, like with a rope ring or lines on the ground. In the event that someone steps out of bounds and no wounds have been suffered on either side of the fight, the fight is paused, but does not count as a round. If the tester steps out of bounds and no wounds have been suffered, they get two warnings and then the third and all subsequent times loose a point. If the opponent steps out of bounds when no wounds have been suffered, the tester gains a point.
At the start of each round, the round number should be called. The tester, and only the tester, may ask the test director for the score between rounds. If at any point the tester gets or goes over 30 points, the test is over and the test director should announce it. Similarly if it is mathematically impossible to reach 30 points in the rounds remaining, the test director is responsible for stopping the test.
Kills vs Higher Ranked Opponents Test Method
The testing fighter needs to win two out of three twice against the next higher rank opponents. If there are not two people of the next rank available then a single set of three out of five will suffice. Test fights are judged by two judges. Judging is weighted in favor of the testing fighter. For example, the higher rank fighters must defer wounds to the testing fighters and mutual kills count as a win for the individual testing, however one cannot finish a set this way.
Multiple Opponents Test Method
The tester must fight multiple opponents simultaneously. In this case there should be multiple judges, at least one for every fighter involved. No deferment is required.
Subsequent Opponents Test Method
The tester must fight four fighters, one rank lower than the tester, one at a time with wounds carrying over between fights. In this case, the higher rank will not defer wounds. The tester must survive defeating all four opponents. If the tester mutuals with the fourth opponent the test is failed, however if both are left armless, the test is passed.