Momentum Revamp - Rules And Guidelines

Overview
The world continues to evolve. And so does AFW.

Momentum once began its genesis as the premier location for exclusive female boxing. After the, still today, growing success of the Friction and Tension (formerly known as “Sex Wars”), the organization sought to make its mark in the boxing world. However, the league has since than to failed to live up to its potential. Leaving the other two leagues to thrive while Momentum was left to decay.

The recent boom of martial artists finding their way to AFW has since brought a spark of life to the organization. Ranging from the well-known and the unknown, they have coexisted with wrestlers in the same ring, benefiting each other’s tactics and expanding their skillset further. But the hunger for legitimate competition and a platform to showcase their martial prowess in the biggest stage of them all grew. Not just for the diehard fans but the competitors themselves.

To do so, there must be a rebirth.

Momentum is changing significantly and will no longer be a boxing-only promotion. The arena will now host martial arts competitions and professional combat sports alongside boxing. Any competitive martial art can be played professionally in Momentum. New characters created in Momentum can specialize either as a martial artist (karateka, judoka, etc.) or a professional athlete (boxer, kickboxer, MMA fighter, etc.) in a fighting sport. They can choose to specialize in either one or several of these fields.

Nothing is off limits, from world-renowned competitions like Karate, to obscure and native martial arts such as Dambe, to ancient sports like Pankration. Matches should have a clear structure and defined rules to be eligible.

Friction and Tension cross-promotional matches will be strongly encouraged. There are many characters on the wrestling rosters that either specialize or have a background in one or several martial arts. Crossing over into Momentum competitions, just as before, is anticipated and welcomed.

Our intention for this overhaul is to promote the absolute best martial arts, and combat sports have to offer. Professionalism is something we want to strongly encourage in this overhaul. Understand the match you are setting up, the space your characters are fighting in, and what it all represents. We inspire respect and incentivize tradition. And this leads to developing wisdom, as this is the spot to learn more about martial arts, expand your knowledge, and hear the stories countless fighters have to tell.


Competition Outfits
Characters in Momentum are encouraged to have a picture of their character wearing the appropriate attire in regards to their chosen competition, however it is by no means mandatory. An accompanying picture, be it RL or not, modeling your characters attire will suffice if need be. This outfit can be personalized while also respecting the particular regulations for their sport. What is most important to remember is that your Competition Outfit reflects your character and their chosen discipline.


Cross-Matches
As stated, Momentum will now encompass a variety of martial artists and combat sports. New characters that appear on the roster can be a specialist in one or many disciplines. Does that mean your character can only compete in one field?

No. Your characters are your own, and they are allowed to compete in whatever matches they choose. Any character can fight against any opponent in any match they want. Even outside of their areas of expertise. We expect this will happen in one of two ways:

A fighter competing in a match close to, or outside of, their chosen discipline.
Two fighters of different styles going head to head in a match. Could also just be defined as an MMA match.

Either of these options work. We want to encourage as much crossover as possible with matches and with members of other arenas. The only ask from us is that you do some general research (as necessary) to make sense of the martial art or sport you are competing in.

Black Belt Wiki is a reliable resource for techniques, katas, styles, terminology and more for a wide range of martial arts. If you are looking to do some easy research, it’s a great place to start.


Match Examples
Below are some helpful templates of how a handful of the most popular matches are conducted. A reminder that these are only basic templates from a handful of martial arts for the sake of convenience. The specific rules of a match are entirely up to you, including the match time, penalties, and so on. Also be sure to research the appropriate arena for your match. It may be helpful to have an image of the specific ring or mat included on your opening post.

Scoring for matches is completely optional. Every martial arts contest has its own point-based system that may be a little advanced or seem daunting for an RP setting. Players can feel free to devise their own point systems, or exclude them entirely in favor of a straightforward fight. Similarly, penalties can be ignored in favor of hardcore or ‘anything goes’ rulesets.

Karate Match
Rules: Three minute match. No rounds.
Victory Conditions: Win via decision, submission, or TKO. Mercy rule can be applied for an extending lead of eight points. DQ (Either one Hansou-Make penalty or three Shido penalties).

Optional Scoring And Penalty System:

Judo Match
Rules: Five minute match. No rounds.
Victory Conditions: Win via Ippon, Two Waza-aris, DQ, highest quality score, or submission. If there is no winner decided, the match will enter sudden-death "golden point" overtime.

Optional Scoring And Penalty System:

Taekwondo Match
Rules: Three rounds bout. Each round has no more than two minutes duration, with a rest period of one minute between. Competitors attempt to knockout their opponent or score points by landing blows on their opponent’s torso or head. Punches are only allowed to the torso.
Victory Conditions: Win by most points scored, KO, or disqualification.

Optional Scoring And Penalty System:

BJJ Match
Rules: Points are rewarded for gaining certain dominant positions and the actions taken to get there. Advantages are given for “almost” earning a point or submission during ground fighting if the athlete attempts a technique and puts his adversary on the defensive. Contestants are granted an advantage when the athlete attempts but does not complete any of the fundamental moves of the fight; i.e. sweep, take down, submission, etc.
Victory Conditions: Win by Submission, Disqualification, Decision, or KO.

Optional Scoring And Penalty System:

MMA Match
Rules: Five rounds bout. Each round has no more than five minutes duration, with a rest period of one minute between.
Victory Conditions: Win by Decision, Submission, KO, or TKO.

Optional Scoring And Penalty System:

Muay Thai Match
Rules: Five rounds bout. Each round lasts no longer than three minutes each, with a rest period of two minutes between.
Victory Conditions: Win via KO, TKO, or Withdrawal.

Optional Scoring And Penalty System:

Greco-Roman Match
Rules: Three round bout. Each fight round is separated into three segments: one 60-second segment for neutral position combat (on their feet), and two 30-second sequences for ground combat (on the mat). The wrestler who scores the most points in the 60-second neutral position segment will be granted the on-top advantage for the ground combat period. If the wrestler on top cannot score any points, his opponent is awarded a point for defense. The wrestlers then switch positions to allow both athletes a chance to earn points on top. Rounds last no longer than two minutes.
Victory Conditions: Win via Pinfall, Submission, or Disqualification. Pinfalls are achieved by pinning the opponent’s shoulders to the mat for 1-2 seconds.

Optional Scoring And Penalty System:

Kendo Match
Rules: Five minute match. No rounds. Kendo competitions are fought to three points. The match is fought until one of the Kendoka scores three points or until the match time ends. Strikes must include a stomp (fumikomu) as well as a shout (kiai) to even be considered a point. In the end, the strike has to be confirmed by at least two out of three judges to be valid.
Victory Conditions: Win via most points scored or Disqualification.

Optional Scoring And Penalty System:

Boxing Match
Rules: All bouts are scored by three judges. There are as little as three rounds and as many as twelve. A floored boxer has ten seconds to get up before being declared the loser. Only closed fist punches, no backhands. When the referee signals for a break, fighters must take a step back and refrain from throwing any more punches. Breaking any of the rules or committing prohibited actions may result in a foul, which if given results in points being deducted by the judges. In extreme cases the fighter committing the foul may be disqualified.
Victory Conditions: Win via judges scoring, knockout, or referee intervention.

Prohibited Actions:
- Fighters may not strike their opponent in the back, the back of their head, neck, or kidneys.  
- You cannot strike with your head, forearm, or elbows.
- You cannot use the ropes as leverage for a punch.
- You cannot strike an opponent while they are down.
- No Biting, Spitting, or Low Blows.


Hentai Variations
Although hentai is allowed in the league, how it is implemented will likely change from match to match. Players can decide what works best for their given thread. This could range from using the ten count to have free reign with their bodies, kissing and grinding instead of being separated during clinches, or allowing the opponent's gi to be stripped. Softer fights can resemble Judo matches that focus on the use of smothers, or harsher ones like a kinky pit match. As with anything, both players will have to be the ones to agree on how the stipulations will be enforced before beginning.

Everyone here as Britbrat and Berial to thank for campaigning towards Momentum revamp. Anyone with Momentum related questions need only divert their queries in their general direction through PM or on Discord.