IMAS SPRING NATIONALS
MARCH 21 & 22 // 2025
Ready for your next challenge? Join us in New Orleans, Louisiana for the Spring 2025 IMAS Nationals. Much more than a weekend of competition -- Nationals weekend includes specialty Seminars taught by Master Instructors, High Rank Testings and Instructor Certifications, as well as competitions for all ages and ranks.
EVENT SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025
EVENT SET-UP I 6:00-8:00 pm
for School Owners & High Ranking Black Belts
School owners and high-ranking black belts are invited to attend the event setup at Nationals. This session is an opportunity to assist with final preparations, collaborate with event officials, and ensure a smooth and successful tournament experience. Your leadership and expertise are invaluable in creating an organized and professional environment for all participants and attendees.
SCHOOL OWNER CHECK-IN I 7:00 pm
for IMAS School Owners
For all school owners to receive their credentials, event packets, and important information for the weekend's events. It ensures you are fully prepared and provides an opportunity to address any last-minute questions or updates. Attendance is essential to ensure a seamless experience for you and your team.
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025
HIGH RANK INTERVIEWS I 9:00 am
for Advancement to Ranks Fourth Degree and Above
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HIGH RANK TESTINGS & DEMOS I 10:00-12:00 pm
for Third Black Belts Degree and Above
IMAS National events offer high-rank testings for martial artists working toward the ranks of Third Degree Black Belt and above. These evaluations provide an opportunity for candidates to showcase their advanced skills, knowledge, and commitment to their martial arts journey. Designed to honor dedication and growth, our high-rank testings are a significant milestone for those advancing to higher levels of expertise.
SORCE TRAINING SYSTEMS SEMINAR I 12:00-3:00 pm
with Guro Pete Sorce
Unlock the secrets of Filipino Martial Arts with the SORCE Training Systems seminar, a 3-hour immersive experience at IMAS Spring Nationals. Designed to complement and elevate any martial artist's current training, this seminar introduces versatile techniques in weapon handling, striking, footwork, and flow drills. Learn how to integrate the precision and adaptability of Filipino Martial Arts into your practice, expanding your skill set and boosting your confidence in self-defense and performance. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your training with SORCE!
DOUBLE SWORD SEMINAR I 12:00-1:00 pm
with Mr. Christian Cleve
Dive into the captivating world of double sword techniques at IMAS Spring Nationals with National Champion, Mr. Christian Cleve. This seminar will teach you the intricacies of wielding two blades with grace, coordination, and effectiveness. Whether you’re new to double swords or looking to enhance your existing skills, this session will cover the fundamentals, advanced patterns, and practical applications for both forms and sparring. Prepare to slice through your limits and stand out in your training!
FREE-STYLE WEAPONS FORMS I 1:00-2:00 pm
with Master Eric Pechacek
Break away from traditional routines and explore the creative side of martial arts with our Free-Style Weapons Forms seminar at IMAS Spring Nationals. This session will teach you how to craft exciting, fluid, and personalized forms using your weapon of choice. Learn techniques to enhance your presentation, flow, and showmanship while pushing your artistic boundaries. Ideal for martial artists who want to elevate their performances and competition presence!
DYNAMIC KICKING CONCEPTS I 2:00-3:00 pm
with Mr. Logan Steiner
Transform your kicks into dynamic weapons with our Dynamic Kicking Concepts seminar at IMAS Spring Nationals. Learn advanced techniques, drills, and applications that will boost your precision, power, and speed. Perfect for martial artists looking to take their skills to the next level, this session will refine your form and execution while unlocking new combinations and strategies for sparring or forms.
JUDGES CHECK-IN I Opening at 3:00 pm
Gear up for a great tournament weekend
Judges Check-In opens is an essential step to ensure all judges are fully prepared for the event. At check-in, judges will receive their credentials, review event assignments, and address any last-minute updates or instructions. Timely attendance is key to ensuring a seamless and well-organized tournament weekend.
COMPETITOR CHECK-IN I Opening at 3:00 pm
Your time to shine
Competitor Check-In opens at 3:00 PM on Friday and is the first step to getting ready for an exciting weekend of competitions! During check-in, competitors will receive their credentials, confirm their event divisions, and get answers to any last-minute questions.
BOARD BREAK CHALLENGE I Opening at 3:30 pm
Open to Martial Artists of all age & experience level
The Board Break Challenge is an exciting test of skill, power, and precision where competitors face the challenge of breaking up to 5 boards. Open to martial artists of all levels, this event pushes participants to demonstrate their focus and technique under pressure. The Board Break Challenge is a an excellent opportunity to push your limits and celebrate your martial arts journey.
MAIN EVENT COMPETITIONS I Times TBA
Traditional Forms, Flag Sparring & Point Sparring
Our National events feature thrilling main event contests, including Traditional Forms, Flag Sparring, and Point Sparring. These core events highlight the precision, skill, and discipline of martial artists as they perform and compete in time-honored disciplines. Whether demonstrating mastery of traditional techniques or engaging in fast-paced sparring matches, participants have the opportunity to showcase their dedication and excellence on the grand stage.
OTHER COMPETITIONS I Times TBA
Free-Style Weapons Forms, Padded Stick Sparring & Tag Team Sparring
In addition to the Main Event competitions, our National events feature competitions in Free-Style Weapons Forms, Padded Stick Sparring, and Tag Team Sparring. These unique events offer participants a chance to showcase their creativity, skill, and teamwork in a fun and dynamic setting. Open to martial artists of all levels, these competitions add an extra layer of excitement and camaraderie to the tournament experience and are a highlight for competitors and spectators.
DEMO TEAM COMPETITION I Times TBA
Held exclusively at IMAS Spring National Events
The National Demo Team Competition is an electrifying showcase of creativity, teamwork, and martial arts excellence. Teams from schools across the country come together to perform choreographed demonstrations featuring martial arts forms, weapons displays, thrilling fight scenes, and powerful board breaks. This high-energy event celebrates the artistry and skill of martial arts while inspiring competitors and spectators alike with unforgettable performances.
SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION I 7:00-8:00 am
for Participants in the IMAS Instructor Certification Program
Held via Zoom classes throughout the semester, the IMAS Instructor Certification Course culminates in a final exam held at IMAS Nationals. During this course, you’ll not only develop the essential skills needed to become an exceptional instructor but also learn strategies to optimize your students’ growth and development. By the end of the program, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to lead any group of students through their martial arts journey, empowering them and positively impacting their lives in a meaningful way.
JUDGES LIVE MEETING I 8:00-8:30 am
for ALL Judges, School Owners, and Tournament Officials
The Judges Live Meeting at Nationals is a vital gathering for all Judges, School Owners, and Event Officials. This in-person session provides an opportunity to review rules, discuss judging criteria, and align on event standards to ensure a fair and successful competition. Participants will gain clarity on procedures, share insights, and collaborate to maintain the integrity and excellence of IMAS events. Whether you’re a seasoned official or new to the role, this meeting is essential for contributing to a well-organized and rewarding tournament experience.
MAIN EVENT COMPETITIONS I Beginning at 9:00 am
Traditional Forms, Flag Sparring & Point Sparring
Including competitions in Traditional Forms, Flag Sparring, and Point Sparring, the Main Event is open to competitors of all ages and skill levels and are at the core of our competitions. Individual ring assignments will be available once all competitors have been registered and divisions finalized. These assignments can be found on the Spring Nationals event page of the IMAS website approximately 3-5 days prior to the event.
BOARD BREAK CHALLENGE I Opening at 9:00 am
Open to Martial Artists of all age & experience level
The Board Break Challenge is an exciting test of skill, power, and precision where competitors face the challenge of breaking up to 5 boards. Open to martial artists of all levels, this event pushes participants to demonstrate their focus and technique under pressure. The Board Break Challenge opens at the start of competition and closes 30 minutes after the last ring of competitors begins.
EVENT BREAK-DOWN I Time TBA
for all Judges, School Owners & Tournament Officials
After a fantastic weekend of events, we ask that all school owners, judges, and tournament officials assist in packing up equipment and ensuring the venue is left in great condition. Thank you for being a part of another amazing IMAS National event!