IDEA-BLADE // Official Rulebook

01 Design Specifications COMPLIANCE REQUIRED

All blades must pass inspection before competing. A blade that does not meet these specifications will not enter the bracket until corrections are made and re-inspection is complete.

Max Diameter

5"

Full assembled top, all arms, fins, and protrusions included

Full Height

3" ±0.1"

Base tip to top of body, below hex extension

Hex Extension

0.5" ±0.05"

Above full height. Does not need to run through full assembly.

Max Weight

2 lbs

907g max — includes hex shaft, weighed fight-ready

Processes

3+

At least 3 distinct manufacturing processes required

Fastener

3+

At least 3 mechanical fasteners incorporated into the design

CLICK TO EXPAND

IDEA-Blade dimension diagram — full height, hex extension, max diameter

Fig. 1 — Required dimensions. All measurements in inches. Blade shown is representative — your geometry may differ.

Blade Contact Rule — Engagement

This rule has one purpose: blades must actually fight. Any edge that contacts an opponent should be capable of transferring force into it — disrupting its spin, knocking it off-balance, or driving it toward the boundary. An edge that simply lets the opponent slide past without any meaningful force exchange is not legal.

This does not restrict geometry, shape, or style. Blades can be curved, asymmetric, tapered, layered, or anything else — as long as the contact surfaces are oriented to grip rather than deflect. A blade with sweeping organic arms, aggressive fins, or unusual form can absolutely be compliant. The question is only: when this edge hits something, does force go in, or does it slide off?

INSPECTOR NOTE
Compliance is assessed visually. If the intent of an edge is clearly to avoid engagement rather than pursue it, it will be flagged. If you are unsure whether your design is compliant, ask before competition day — not after.

Design Freedom

Within these constraints, everything else is open. Materials, geometry, surface finish, and theme are entirely at the designer's discretion. A blade with a name should earn it — if it looks threatening, sounds fierce, or carries a concept, the design should show it.

02 Match Rules CORE RULES

LAST BLADE SPINNING WINS

Every match is 1-on-1. Both blades are spun up and released into the arena simultaneously on the referee's countdown. The match ends the moment one blade stops spinning, exits the arena, or is otherwise rendered unable to continue. The blade still spinning at that moment wins the round.

01

Pre-Match Inspection

Both competitors confirm blades have passed inspection. Any pre-match modification must be declared, re-weighed, and cleared before this step (see Section 05).

02

Setup

Competitors position at assigned launch zones on opposite sides of the arena. Blades are loaded onto launchers. No contact with the opponent's equipment.

03

Countdown

Referee calls a 3-2-1 countdown. Both competitors launch simultaneously on the final call. Early release is a false start (F-01).

04

Battle

Blades fight without interference. No touching, redirecting, or interacting with either blade once launched. Battle ends when a win condition is met.

05

Win Condition

Round is won when the opposing blade stops spinning, exits the arena under its own power, or becomes mechanically unable to continue. Referee call is final.

06

Match Format

Best of 1, best of 3, or otherwise — determined by the tournament director based on structure and available time. Announced before the tournament begins.

03 Tournament Formats STRUCTURE

The active format is selected by the tournament director based on participant count and available time. Format is announced at the start of competition day. All formats use the same match rules.

Round Robin

Best for 6–10 competitors

Every competitor faces every other exactly once. Most wins takes the bracket. Tiebreakers resolved by head-to-head results, then a sudden-death rematch.

Everyone gets maximum matches

One bad round won't eliminate you

Match count grows fast with more players

Double Elimination

Best for 8 or 12 competitors

One loss drops you to the losers bracket. A second loss ends your run. Losers bracket winner faces the winners bracket champion in the grand final. A losers side win triggers a reset match.

One bad match doesn't end your run

Clean bracket with clear stakes

Requires even bracket numbers — byes added as needed

Qual + Double Elim

Best for 10+ competitors

A qualification phase (pool play or seeding matches) determines bracket placement. Top qualifiers enter double elimination seeded by qualifying performance.

Qualifying performance is rewarded

Main bracket features sharpest competitors

Longest total time commitment

Bracket note: Bracket size and seeding method will be announced before the first match is called. Byes, added competitors, or paired entries may be used to reach a clean bracket number at director discretion.

04 Fouls & Penalties CONDUCT

Referee and director calls are final. Disputes must be raised immediately and calmly before the next match action begins. Arguing after play resumes is treated as unsportsmanlike conduct (F-07).

#	Foul	Description	Penalty
F-01	False Start	Releasing before the final countdown call. If either competitor releases early, the round does not count.	RESTART First offense: restart. Second offense in same match: round forfeit.
F-02	Out of Bounds	A blade exits the arena boundary under its own power (not as a result of a fair hit).	ROUND LOSS The blade that exits loses that round. No restart.
F-03	Launch Interference	Physically contacting the opponent's blade, launcher, or body during setup or the launch sequence.	ROUND FORFEIT Immediate round forfeit. No restart.
F-04	Delay of Match	Competitor is not at the arena with blade loaded and ready within 2 minutes of the match call.	WARNING → FORFEIT Verbal warning at 2 min. If not ready within 1 additional minute: round forfeit.
F-05	Failed Inspection	Blade presented for a match does not pass weight, dimension, or engagement angle check.	HOLD Blade placed on hold. Cannot compete until corrected and re-inspected. If not corrected before match window closes: match forfeit.
F-06	Illegal Modification	Any change to the blade made after pre-match inspection sign-off and before the match is completed. Modular swaps are permitted in the designated pre-inspection window only — see clarification below.	MATCH FORFEIT Any change detected between re-weigh sign-off and launch: immediate match forfeit. Repeated violations escalated to director.
F-07	Unsportsmanlike Conduct	Taunting, physical contact with another competitor, intentional match disruption, or arguing a call after play has resumed.	WARNING → DQ First: formal warning. Second: match forfeit. Third: tournament disqualification. Director may skip this ladder for severe conduct.

Modular Modification Rule (F-06 Clarification)

IDEA-Blade designs may be modular - interchangeable arms, swappable weight rings, removable components, and other configuration changes are all legal. Competing in a modified configuration is allowed under three strict conditions:

1

Declare the Change

Notify the inspector or referee that a configuration change has been made. Must happen before entering the pre-match window.

2

Re-Weigh & Re-Inspect

The modified blade is fully re-weighed and re-inspected in its new configuration. All specs still apply. Inspector sign-off required before the blade is cleared to compete.

3

Configuration Locked at Sign-Off

Any change from re-weigh sign-off to launch is F-06 — no exceptions. The blade goes to the arena exactly as inspected.

05 Inspection REQUIRED TO COMPETE

Every blade must pass a full inspection before entering the bracket. A cleared blade stays cleared until a modification is declared. All items below are checked at every inspection.

✓
WeightBlade weighed as fully assembled and fight-ready. Must be 2 lbs (907g) or under. Any component attached during the match must be present at weigh-in.
✓
Full HeightMeasured base tip to top of body, below hex extension. Must read 3.00" ±0.1" (2.90"–3.10").
✓
Hex ExtensionExtension above full height must be 0.50" ±0.05" (0.45"–0.55"). Must mate to the standard launcher without forcing.
✓
DiameterMaximum outer diameter of 5" in any direction, all components in place.
✓
Fastener PresenceAt least 3 mechanical fasteners visibly incorporated into the assembly.
✓
Blade Engagement AngleContact edges must present an inward-facing surface in the direction of rotation. Inspector will visually verify. Deflecting edges are non-compliant.
✓
Structural IntegrityFully assembled, secure, and free of loose components. Parts that detach during a match may trigger a mandatory re-inspection.
✓
Launcher CompatibilityBlade must load onto the standard launcher without forcing, tools, or modification to the launcher.

06 Match Day Procedure OPERATIONS

01

Blade Submission

All competitors submit blades for initial inspection before competition begins. No blade enters the bracket without a passed inspection on record.

02

Bracket Seeding

Tournament director assigns bracket positions. Seeding method (random draw, qualifying performance, or director-assigned) announced before bracket reveal.

03

Match Call

Bracket manager calls the next match. Named competitors have 2 minutes to report to the arena with their blade loaded and ready. Delay of Match (F-04) clock starts at the call.

04

Pre-Match Check

Referee confirms both blades are cleared. Any modification declaration happens here — if declared, referee pauses for re-inspection before proceeding.

05

Match Execution

Countdown, launch, battle. Referee monitors for fouls and calls the win condition. Result recorded to the bracket immediately.

06

Bracket Advancement

Winner advances per the active tournament format. Loser routes to losers bracket or is eliminated. Next match is called.

07

Grand Final

Championship match is announced before it begins. Competitors are given time to prepare. All spectators expected to be present. Grand final result is final — no dispute period.

07 Version Log CHANGELOG

v1

2025–26 Academic Year · Initial Release

Rulebook established for IDEA-Blade competition
All baseline specifications defined — diameter, height, hex extension, weight, processes, fasteners
Seven fouls and tiered penalty structure established (F-01 through F-07)
Three tournament formats documented — round robin, double elimination, qualification + double elim
Modular modification rule (F-06) clarified: declare, re-weigh, lock
Fastener minimum set at 3
Full height tolerance set at ±0.1"

Future updates to these rules will be logged here with date and summary. Always check this section before competition to confirm you are reading the current version.