Kumite

Kumite Rules

  1. The time of the bouts is 2 Minutes per Round
  2. Victory is awarded to the competitor who has scored one full point (IPPON) or the one who has won by decision (including WAZA-ARI – half point) or the one whose opponent has been charged with a foul, or whose opponent has been disqualified.
  3. The competitors shall enter the competition mat from opposite sides and stand by two lines, red and white, in the center of the fighting area, taking postures of FUDODACHI, facing the front. Looking at them from the front (official seats), the competitor for AKA – Red – should stand on the left side (the one whose entry number is smaller) and the competitor for SHIRO – White – should be on the right side (the one whose entry number is larger).
  4. The bout starts with the Main Referee’s command HAJIME and ends with the Main Referee’s command YAME.
  5. In case of any accident during the fight, the Main Referee may stop the bout.
  6. When the Main Referee makes the sign of “Time”, the bout shall stop for a moment, and when he makes the sign of ZOKKOU (continue) the bout shall start again.

IPPON-GACHI (full point victory)

The following cases will be judged as IPPON-GACHI (full point victory).

  • A thrust (TSUKI), kick (KERI), elbow strike (HIJI UCHI) or any other technique, excluding actions listed as fouls, which vigorously downs the opponent for three or more seconds.
  • If the opponent loses their will to fight for three or more seconds.
  • When having obtained two WAZA-ARI (half-points), which results in one IPPON (full-point).

WAZA-ARI (half-point)

The following cases will be judged as WAZA-ARI (half-point).

  • When a thrust (TSUKI), kick (KERI), elbow strike (HIJI UCHI), etc., excluding actions listed as fouls, downs the opponent for less than three seconds, but eventually stands up and resumes the fight.
  • If the opponent loses their will to fight but resumes the fight within three seconds.
  • If the opponent has received so much damage that they lose their balance, but does not fall down.
  • When a well-focused GEDAN TSUKI (downward punch) is followed immediately in good timing after either downing the opponent with foot sweeps (ASHI-BARAI) or dodging the opponent’s DOMAWASHI-KAITEN-GERI (rolling kick).

Criteria of HANTEI (decision)

  • In case there is neither IPPON nor disqualification, the decision supported by three or more out of the five referees is valid.
  • In case of one of the competitors having a WAZA-ARI, the WAZA-ARI will be the first priority in a decision.
  • In case of no WAZA-ARI, the amount of damage will be the priority in a decision.
  • In case of no damages, the amount of YUKO-DA (effective techniques, but not enough for being a WAZA-ARI), will be the criteria for decision.
  • In case of the same amount of YUKO-DA, the referees shall give priority to the competitor with more techniques (punch, kick, etc.).
  • In case of the same amount of techniques, the referees shall make their decision based on which competitor has the initiative (fighting spirit, moving forward, attacking first) in the bout. The more aggressive competitor shall win.
  • For the final extension, the referees must make a decision based on the dominance of either fighter.
  • If a CHUI (warning) has been given to either of the competitors, the referees shall follow the criteria stated in (“Judging Criteria”).

HANSOKU (Fouls)

The following actions are considered as HANSOKU (Fouls)

  • Attacks with techniques using hands or elbows to the opponent’s face or neck. (Even a slight touch may result in HANSOKU. However, making faints to the face is allowed.)
  • KINTEKI-GERI (groin kicks).
  • ZU-TSUKI (head thrusts).
  • TSUKAMI (grabbing of the opponent’s dogi or hand/foot).
  • KAKE (hooking). (To grapple or hook the opponent’s neck, head, shoulders, or body)
  • OSHI (pushing). (Pushing with open hands, closed hands, head or with the body is not allowed. It will be considered as HANSOKU even if you push with only one hand.)
  • OSAE (holding). (to hold the opponent with the hand or arm)
    h) KAKAEKOMI (hugging and holding). (The person who puts their arms around the other one first will be given a foul.)
  • To attack while leaning the head or body against the opponent.
  • Attacks from the back.
  • To attack an opponent who is already down.
  • KAKENIGE (run-away attack). (Pretend to attack while actually running away from the opponent)
  • KANSETSU-GERI, throwing the opponent.
  • Running away by repeatedly doing JOGAI. (Step outside area.)
  • When a competitor avoids contact with the opponent for more than 10 seconds, and does not resume contact even after the ZOKKOU (continue) command.
  • Any action that may be considered as bad attitudes towards the competition.
  • Attacks after the YAME command.
  • Any other actions that the referees may regard as fouls.