KATA AND KUMITE COMPETITION RULES
The competition area will be a matted square, of a WKF approved type, with sides of eight metres (measured from the outside) with an additional two metres on all sides as a safety area. There will be a clear safety area of two metres on each side.
KATA AND KUMITE COMPETITION RULES
CONTENTS
KUMITE RULES 3
ARTICLE 1: KUMITE COMPETITION AREA 3
ARTICLE 2: OFFICIAL DRESS 4
ARTICLE 3: ORGANISATION OF KUMITE COMPETITIONS 6
ARTICLE 4: THE REFEREE PANEL 7
ARTICLE 5: DURATION OF BOUT 8
ARTICLE 6: SCORING 8
ARTICLE 7: CRITERIA FOR DECISION 11
ARTICLE 8: PROHIBITED BEHAVIOUR 12
ARTICLE 9: PENALTIES 16
ARTICLE 10: INJURIES AND ACCIDENTS IN COMPETITION 17
ARTICLE 11: OFFICIAL PROTEST
ARTICLE 12: POWERS AND DUTIES
ARTICLE 13: STARTING, SUSPENDING AND ENDING OF MATCHES 24
ARTICLE 14: MODIFICATIONS 25
KATA RULES 26
ARTICLE 1: KATA COMPETITION AREA 26
ARTICLE 2: OFFICIAL DRESS 26
ARTICLE 3: ORGANISATION OF KATA COMPETITION 26
ARTICLE 4: THE JUDGING PANEL 28
ARTICLE 5: CRITERIA FOR DECISION 28
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ARTICLE 6: OPERATION OF MATCHES 29
APPENDIX 1: THE TERMINOLOGY
APPENDIX 2: GESTURES AND FLAG SIGNALS 33
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GESTURES OF THE REFEREE 32
THE JUDGES FLAG SIGNALS 41
APPENDIX 3: OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR REFEREES AND JUDGES 43
APPENDIX 4: SCOREKEEPERS MARKS 46
APPENDIX 5: LAYOUT OF THE KUMITE COMPETITION AREA 47
APPENDIX 6: LAYOUT OF THE KATA COMPETITION AREA 48
APPENDIX 7: THE COMPULSORY KATA LIST 50
APPENDIX 8: W.K.F. MAJOR KATA LIST 51
APPENDIX 9: THE KARATE GI 53
APPENDIX 10: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS CONDITIONS & CATEGORIES 54
It should be noted that the male gender used in this text also refers to the female
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KUMITE RULES
A RT I C L E 1 : KUMITE COMPETITION AREA
1. The competition area must be flat and devoid of hazard.
2. The competition area will be a matted square, of a WKF approved type, with sides
of eight metres (measured from the outside) with an additional two metres on all
sides as a safety area. There will be a clear safety area of two metres on each side.
3. A line half a metre long must be drawn two metres from the centre of the
competition area for positioning the Referee.
4. Two parallel lines each one metre long and at right angles to the Referee's line,
must be drawn at a distance of one and a half metres from the centre of the
competition area for positioning the competitors.
5. The Judges will be seated in the safety area, one directly facing the referee, and
one behind each of the fighters, and one metre towards the Referee. Each will be
equipped with a red and a blue flag.
6. The Arbitrator will be seated at a small table just outside the safety area, behind,
and to the left of the Referee. He will be equipped with a red flag or sign, and a
buzzer.
7. The score-supervisor will be seated at the official score table, between the
scorekeeper and the timekeeper.
8. The one metre border should be in a different colour from the rest of the matted
area.
EXPLANATION:
I. There must be no advertisement hoardings, walls, pillars etc. within one
metre of the safety area's outer perimeter.
II. The mats used should be non-slip where they contact the floor proper but
have a low co-efficient of friction on the upper surface. They should not be as
thick as Judo mats, since these impede Karate movement. The Referee must
ensure that mat modules do not move apart during the competition, since gaps
cause injuries and constitute a hazard. They must be of approved WKF
design.
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A RT I C L E 2 : OFFICIAL DRESS
1. Contestants and their coaches must wear the official uniform as herein defined.
2. The Referee Commission may disbar any official or competitor who does not
comply with this regulation.
REFEREES
1. Referees and Judges must wear the official uniform designated by the Referee
Commission. This uniform must be worn at all tournaments and courses.
2. The official uniform will be as follows:
A single breasted navy blue blazer bearing two silver buttons.
A white shirt with short sleeves.
An official tie, worn without tiepin.
Plain light-grey trousers without turn-ups.
Plain dark blue or black socks and black slip-on shoes for use on the match area.
Female referees and judges may wear a hairclip.
CONTESTANTS
1. Contestants must wear a white karate gi without stripes or piping. The national
emblem or flag of the country will be worn on the left breast of the jacket and
may not exceed an overall size of 12cm by 8cm (see Appendix 9). Only the
original manufacturer’s labels may be displayed on the gi. In addition,
identification issued by the Organising Committee will be worn on the back. One
contestant must wear a red belt and the other a blue belt. The red and blue belts
must be around five centimetres wide and of a length sufficient to allow fifteen
centimetres free on each side of the knot.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 above, the Directing Committee may authorise the
display of special labels or trademarks of approved sponsors.
3. The jacket, when tightened around the waist with the belt, must be of a minimum
length that covers the hips, but must not be more than three-quarters thigh length.
Female competitors may wear a plain white T-shirt beneath the Karate jacket.
4. The maximum length of the jacket sleeves must be no longer then the bend of the
wrist and no shorter than halfway down the forearm. Jacket sleeves may not be
rolled up.
5. The trousers must be long enough to cover at least two thirds of the shin and must
not reach below the anklebone. Trouser legs may not be rolled up.
6. Contestants must keep their hair clean and cut to a length that does not obstruct
smooth bout conduct. Hachimaki (headband) will not be allowed. Should the
Referee consider any contestant's hair too long and/or unclean, he may disbar the
contestant from the bout. In Kumite matches hair slides are prohibited, as are
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metal hairgrips. In Kata, a discreet hair clip is permitted. Ribbons and other
decorations are prohibited.
7. Contestants must have short fingernails and must not wear metallic or other
objects, which might injure their opponents. The use of metallic teeth braces must
be approved by the Referee and the Official Doctor. The contestant accepts full
responsibility for any injury.
8. The following protective equipment is compulsory:
8.1 WKF approved mitts, one contestant wearing red and the other wearing blue.
8.2. Gum shield
8.3. The female chest protector approved by the WKF
8.4. The shin pads approved by the WKF, one contestant wearing red and the other
wearing blue
8.5. The foot protection approved by the WKF, one contestant wearing red and the
other wearing blue
Groin Guards are not mandatory but if worn must be of approved WKF type
9. Glasses are forbidden. Soft contact lenses can be worn at the contestant's own
risk.
10. The wearing of unauthorised clothing or equipment is forbidden.
11. All protective equipment must be W.K.F. homologated.
12. It is the duty of the Arbitrator (Kansa) to ensure before each match or bout that the
competitors are wearing the approved equipment. (In the case of Continental
Union, International, or National Federation Championships it should be noted
that WKF approved equipment, must be accepted and cannot be refused).
13. The use of bandages, padding, or supports because of injury must be approved by
the Referee on the advice of the Official Doctor.
COACHES
1. Coaches shall at all times during the tournament, wear the official tracksuit of
their National Federation and display their official identification.
EXPLANATION:
I. The contestant must wear a single belt. This will be red for AKA and blue for
AO. Belts of grade should not be worn during the bout.
II. Gum shields must fit properly. Groin protectors using a removable plastic cup
slipped into a jockstrap are not permitted and persons wearing them will be
held at fault.
III. There may well be a religious basis for the wearing of certain items such as
turbans or amulets. Persons wishing, by virtue of their religion, to wear what
would otherwise be construed as unauthorised clothing must notify the
Referee Commission in advance of a tournament. The Referee Commission
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will examine each application on its merit. No accommodation will be made
for people who just turn up on the day and expect to participate.
IV. If a contestant comes into the area inappropriately dressed, he or she will not
be immediately disqualified; instead the fighter will be given one minute to
remedy matters.
V. If the Referee Commission agrees, Refereeing Officials may be allowed to
remove their blazers.
A RT I C L E 3 : O R G A N I S AT I O N O F K U M I T E C O M P E T I T I O N S
1. A Karate tournament may comprise Kumite competition and/or Kata competition.
The Kumite competition may be further divided into the team match and the
individual match. The individual match may be further divided into weight
divisions and open category. Weight divisions are divided ultimately into bouts.
The term “bout” also describes the individual Kumite competitions between
opposing pairs of team members.
2. No contestant may be replaced by another in an individual title match.
3. Individual contestants or teams that do not present themselves when called will be
disqualified (KIKEN) from that category.
4. Male teams comprise seven members with five competing in a round. Female
teams comprise four members with three competing in a round.
5. The contestants are all members of the team. There are no fixed reserves.
6. Before each match, a team representative must hand into the official table, an
official form defining the names and fighting order of the competing team
members. The participants drawn from the full team of seven, or four members,
and their fighting order, can be changed for each round provided the new fighting
order is notified first, but once notified, it cannot then be changed until that round
is completed.
7. A team will be disqualified if any of its members or its coach changes the team's
composition or fighting order without written notification prior to the round.
EXPLANATION:
I. A “round” is a discrete stage in a competition leading to the eventual
identification of finalists. In an elimination Kumite competition, a round
eliminates fifty percent of contestants within it, counting byes as contestants.
In this context, the round can apply equally to a stage in either primary
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elimination or repechage. In a matrix, or “round robin” competition, a round
allows all contestants in a pool to fight once.
II. The use of contestants' names causes problems of pronunciation and
identification. Tournament numbers should be allotted and used.
III. When lining up before a match, a team will present the actual fighters. The
unused fighter(s) and the Coach will not be included and shall sit in an area
set aside for them.
IV. In order to compete male teams must present at least three competitors and
female teams must present at least two competitors. A team with less than the
required number of competitors will forfeit the match (Kiken).
V. The fighting order form can be presented by the Coach, or a nominated
contestant from the team. If the Coach hands in the form, he must be clearly
identifiable as such; otherwise, it may be rejected. The list must include the
name of the country or club the belt colour allotted to the team for that match
and the fighting order of the team members. Both the competitor’s names and
their tournament numbers must be included and the form signed by the coach,
or a nominated person.
VI. If, through an error in charting, the wrong contestants compete, then
regardless of the outcome, that bout/match is declared null and void. To
reduce such errors the winner of each bout/match must confirm victory with
the control table before leaving the area.
A RT I C L E 4 : T H E R E F E R E E PA N E L
1. The Refereeing Panel for each match shall consist of one Referee (SHUSHIN),
three Judges (FUKUSHIN), and one arbitrator (KANSA).
2. The Referee and Judges of a kumite bout must not have the nationality of either of
the participants.
3. In addition, for facilitating the operation of matches, several timekeepers, caller
announcers, record keepers, and score supervisors shall be appointed.
EXPLANATION:
I. At the start of a Kumite match, the Referee stands on the outside edge of the
match area. On the Referee’s left stand Judges numbers 1 and 2, and on the
right stands the Arbitrator and Judge number 3.
II. After the formal exchange of bows by contestants and Referee Panel, the
Referee takes a step back, the Judges and Arbitrator turn inwards, and all
bow together. All then take up their positions.
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III. When changing the entire Referee Panel, the departing Officials take up
position as at the start of the bout or match, bow to each other, then leave the
area together.
IV. When individual Judges change, the incoming Judge goes to the outgoing
Judge, they bow together and change positions.
A RT I C L E 5 : D U R AT I O N O F B O U T
1. Duration of the Kumite bout is defined as three minutes for Senior Male Kumite
(both teams and individuals) and two minutes for Women's, Junior, and Cadet
bouts.
2. The timing of the bout starts when the Referee gives the signal to start, and stops
each time the Referee calls “YAME”.
3. The timekeeper shall give signals by a clearly audible gong, or buzzer, indicating
“30 seconds to go” or “time up”. The “time up” signal marks the end of the bout.
A RT I C L E 6 : SCORING
1. Scores are as follows:
a) SANBON Three points
b) NIHON Two points
c) IPPON One point
2. A score is awarded when a technique is performed according to the following
criteria to a scoring area:
a) Good form
b) Sporting attitude
c) Vigorous application
d) Awareness (ZANSHIN)
e) Good timing
f) Correct distance
3. SANBON is awarded for:
a) Jodan kicks.
b) Throwing or leg sweeping the opponent to the mat followed by a
scoring technique.
4. NIHON is awarded for:
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a) Chudan kicks.
b) Punches on the back, including back of the head and neck.
c) Combination hand techniques, the individual components of which
each score in their own right.
d) Unbalancing the opponent and scoring.
5. IPPON is awarded for:
a) Chudan or Jodan Tsuki.
b) Uchi.
6. Attacks are limited to the following areas:
a) Head
b) Face
c) Neck
d) Abdomen
e) Chest
f) Back
g) Side
7. An effective technique delivered at the same time that the end of the bout is
signalled, is considered valid. A technique even if effective, delivered after an
order to suspend or stop the bout shall not be scored and may result in a penalty
being imposed on the offender.
8. No technique, even if technically correct, will be scored if it is delivered when the
two contestants are outside the competition area. However, if one of the
contestants delivers an effective technique while still inside the competition area
and before the Referee calls “YAME”, the technique will be scored.
9. Simultaneous, effective scoring techniques delivered by both contestants, the one
on the other (AIUCHI) shall not score.
EXPLANATION:
In order to score, a technique must be applied to a scoring area as defined in
paragraph 6 above. The technique must be appropriately controlled with regard to the
area being attacked and must satisfy all six scoring criteria in paragraph 2 above.
Vocabulary Technical Criteria
Sanbon (3 1. Jodan kicks. Jodan being defined as the face, head and neck.
Points) is 2. Any scoring technique which is delivered after legally
awarded for: throwing, leg sweeping, or taking the opponent down to the
mat.
Nihon (2 1. Chudan kicks. Chudan being defined as the abdomen, chest,
Points) is back and side.
awarded for: 2. Punches(Tsuki) delivered to the opponent’s back, including
the back of the head and neck.
3. Combinations of punching and striking (tsuki and uchi) the
individual components of which each score in their own
right, delivered to any of the seven scoring areas.
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4. Any scoring technique (other than Jodan Kicks) delivered
after permissible physical action of the contestant has caused
the opponent to lose balance as the score is made.
Ippon (1 1. Any punch (tsuki) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas
Point) is excluding the back, the back of the head and neck.
awarded for: 2. Any strike (uchi) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas.
I. For reasons of safety, throws where the opponent is thrown without being
held onto, or thrown dangerously, or where the pivot point is above hip level,
are prohibited and will incur a warning or penalty. Exceptions are
conventional karate leg sweeping techniques, which do not require the
opponent to be held while executing the sweep such as de ashi-barai, ko uchi
gari, kani waza etc. After a throw has been executed the referee will allow the
contestant two to three seconds in which to attempt a scoring technique.
II. When a contestant slips, falls, or loses balance as a result of their own action
and is scored upon by the opponent the score will be given as if the contestant
had been standing upright.
III. A technique with “Good Form” is said to have characteristics conferring
probable effectiveness within the framework of traditional Karate concepts.
IV. Sporting Attitude is a component of good form and refers to a non-malicious
attitude of great concentration obvious during delivery of the scoring
technique.
V. Vigorous Application defines the power and speed of the technique and the
palpable will for it to succeed.
VI. Awareness (ZANSHIN) is that criterion most often missed when a score is
assessed. It is the state of continued commitment in which the contestant
maintains total concentration, observation, and awareness of the opponent's
potentiality to counter-attack. He does not turn his face away during delivery
of the technique, and remains facing the opponent afterwards.
VII. Good Timing means delivering a technique when it will have the greatest
potential effect.
VIII. Correct Distance similarly means delivering a technique at the precise
distance where it will have the greatest potential effect. Thus if the technique
is delivered on an opponent who is rapidly moving away, the potential effect
of that blow is reduced.
IX. Distancing also relates to the point at which the completed technique comes
to rest on or near the target. A punch or kick that comes somewhere between
skin touch and 2—5 centimetres from the face, may be said to have the correct
distance. However, Jodan punches, which come within a reasonable distance
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of the target and which the opponent makes no attempt to block or avoid will
be scored, provided the technique meets the other criteria.
X. A worthless technique is a worthless technique —- regardless of where and
how it is delivered. A technique, which is badly deficient in good form, or
lacking power, will score nothing.
XI. Techniques, which land below the belt may score, as long as they are above
the pubic bone. The neck is a target area and so is the throat. However, no
contact to the throat is permitted, although a score may be awarded for a
properly controlled technique, which does not touch.
XII. A technique, which lands upon the shoulder blades, may score. The non-
scoring part of the shoulder is the junction of the upper bone of the arm with
the shoulder blades and collarbones.
XIII. The time-up bell signals the end of scoring possibilities in that bout, even
though the Referee may inadvertently not halt the bout immediately. The time-
up bell does not however mean that penalties cannot be imposed. Penalties
can be imposed by the Refereeing Panel up to the point where the contestants
leave that area after the bout's conclusion. Penalties can be imposed after
that, but then only by the Referee Commission.
XIV. True Aiuchis are rare. Not only must two techniques land simultaneously, but
both must be valid scoring techniques, each with good form etc. Two
techniques may well land simultaneously, but seldom are both, if indeed
either, effective scores. The Referee must not dismiss as Aiuchi, a situation
where only one of the simultaneous pair is actually a score. This is not Aiuchi.
A RT I C L E 7 : CRITERIA FOR DECISION
The result of a bout is determined by a contestant obtaining a clear lead of eight
points, or at time-up, having the highest number of points, obtaining a decision
(HANTEI), or by a HANSOKU, SHIKKAKU, or KIKEN, imposed against a
contestant.
1. When a bout ends with equal scores, or no scores, the Referee will announce a tie
(HIKIWAKE) and the start of the ENCHO-SEN if applicable.
2. In individual bouts, if there is a tie, an extension not exceeding one minute will be
fought (ENCHO-SEN). An ENCHO-SEN is an extension of the bout, and all
penalties and warnings issued still apply. The first competitor to obtain an award
will be declared the winner. In the event that neither competitor is awarded a
score, during the ENCHO-SEN, the decision will be made by a final vote of the
Referee and three Judges (HANTEI). A decision in favour of one or the other
competitor is obligatory and is taken on the basis of the following;
a) The attitude, fighting spirit, and strength demonstrated by the contestants.
b) The superiority of tactics and techniques displayed.
c) Which of the contestants has initiated the majority of the action.
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3. In team competition, there will be no extension (ENCHO-SEN) in the event of
drawn bouts except as stated in paragraph 5 below.
4. The winning team is the one with the most bout victories. Should the two teams
have the same number of bout victories then the winning team will be the one
with the most points, taking both winning and losing bouts into account. The
maximum points difference or lead recorded in any bout will be eight.
5. If the two teams have the same number of bout victories and points, then a
deciding bout will be held. In the event of a continuing tie, there will be an
extension (ENCHO-SEN) not exceeding one minute. The first competitor to
obtain an award will be declared the winner. In the event that there is no score the
decision will be made by vote of the Referee and three Judges (HANTEI).
6. In team matches when a team has won sufficient bout victories or scored
sufficient points as to be the established winner then the match is declared over
and no further bouts will take place.
EXPLANATION:
I. When deciding the outcome of a bout by vote (HANTEI) at the end of an
inconclusive ENCHO-SEN, the Referee will move to the match area perimeter
and call “HANTEI”, followed by a two-tone blast of the whistle. The Judges
will indicate their opinions by means of their flags and the Referee will at the
same time indicate his own vote by raising his arm on the side of the preferred
contestant. The Referee will give a short blast on his whistle, return to his
original position and announce the majority decision.
II. In the event of a tied vote, the Referee will resolve the tie by use of his casting
vote. On returning to his original position, the Referee will place one arm
across his chest and raise his bent arm on the side of the preferred choice to
show he is using his casting vote. He will then indicate the winner in the
normal way
A RT I C L E 8 : P R O H I B I T E D B E H AV I O U R
There are two categories of prohibited behaviour, Category 1 and Category 2.
CATEGORY 1.
1. Techniques which make excessive contact, having regard to the scoring area
attacked, and techniques which make contact with the throat.
2. Attacks to the arms or legs, groin, joints, or instep.
3. Attacks to the face with open hand techniques.
4. Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques.
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CATEGORY 2.
1. Feigning, or exaggerating injury.
2. Repeated exits from the competition area (JOGAI).
3. Self-endangerment by indulging in behaviour, which exposes the contestant to
injury by the opponent, or failing to take adequate measures for self-
protection, (MUBOBI).
4. Avoiding combat as a means of preventing the opponent having the
opportunity to score.
5. Clinching, wrestling, pushing, or seizing, without attempting a throw or other
technique.
6. Techniques, which by their nature, cannot be controlled for the safety of the
opponent and dangerous and uncontrolled attacks.
7. Attacks with the head, knees, or elbows.
8. Talking to, or goading the opponent, failing to obey the orders of the referee,
discourteous behaviour towards the refereeing officials, or other breaches of
etiquette.
EXPLANATION:
I. Karate competition is a sport, and for that reason some of the most dangerous
techniques are banned and all techniques must be controlled. Trained
competitors can absorb relatively powerful blows on muscled areas such as
the abdomen, but the fact remains that the head, face, neck, groin and joints
are particularly susceptible to injury. Therefore any technique, which results
in injury, may be penalised unless caused by the recipient. The contestants
must perform all techniques with control and good form. If they cannot, then
regardless of the technique misused, a warning or penalty must be imposed.
FACE CONTACT — SENIORS AND JUNIORS
II. For Senior and Junior competitors, non-injurious, light, controlled “touch”
contact to the face, head, and neck is allowed (but not to the throat). Where
contact is deemed by the referee to be too strong, but does not diminish the
competitor’s chances of winning, a warning (CHUKOKU) may be given. A
second contact under the same circumstances will be penalised by KEIKOKU
and IPPON (one point), given to the opponent. A third offence will be given
HANSOKU CHUI and NIHON (two points), to the injured competitor. A
further offence will result in disqualification by HANSOKU.
FACE CONTACT — CADETS
III. For Cadets, all hand techniques to the head, face, and neck must have
absolute control. Should the glove touch the target the Referee Panel will not
award a score. Kicking techniques to the head, face and neck, are allowed to
make a light “skin touch” only. In the case of techniques, which make contact
considered to be more than a “glove” or “skin” touch, the Referee Panel will
give a warning or penalty. Any technique to the head, face or neck, which
causes injury no matter how slight, will be warned or penalised unless caused
by the recipient.
IV. The Referee must constantly observe the injured contestant. A short delay in
giving a judgement allows injury symptoms such as a nosebleed to develop.
Observation will also reveal any efforts by the contestant to aggravate slight
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injury for tactical advantage. Examples of this are blowing violently through
an injured nose, or rubbing the face roughly.
V. Pre-existing injury can produce symptoms out of all proportion to the degree
of contact used and referees must take this into account when considering
penalties for seemingly excessive contact. For example, what appears to be a
relatively light contact could result in a competitor being unable to continue
due to the cumulative effect of injury sustained in an earlier bout. Before the
start of a match or bout, the Match Area Controller must examine the medical
cards and ensure that the contestants are fit to fight. The Referee must be
informed if a contestant has been treated for injury.
VI. Contestants who over-react to light contact, in an effort to have the referee
penalise their opponent, such as holding the face and staggering about, or
falling unnecessarily, will be immediately warned or penalised themselves.
VII. Feigning of an injury, which does not exist, is a serious infraction of the rules.
SHIKKAKU will be imposed on the contestant feigning injury i.e., when such
things as collapse and rolling about on the floor are not supported by
evidence of commensurate injury as reported by a neutral doctor.
Exaggerating an injury, which does exist is less serious. A warning or penalty
should be imposed for exaggerating injury.
VIII. Competitors, who receive SHIKKAKU for feigning injury will be taken from
the competition area and put directly into the hands of the W.K.F. Medical
Commission, who will carry out an immediate examination of the competitor.
The Medical Commission will submit its report before the end of the
Championship, for the consideration of the Referee Commission. Competitors
who feign injury will be subject to the strongest penalties, up to and including
suspension for life for repeated offences.
IX. The throat is a particularly vulnerable area and even the slightest contact will
be warned or penalised, unless it is the recipient’s own fault.
X. Throwing techniques are divided into two types. The established
“conventional” karate leg sweeping techniques such as de ashi barai, ko uchi
gari, etc., where the opponent is swept off-balance or thrown without being
grabbed first — and those throws requiring that the opponent be grabbed or
held as the throw is executed. The pivotal point of the throw must not be
above the hip and the opponent must be held onto throughout, so that a safe
landing can be made. Over the shoulder throws such as seio nage, kata
garuma etc., are expressly forbidden, as are so-called “sacrifice” throws
such as tomoe nage, sumi gaeshi etc. If an opponent is injured as a result of a
throwing technique, the Referee Panel will decide whether a penalty is called
for.
XI. Open hand techniques to the face are forbidden due to the danger to the
contestant’s sight.
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XII. JOGAI relates to a situation where a contestant's foot, or any other part of the
body, touches the floor outside of the match area. An exception is when the
contestant is physically pushed or thrown from the area by the opponent.
XIII. A contestant who delivers a scoring technique then exits the area before the
Referee calls “Yamae” will be given the value of the score and Jogai will not
be imposed. If the contestant’s attempt to score is unsuccessful the exit will be
recorded as a Jogai.
XIV. If AO exits just after Aka scores with a successful attack, then “Yame” will
occur immediately on the score and AO's exit will not be recorded. If AO
exits, or has exited as Aka's score is made (with Aka remaining within the
area), then both Aka's score will be awarded and AO's Jogai penalty will be
imposed.
XV. The contestant who constantly retreats without effective counter, who clinches
unnecessarily, or who deliberately exits the area rather than allow the
opponent an opportunity to score must be warned or penalised. This often
occurs during the closing seconds of a bout. If the offence occurs with ten
seconds or more of the bout time remaining the referee will warn the offender.
If there has been a previous Category 2 offence or offences, this will result in
a penalty being imposed.
If however, there is less than ten seconds to go, the referee will penalise the
offender with Keikoku (whether there has been a previous Category 2
Chukoku or not) and award an Ippon to the opponent. If there has been a
previous Category 2 Keikoku the Referee will penalise the offender with
Hansoku Chui and award Nihon to the opponent. If there has been a previous
Category 2 Hansoku Chui the Referee will penalise the offender with Hansoku
and award the bout to the opponent. However, the referee must ensure that
the contestant’s behaviour is not a defensive measure due to the opponent
acting in a reckless or dangerous manner, in which case the attacker should
be warned or penalised.
XVI. An example of MUBOBI is the instance in which the contestant launches a
committed attack without regard for personal safety. Some contestants throw
themselves into a long reverse-punch, and are unable to block a counter. Such
open attacks constitute an act of Mubobi and cannot score. As a tactical
theatrical move, some fighters turn away immediately in a mock display of
dominance to demonstrate a scored point. They drop their guard and lapse
awareness of the opponent. The purpose of the turn-away is to draw the
Referee's attention to their technique. This is also a clear act of Mubobi.
Should the offender receive an excessive contact and/or sustain an injury and
the fault is considered to be the recipient’s, the referee will issue a Category 2
warning or penalty and may decline to give a penalty to the opponent.
XVII. Any discourteous behaviour from a member of an official delegation can earn
the disqualification of a competitor, the entire team, or delegation from the
tournament.
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A RT I C L E 9 : P E N A LT I E S
WARNING: (CHUKOKU) May be imposed for attendant minor
infractions or the first instance of a minor infraction.
KEIKOKU: This is a penalty in which IPPON (one point), is
added to the opponent's score. KEIKOKU is imposed
for minor infractions for which a warning has
previously been given in that bout, or for infractions
not sufficiently serious to merit HANSOKU-CHUI.
HANSOKU-CHUI: This is a penalty in which NIHON (two points), is
added to the opponent's score. HANSOKU-CHUI is
usually imposed for infractions for which a
KEIKOKU has previously been given in that bout
although it may be imposed directly for serious
infringements, which do not merit HANSOKU.
HANSOKU: This is imposed following a very serious infraction or
when a HANSOKU CHUI has already been given. It
results in the disqualification of the contestant. In
team matches the fouled competitor’s score will be
set at eight points and the offender’s score will be
zeroed.
SHIKKAKU: This is a disqualification from the actual tournament,
competition, or match In order to define the limit of
SHIKKAKU, the Referee Commission, must be
consulted. SHIKKAKU may be invoked when a
contestant fails to obey the orders of the referee, acts
maliciously, or commits an act which harms the
prestige and honour of Karate-do, or when other
actions are considered to violate the rules and spirit
of the tournament. In team matches the fouled
competitor’s score will be set at eight points and the
offender’s score will be zeroed.
EXPLANATION:
I. Category 1 and Category 2 penalties do not cross-accumulate.
II. A penalty can be directly imposed for a rules infraction but once given,
repeats of that category of infraction must be accompanied by an increase in
severity of penalty imposed. It is not, for example, possible to give a warning
or penalty for excessive contact then give another warning for a second
instance of excessive contact.
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III. Warnings (CHUKOKU) are given where there has clearly been a minor
infraction of the rules, but the contestant's potential for winning is not
diminished (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.
IV. A KEIKOKU may be imposed directly, without first giving a warning.
KEIKOKU is normally imposed where the contestant's potential for winning
is slightly diminished (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's
foul.
V. A HANSOKU CHUI may be imposed directly, or following a warning, or
KEIKOKU and is used where the contestant's potential for winning has been
seriously reduced (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.
VI. A HANSOKU is imposed for cumulative penalties but can also be imposed
directly for serious rules infractions. It is used when the contestant's potential
for winning has been reduced virtually to zero (in the opinion of the Referee
Panel) by the opponent's foul.
VII. Any competitor who receives HANSOKU for causing injury, and who has in
the opinion of the Referee Panel and Match Area Controller, acted recklessly
or dangerously or who is considered not to have the requisite control skills
necessary for WKF competition, will be reported to the Referee Commission.
The Referee Commission will decide if that competitor shall be suspended
from the rest of that competition and/or subsequent competitions.
VIII. A SHIKKAKU can be directly imposed, without warnings of any kind. The
contestant need have done nothing to merit it — it is sufficient if the Coach or
non-combatant members of the contestants' delegation behave in such a way
as to harm the prestige and honour of Karate-Do. If the Referee believes that
a contestant has acted maliciously, regardless of whether or not actual
physical injury has been caused, Shikkaku and not Hansoku, is the correct
penalty.
IX. A public announcement of Shikkaku must be made.
A RT I C L E 1 0 : I N J U R I E S A N D A C C I D E N T S I N C O M P E T I T I O N
1. KIKEN or forfeiture is the decision given, when a contestant or contestants fail to
present themselves when called, are unable to continue, abandon the bout, or are
withdrawn on the order of the Referee. The grounds for abandonment may
include injury not ascribable to the opponent's actions.
2. If two contestants injure each other, or are suffering from the effects of previously
incurred injury, and are declared by the tournament doctor to be unable to
continue, the bout is awarded to the contestant who has amassed the most points.
In Individual Matches if the points score is equal, then a vote (HANTEI) will
decide the outcome of the bout. In Team Matches the Referee will announce a tie
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(HIKIWAKE). Should the situation occur in a deciding Team Match ENCHO-
SEN then a vote (HANTEI) will determine the outcome.
3. An injured contestant who has been declared unfit to fight by the tournament
doctor cannot fight again in that competition.
4. An injured contestant who wins a bout through disqualification due to injury is
not allowed to fight again in the competition without permission from the doctor.
If he is injured, he may win a second bout by disqualification but is immediately
withdrawn from further Kumite competition in that tournament.
5. When a contestant is injured, the Referee shall at once halt the bout and call the
doctor. The doctor is authorised to diagnose and treat injury only.
6. A competitor who is injured during a bout in progress and requires medical
treatment will be allowed three minutes in which to receive it. If treatment is not
completed within the time allowed, the Referee will decide if the competitor shall
be declared unfit to fight (Article 13, Paragraph 9d), or whether an extension of
treatment time shall be given.
7. Any competitor who falls, is thrown, or knocked down, and does not fully regain
his or her feet within ten seconds, is considered unfit to continue fighting and will
be automatically withdrawn from all Kumite events in that tournament. In the
event that a competitor falls, is thrown, or knocked down and does not regain his
or her feet immediately, the referee will signal to the timekeeper to start the ten
second count-down by a blast on his whistle, at the same time calling the doctor if
required. The timekeeper will stop the clock when the referee raises his arm.
EXPLANATION:
I. When the doctor declares the contestant unfit, the appropriate entry must be
made on the contestant's monitoring card. The extent of unfitness must be
made clear to other Refereeing Panels.
II. A contestant may win through disqualification of the opponent for
accumulated minor Category 1 infractions. Perhaps the winner has sustained
no significant injury. A second win on the same grounds must lead to
withdrawal, even though the contestant may be physically able to continue.
III. The referee should only call the doctor when a contestant is injured and needs
medical treatment.
IV. The doctor is obliged to make safety recommendations only as they relate to
the proper medical management of that particular injured contestant.
V. When applying the “Ten Second Rule” the time will be kept by a timekeeper
appointed for this specific purpose. A warning will be sounded at seven
seconds followed by the final bell at ten seconds. The timekeeper will start the
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clock only on the referee’s signal. The timekeeper will stop the clock when the
competitor stands fully upright and the referee raises his arm.
VI. The Referee Panel will decide the winner on the basis of HANSOKU, KIKEN,
or SHIKKAKU as the case may be.
VII. In team matches, should a team member receive KIKEN, their score, if any,
will be zeroed and the opponent’s score will be set at eight points.
A RT I C L E 11 : O F F I C I A L P R O T E S T
1. No one may protest about a judgement to the members of the Refereeing
Panel.
2. If a refereeing procedure appears to contravene the rules, the President
of the Federation, or the official representative is the only one allowed
to make a protest.
3. The protest will take the form of a written report submitted immediately
after the bout in which the protest was generated. (The sole exception is
when the protest concerns an administrative malfunction. The Match
Area Controller should be notified immediately the administrative
malfunction is detected).
4. The protest must be submitted to a representative of the Appeals Jury. In
due course the Jury will review the circumstances leading to the
protested decision. Having considered all the facts available, they will
produce a report, and shall be empowered to take such action as may be
called for.
5. Any protest concerning application of the rules must be made in
accordance with the complaints procedure defined by the WKF EC. It
must be submitted in writing and signed by the official representative of
the team or contestant(s).
6. The complainant must deposit a Protest Fee as agreed by the WKF EC,
and this, together with the protest must be lodged with a representative
of the Appeals Jury.
7. Composition of the Appeals Panel
The Appeals Jury is comprised of three senior referee representatives
appointed by the Referee Commission (RC). No two members may be
appointed from the same National Federation. The RC should also
appoint three additional members with designated numbering from 1 to
3 that automatically will replace any of the originally appointed Appeals
Jury members in a conflict of interest situation where the jury member is
of the same nationality or have a family relationship by blood or as an
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