Competition Rules
KUMITE
Kumite Competitions
Dangerous techniques such as "axekicks" and spinning techniques and any technique to the joints are not permitted as no control can be applied. Dissent against any official , play acting , appeals to spectators , rude gestures, unsociable behavior etc. is not permitted and may lead to disqualification. The scoring for Individual Kumite matches is IPPON HAN SHO(1 Ippon & 1 wazari or 3 wazari's), except in the final where it may be SANBON(3 Ippon or 6 wazari's - or any combination). For Team kumite, the scoring is SHOBU IPPON(1 Ippon / 2 wazari's). Fights will last 2 minutes except for the final of the Individual Kumite which may be 5 minutes. If the initial bout ends in a draw "Hikiwake", an extension bout is held for another 2 minutes"Encho Sen". All scores are carried across to this second bout. If there is still no decision after this bout a further extension is held"Sai Encho Sen". All scores are now discounted and the Sai Encho Sen bout must run to its conclusion (i.e there is no sudden death decision). If there is still no winner at the end the end, the corner judges must indicate a positive result with flags to either shiro(white) or aka()red). In Team Kumite events, if the scores between the two teams are equal, then the team captain must nominate one karateka from their team to fight off against each other. If, after the 2nd extension, Encho Sen, the fighters are level, they must retire and two further team members are chosen, and so on until a result is obtained. Attacks are limited to the head, the neck, the chest, the abdomen, and the back Judges are instructed to consider giving IPPON for effective Chudan kicking techniques and to favour IPPON for kicks to the head. This is to encourage kicking techniques. A sweep and punch to the back is an automatic IPPON. Similarly for turning an opponent (e.g. blocking a Maei Geri ) and punch to the back. 1st Jogai = warning2nd Jogai = wazza ari against
3rd Jogai = loss of fight, even in Sanbon Sho