The following rules are extracts from the RULES OF SHOTOKAN KARATE COMPETITION as compiled and adopted by the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation. This section is intended as a guide only for those wishing to compete. It is recommended that a full set of rules is obtained from the Secretary of the SKIEF, details of which can be found on the Shotokan Karate International Web Page.

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
Men's Kumite 16-39 years(Any Grade)
Boy's Kumite 12-13 years(3Kyu+)
Boy's Kumite 13-14 years(3Kyu+)
Women's Individual Kumite(Any Grade)
Girl's Kumite 12-13 years(3Kyu+)
Girl's Kumite 13-14 years(3Kyu+)
Veteran's Kata(40 and over)
Veteran's Kumite(40 and over)
TEAM EVENTS
3 man Team Kumite 16+(Any Grade)
Boy's Team Kumite 12-15 years(3Kyu+)
3 Adult Team Kata
3 Children Team Kata

GENERAL

The Competition Area

The competition area is set out on a flat surface and care has to be taken to avoid any hazardous articles.

The competition area is a 8m square. The perimeter lines are to be 5cm(2") wide and the width is to be taken as part of the competition area.

Contestant's Appearance and Dress

The contestants are to wear clean white Karate Gi, with sleeves and trousers rolled down. Finger and toe nails are to be cut short and kept clean. Glasses and false teeth must be removed. Long hair must be tied to the back or top of the head and no hair is to be left loose. All jewelry must be removed, including any piercing.

For Kumite, padding and/or protectors must not be worn with the exception of the box for men and gum shields for men and women and chest protectors for women.These items are Recommended.

Each contestant is to be identified by wearing a red(AKA) or white (SHIRO) belt over the grade belt(in some circumstances the white belt may be omitted).

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 ) ans punch to the back.

1st Jogai = warning 2nd Jogai = wazza ari against 3rd Jogai = loss of fight, even in Sanbon Sho

Click this link to access the Corner Judges Page

KATA