TOURNAMENT RULES

   

     Every tournament will have its own specific rules that participants are responsible for knowing and following. What follows is simply an overview of the most common tournament rules.

 

Sparring

§         EQUIPMENT: Fighters are generally required to wear a mouth guard, headgear, and hand and foot pads. Many tournaments now require that the arm and leg pads be of coated “foam dipped” design rather than just uncoated cotton cloth. Males must wear a cup. Females may wear chest protection or a female groin guard as well if they desire.

§         RULES: Sparring is usually a two minute match, during which whoever scores three points first wins. A tie usually results in another minute of “sudden win” overtime, where the first fighter to score a point wins. If there is still a tie, the referees will each vote for the fighter they believe was the best overall, and majority vote determines the winner.

§         SCORING: To score a point, the karateka must strike her opponent with a legitimate, well-executed technique to a legal target on the opponent’s body. (If a technique is sloppy or too far away to reach the opponent, it will not be called.) Usually, light contact to the body above the belt is allowed, with no contact or very light contact to the head, and no techniques below the belt or to the back. Hitting an opponent in an illegal area will result in the fighter receiving a warning, with more than one warning resulting in loss of points or disqualification.

 

      Fighters who step out of the ring may be warned as well, and excessive “running” from the ring may result in loss of points. Control is expected at all times, and hitting too hard (“excessive contact”) will earn a fighter a warning as well, with further excessive contact calls leading to disqualification.

 

      If any one judge sees a point scored, they will halt the match. All judges at the ring will then have a chance to “call” points, by indicating which fighter they think scored a point. If one fighter gets a majority vote, he earns a point, and the match continues.

 

§         ETIQUETTE: The center judge controls the ring. Fighters listen only to the center judge, and his word is final. Fighters must understand that scoring in sparring involves a good bit of luck (did enough judges see the point? Was your punch in before your opponent’s kick?), and sometimes a point you think you scored may not be called. Sparring is a GAME, and good sportsmanship and respect are to be maintained at all times.

 

 

 

Kata

 

When performing kata, remember that how a karateka presents himself means a great deal. Make sure your gi is clean and straight before you approach the ring to perform. Rei when entering and when leaving the ring. Rei to the judges. Never turn your back to the judges. Present yourself respectfully and formally to the panel, and introduce yourself in the following way:

 

“Sensei, my name is _______________, from the _____(school name)____ Dojo.

 

My sensei is Christopher Cecil.

 

I would like to perform the kata ___(kata name)_______. May I begin please?”

 

When the center judge allows you to move, then you step back, relax, and perform your kata. When finished, stand at attention until the judges score your kata, then rei to the judges, and exit the ring (remember to rei yet again when you leave the ring!)

 

In case of a tie score, competitors may be asked to perform another kata or (if they only know one) to perform their kata again for a new score.  If a karateka makes a mistake and wishes to start the kata over, they may ask the center judge for permission. However, doing this will also usually lower the final score a bit! 

 

Return to Home