KUMITE RULES
(for more detailed information, please visit the WKF or USA-NKF websites)

SCORING:

Ippon (1 Point) is awarded for:
a) Any punch (tsuki) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas excluding the back, the back of the head and neck.
b) Any strike (uchi) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas.

Nihon (2 Points) is awarded for:
a) Chudan kicks. Chudan being defined as the abdomen, chest, back and side.
b) Punches(Tsuki) delivered to the opponent’s back, including the back of the head and neck.
c) 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.
d) 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.

Sanbon (3 Points) is awarded for:
Jodan kicks. Jodan being defined as the face, head and neck.
Any scoring technique which is delivered after legally throwing, leg sweeping, or taking the opponent down to the mat.

Attacks are limited to the following areas:
a) Head
b) Face
c) Neck
d) Abdomen
e) Chest
f) Back
g) Side

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

FOULS:

There are two categories of prohibited behavior: Category 1 and Category 2.
Category 1 and Category 2 penalties do not cross-accumulate.

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.

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.

PENALTIES:

1) CHUKOKU: (Warning) May be imposed for attendant minor infractions or the first instance of a minor infraction.
2) 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
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) 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.

LENGTH OF MATCHES

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.

TERMINOLOGY/SIGNALS

AKA: (Red)
AO: (Blue)

SHOBU HAJIME (Start the Match or Bout): After the announcement, the Referee takes a step back.
YAME (Stop): As he makes the announcement, the Referee makes a downward chopping motion with his hand.
TSUZUKETE HAJIME (Resume fighting - Begin) The Referee stands in a forward stance. As he says “Tsuzukete” he extends his arms, palms outwards towards the contestants. As he says “Hajime” he turns the palms and brings them rapidly towards one another, at the same time stepping back.
ENCHO-SEN (Extension of the bout if tied) The Referee re-opens the match with the command, “Shobu Hajime”.
AKA (AO) NO KACHI (Red (Blue) wins): The Referee obliquely raises his arm on the side of the winner.
AKA (AO) NO KACHI (Red (Blue) scores three points): The Referee raises his arm up at 45 degrees on the side of the scorer.
AKA (AO) NIHON (Red (Blue) scores two points): The Referee extends his arm at shoulder level on the side of the scorer.
AKA (AO) IPPON (Red (Blue) scores one point): The Referee extends his arm downward at 45 degrees on the side of the scorer.
CHUKOKU (First Category 1 or Category 2 warning without penalty): For Category 1 offences, the Referee turns toward the offender and crosses his arms at chest level. For Category 2 offences, the Referee points his index finger (arm bent), at the face of the offender.
KEIKOKU (Warning with Ippon penalty): The Referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offence then points with his index finger downwards at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender, and awards Ippon (one point) to the opponent.
HANSOKU-CHUI (Warning with Nihon penalty): The Referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offence then points with his index finger horizontally in the direction of the offender and awards Nihon (two points) to the opponent.
HANSOKU (Disqualification): The Referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offence then points with his index finger upwards at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender, and announces a win for the opponent.
JOGAI (Exit from the match area): The Referee points his index finger on the side of the offender to indicate to the Judges that the contestant has moved out of the area.
SHIKKAKU (Disqualification “Leave the Area”) The Referee points first upwards at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender then motions out and behind with the announcement “Aka (AO) Shikkaku!” He then announces a win for the opponent.
KIKEN (Renunciation): The Referee points downwards at 45 degrees in the direction of the contestant’s starting line.
MUBOBI (Self Endangerment) The Referee touches his face then turning his hand edge forward, moves it back and forth to indicate to the Judges that the contestant endangered himself.