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page updated
23 November 2006
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WKO TRADITIONAL POINTS KARATE RULES
- The fighting area shall be called the ring.
- The size of the ring should be 8 x 8 meters.
- The ring should be on a raised platform with a padded surface.
- If the promoter cannot obtain a raised platform, he shall notify the General Secretary of the WKO who may give him permission to use a gym floor. Expense for not providing a platform shall not be considered a valid reason for not providing the platform.
- There shall be a coaches box marked on the floor adjacent to the ring.
- Each fighter must wear a white or black karate gi in good repair. The pants must reach the ankle.
- The fighter must wear a belt around his waist reflecting his rank.
- Sponsor advertising or logos may be worn on the uniform in the following manner:
Top: on the upper sleeve, shoulder area and may not be larger than 4 x 4.
Trousers: on the side between the knee and hip area.
- If the promoter’s sponsors do not want the fighters to wear advertising other than their own, then the promoter and his sponsors must provide sponsor ship to the fighters or countries equal to the amount they must give up from their individual sponsor.
- The safety gloves (open hand type) must have padding that will not slip leaving the striking area uncovered. Padding must cover the fist, thumb and ridgehand striking area. The glove must cover the fingers, including the fingernails and must reach at least 2 inches above the wrist. Fighters may not use boxing gloves.
- Foot protectors or boots must have padding that won’t slip out of place and must be large enough to cover the toe nails, heel and extend at least 2 inches above the ankle need not cover the sole.
- Shinguards may not contain any hard parts such as plastic, metal, wood or bamboo.
- Mouthguards must be worn by all competitors.
- Groin guards must be worn. All groin guards must be worn under the pants.
- Hand supports (wraps) may be used but must not exceed 2 feet in length or be wider than 2 inches. The support may be secured at the wrist with a strap of tape not to exceed 6 inches in length.
- Safety gear may not have any buckles; straps or tape that might in any way cause injury during the match.
Weight Classes Men | Women | up to 60 kg | up to 50 kg | | up to 65 kg | up to 55 kg | up to 70 kg | up to 60 kg | | up to 75 kg | up to 65 kg | | up to 80 kg | up to 70 kg | | up to 85 kg | 70 kg and over | | up to 90 kg | | | 90 kg and over | |
- Weigh-ins for all fighters must be conducted on the day prior to the day of competition. National events may hold their weigh in on the same day as the tournament.
- Time and place for the weigh-in must be advertised by the promoter who must send a written schedule for all national presidents outlining details of the weight in.
- The chief official and the tournament co-ordinator plus at least one other member of the Technical Commission must be present at the weigh-in. A chart must be kept showing the name, weight and country of each fighter. The fighter and the chief official must sign the chart.
- The promoter must provide a doctor’s scale for all official weigh-ins. The scales shall be made available to all fighters at least one day prior to the official weigh in.
- The fighter must present him/her self to the side judge nearest his corner to be inspected for the proper attire and safety equipment.
- After the fighter has been checked, he will wait to enter the ring until told to do so by the referee. Fighters will bow or touch their gloves and assuming fighting stance, wait for the command, "FIGHT" from the referee.
- Time shall be one three minute (running time) round for all elimination matches.
- Time shall be one three minute (stop time) round for the finals.
- During the elimination matches, the time is only stopped on the command of the referee. Time is not stopped to award points or penalties unless the referee feels it necessary. The referee is allowed to talk to the fighters during the match unless he has stopped the time.
- Fighters may have one coach in their corner during the match. Both must remain sitting in the coach’s chairs throughout the match.
- No coaching will be allowed while the match is in progress.
- Only the referee may ask time to be stopped. The fighter may require time to be stopped to adjust safety equipment or check an injury. The referee does not have to stop time if he feels it will take away the advantage from the other fighter. Time-stops shall be kept to a minimum. If the referee feels a fighter is using time-stops to rest or to prevent his opponent from scoring, a warning shall be given and the fighter may be disqualified for delay of the match or refusing to fight.
- LEGAL TARGET AREAS
- Head face, side, forehead, back of head
- Torso front, sides and back
- Foot below the ankle (foot sweeps are allowed)
- ILLEGAL TARGET AREAS
- Top of head
- Top of shoulder
- Neck front, side and back
- Below the belt, except for sweeps
- LEGAL TECHNIQUES
- Kicks front, side, back, round house, hook, crescent, axe, jumps and spins
- Hands direct punch, backfist, ridgehand and hook
- Footsweeps are allowed but no point will be awarded for a take down only. Attacker must double his sweep with a punch or a kick to a legal target.
- Ground Attacks - A fighter may attack an opponent who is on the ground provided he does it before the referee has called "STOP". If the attacker executes a kick to an opponent who is on the floor, he must have one foot on the floor.
- Stomps to he head of a downed fighter are not allowed.
Special note - Because it is extremely dangerous to strike with the back of the heel, the foot must be extended in such manner that the SOLE of the foot is used as the striking area when executing the following kicks: axe, hook and spinning hook
- ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES AND ACTIONS
- Attacks with any technique other than those mentioned in the above section
- Avoiding or refusing to fight, turning the back or turning the head in order to deny an opponent a legal target
- Special Note - Concerning purposely turning the head when attacked: in this case, the following rules shall apply. The fighter who turns his head will be penalised and a point shall be awarded to his opponent. No warning will be given in this case.
- Falling or dropping to the floor
- Leaving the fighting area: with an 8 x 8 metre ring, leaving the area is not allowed. There will be a first warning given. A penalty point shall be awarded on the second offence. Exceptions:
- Being knocked, kicked, pushed or otherwise bodily forced out of bounds by an attack from an opponent.
- If you attack with such momentum that you cross the boundary when you opponent jumps or steps out of the way.
- Attacks under malicious or excessive contact.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in the fighter receiving one warning followed by the normal procedure for penalty and disqualification. However, in the case of gross unsportsmanlike conduct, the fighter may be disqualified on the first offence.
- Attacking an official whether inside or outside the ring by pushing, grabbing, spitting or even attempting any of these actions will results in immediate disqualification. In the event that any of these actions are made by a coach or a staff member of the fighters country, the fighter may be penalised or the person involved may be removed from the hall or tournament site and the matter turned over to the WKO disciplinary committee.
For the New Traditional Point there are flags and scoring will be based on the WKF rules (Olympic 3-2-1) and are as follows: - Scores are as follows:- a) SANBON - 3 points b) NIHON - 2 points c) IPPON - 1 point
- 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
- SANBON is awarded for: a) Jodan kicks b) Throwing or leg sweeping the opponent to the mat followed by a scoring technique
- NIHON is awarded for: a) Chudan kicks b) Punches on the back c) Combination hand techniques, the individual components of which each score in their own right. d) Unbalancing the opponent and scoring.
- IPPON is awarded for: a) Chudan or Jodan Tsuki. b) Uchi.
- Attacks are limited to the following areas: a) Head b) Face c) Neck d) Abdomen e) Chest f) Back g) Side
- 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.
- 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.
- Simultaneous, effective scoring techniques delivered by both contestants, the one on the other (AIUCHI) shall not score.
With 8 clear points winning or end of time. EXPLANATION - Grabbing the opponent and throwing may be attempted only after a genuine attempt at a karate striking technique is made first, or as a counter to an opponent who has attacked and attempted to throw or clinch.
- 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.
- A technique with “Good Form” is said to have characteristics conferring probable effectiveness within the framework of traditional Karate concepts.
- 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.
- Vigorous Application defines the power and speed of the technique and the palpable will for it to succeed.
- 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.
- Good Timing means delivering a technique when it will have the greatest potential effect.
- 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.
- 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 2-3 centimetres from the face, may be said to have the correct distance. However, Jodan punches, which come within a reasonable distance of the target and which the opponent makes no attempt to block or avoid will be scored, provided the technique meets the other criteria.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Council.
- 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.
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- PENALTIES
- Warnings are carried throughout the entire match.
| 1st violation | warning | | 2nd violation | award a penalty point | | 3rd violation | disqualification |
- Exception: there are no warnings for leaving the fighting area. On the first violation, a warning will be given, on the second violation, one point shall be taken from the fighter and the third violation, and the offender will be disqualified.
- Gross and serious rules violation may be handled with a penalty point or even disqualification in extreme cases. Anytime the referee thinks that a disqualification is necessary, he shall confer with all the judges and the director of Point Karate to insure that the proper procedures are applied.
- A fighter cannot receive a point and a warning at the same time.
- AWARDING POINTS
- If the referee sees actions that he considers to be a valid point, he will command "STOP" and immediately signal his point call, as will the judges. The referee counts the flags and awards the point to the appropriate fighter.
- If one of the judges sees actions that he considers to be a valid point, he must signal to the referee immediately who will command "STOP" and all ring officials must signal their point calls.
- A minimum of two flags of the same colour is required to award a point. In the event that there are more than two flags raised, the fighter with the majority will be awarded the points.
- STOPPING THE MATCH
- Time Out: Only the referee has the power to stop the match. A fighter may request a time out to check an injury or his equipment. The referee does not have to grant time out if he feels it would take away the advantage to the other fighter. Time outs should be kept to a minimum. If the referee feels the fighter is using time outs to rest or to prevent the other fighters from scoring, a warning shall be issued for the delay of the match.
- Only the CO, the TD of point karate or their appointed representative may interrupt the match from outside the ring. They shall get the attention of the referee who shall call time out.
- If a coach wants to lodge a complaint or protest, he shall notify the TD of point karate. The director may, if possible, handle the protest without stopping the match.
- Reasons for timeout:
- Injury (see rules on injuries and treatments)
- Adjust equipment
- Referee to confer with other officials
- Referee to converse with the fighter and his coach
- Ensure safety and fair play
- Time out is not generally called to issue points or penalties. The referee should always do this quickly to ensure each fighter the benefit of the complete fighting time allowed for the match.
- The TD may replace referees who are not proficient in administering the match quickly and fairly.
- INJURIES
- In case of an injury of one of the competitors, the match shall only be stopped long enough for the Medic/Doctor to decide whether or not the fighter can continue.
- Once the Medic/Doctor arrives at the ring, he has only two minutes to decide if the injury requires treatment. All treatment must be done at the ring and must be completed in two minutes.
- If the injury is so serious that the above rules cannot be complied with, the match must be terminated.
- If the match must be stopped because of injuries, the officials must decide:
- Who caused the injury
- Whether or not it was an intentional injury
- Whether or not it was the fault of the injured fighter
- If there were no rules violated by the uninjured fighter, than that fighter wins by forfeiture
- If there were rules violated by the uninjured fighter, than the injured fighter wins by forfeiture
- If the injured fighter is declared fit to continue by the Medic/Doctor, then the fight shall resume.
- In case involving these rules, the officials shall decide if either fighter should receive a point, warning or penalty point if no action is required.
- Points (Flags are raised to indicate the fighter who scored).
- To award a point at least two flags must be raised.
- In case of four judges on duty, if more than two flags are raised, then the fighter with the most number of flags will be awarded the score.
Example: Two officials each see both fighters score simultaneously. They raise both their flags to indicate simultaneous scores. However, the third official sees only one of the fighter's score, and raises only one flag. So the fighter with the three flags will be awarded the score.
- In situations where the same number of flags is raised, both fighters shall be awarded a score.
- To determine whom the point must be awarded to, the referee shall first count the flags to see which fighter must receive the score.
- If two officials indicate they did not see, then no points will be awarded. The remaining official cannot award points by himself.
- The TD of Point karate and the referee should be vigilant to insure that judges are in the best position to see at all times. If an official indicates he could not see on an excessive number of occasions, he should be removed from the ring.
- No Score (Flags are crossed in front at official's waist level)
- If one of the fighters does not get a minimum of two flags, there is no point.
- If one of the officials indicates a point and the other two signal that they could not see then there is not point.
- PROMOTERS
- The promoter of all international WKO events must be the president of the host country. The president of the host country may, if he so wishes, also have a partner, but this in no way relieves him of the overall responsibility of the tour named. The promoter shall communicate directly with the WKO General Secretary on all matters concerning the promotion of the event.
- Promoters of international events shall be responsible for
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