FULL CONTACT KUMITE
SOSHINKAN KARATE
STANDUP FIGHTING
🟥 Extract from the basic rules of Full Contact Kumite Soshinkan Karate.
ALL COMPETITORS USE BOXING GLOVES
ALLOWED
• All boxing outside gloves hits allowed;
• Spinning back fist;
• Elbow strikes below head and neck;
• All kicks;
• One knee hit to the head after grasping with two hands(for adults);
• Clinch up to 3 seconds;
• Sweeps;
• Grip and kick.
PROHIBITED
• Hit in the groin;
• Nape;
• Spine;
• Blow with the inside of the glove; • Hits against the knee joint;
• Blow with the head;
•Restraining the head with one arm and striking with elbow, with the free arm;
• A blow to a fallen opponent; • Strikes from a lying position; • Ground and pound;
• Stranglehold;
• Biting.
🟢 In the case of competitions at several venues simultaneously, the number of inspectors, as a rule, corresponds to the number
of venues.
Part 5. Rules of the Competition
§1. Regulations of Kumite
The main time of the match in the following age groups among male and female participants:
3 min. – 2 min. – adults, juniors, and youth, when specified in the Regulations on Soshinkan Karate competitions.
2 min. – veterans, boys, and girls.
1.5 minutes – children.
The first continuation of the fight in such age groups among male and female participants:
2 min. – adults, veterans, youth, juniors, boys and girls.
1 min. – children.
The second continuation of the fight in the following age groups among male and female participants:
2 min. – adults, veterans, youth, juniors.
1 min. – children
As a rule, all fights take place on one day of the competition, but in some cases, the competition is held on several days, with a
division into qualifying and final parts, or into the corresponding sections and weight categories, which must be specified in the
Regulations on the competition.
Each participant must rest for at least 15 minutes between fights.
The number of fights in one day should not exceed:
– 8 for adult men and women;
– 6 for veterans, juniors, boys and girls, children.
In the case of a draw, the athletes are weighed. The winner is the athlete with the lightest weight.
§2. Start, Stop, and the End of the Kumite
1. Before the start of the match, the called competitors must be in the vicinity of the competition area:
а) Shiro (competitor with a white ribbon) to the left of the Referee;
б) Aka (competitor with a red ribbon) – to the right.
2. After being invited by the Referee, the contestants take their places on the appropriate lines in the food stand, facing the main
judges’ table.
3. At the Referee’s command the contestants bow: Shomen Ni Rei – to the front, Sushin Ni Rei – to the Referee, Otogai Ni Rei – to
each other, saying “Osu” each time. The same procedure is repeated at the end of the bout.
4. The bout begins when the Referee gives the signal: “Hajime” (Start).
5. The bout ends when the Referee signals: “Yame” (Stop).
6. The match is resumed at the command of the Referee: “Zokko” (continue).
7. Before the bout starts or is continued, the Referee will give the command: “Kamae Te” (Get ready! Fighting Stance).
8. The bout ends:
a) When one of the contestants is awarded the score of “Ippon”.
b) When one of the contestants receives the second-degree score of “Waza-ari”.
c) When one of the contestants is disqualified.
d) When a doctor withdraws a contestant from the bout.
e) At the end of the bout time.
8. The official end of the bout is when the Referee announces the results.
9. After the results have been announced, the contestants approach the lines drawn on the tatami, bow, then approach the
center of the tatami, assume the Fudo-dachi position, shake hands with each other in the traditional manner, bowing at the
same time, and say “Osu”.
§2. Termination of the Fight
1. Termination of the fight or its continuation shall take place in the following cases:
a) in case of inability of one of the participants to continue the fight;
b) in case of violation of the rules of the fight, at the command of the referee;
c) for reasons caused by a change in the normal position of the treads, if necessary, to put in order the form of the participant / s
(but not more than 2 minutes).
2. A match stopped for any reason shall be resumed from the time of its stoppage recorded by the timekeeper.
§3. Timekeeping
1. The time of the Kumite starts after the referee’s command “Hajime”, stops after the command “Yame”, and continues after
the command “Zokko”.
2. If it is necessary to stop the time for a long time, after the command “Yame” the referee gives an additional command “Time
Stop”.
3. In cases where the chief referee or his deputy deems it necessary to stop the fight, they inform the timekeeper, who must stop
the stopwatch.
4. For visual control at the end of the fight, the timekeeper or his assistant throws a red bag on the tatami, simultaneously with
the gong.
§4. Evaluation of Technical Actions
1. The evaluation of the technical actions of the participants during the Kumite is carried out by the judging team on the tatami.
2. Both permitted and prohibited by the Rules technical actions are subject to evaluation.
3. The decision to give a score or announce a remark (warning) is made by the referee on the mat after counting the signals of
the corner judges by a majority vote.
4. In case of violation of the rules, if the majority of corner judges did not notice it, the referee has the right to announce a
comment (warning).
5. Each member of the refereeing team on the mat has one vote when announcing a decision.
6. Technical actions after the “Yame” command are not counted and are assessed as a violation of the rules.
7. Violations of the rules after the “Yame” command, depending on the damage caused to the opponent, are assessed by the
announcement of a remark, warning, or disqualification.
8. Technical actions and violations performed simultaneously with the “Yame” team are counted.
9. Technical actions performed in a bundle (combination) and being its integral part, which is started by the “Yame” command
and stopped after, or started simultaneously by the command, are counted.
10. In the above cases, the judges must take into account the following factors:
a) the noise level at the competition venue;
b) the distance from the referee to the participants;
c) the volume of the team;
d) the sound transmission of the participant’s protective helmet (if any);
e) the actual time interval between the team and the performance of the technical action.
§5. Determination of the result of the Kumite
1. The victory is awarded in cases where:
a) one contestant is awarded an “Ippon” (Ippon Gati) or two “Waza-ari” (Awasete Ippon Gati).
b) one contestant is awarded a Waza-ari, the time of the match has expired, and his/her opponent has no Waza-ari;
c) the referee has declared a victory by the decision of the judges;
d) the participant has the required weight difference after weighing;
e) the competitor has a greater number of broken boards in the Tameshiwara section;
f) the participant’s opponent was disqualified;
g) the competitor’s opponent was withdrawn from the competition by a doctor due to injury;
h) in connection with the absence of the opponent.
2. The result of the match may be a draw if it is stated in the Regulations of the competition.
§6. Criteria for the evaluation of the “Ippon” (victory)
1. If, as a result of a technical action permitted by the rules, his opponent is unable to continue the fight for more than 5 seconds
(knockdown condition), the contestant is awarded an “Ippon” score.
2. If the opponent refuses to continue the fight and informs the referee about it, the contestant is awarded the “Ippon” grade.
3. If the participant is awarded a second “Waza-ari” score, then immediately after that the referee announces “Awasete Ippon”
(combines two scored techniques, awards a victory).
§7. Waza-ari Evaluation Criteria (admission is accepted)
1. If, as a result of a technical action permitted by the rules, a competitor’s opponent is unable to continue the fight for less than
5 seconds and then takes a fighting stance, thus showing his/her readiness to continue the fight, the competitor is awarded a
score of “Waza-ari”.
2. In cases where a contestant’s opponent was knocked down on the mat by a technical action permitted by the rules, including a
Foot Sweep, and immediately after a clear non-contact hand strike was made, as a logical connected continuation of the
combination, the contestant is awarded a score of “Waza-ari”.
In the case described in paragraph 2, the judges must take into account.
a) the distance between the point of projection of the punch on the opponent’s body and the fist (for this purpose, the fist
remains at the lower point of impact for at least 1 second);
b) the time interval between the fall and the blow;
c) the fact that the punch must be delivered from a stable position.
3. With a clear kick to the head (age categories 6-15 years in the LIGHT CONTACT KUMITE division).
§8. Criteria for Victory by Judges’ Decision (Hantei gati)
1. Victory by the judges’ decision is declared in the following cases:
a) only one “Waza-ari” score was awarded for the whole fight;
b) one of the opponents has fewer warnings (comments) than the other (taken into account only after the end of the extra time –
Entjosen)
c) one of the opponents has no warnings (cautions), while the other has;
d) one of the opponents has made more full-contact, well-focused strikes;
e) one of the opponents demonstrated better and more varied techniques;
f) one of the opponents showed a higher fighting spirit and better tactical training.
2. The victory shall be awarded by the decision of the judges if at least three judges, including the referee, agree.
§9. Prohibited and Allowed Technical Actions
1. Prohibited Technical Actions:
1. Prohibited technical actions are:
a) punches to the neck and back of the head of the opponent;
b) kicks or punches to the groin area;
c) contact kicks or punches to the opponent lying down;
d) head blows;
e) targeted blows to the knee joint from any side;
f) throws, grips of limbs, head, torso, and costume of the participant;
g) any targeted attack on the spine;
h) attacking actions in the prone position;
i) pushing the opponent with an open hand;
k) frequent leaving the competition area or other actions are regarded as evasion of the fight (kakiage);
l) imitation of attacking actions or confrontation in the initial position without technical actions for more than 30 seconds;
m) clinch (mutual grip);
n) dangerous head movements;
o) knee strikes to the head – Hiza Geri Jodan (age categories 6-15 years in the Light Contact Kumite division).
p) approaching the opponent without striking, pressing the arms or body to the arms or body of the opponent, carrying out
attacking and defensive actions in the position of leaning against the opponent or pressing his arms with his own hands;
r) failure to comply with the referee’s commands;
s) gross unethical behavior towards the opponent, referees, other participants, coaches, representatives, spectators;
2. Allowed Technical Actions:
All technical actions that are not specified in § 9. “Prohibited and Permitted Technical Actions”.
2. During competitions among children, youths, juniors, and veterans of the male and female sex, the regulations of the
competition may impose restrictions on contact in certain areas of the body or prohibit certain attacking actions.
§10. Warnings
1. If the referee sees a violation of the rules (Hansoku) and stops the match, but does not receive the support of the corner
judges, or if more than two corner judges have shown “Hansoku!” and the referee has stopped the match, and considers the
violation to be minor, not deserving of punishment by a remark (Chui), he may announce a verbal remark (Keikoku) to the
participant who violated the rules.
2. Oral remarks (Keikoku) are not taken into account when making a judicial decision.
3. In case of repeated violation of the rules by a participant for which a verbal warning was made, he/she shall be given a
warning (Chui), even if the violation is minor. A remark is announced in the following cases:
a) unintentional use of a prohibited technique;
b) for an attempt to use a prohibited technique that caused minor damage to the opponent’s health
c) offensive behavior towards anyone participating in or attending the competition;
d) actions considered by the judges as evasion of the fight;
e) delay in entering the tatami within a time interval of 1 to 2 minutes;
f) loss of self-control during the fight;
g) offensive behavior of the second;
h) for other actions that the referee considers to be a violation of the rules and Regulations of the competition.
4. For all of the above actions, the referee shall declare a “Chui” to the contestant. The announcement of two “Chui” warnings to
a competitor automatically leads to the announcement of a “Genten” penalty point.
§11. Penalty Points
1. Penalty points are declared for:
a) repeatedly performing technical actions prohibited by the rules;
b) intentional technical actions prohibited by the rules;
c) rude, defiant behavior during the competition;
d) excessively aggressive or offensive behavior of a participant towards an opponent;
e) for other actions that the referee considers to be a violation of the rules and Regulations of the competition.
2. For all of the above actions, the referee shall declare a “Genten” to the participant.
3. Announcement of the second penalty point “Genten No” to the participant automatically leads to disqualification of the
“Sikkaku”.
4. Remarks and warnings announced during the match (continuation) are not carried over to the next continuation of the match,
if any.
5. In exceptional cases, the decision of one referee is sufficient to declare a remark or warning.
6. The referee on the mat is obliged to announce a warning or a caution if at least three corner judges demand it.
7. The announcement of a “Chui” remark or a “Genten” warning after a contestant has committed actions prohibited by the
Rules is the exclusive right of the referee on the mat.
§12. Disqualification
1. Disqualification is declared for:
a) actions that are considered to be a manifestation of violence, a deliberate gross violation of the Competition Rules;
b) refusal to comply with the referee’s commands;
c) being late for more than 2 minutes or failing to show up for the match;
d) a positive doping test result;
e) repeated actions considered as evasion of the fight;
f) imitation of fighting or simulation of injury;
g) demonstration by a participant of triumph in some way over the announcement of victory or the awarding of a score;
h) prohibited technical actions that caused severe bodily harm or knockout of an opponent.
i) failing to bow and show respect to the opponent will result in disqualification.
j) failing to bow and show respect to the referee will result in disqualification.
k) failing to bow and show respect to the judges will result in disqualification
2. Approval of the decision to disqualify a participant is the prerogative of the chief referee of the competition.
Otherwise, the judging system is the same as in Knockdown Karate (Kyokushin, etc.).