Understanding Karate Competition Guidelines: Tatami, Attire, Scoring, and Judging

2. Contents • Competition Area (Tatami) and the Judging Panel • Official Dress (Competitors) • Official Dress (Officials) • Official Panel • Scoring • Criteria for Decision • Prohibited Behaviour • Warnings and Penalties • Kata Competition

3. Competition Area (Tatami) and the Judging Panel • The competition area is defined as being 8 metres X 8 metres, with an additional safety area of 2 metres all around • The outer perimeter of the 8 metre area will be in a different colour to the inner area • Competitors will be positioned centrally from the front of the area, but 1.5 metres away from the centre to the left and right • Judges will be sat on the four corners of the tatami, within the safety area • Judges will hold their red and blue flags to represent the positions of the red and blue competitors, relative to where they are seated • The referee will stand centrally to the competitors, but 2 metres back from the centre • The match supervisor will be sat behind the referee to either the left or right of the official table

4. Competition Area (Tatami) and the Judging Panel Ao Aka J 2 J 3 J 3 J 4 Kumite Kata Aka Ao Referee J2 J3 J1 J4 J5 J1 J2 Referee J3 J4 J 1 J 4 J 2 J 1 J 5 Table Kansa Table

5. Official Dress – Competitors • Competitors will wear a clean white traditional karate suit without embroideries or other non manufacturers markings • Gi sleeves must cover half of the forearm but not reach below the wrist • Gi trousers must cover 2/3 of the shin but not reach below the ankle bone • The Gi top must cover the hips but not reach below ¾ of the thigh • Female competitors may wear a plain white T shirt under the Gi top • Competitors may wear groin guards but they must be worn under the Gi • Bandages and dressings must be approved by the referee on the advice of the tournament doctor • Red (Aka) or blue (Ao) identification will be worn including belts, mitts, and shin and foot protectors • Other compulsory equipment includes, for all competitors, a mouth guard & body armour, for cadet competitors, a face mask, for female competitors, a chest protector • Glasses are forbidden, but soft contact lenses may be worn • Coaches must at all times wear an official tracksuit

6. Official Dress – Officials • The official uniform will be worn at all courses and competitions, and will be as follows: • A single breasted navy blue blazer bearing two silver buttons • A plain white shirt with short sleeves • An official tie, worn without tiepin • Plain light-grey trousers without turn-ups • Plain dark blue or black socks and black slip-on shoes • Female Referees and Judges may wear a hairclip and wedding ring • Jewellery other than that mentioned above may not be worn

7. The Referee Panel • The Refereeing Panel for each match shall consist of one Referee Shushin, four Judges Fukushin and one Match Supervisor Kansa • In addition, for facilitating the operation of matches, several timekeepers, caller announcers, record keepers, and score supervisors shall be appointed • At the start of a kumite match, the referee stands on the edge of the match area. On the Referee’s left stand Judges 1 & 2, and on his right stands Judges 3 & 4 • At the start of a kata match, the referee stands on the edge of the match area, on the referees left stands judges 2 & 3, and on his right stands judges 4 & 5 • After the formal exchange of bows by contestants and the referee panel, the Referee takes a step back, the Judges and the Referee turn inwards, and all bow together. All then take up their respective positions

8. Positions on the Tatami Ao Aka J 2 J 3 J 3 J 4 Kumite Kata Aka Ao Referee J2 J3 J1 J4 J5 J1 J2 Referee J3 J4 J 1 J 4 J 2 J 1 J 5 Table Kansa Table

9. Scoring • The following criteria must all be met for a score to be awarded • Good form • Sporting attitude • Vigorous application • Zanshin • Good timing • Correct distance • The following areas are valid scoring targets • Head face and neck (Jodan) • Abdomen (Chudan) • Chest (Chudan) • Back (Chudan) • Side (Chudan)

10. Scoring Continued • Ippon (3 Points) is awarded for • Jodan Kicks • Example Video • Any scoring technique delivered on a thrown or fallen opponent • Example Video • Waza-ari (2 Points) are awarded for • Chudan Kicks • Example Video • Yuko (1 Point) is awarded for • Chudan or Jodan Zuki • Example Video • Chudan or Jodan Uchi

11. Criteria for Decision • The result of a bout is determined by a contestant obtaining a clear lead of eight points, or at time-up having the highest number of points, obtaining a decision hantei, hansoku, shikaku, or kiken, imposed against a contestant • No individual match can be declared a draw • When an individual match ends with equal or no scores, the referee will call for hantei. The refereeing panel will base their decision on the following- • The attitude, fighting spirit, and strength demonstrated by the contestants • The superiority of tactics and techniques displayed • Which of the contestants has initiated the majority of the actions

12. Prohibited Behaviour • Fouls are divided into two categories, category 1 & category 2 • Category 1 fouls are those which include contact violations • Category 2 fouls are those which are any other contravention of the rules • Category 1 • Excessive contact and any contact with the throat • Attacks to the arms legs groin joints or instep • Attacks to the face with open handed techniques • Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques

13. Prohibited Behaviour Continued • Category 2 • Feigning or exaggerating injury • Exiting the area voluntarily – Jogai • Failing to self protect – Mubobi • Avoiding combat as a means of preventing the opponent from scoring • Passivity • Clinching wrestling pushing seizing or standing chest to chest without attempting to score • Dangerous and uncontrolled techniques • Simulated attacks • Talking to or goading the opponent and failing to obey the orders of the referee

14. Warnings and Penalties Warnings and penalties can be given for both category 1 and category 2 fouls, they are as follows- Warnings • Chukoku – For the first instance of a minor rule infractionExample Video • Keikoku – For a second instance or for more serious rules infractions • Example Video • Hansoku Chui – For a third instance or for more serious rules infractions • Example Video

15. Warnings and Penalties Penalties • Hansoku – For a fourth instance or when a serious rule infraction requires direct disqualification • Example Video • Shikaku – Dishonourable disqualification form the entire competition • Example Video

16. Kata Competition • The kumite area is suitable for use in kata competition • A panel of five judges will adjudicate kata categories, with the extra, and chief judge, being seated centrally and immediately in front of the table • Judges will hold their red and blue flags to represent the positions of the red and blue competitors, relative to where they are seated • The chief judge will call for hantei at the end of both kata performances, whereupon all judges will use their flags to cast their votes. No ties are permitted

17. Questions