W.K.C. Rules

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World Karate Confederation

Revised Rules of Tournament 2005

PART A: GENERAL CONTEST RULES – SHOBU SANBON & IPPON

PART A: GENERAL CONTEST RULES – SHOBU SANBON & IPPON (Back to top of webpage)

CHAPTER 1: GENERAL MATTERS (Back to top of webpage)

All Karate-ka, be they contestants (this includes Coaches, Manager or anybody connected with the contestant), Judges, Referee’s or any other official, must follow the Karate-do ideals of Good Character, Sincerity, Effort, Etiquette and Self Control.

Any behaviour likely to bring Karate into disrepute by Referee’s, Judges, Coaches, Competitors or anybody connected with the contestant, might result in a penalty or in the disqualification of the contestant and/or team.

Article 1: The Venue (Back to top of webpage)

The venue for the competition must be suitable for the event.
The location, ideally, should have good air, sea, road/rail links and have a direct route to a hospital with accident and emergency and casualty departments. It must be able to accommodate the expected number of competitors and spectators in safety and in comfort.
Lighting must be of a satisfactory standard.
An evacuation procedure showing the position of emergency exits etc. must be clearly announced by the Tournament Director before the event begins. An information sheet must be provided to each and every team manager and officials.
There must be clearly defined areas for spectators, competitors and coaches, tournament officials.
Spectators must not be able to access the tournament areas without the required authority and the Tournament Director must employ staff and deploy a barrier system to ensure this.

Article 2: Staff (Back to top of webpage)

Tournament Director

The Tournament Director is appointed by the WKC ExCom. He shall be responsible for everything to ensure the smooth running of the tournament. He has no jurisdiction over the refereeing/judging or rules of the tournament. He shall be assisted by a team of tournament personnel.

Tournament Medical Officials

Each WKC event must have a medical doctor present and shall be assisted by qualified First Aid officials if need be. The Tournament Doctor(s) is appointed by the WKC ExCom. He/she shall govern all medical matters during the tournament. He/she is authorised to diagnose and treat injury. He/she is also authorised to give an opinion as to whether the contestant is fit or unfit to fight. At least one Ambulance must be present at all WKC tournaments.

Article 3: Match Equipment (Back to top of webpage)

The Tournament Director will be responsible for ensuring the following are available:

Safe and secure tatami’s.
Flags (red and white, 5 for each match area).
Score Boards/Cards for Kata (7 for each match area).
Recording equipment (official score sheets, official recording forms, pens, calculators etc.).
Suitable P.A. system.
Suitable number of red and white belts.
Count-down clocks and time signalling devices for each area.

Article 4: The Competition Area (Back to top of webpage)

The competition area must be safe, it must be flat, it must be matted and in the shape of a square.
The size of the match area, in principle, shall be eight metres square, and for safety purposes, an additional two metres on all sides should be provided at the same height and of the same material as the fighting area.
A one metre wide border inside the prescribed eight metre fighting area and extending all around the perimeter of that area, should be of a different colour to the rest of the mats that are both inside and outside the fighting area.

Article 5: Competitor Age (Back to top of webpage)

All competitors in the World Karate Confederation World and Regional Senior Championships must be aged 18 years and over.

Article 6: Outfits and Presentation (Back to top of webpage)

Contestants.

Contestants shall wear a clean, white and unfigured Karate-Gi.
Only the national emblem or association badge (which shall not exceed 10cm x 10cm) shall be allowed. It must be worn on the left breast of the jacket.
No advertising shall be allowed unless authorised by the WKC ExCom.
The jacket when worn with a belt, must in principle, cover the hips but must not be more than three-quarters thigh length. Only female competitors are allowed to wear a plain clean white T-shirt underneath the Gi. The sleeves of the jacket must not be longer than the join of the wrist and the hand, and no shorter than half way up the forearm. Sleeves shall not be rolled up.
The trousers must cover at least two thirds of the shin and shall not be rolled up.
In Kumite matches, and in Kata events that use the flag system of scoring, one of the contestants shall for identification purposes, fasten a red or white belt around their waists in addition to their own individual grade belt. All belts must be standard size (around five cm. wide and long enough to allow fifteen cms. free on either side of the knot).
Manufacturers labels are allowed or otherwise at the discretion of the WKC ExCom. A single discrete manufacturers label will be allowed on both karate gi at the lower outer hem of the jacket and also on the trousers close to the waistband. Manufacturers labels, as well as national flags and/or other badges of any sort will not be permitted on the back of the gi, on the arm or anywhere on the trouser leg.
Competitor numbers if issued by the WKC ExCom. shall be worn on the back of the Karate Gi and fastened with adhesive - no metallic objects are allowed.
Contestants shall keep their finger and toe- nails short, their hair clean and tidy and shall not wear metallic objects or the like on their body which might cause injury to their opponent.
Contestants are not allowed to wear bandages or supports, except with the prior approval of the Referee on the advice of the Tournament Doctor.
Spectacles are not allowed in Kumite. Soft contact lenses may be worn at the contestant’s own risk.
Metallic teeth braces must be approved by the Referee on the advice of the Tournament Doctor and will be used at the contestants own risk. (It is recommended that contestants wearing metallic teeth braces should seriously consider wearing a Gum Shield).
Hachimaki will not be allowed.

Shobu Sanbon: The following rules apply to the wearing of devices for protection:

White mitts are MANDATORY in Kumite Shobu Sanbon.
Groin protectors are MANDATORY in Men’s Kumite.
Chest protectors are MANDATORY in Ladies Kumite.
Clear or white Gum shields are MANDATORY in Kumite.
Shin protectors are FORBIDDEN in Kumite Shobu Sanbon.
Shin/instep protectors are FORBIDDEN.

Shobu Ippon: The following rules apply to the wearing of devices for protection:

Groin protectors are MANDATORY in Men’s Kumite.
Chest protectors are MANDATORY in Ladies Kumite.
Clear or white Gum shields are MANDATORY in Kumite.
Mitts are FORBIDDEN in Kumite Shobu Ippon.
Shin protectors are FORBIDDEN in Kumite Shobu Ippon.
Shin/instep protectors are FORBIDDEN

All protective equipment must be acceptable to the WKC ExCom. (see Appendix III.).

Coaches
The coach shall at all times during the tournament wear either a karate-gi or tracksuit with
an identifying badge on both.
Officials
Referees and Judges must wear the official uniform designated by the WKC ExCom. This uniform must be worn at all tournaments, courses and examinations. The official uniform will be as follows:

A single breasted navy-blue blazer bearing two silver buttons with WKC badge.
A white WKC shirt.
A blue WKC tie.
Light grey trousers.
Plain dark blue or black socks.
Black referee shoes.
A WKC Referee Official’s Badge denoting rank.

The WKC ExCom or The Referee Commission may disbar any official or competitor who does not comply with the above regulations.

CHAPTER 2: JUDGING (Back to top of webpage)

Article 1: Powers and Duties (Back to top of webpage)

All officials must know the Rules.

The WKC Executive Committee
The World Karate Confederation Executive Committe’s power and duties shall be as follows:

To ensure the correct preparation for each tournament in consultation with the Tournament Director and the Organising Committee, with respect to all aspects of the organisation of the tournament.
To appoint and direct the Chief Referee’s to their respective areas and to act on any reports that the Chief Referee’s may make.
To provide final approval on matters relating to judgement not prescribed in the rules.
To adopt other systems as and when the Ex Com. see fit.
To ratify all decisions made by the Referee Commission.

The WKC Referee Commission
The Referee Commission shall comprise five Chief Referee’s. The Commission will be chaired one ExCom member. The WKC Referee Commission’s power and duties shall be as follows:

To supervise and co-ordinate the overall performance of the refereeing officials.
To nominate substitute officials when required.

The Chief Referees
The Chief Referee’s power and duties shall be as follows:

The Chief Referee is the highest authority on his particular area within the Contest Rules.
To delegate and appoint the Referee, Corner Judges, and Jury Table Judge prior to the match and supervise their performance.
To stop the match and replace any of the officials whom he wishes with a substitute. (this shall be done with the minimum loss of time).
To be responsible for seeing that the match is conducted according to the Contest Rules, and should any unusual incident occur, shall base his decision upon these Rules including referral to the ExCom. for final approval. A public announcement of the ExCom. decision will be made.
To assist a Referee who requires assistance with decisions.
To make recommendations regarding the performance of any official, coach or competitor to the Referee Commission.

The Referee (SHUSHIN)
The Referee’s power and duties shall be as follows:

To conduct matches, including start, suspend and stop.
To announce the decision of the panel of judges.
To explain to the Chief Referee, the WKC ExCom., when required, the grounds on which decisions are awarded.
To read the Competitor’s Medical Record Card to ensure he/she is permitted to compete.
To announce fouls.
To award points.
To issue warnings and impose penalties prior to, during, and after the match.
To call for decision (Hantei), to conduct voting of the Referee Panel (Hantei), and announce the result.
To announce extensions and extend the duration of the match.
To take other disciplinary action (dismissal or suspension of a contestant or team from a match).
To obtain and act upon the opinion(s) of the Judges.
To receive advice and instruction from the Chief Referee.
To announce victory by majority, based on the table for judgement.
To have authority over the competition area as well as the immediate perimeter.
To make recommendations regarding the performance of any official, coach or competitor to the Chief Referee.

The Judge (FUKUSHIN) (Corner and Mirror)
The Corner Judge’s power and duties shall be as follows:

To assist the Referee.
To observe all actions of the competitors.
To signal their judgement regarding the conduct and development of matches by means of a flag, and/or whistle, in particular:

when they notice injury or illness of a contestant before the Referee does.
when they see an action that merits a score.
when they believe a contestant is about to commit, or has committed a
prohibited act and/or technique.
when either or both contestants commit Jogai.
in all cases when it is necessary to call the attention of the Referee.

To give their opinion regarding different situations.
To vote on a decision of a match when called upon (Hantei). In the case of a difference of opinion between the Referee and the Judges on a given matter, the Judge can, with the concurrence of other Judges successfully oppose the judgement of the Referee. The decision will reflect the opinions of the majority of the panel.

Jury Table Judge, Score Keeper, Time Keeper, Caller Announcer

Judges will be appointed as Score Keepers, Time Keepers and Caller Announcers to the Jury Table.
The Jury Table Judge is responsible for the official result of the match.

The Coach
The Coach has the power to:

Make a protest to the Chief Referee.
Coach.

Article 2: Terms and Signals (Back to top of webpage)

The terms and signals used by the Referee’s and Judges (including the use of hand signals, flags and/or whistles) during the operation of a match are as specified in Appendix 1.
Whistle signals as used by the Referee shall have the following meanings:

Long/normal whistle plus a short sharp blast will be used to call Hantei.
Short sharp blast will command officials to lower flags or score cards.

Whistle signals as used by the Judges shall have the following meanings:

Short sharp blast in conjunction with a flag signal will bring the attention of the Referee to signal their judgement regarding the conduct and development of the match.
Repeated short blasts in quick succession will bring the attention of the Referee.

Article 3: Decisions (Back to top of webpage)

When the Referee awards a decision on the basis of the signals of the judges, the decision shall be governed by the Rules as laid down in Appendix II.

Article 4: Protest (Back to top of webpage)

A contestant shall not personally protest against a decision made by the Referee Panel.
Only the Coach of the team/individual is allowed to protest against a decision by the
Referee and/or Judges when the decision is deemed to have contravened the Rules.
The protest must be made immediately after the perceived error has happened. An
exception to this rule is when there has been an administrative error and a protest must be
made immediately after the error has been detected.
To reduce the possibility of charting errors, the winner of each match must ensure
their name and number/federation/country are given to the table judge before
leaving the area. This is the responsibility of both the competitor and the competitor’s
coach.
The protest must be to the Chief Referee of the area who shall review the complaint
and might call for an explanation from the Referee and/or Judges and table officials.
If he finds the decision not to have contravened the Rules he may dismiss the
protest after gaining the approval of the WKC ExCom.
If he finds the decision to have contravened the Rules he may demand that the
Referee and Judges revise their previous decision after gaining the approval of the
WKC ExCom.
A protest must be made in writing, signed by the coach of the contestant and must
be accompanied with the protest fee of CHF 100 (or equivalent value). The fee will be
returned should the protest be upheld.

Article: 5: Injuries and Accidents during competition (Back to top of webpage)

When a contestant receives an injury, the Referee shall at once stop the match, assist the injured contestant and, at the same time, if the situation requires it, call for the assistance of the Tournament Doctor. The treatment of the injury may not significantly delay the match.

Minor Injury
When a contestant who suffers a minor injury, but not serious enough to disable them, refuses to continue with the match or requests permission to quit the match, he/she shall be declared the LOSER.
Major Injury
When a contestant (after treatment), is deemed by the Tournament Doctor to be physically unable to continue the match (owing to injury or for any other physical reason), the Referee shall inform the Judges of the position and terminate the match and suspend the injured contestant from the match.

If the injury is ascribable to his/her opponent, the injured party shall be declared the
WINNER.
If the injury is not ascribable to his/her opponent, the injured party shall be declared the
LOSER.
Where an injury or injuries are sustained during a match for reasons not ascribable to either
contestant, disable a contestant, or where both contestants are injured at the same time for
reasons for which both are responsible, the contestant who withdraws from the match shall
be declared the LOSER.
Where both contestants withdraw from the match due to injury and the reason for the
injuries are not ascribable to either contestant, the match shall be decided by HANTEI.
A contestant who wins a match through the disqualification of their opponent (for causing
injury), cannot fight again in the competition without the permission of the Tournament
Doctor. The Tournament Doctor must sign the back of the competitor’s Entry Card
showing that he/she is satisfied that the competitor is fit to continue. This must be done
before the Referee is permitted to allow the contestant to continue in the tournament.

Article: 6: Retirement (Back to top of webpage)

A contestant who is unable to continue competing or participating, for reasons other than injury or who requests for permission to quit the match for such reasons, shall be declared the LOSER.

PART B: KUMITE CONTEST RULES – SHOBU SANBON (Back to top of webpage)

Individual and team match events are run on a knock- out basis unless otherwise stated –
there is no repechage.

Article 1: Types of Match (Back to top of webpage)

The types of match shall be as follows:

Individual Match:
The individual match is decided by “Shobu Sanbon”. “Shobu Sanbon”, a three point’s match, is a match where the participants try and score three points before their opponent does within the permitted time.
Criteria for deciding the winner of an individual match is as follows:

The first person to reach Sanbon.
The person who has the greater score at the time-up signal (see Article 7).
Hantei.
Encho-Sen.
Hansoku, Shikkaku or Kiken given against an opponent.

Team Match:

The number of persons comprising a team (male or female), shall be 3 + 1 reserve. A
team will be allowed to participate only when it comprises a minimum of two
competitors.
Before each team match, a team representative (the Coach), must hand to the official
table, an official form detailing the names and fighting order of the team members.
The fighting order can be changed for each round but once notified, it cannot then be
amended. Use of a reserve constitutes a change in fighting order - there are no fixed
reserves.
Matches between individual members of each team shall be held in the predetermined
order.
The winner of a team match shall be decided on the outcomes of the individual
matches.
The criteria for deciding the winner of a team match, on the basis of the number of
winners of individual matches, is as follows:

The number of wins.
The number of Ippons and Waza- aris (total score) for each team.
Extra Match.

Victory through a foul, disqualification or retirement of the opponent shall be counted as 3
Ippons (Sanbon), in both team and individual matches.
The loser will still hold onto his/her scores awarded during the bout.

Article 2: Starting, Suspending and Ending Matches (Back to top of webpage)

1. Starting: At the start of a Kumite match, the Referee stands on the outside edge of the fighting area. On his left and right sides stand the Judges. The Referee will call both teams (only the actual fighters, not the substitutes or coach), to line up in order, properly composed and proceed to initiate the formal exchange of bows by both contestants and officials (Shomen Ni Rei - Otagai ni Rei). The Referee will then take one step back, the Judges will turn inwards towards the Referee and all bow together. The match shall start with the announcement by the Referee of “Shobu Sanbon Hajime” and the bout will then commence.
2. Suspending: The Referee shall suspend the match by using the appropriate gesture as defined in Appendix 1 and calling “Yame”. When resuming the match, the Referee will announce “Tsuzukete Hajime”.
3. Ending: The time keeper shall give signals by a gong or buzzer indicating Atoshibaraku (30 seconds left, or a little time to go), using one sharp blast. Time-Up signal shall have two long blasts of the signalling equipment. After halting the match (as above), and announcing the decision and awarding the contest to the winner, the Referee shall end the match by announcing “Soremade”. After the formal exchange of bows by the contestants and Referee Panel (Otagai ni Rei - Shomen ni Rei) the match is deemed to be over.

Article 3: Duration of a Match (Back to top of webpage)

The duration of a match shall be 3 (three) minutes effective fighting time. Before the Tournament, the WKC ExCom might modify the duration of the matches.

Article 4: Extensions (Back to top of webpage)

Where Hantei is called for in an individual match, there will be an extension of the bout (Encho-Sen).
The extension will be decided on a first to score basis (sudden death) or if a penalty is awarded against one of the competitors.
If there is still no increase in the score total for either competitor and/or if no penalties have been awarded by the end of the extended period, a decision must be taken by the Referee and the four corner judges based on both the bout proper and the extension period.
All awards and penalties in the bout proper are carried into and included in the Encho-Sen.

Article 5: Victory or Defeat (Back to top of webpage)

Victory or defeat shall be awarded on the basis of Sanbon, victory by majority decision, defeat due to foul, disqualification or retirement.

Article 6: Scoring (Back to top of webpage)

No point shall be awarded if the competitor injures his opponent, even if the injury is only very minor and a warning or penalty may be imposed against the offender

Scores shall be as follows:

Ippon (one point).
Waza-ari (one half point).

The scoring areas shall be limited to the following:

Head
Face
Neck
Abdomen
Chest
Side
Back (excluding shoulders)

An effective technique delivered simultaneously as the Time-up bell signals the end of the
bout, shall be counted into the score. Penalties can be imposed for failing to obey the
orders of the Referee.
Simultaneous effective scoring techniques delivered by both contestants, the one on the
other (Aiuchi) shall not score.
Jogai: For Jogai to occur a contestant’s foot or any other part of the body must touch the
floor outside the fighting area, an exception to this is when the contestant is physically
pushed or thrown from the area by the opponent.
A scoring technique delivered by a contestant whilst outside the fighting area shall be
invalid.
The point at which “YAME” should have been called is helpful in determining if Jogai has
occurred.

If a contestant (Aka), whilst inside the fighting area delivers a scoring technique and then
steps outside of the area, the technique shall score.
If a contestant (Aka), whilst inside the fighting area delivers a technique that does not
score and who then steps outside of the area, Jogai will be recorded against Aka.
If a contestant (Aka), whilst inside the fighting area delivers a scoring technique and
Shiro steps outside of the area after it has scored, the technique shall score and Jogai
shall not be recorded against Shiro.
If a contestant (Aka), whilst inside the fighting area delivers a scoring technique and
Shiro has stepped out or steps outside the fighting area as Aka’s technique is delivered,
the technique shall score and Jogai shall be recorded against Shiro.

Criteria for deciding Ippon and Waza-ari.
An Ippon is awarded when a scoring technique is performed to a scoring area and fulfils all of the following criteria:

Good form (a technique with probable effectiveness within the framework of traditional
Karate concepts).
Correct attitude (a non-malicious sense of performing within the framework of traditional
Karate concepts).
Strong vigour (power, speed and controlled delivery of technique with the purpose of
succeeding).
Zanshin (a continued state of awareness and commitment).
Proper timing (carrying out a technique at the optimum moment in time to achieve the
greatest result).
Correct distance (carrying out a technique at the most effective distance to achieve the
greatest potential effect).

Effective scoring techniques delivered under the following conditions shall be considered
as an Ippon:

When delivered to a scoring area at the same time as an opponent begins to attack.
When delivered to a scoring area immediately the opponent is unbalanced or thrown by
the attacker.
When a combination of successive and effective techniques (each of which merit a score
in their own right), are delivered to the scoring area(s).
When the opponent loses their fighting spirit and turns away from the attacker.
When delivered to a scoring area on the opponent that is clearly undefended.

A Waza-ari is awarded for a technique almost comparable and only slightly deficient in t
hat required to score Ippon. The Referee Panel must always look for the full requirements
of Ippon in the first instance and only award a Waza-ari in the second instance.

Article 7: Criteria for Hantei (Decision) (Back to top of webpage)

Hantei is called for in the absence of:

Sanbon.
Hansoku (defeat due to disqualification) during the time of the match.
Shikkaku (disqualification and banned from the event), during the time of the match.
Kiken (withdrawal or retirement), during the time of the match.
When an individual bout ends with equal scores or no scores.
When a contestant scores at least one Waza-ari more than the opponent and also incurs a
Chui.

The Referee Panel will make a decision (Hantei) on the basis of the following:

The number of Waza-ari’s/Ippons scored.
The number of warnings issued and to whom.
The number of escapes from the fighting area.
The number of attacking moves.
The ability and skill of the contestants.
The comparative excellence in fighting spirit, attitude and vigorous application.
The comparative excellence of strategy used.
Fair play.

In the case of Aka scoring the equivalent of one Waza-ari greater than Shiro, but also incurring one Chui more than Shiro during the bout, Hantei must be called for. The decision in this case may result in Kachi for Aka or Hikiwake (Draw).

Article 8: Prohibited Actions (Back to top of webpage)

Uncontrolled attacks (whether they make contact or not).
Techniques which make excessive contact, regarding the scoring area(s) attacked.
Attacks to the arms, legs, joints and insteps.
Attacks to the groin.
Attacks with open-handed techniques to the face, Empi Uchi, Hiza Geri, and Atama Uchi.
Attacks which make contact with the throat.
Purposeless grabbing.
Dangerous throws.

Article 9: Prohibited Behaviours (Back to top of webpage)

Time-wasting.
Any unsporting behaviour such as verbal abuse, provocation or needless utterances.
Any behaviour likely to bring Karate into disrepute (this includes coaches and manager or anybody connected with the contestant).
Lack of regard for the contestant’s own safety (Mubobi).
Exaggerated actions and/or reactions (i.e. faking of injury).

Article 10: Penalties (Back to top of webpage)

General Penalties

ATENAI:
Private Warning, this is imposed for the first minor infraction of the Rules and carries No penalty.
CHUI:
Official Warning, this is imposed for a minor infraction of the rules for which Atenai has already been given or for a serious infraction of the rules but does not warrant Hansoku. It can be directly imposed and carries No penalty.
HANSOKU:
Disqualification, is imposed for a serious infraction of the rules for which Atenai or Chui may have already been given or for a very serious infraction nof the rules such as failing to obey the commands of the referee, for bringing the honour and prestige of Karatedo into disrepute or when a contestant becomes over-excited and the Referee considers him to be a danger to their opponent. It can be directly imposed. A penalty of disqualification of the contestant is imposed and the opponents score is raised to Sanbon.
SHIKKAKU:
Disqualification from the tournament, this may be imposed for malicious acts, for failing to obey the commands of the referee, for bringing the honour and prestige of Karatedo into disrepute or when other acts are considered to violate the rules and the spirit of the tournament. It can be directly imposed. A penalty of disqualification from the tournament is imposed. The WKC ExCom. can decide the level of Shikkaku and a public announcement will be made.

Specific Penalty

Jogai:
1. ATENAI:
  Private Warning, this is imposed after the first and second escapes. No Penalty is imposed.
2. JOGAI CHUI:
  Official Warning, this is imposed after the third escape. No Penalty is imposed.
3. JOGAI HANSOKU:
  Disqualification, this is imposed after the fourth escape. Penalty is imposed.
Mubobi:
1. ATENAI
  Private Warning, this is imposed after the first infringement. No Penalty is imposed.
2. MUBOBI CHUI
  Official Warning, this is imposed for the second infringement. No Penalty is imposed.
3. MUBOBI HANSOKU
  Disqualification, this is imposed for the third infringement. Penalty is imposed.

There are two types of penalty: GENERAL and SPECIFIC.
There are three categories of penalty: Actions & Behaviours, Jogai and Mubobi.
There will be no cross-accumulation of GENERAL penalties and the two SPECIFIC penalties.
The Referee shall issue a warning or announce a penalty when a contestant is about to, or has already committed a prohibited act or behaviour.
The Referee shall issue a warning or announce a penalty when a contestant avoids combat.
The Referee shall issue a warning or penalty for Jogai.
The Referee shall issue a warning or penalty for Mubobi.
Private warnings and penalties must be increased with repeated infractions of the same rule type.

PART C: KUMITE CONTEST RULES – SHOBU IPPON (Back to top of webpage)

Individual and team match events are run on a knock- out basis unless otherwise stated –
there is no repechage.

Article 1: Types of Match (Back to top of webpage)

The types of match shall be as follows:

Individual Match
The individual match is decided by “Shobu Ippon”. “Shobu Ippon”, a one point match, is a match where the participants try and score one point before their opponent does within the permitted time.
Criteria for deciding the winner of an individual match is as follows:

The first person to reach Ippon.
The person who has the greater score at the time-up signal (see Article 7).
Hantei.
Sai Shiai
Hansoku, Shikkaku or Kiken given against an opponent.

Team Match

The number of persons comprising a team (male or female), shall be 3 + 1 reserve. A team will be allowed to participate only when it comprises a minimum of two competitors.
Before each team match, a team representative (the Coach), must hand to the official table, an official form detailing the names and fighting order of the team members. The fighting order can be changed for each round but once notified, it cannot then be amended. Use of a reserve constitutes a change in fighting order – there are no fixed reserves.
Matches between individual members of each team shall be held in the predetermined order.
The winner of a team match will be decided on the outcome of the individual bouts
The criteria for deciding the winner of a team match, on the basis of the number of winners of individual matches, is as follows:

The number of wins.
The number of Ippons
The number of Waza-aris (of the winner only)
Extra Match.

Victory through a foul, disqualification or retirement of the opponent shall be counted as Ippon in both team and individual matches. The loser will still hold onto his/her scores awarded during the bout.

Article 2: Starting, Suspending and Ending Matches (Back to top of webpage)

1. STARTING:: At the start of a Kumite match, the Referee stands on the outside edge of the fighting area. On his left and right sides stand the Judges. The Referee will call both teams (only the actual fighters, not the substitutes or coach), to line up in order, properly composed and proceed to initiate the formal exchange of bows by both contestants and officials (Shomen Ni Rei - Otagai ni Rei). The Referee will then take one step back, the Judges will turn inwards towards the Referee and all bow together. The match shall start with the announcement by the Referee of “Shobu Ippon Hajime” and the bout will then commence.
2. SUSPENDING:: The Referee shall suspend the match by using the appropriate gesture as defined in Appendix I. and calling “Yame.” When resuming the match, the Referee will announce “Tsuzukete Hajime”.
3. ENDING:: The time keeper shall give signals by a gong or buzzer indicating Atoshibaraku (30 seconds left, or a little time to go), using one sharp blast. Time-Up signal shall have two long blasts of the signalling equipment. After halting the match (as above), and announcing the decision and awarding the contest to the winner, the Referee shall end the match by announcing “Soremade”. After the formal exchange of bows by the contestants and Referee Panel (Otagai ni Rei - Shomen ni Rei) the match is deemed to be over.

Article 3: Duration of a Match (Back to top of webpage)

The duration of a match shall be two minutes effective fighting time.
(Before the Tournament, the WKC ExCom might modify the duration of the matches).

Article 4: Sai Shiai (another match) (Back to top of webpage)

Where Hantei is called for in an individual match, there will be another match (Sai Shiai).
The winner of the match shall be the competitor with the highest score gained only in Sai Shiai.
All awards and penalties are NOT carried into Sai Shai.
If there is still no score for either competitor by the end of the bout, a decision must be taken by the Referee and the four corner judges based on Sai Shiai only.

Article 5: Victory or Defeat (Back to top of webpage)

Victory or defeat shall be awarded on the basis of Ippon, victory by decision, defeat due to foul, disqualification or retirement.

Article 6: Scoring (Back to top of webpage)

No point shall be awarded if the competitor injures his opponent, even if the injury is only very minor and a warning or penalty may be imposed against the offender

Scores shall be as follows:

Ippon (one point).
Waza-ari (one half point).

The scoring areas shall be limited to the following:

Head
Face
Neck
Abdomen
Chest
Side
Back (excluding shoulders)

An effective technique delivered simultaneously as the Time-up bell signals the end of the bout, shall be counted into the score. Penalties can be imposed for failing to obey the orders of the Referee.
Simultaneous effective scoring techniques delivered by both contestants, the one on the other (Aiuchi) shall not score.
Jogai: For Jogai to occur a contestant’s foot or any other part of the body must touch the floor outside the fighting area, an exception to this is when the contestant is physically pushed or thrown from the area by the opponent.
A scoring technique delivered by a contestant whilst outside the fighting area shall be invalid.
The point at which “YAME” should have been called is helpful in determining if Jogai has
occurred.

If a contestant (Aka), whilst inside the fighting area delivers a scoring technique and then
steps outside of the area, the technique shall score.
If a contestant (Aka), whilst inside the fighting area delivers a technique that does not
score and who then steps outside of the area, Jogai will be recorded against Aka.
If a contestant (Aka), whilst inside the fighting area delivers a scoring technique and
Shiro steps outside of the area after it has scored, the technique shall score and Jogai
shall not be recorded against Shiro.
If a contestant (Aka), whilst inside the fighting area delivers a scoring technique and
Shiro has stepped out or steps outside the fighting area as Aka’s technique is delivered,
the technique shall score and Jogai shall be recorded against Shiro.

Criteria for deciding Ippon and Waza-ari.
An Ippon is awarded when a scoring technique is performed to a scoring area and fulfils all of the following criteria:

Good form (a technique with probable effectiveness within the framework of traditional
Karate concepts).
Correct attitude (a non-malicious sense of performing within the framework of traditional
Karate concepts).
Strong vigour (power, speed and controlled delivery of technique with the purpose of
succeeding).
Zanshin (a continued state of awareness and commitment).
Proper timing (carrying out a technique at the optimum moment in time to achieve the
greatest result).
Correct distance (carrying out a technique at the most effective distance to achieve the
greatest potential effect).

Effective scoring techniques delivered under the following conditions shall be considered
as an Ippon:

When delivered to a scoring area at the same time as an opponent begins to attack.
When delivered to a scoring area immediately the opponent is unbalanced or thrown by
the attacker.
When a combination of successive and effective techniques (each of which merit a score
in their own right), are delivered to the scoring area(s).
When the opponent loses their fighting spirit and turns away from the attacker.
When delivered to a scoring area on the opponent that is clearly undefended.

A Waza-ari is awarded for a technique almost comparable and only slightly deficient in t
hat required to score Ippon. The Referee Panel must always look for the full requirements
of Ippon in the first instance and only award a Waza-ari in the second instance.

Article 7: Criteria for Hantei (Decision) (Back to top of webpage)

In the absence of Ippon, or defeat due to disqualification (Hansoku or Shikakku) or retirement (Kiken), during the prescribed time of Match, a decision (Hantei) is taken on the basis of the following considerations:

Whether there have been Waza-ari.
The number of warnings and to whom.
The number of escapes outside the Match area.
The comparative excellence in the fighting attitude.
The ability and skill.
The degree of the vigour and fighting spirit.
The number of attacking moves.
The comparative excellence in the strategy used.
Fair play.

Article 8: Prohibited Actions (Back to top of webpage)

ncontrolled attacks (whether they make contact or not).
Techniques which make excessive contact, having regard to the scoring area(s) attacked.
Attacks to the arms, legs, joints and insteps.
Attacks to the groin.
Attacks with open-handed techniques to the face, Empi Uchi, Hiza Geri, and Atama Uchi.
Attacks which make contact with the throat.
Purposeless grabbing.
Dangerous throws.

Article 9: Prohibited Behaviours (Back to top of webpage)

Time-wasting.
Any unsporting behaviour such as verbal abuse, provocation or needless utterances.
Any behaviour likely to bring Karate into disrepute (this includes coaches and manager or anybody connected with the contestant).
Lack of regard for the contestant’s own safety (Mubobi).
Exaggerated actions and/or reactions (i.e. faking of injury).

Article 10: Penalties (Back to top of webpage)

General Penalties

ATENAI:
Private Warning, this is imposed for the first minor infraction of the Rules and carries No penalty.
CHUI:
Official Warning, this is imposed for a minor infraction of the rules for which Atenai has already been given or for a serious infraction of the rules but does not warrant Hansoku. It can be directly imposed and carries No penalty.
HANSOKU:
Disqualification, is imposed for a serious infraction of the rules for which Atenai or Chui may have already been given or for a very serious infraction nof the rules such as failing to obey the commands of the referee, for bringing the honour and prestige of Karatedo into disrepute or when a contestant becomes over-excited and the Referee considers him to be a danger to their opponent. It can be directly imposed. A penalty of disqualification of the contestant is imposed and the opponents score is raised to Sanbon.
SHIKKAKU:
Disqualification from the tournament, this may be imposed for malicious acts, for failing to obey the commands of the referee, for bringing the honour and prestige of Karatedo into disrepute or when other acts are considered to violate the rules and the spirit of the tournament. It can be directly imposed. A penalty of disqualification from the tournament is imposed. The WKC ExCom. can decide the level of Shikkaku and a public announcement will be made.

Specific Penalty

Jogai:
1. ATENAI:
  Private Warning, this is imposed after the first escape. No Penalty is imposed.
2. JOGAI CHUI:
  Official Warning, this is imposed after the second escape. No Penalty is imposed.
3. JOGAI HANSOKU:
  Disqualification, this is imposed after the third escape. Penalty is imposed.
Mubobi:
1. ATENAI
  Private Warning, this is imposed after the first infringement. No Penalty is imposed.
2. MUBOBI CHUI
  Official Warning, this is imposed for the second infringement. No Penalty is imposed.
3. MUBOBI HANSOKU
  Disqualification, this is imposed for the third infringement. Penalty is imposed.

There are two types of penalty: GENERAL and SPECIFIC.
There are three categories of penalty: Actions & Behaviours, Jogai and Mubobi.
There will be no cross-accumulation of GENERAL penalties and the two SPECIFIC penalties.
The Referee shall issue a warning or announce a penalty when a contestant is about to, or has already committed a prohibited act or behaviour.
The Referee shall issue a warning or announce a penalty when a contestant avoids combat.
The Referee shall issue a warning or penalty for Jogai.
The Referee shall issue a warning or penalty for Mubobi.
Private warnings and penalties must be increased with repeated infractions of the same rule type.

PART D: KATA CONTEST RULES – KATA (Back to top of webpage)

Article1: Competition Area (Back to top of webpage)

The competition area must be flat and devoid of hazard.
It must be of suitable size to allow the kata to be performed without restriction.
Normal Kumite tatami flooring is allowed but sprung wooden flooring is preferred.

Article 2: Outfits and Presentation (Back to top of webpage)

Contestants and Officials shall wear the same as detailed in Chapter 1 Article 6 of this Rule Book.

Article 3: Types of Match (Back to top of webpage)

There are two types of Match:

Individual: where contestants compete against each other in separate male and female section.
Team: between three people in unison against each other in separate male and female sections. At the beginning, the team must face the Chief Referee and end in the same position as in an individual kata. They shall start and finish in a triangular formation, lead member to the front. All three members shall perform the same kata. The performance must be synchronised..
Both types use the points scoring system with the winner being the contestant/team with the highest score.
The system may be changed by the WKC Ex.Com. (i.e Flag System).

Article 4: Judging (Back to top of webpage)

The Panel of Referee and Judges will be appointed by the Referee Commission.
Competitors will demonstrate kata from one of the recognised WKC styles xxxxx.
The Panel will consist of specific style qualified officials in the first instance.
A Kata contest will be judged by a Panel of: One Referee and either four of six corner Judges (depending on numbers available).
The Kata contest will be run under the instruction of the Referee.
Scorekeepers and announcers will be appointed.

Article 5: Starting and Finishing of Matches (Back to top of webpage)

Starting:

Competitors must advise the Jury Table Judge before each round the name of the Kata they will perform.
When called upon by the announcer, the competitor(s) will proceed inside the match area, bow to the Referee and will announce the name of the Kata to be performed to the Judges.
The referee will clearly repeat the name of the Kata to be performed.
The participant(s) will then commence their performance, and upon completion, will return to their original position(s) and await the Judge’s decision.

Finishing:

Once the Kata has been completed, the Referee shall call Hantei (by means of a whistle as detailed in Chapter 2 Article 2 above), for the corner Judge’s decisions. All scoreboards will be raised simultaneously. The announcer will call out the scores given, referee first and going in a clockwise direction at all times announcing all the scores of the corner Judges.
The Jury Table Judge and the Scorekeeper shall record the announced scores on separate Official Record Sheets and will separately calculate the final score as follows:
1. Seven Scores – delete the highest and lowest and add all the remainder.
2. Five Scores - delete the highest and lowest and add all the remainder.
3. After checking that the scores of both the Jury Table Judge and the Scorekeeper agree, the Announcer shall announce the total score.
4. After the score has been announced and recorded the Referee shall give a signal (by means of a short whistle as detailed in Chapter 2, Article 2 above), to the Corner Judges to lower the scoreboards. The participant will bow to the Referee and leave the match area.

Article 6: Organisation of Contest (Back to top of webpage)

Round	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3 (Final)
Number of entrants	17 +	8 – 16	8
Scoring	5.0 – 7.0	6.0 – 8.0	7.0 – 9.0
Kata Type	Shitei	Sentei	Tokui

In Round 1 competitors must perform Shitei Kata. The 16 highest scoring competitors will proceed from Round 1 into Round 2.
In Round 2 competitors must perform Sentei Kata. The 8 highest scoring competitors will proceed from Round 2 into Round 3.
In Round 3 (Final), competitors must perform a Tokui Kata.
Tied Results:

In the event of a tie in any Round, the MINIMUM score from the remaining 3 (5) scores will be added to the total for that Round.
If the tie persists, then the MAXIMUM score from the remaining 3 (5) scores will be added to the total for that Round.
In the event of a continuing tie, the contestants must select and perform a further Kata from the designated Kata schedule for that Round which has not already been performed.
If there is still no winner, a decision must be taken by the Panel of Judges (based only on the last Kata performed).

Article 7: Criteria for Decision (Back to top of webpage)

Kata performa nce will be judged on two groups of criteria:

Basic Performance (20 criteria):

Kata sequence.
Control of power.
Control of tension and contraction.
Control of speed and rhythm.
Direction of movements.
Understanding Kata technique.
Showing proper understanding of the Kata bunkai.
Ceremony.
Embusen.
Vision.
Stances.
Co-ordination.
Stability and balance.
Perfection.
Harmony.
Pauses.
Kiai.
Breathing.
Concentration.
Spirit.

Advanced Performance (3 Criteria):

Mastery of technique.
Degree of difficulty and risk in the performance of the Kata.
Budo attitude displayed by the contestant.

Article 8: Scoring (Back to top of webpage)

Points will be deducted from competitors score as follows:
In the smooth performance of the Kata

0.1 shall be deducted for a quickly remedied momentary hesitation.
0.2 shall be deducted for a momentary, but discernable pause.
0.1 - 0.2 shall be deducted for a momentary slight imbalance.

Contestants will be disqualified as follows:

If the wrong Kata is performed.
If the Kata is varied.
If the Kata is stopped.
If the contestant loses balance completely and/or falls over.
If the contestant does not perform a Kata from his/her style.

Article 9: Kata Listing (Back to top of webpage)

see appendix IV.

APPENDICES (Back to top of webpage)

APPENDIX 1: The Terminology (Back to top of webpage)

Term	Meaning	Method Of Signalling
Shobu Ippon (Sanbon) Hajime	Start of the match	Referee stands on his line
Shobu Hajime	Start the extended bout	Referee stands on his line
Atoshi Baraku	30 seconds before the match ends	An audible signal will be given by the time-keeper 30 seconds before the actual end of the bout
Yame Temporary	stop	The Referee chops downwards with his hands; the time-keeper stops the clock
Tsuzukete	Fight on	Resumption of fighting ordered when unauthorised interruption occurs
Tsuzukete Hajime	Re-opening	The Referee standing upon his line, steps back into Zenkutsu-Dachi and brings the palms of his hands toward each other
Soremade	End of the match	The Referee turns the palm of his hands opposite
Motonoichi	Original position	Contestants, Referee and Judges return to their respective standing lines
Shugo	Judges called	The Referee beckons with his arms to the Judges
Hantei	Judgement	Referee calls for judgement by blowing his whistle and the Judges render their decision by flag signal
Ippon	One point	Extending the arm higher than the shoulders
Waza-ari	Half point	Extending the arm slightly downward to the side
Awasete Ippon	Two Waza-ari (Recognised as one Ippon)	As Waza-ari + Ippon
Aiuchi	Simultaneous scoring technique	No point awarded. Referee brings fits together in front of the chest
Hikiwake	A draw	Extending both arms to the side and slightly downwards
Aka (Shiro) no Kachi	Victory of red (white)	The Referee obliquely raises his arm on the side of the winner
Encho-sen	Extension (Shobu Sanbon)	Referee reopens match with command "Shobu Hajime"
Torimasen	Not acceptable as scoring techniques	As Hikiwake, but culminating with the palms facing downwards towards body
Atenai	Private warning	The Referee raises one hand in a fist with the other hand covering it at chest level and shows it to the offender
Chui	Official warning	The Referee points with his index finger to the feet of the offender at an angle of 45 degrees
Hansoku	Foul/Disqualification	The Referee points with his index finger to the face of the offender and announces a victory for the opponent
Jogai	Exit from fighting area	The Referee points his index finger at a 45 degree angle to the area boundary on the side of the offender
Uke Imasu	Technique blocked	An open hand touching the elbow of the opposite arm
Nukete Imasu	Technique missed	A closed hand crossing in front of the body
Yowai	Technique too weak	An open hand descending downwards
Hayai	Quickest first to score	An open hand touching with the fingers the palm of the other one
Maai	Bad distance, technique too far	Both the hands are open and parallel to the floor
Mubobi	Warning for lack of regard for ones own safety	The Referee points one index finger in the air at a 60 degree angle on the side of offender
Kiken	Renunciation	The Referee points with his index finger towards the contestant
Shikkaku	Disqualification from the tournament	The Referee first points with his index finger to the offender face than obliquely above and behind him

Appendix II: The table for judgement (Back to top of webpage)

SHIRO (AKA) NO KACHI or HIKIWAKE

O O X Mienai

In the case of two judges giving a point to Shiro (Aka), one judge giving no point and another showing Mienai, the referee must consult the two judges giving a point. After that he has to ask the judges again for decision. Then the referee gives the final decision.

Appendix III: Equipment (Back to top of webpage)

Mitts:: Mitts must be covered with white cloth or smooth leather. The fingers must be uncovered. The maximum thickness is 2 cm.
Gumshields:: Gumshields must be white or clear.
Groinprotectors:: Groinprotectors must be made of plastic or leather. Metallic material is not allowed.
Chestprotectors:: Chestprotectors must protect the chest and side of the chest, not just the bosom.

Appendix IV: Kata Listing (Back to top of webpage)

GojuRyu

Shitei

Sentei

Tokui

Round 1
Select From:

Gekisai Ichi

Gekisai Ni

Saifa

XXX

Round 2
Select From:

XXX

Seizan Seipai

Seienchin

Shisochin

XXX

Round 3
Select From:

Gekisai Ichi

Gekisai Ni

Saifa

Seizan Seipai Seienchin Shisochin

Kururunfa Superimpei Sanzeru

ShitoRyu

Shitei

Sentei

Tokui

Round 1
Select From:

Pinan 1,2,3,4,5. Saifa Naifanchin-Shodan

XXX

Round 2
Select From:

XXX

Bassai –Dai Jion Kosokun-Dai Tomari-No- Wansyu Seienchin

XXX

Round 3
Select From:

Pinan 1,2,3,4,5. Naifanchin-Shodan Saifa

Bassai –Dai

Kosokun-Dai

Tomari-No-Wansyu

Seienchin Jion

Kosokun-Sho Niseishi Jitte Seipai Seisan Bassai-Sho Sochin (Aragaki-Ha) Matsumura-Bassai Tomari-Bassai Sanseiru Shisochin Chinte Chinto Gojushiho Unshu Nipaipo Matsukaze Suparimpei Kururunfa Wanshu

Shotokan

Shitei

Sentei

Tokui

Round 1
Select From:

Heian 1,2,3,4,5.

Tekki-Shodan

XXX

Round 2
Select From:

XXX

Bassai-Dai Enpi Kanku-Dai Jion Hangetsu

XXX

Round 3
Select From:

Heian 1,2,3,4,5.

Tekki-Shodan

Bassai-Dai Enpi

Kanku-Dai Jion

Hangetsu

Jitte Tekki-Nidan Tekki-Sandan Gankaku Bassai-Sho Kanku-Sho Sochin Nijushiho Gojushiho-Dai Gojushiho-Sho WankanChinte Unsu Meikyo

WadoRyu	Shitei	Sentei	Tokui
Round 1 Select From:	Pinan 1,2,3,4,5.	XXX	XXX
Round 2 Select From:	XXX	Kushanku Niseishi Jion Passai	XXX
Round 3 Select From:	Pinan 1,2,3,4,5.	Kushanku Niseishi Jion Passai	Chinto Naihanchi Rohai Wanshu Seishan

Additional useful Appendices from 2000 rules (Back to top of webpage)

Additional Appendix I: Signalling Methods Used By Referee And Corner Judges (Back to top of webpage)

Referees:

Shobu Ippon (Sanbon) Hajime Shobu Hajime
Yame
Tsuzukete Hajime
Soremade
Motonoichi
(Fukushin) Shugo
Ippon
Aka (shiro) No Kachi
Chui
Nukete tmasu
Hansoku
Jowai
Hayai
Maai
Mubobi
Kiken
Shikaku
Waza-ari
Aiuchi
Hikiwake
Torimasen
Atenai
Jogai
Uke Imasu