Rules

Point and Continuous Sparring Rules

Point and continuous sparring rules are in place to help us run a safe and respectful event for both youth and adult competitors.

Please use your techniques responsibly and maintain a sportsman-like attitude at all times.

A Note On Coaching:

The luxury of having a coach is something that most competitors do not have access to.

While coaching is allowed, please keep in mind: No abusive, violent, unsportsmanlike, or overzealous coaching.

Competitors

It is the responsibility of the competitor to know the rules and be ready for competition when called to the ring.  He/she must be suitably attired and at the appropriate ring when the competition begins.
 

Uniform and Protective Equipment

Proper head gear, hand gear, foot gear, and mouthpieces are mandatory for all competitors. Elbow pads are mandatory for all adult black belt sparring divisions. All youth 17 & under are also required to wear face shields and chest protectors.

Ring Call

Be at The Ring On Time

  • Three calls will be made for competition at ringside. If the competitor is not at his/her ring ready to compete when the competition begins, he/she will not be able to compete.
  • If a competitor leaves the ring after the competition begins and is not present when his/her name is called to compete his/her name will be called three times at ringside. If he/she is still not present to compete, he/she will be disqualified.

Scoring for Sparring Divisions

Point values/winner determination:

  • 1-point legal hand techniques
  • 2-point legal kick techniques
  • 3-point jump spin kick to the head
  • To score on your opponent, one foot must be in the ring at the point of contact.
  • All penalty points are awarded 1 point.
  • 2 min rounds point sparring | 90-second rounds continuous sparring.
  • Point Sparring – In case of a tie, the match continues to sudden death (1st point wins).

The competitor who is ahead by 7 points (7-point spread rule) before the end of the two minutes is automatically declared the winner or whoever is ahead at the end of the two minutes is declared the winner.

Competitor Contact:

LEGAL TECHNIQUES are all controlled sport karate techniques, except those listed as illegal.

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES: Head butts, hair pulls, bites, scratches, elbows, knees, eye attacks of any kind, take downs on a hard surface floor, ground fighting on a hard surface, any stomps or kicks to the head of a downed competitor, slapping, grabbing for more than one second, uncontrolled blind techniques, any uncontrolled throws, takedowns or sweeps and any other uncontrolled dangerous techniques that are deemed unsafe in sport karate.

Excessive contact of any kind may result in possible disqualification.

Penalty

1st offense – warning | possible disqualification.
2nd offense – loss of a point | possible disqualification.
3rd offense – disqualification.

Protest

A competitor has the right to protest an infraction of the rules or if a possible mistake was made (not a judgment call).

  • If a competitor wishes to protest, he/she should first let the referee know he/she believes there has been an infraction of the rules or a mistake has been made.
  • The referee will summon the arbitrator to the ring (if the referee cannot properly settle the protest to the player’s satisfaction) to render a decision.
  • All protests must be made in an orderly, proper, and sportsmanlike manner.
  • All protests must be made immediately.
  • Protests are not allowed once the competition has resumed (after the fact protest).

Any final decision is then at the discretion of the arbitrator.