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KSK Championships Rule Book

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WUKO CHAMPIONSHIP RULES

KSK Karate tournaments will be run only by those officials who have passed the KSK karate referees course and who permission from the Chief Instructor to run or assist in running tournaments. The minimum rank for qualifying as a referee and a senior tournament official is set by Chief refereree and is generally to be 1st Dan or higher. Dan grades of a lower rank may assist in various tasks at KSK tournaments (timing, scoring etc.), but substantial organizational tasks and control of fighting squares will rest in the hands of the Chief Instructor and senior dan grades who have passed the requisite exams.

Area

Square and area

1. The square should normally be an 8 meter by 8 meter area clearly marked out either by matting or tape. Ample room should be allowed on all sides of the area for safety. Competitors should be encouraged to sit or stand clear of the area. Coaches should sit in a designated position on the area corners near the scoring table and should be well clear of the area.

2. The starting positions of the fighters and referees should be as follows:

Referee(s)

The referee and mirror referee (if used) should be positioned two meters on either side of the center of the area.

Judges (s)

If three judges are used one should sit at the edge of the mat facing the referee and the other two should sit at the edge of the mat behind each of the fighters. If two judges are used they should sit at the corners of the mat opposite the scoring table.

Arbitrator

The arbitrator or senior referee should sit at or beside the scoring table.

Scorekeeper/Timekeeper

The scorekeeper and timekeeper should sit at the official table positioned on the edge of the mat behind the referee.

Clothing and Pads

1. Referees should be dressed so as to reflect their authority on the square. If possible, referees should wear a blue blazer, white shirt, grey trousers and soft black shoes. The KSK referee’s emblem should be worn on the left blazer pocket.
2. The fighters should wear standard white gi’s with at least one KSK patch. No patches from other systems or styles may be worn, but any badge authorized by Shihan Darren Murphy may be displayed.
3. One fighter (Aka) will wear a red belt and the other fighter (Ao) will wear a blue belt. The belts should be worn at normal height around the waist. Fighter wearing belts worn too high on the abdomen or chest will asked to adjust them by the officials on the square.
4. The jacket, when tightened around the waist with the belt, must be of a minimum length that covers the hips, but must not be more than three-quarters thigh length. Female fighters may wear a plain white T-shirt beneath the Karate jacket. Jacket sleeves may not be rolled up.
5. The trousers must be long enough to cover at least two thirds of the shin and must not reach below the anklebone. Trouser legs may not be rolled up.
6. Fighters must keep their hair clean and cut to a length that does not interfere with the match. Headbands are not allowed. Should the officials consider any contestant's hair too long and/or unclean, he may, after consultation with the senior referee, bar the contestant from the bout. Hair slides are not allowed, nor are metal hairgrips.
7. Fighters must have short fingernails and must not wear metallic or other objects, which might injure their opponents. The contestant accepts full responsibility for any injury.
8. Blue or Red fighting mitts are compulsory in KSK Tournaments.
9. Gum shields are compulsory for all fighters. Groin guards are compulsory for men and chest protectors are compulsory for women over the age of 14. Shin/instep protectors are compulsory.
10. Glasses are forbidden. Soft contact lenses can be worn at the fighter’s own risk.
12. The use of bandages, padding, or supports because of injury must be approved by the senior referee.
13. There may well be a religious basis for the wearing of certain items such as turbans or amulets. Persons wishing, by virtue of their religion, to wear what would otherwise be construed as unauthorised clothing must notify the senior referee.

Organization of Kumite Events

1. The Kumite competition may be divided into team matches and individual matches. The individual matches may be further divided into size or weight divisions and belt divisions. Divisions are divided ultimately into bouts. The term “bout” also describes the individual Kumite competitions between opposing pairs of team members.

2. No contestant may be replaced by another in an individual title match.

3. Individual contestants or teams that do not present themselves when called will be disqualified (KIKEN) from that category

4. Male and Female teams comprise three members.

5. Before each match, a team representative must hand into the official table, a form listing the names and fighting order of the competing team members. Their fighting order can be changed for each round provided the new fighting order is notified first, but once notified, it cannot then be changed until that round is completed.

6. A team will be disqualified if any of its members or its coach changes the team's composition or fighting order without written notification prior to the round.

Note:

A “round” is a discrete stage in a competition leading to the eventual identification of finalists. In an elimination Kumite competition, a round eliminates fifty percent of contestants within it, counting byes as contestants.

The Referees

1. The Refereeing Panel for each match shall consist of either two referees (a main referee and a mirror referee) or a referee and two or three judges.
2. There may also be a senior referee arbitrating the match.
3. At the start of the match, the referee and mirror referee will stand opposite each other, the referee having his back to the official table. If two judges are used, they will have chairs on the two corners of the mat facing the official table. If three judges are use, two will be positioned behind each fighter and one opposite the scoring table.
4. At the scoring table, for facilitating the operation of matches, there will be a timekeeper and at least one scorer.

The Duration of the Bout

1. Duration of the bout is defined as two minutes for Senior Male and Female Kumite (both teams and individuals) and one an a half minutes for Juniors.
2. The duration of the bouts can be changed by the chief referee or the organizer of the tournament .
3. The timing of the bout starts when the Referee gives the signal to start, and stops each time the Referee calls “YAME”.
4. The timekeeper shall give signals by a clearly audible whistle indicating “30 seconds to go” or “time up”. The “time up” signal marks the end of the bout.

Scoring

1. Scores are as follows:

a) SANBON Three points
b) NIHON Two points
c) IPPON One point

2. 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 (including kiai)
d) Awareness (ZANSHIN)
e) Good timing
f) Correct distance

3. SANBON is awarded for:

a) Jodan kicks.
b) Leg sweeping the opponent to the mat followed by a scoring technique.

4. 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.

5. IPPON is awarded for:

a) Chudan or Jodan Tsuki (body or head punch)
b) Uchi (backfist to the head)

6. Attacks are limited to the following areas:

a) Head
b) Face
c) Neck
d) Abdomen
e) Chest
f) Back
g) Side

7. 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.
8. 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.

9. Simultaneous, effective scoring techniques delivered by both contestants, the one on the other (AIUCHI) shall not score.

Explanation:

In order to score, a technique must be applied to a scoring area as defined in paragraph 6 above. The technique must be appropriately controlled with regard to the area being attacked and must satisfy all six scoring criteria in paragraph 2 above.

Vocabulary Technical Criteria

Sanbon (3 Points) is awarded for: 1. Jodan kicks. Jodan being defined as the face/head.
2. Any scoring technique which is delivered after legally sweeping the opponent down to the mat.

Nihon (2 Points) is awarded for: 1. Chudan kicks. Chudan being defined as the abdomen, chest, back and side.
2. Punches delivered to the opponent’s back.
3. Combinations of punching and striking (tsuki and uchi) the individual components of which each score in their own right, delivered to any of the seven scoring areas.
4. Any scoring technique delivered after permissible physical action of the contestant has caused the opponent to lose balance as the score is made.

Ippon (1 Point) is awarded for: 1. Any punch (tsuki) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas excluding the back, the back of the head and neck.
2. A backfist (uchi) delivered to the head, face .

a. Grabbing and throws are prohibited and will incur a warning or penalty. Exceptions are conventional KSK leg sweeping techniques, which do not require the opponent to be held while executing the sweep. After a sweep has been executed the referee will allow the contestant two or three seconds in which to attempt a scoring technique.

b. When a contestant slips, falls, or loses balance as a result of their own action and is scored upon by the opponent the score will be given as if the contestant had been standing upright.

c. A technique with “Good Form” is said to have characteristics conferring probable effectiveness within the framework of traditional Karate concepts.

d. 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.

e. Vigorous Application defines the power and speed of the technique and the palpable will for it to succeed. Vigorous Application includes the use of kiai in the technique.

f. 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.

g. Good Timing means delivering a technique when it will have the greatest potential effect.

h. 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.

i. 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—5 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.

j. 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.

k. Techniques, which land below the belt, will not score. 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.

l. 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.

m. 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.

n. 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.

Criteria for Decision

The result of a bout is determined by a contestant obtaining a clear lead of nine points, or at time-up, having the highest number of points, obtaining a decision (HANTEI), or by a HANSOKU, SHIKKAKU, or KIKEN, imposed against a contestant.

1. When a bout ends with equal scores, or no scores, the Referee will announce a tie (HIKIWAKE) and the start of the ENCHO-SEN if applicable.
2. In individual bouts, if there is a tie, an extension not exceeding one minute will be fought (ENCHO-SEN). An ENCHO-SEN is an extension of the bout, and all penalties and warnings issued still apply. The first competitor to obtain a score will be declared the winner. In the event that neither competitor is awarded a score, during the ENCHO-SEN, the decision will be made by a final vote of the Referee and Judges (HANTEI). A decision in favour of one or the other competitor is obligatory and is taken on the basis of the following; the referee has the casting vote.

a) The attitude, fighting spirit, and strength demonstrated by the contestants.
b) The superiority of tactics and techniques displayed.
c) Which of the contestants has initiated the majority of the action.

3. In team competition, there will be no extension (ENCHO-SEN) in the event of drawn bouts except as stated in paragraph 5 below.

4. The winning team is the one with the most bout victories. Should the two teams have the same number of bout victories then the winning team will be the one with the most points, taking both winning and losing bouts into account.

5. If the two teams have the same number of bout victories and points, then a deciding bout will be held. In the event of a continuing tie, there will be an extension (ENCHO-SEN) not exceeding one minute. The first competitor to obtain an award will be declared the winner. In the event that there is no score the decision will be made by vote of the Referee and Judges /Mirror Referee(HANTEI).

6. In team matches when a team has won sufficient bout victories or scored sufficient points as to be the established winner then the match is declared over and no further bouts will take place.

Explanation:

When deciding the outcome of a bout by vote (HANTEI) at the end of an inconclusive ENCHO-SEN, the Referee will move to the match area perimeter and call “HANTEI”, followed by a two-tone blast of the whistle. The Judges (or Mirror Referee) will indicate their opinions by means of their flags (or arm in the case of a mirror referee) and the Referee will at the same time indicate his own vote by raising his arm on the side of the preferred contestant. The Referee will give a short blast on his whistle, return to his original position and announce the majority decision.
In the event of a tied vote, the Referee will resolve the tie by use of his casting vote. On returning to his original position, the Referee will place one arm across his chest and raise his bent arm on the side of the preferred choice to show he is using his casting vote. He will then indicate the winner in the normal way.

Prohibited Behaviour

There are two categories of prohibited behaviour, Category 1 and Category 2.

Category 1
1. Techniques which make excessive contact, having regard to the scoring area attacked, and techniques which make contact with the throat.
2. Attacks to the arms or legs, groin, joints, or instep.
3. Attacks to the face with open hand techniques.
4. Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques.

Category 2
1. Feigning, or exaggerating injury.
2. Repeated exits from the competition area (JOGAI).
3. Self-endangerment by indulging in behaviour, which exposes the contestant to injury by the opponent, or failing to take adequate measures for self-protection, (MUBOBI).
4. Avoiding combat as a means of preventing the opponent having the opportunity to score.
5. Clinching, wrestling, pushing, or seizing the opponent.
6. Techniques, which by their nature, cannot be controlled for the safety of the opponent and dangerous and uncontrolled attacks.
7. Attacks with the head, knees, or elbows.
8. Talking to, or goading the opponent, failing to obey the orders of the referee, discourteous behaviour towards the refereeing officials, or other breaches of etiquette.

Explanation:

Most dangerous techniques are banned and all techniques must be controlled. Trained competitors can absorb relatively powerful blows on muscled areas such as the abdomen, but the fact remains that the head, face, neck, groin and joints are particularly susceptible to injury. Therefore any technique, which results in injury, may be penalised unless caused by the recipient. The contestants must perform all techniques with control and good form. If they cannot, then regardless of the technique misused, a warning or penalty must be imposed.

Face Contact - Juniors

For Juniors, all hand techniques to the head and face must have absolute control. Should the glove touch the target the Referee Panel will not award a score. Kicking techniques to the head and face are allowed to make a light “skin touch” only. In the case of techniques, which make contact considered to be more than a “glove” or “skin” touch, the Referee Panel will give a warning or penalty. Any technique to the head, face or neck, which causes injury no matter how slight, will be warned or penalised unless caused by the recipient.

a. The Referee must constantly observe the injured contestant. A short delay in giving a judgement allows injury symptoms such as a nosebleed to develop. Observation will also reveal any efforts by the contestant to aggravate slight injury for tactical advantage. Examples of this are blowing violently through an injured nose, or rubbing the face roughly.
b. Pre-existing injury can produce symptoms out of all proportion to the degree of contact used and referees must take this into account when considering penalties for seemingly excessive contact. For example, what appears to be a relatively light contact could result in a competitor being unable to continue due to the cumulative effect of injury sustained in an earlier bout. The Referee must be informed if a contestant has been treated for injury.
c. Contestants who over-reacts to light contact, in an effort to have the referee penalise their opponent, such as holding the face and staggering about, or falling unnecessarily, will be immediately warned or penalised themselves.
d. Feigning of an injury, which does not exist, is a serious infraction of the rules. SHIKKAKU will be imposed on the contestant feigning injury i.e., when such things as collapse and rolling about on the floor are not supported by evidence of commensurate injury as reported by a neutral doctor. Exaggerating an injury which does exist is less serious. A warning or penalty should be imposed for exaggerating injury. No competitor should be given SHIKKAKU without consultation with the senior referee.

e. The throat is a particularly vulnerable area and even the slightest contact will be warned or penalised, unless it is the recipient’s own fault.

f. Throwing techniques are divided into two types. The established “conventional” karate leg sweeping techniques where the opponent is swept off-balance or thrown without being grabbed first — and those throws requiring that the opponent be grabbed or held as the throw is executed.

g. Open hand techniques to the face are forbidden due to the danger to the contestant’s sight.

h. JOGAI relates to a situation where a contestant's foot, or any other part of the body, touches the floor outside of the match area. An exception is when the contestant is physically pushed or thrown from the area by the opponent.

i. A contestant who delivers a scoring technique then exits the area before the Referee calls “Yame” will be given the value of the score and Jogai will not be imposed. If the contestant’s attempt to score is unsuccessful the exit will be recorded as a Jogai.

j. If AO exits just after Aka scores with a successful attack, then “Yame” will occur immediately on the score and AO's exit will not be recorded. If AO exits, or has exited as Aka's score is made (with Aka remaining within the area), then both Aka's score will be awarded and AO's Jogai penalty will be imposed.

k. The contestant who constantly retreats without effective counter, who clinches unnecessarily, or who deliberately exits the area rather than allow the opponent an opportunity to score must be warned or penalised. This often occurs during the closing seconds of a bout. If the offence occurs with ten seconds or more of the bout time remaining the referee will warn the offender. If there has been a previous Category 2 offence or offences, this will result in a penalty being imposed.

If however, there is less than ten seconds to go, the referee will penalise the offender with Keikoku (whether there has been a previous Category 2 Chukoku or not) and award an Ippon to the opponent. If there has been a previous Category 2 Keikoku the Referee will penalise the offender with Hansoku Chui and award Nihon to the opponent. If there has been a previous Category 2 Hansoku Chui the Referee will penalise the offender with Hansoku and award the bout to the opponent. However, the referee must ensure that the contestant’s behaviour is not a defensive measure due to the opponent acting in a reckless or dangerous manner, in which case the attacker should be warned or penalised.

l. An example of MUBOBI is the instance in which the contestant launches a committed attack without regard for personal safety. Some contestants throw themselves into a long reverse-punch, and are unable to block a counter. Such open attacks constitute an act of Mubobi and cannot score. As a tactical theatrical move, some fighters turn away immediately in a mock display of dominance to demonstrate a scored point. They drop their guard and lapse awareness of the opponent. The purpose of the turn-away is to draw the Referee's attention to their technique. This is also a clear act of Mubobi. Should the offender receive an excessive contact and/or sustain an injury and the fault is considered to be the recipient’s, the referee will issue a Category 2 warning or penalty and may decline to give a penalty to the opponent.

m. Any discourteous behaviour from a member of an official delegation can earn the disqualification of a competitor, the entire team, or delegation from the tournament.

Penalties

WARNING: (CHUKOKU) May be imposed for attendant minor infractions or the first instance of a minor infraction.

KEIKOKU: This is a penalty in which IPPON (one point), is added to the opponent's score. KEIKOKU is imposed for minor infractions for which a warning has previously been given in that bout, or for infractions not sufficiently serious to merit HANSOKU-CHUI.

HANSOKU-CHUI: This is a penalty in which NIHON (two points), is added to the opponent's score. HANSOKU-CHUI is usually imposed for infractions for which a KEIKOKU has previously been given in that bout although it may be imposed directly for serious infringements, which do not merit HANSOKU.

HANSOKU: This is imposed following a very serious infraction or when a HANSOKU CHUI has already been given. It results in the disqualification of the contestant. In team matches the fouled competitor’s score will be set at eight points and the offender’s score will be zeroed.

SHIKKAKU: This is a disqualification from the actual tournament, competition, or match. In order impose SHIKKAKU, the senior referee, must be consulted. SHIKKAKU may be invoked when a contestant fails to obey the orders of the referee, acts maliciously, or commits an act which harms the prestige and honour of Karate-do, or when other actions are considered to violate the rules and spirit of the tournament. In team matches the fouled competitor’s score will be set at eight points and the offender’s score will be zeroed.

Explanation:

a. Category 1 and Category 2 penalties do not cross-accumulate.

b. A penalty can be directly imposed for a rules infraction but once given, repeats of that category of infraction must be accompanied by an increase in severity of penalty imposed. It is not, for example, possible to give a warning or penalty for excessive contact then give another warning for a second instance of excessive contact.

c. Warnings (CHUKOKU) are given where there has clearly been a minor infraction of the rules, but the contestant's potential for winning is not diminished (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.

d. A KEIKOKU may be imposed directly, without first giving a warning. KEIKOKU is normally imposed where the contestant's potential for winning is slightly diminished (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.

e. A HANSOKU CHUI may be imposed directly, or following a warning, or KEIKOKU and is used where the contestant's potential for winning has been seriously reduced (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.

f. A HANSOKU is imposed for cumulative penalties but can also be imposed directly for serious rules infractions. It is used when the contestant's potential for winning has been reduced virtually to zero (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.

g. Any competitor who receives HANSOKU for causing injury, and who has in the opinion of the Referee, acted recklessly or dangerously or who is considered not to have the requisite control skills necessary for KSK Karate competition, will be reported to the chief referee. The chief referee will decide if that competitor shall be suspended from the rest of that competition and/or subsequent competitions.

h. A SHIKKAKU can be directly imposed, without warnings of any kind. The contestant need have done nothing to merit it — it is sufficient if the Coach or non-combatant members of the contestants' delegation behave in such a way as to harm the prestige and honour of KSK. If the Referee believes that a contestant has acted maliciously, regardless of whether or not actual physical injury has been caused, Shikkaku and not Hansoku, is the correct penalty. This penalty may not be imposed without consultation with the Chief referee present.

Injuries and Accidents in Competition

1. KIKEN or forfeiture is the decision given, when a contestant or contestants fail to present themselves when called, are unable to continue, abandon the bout, or are withdrawn on the order of the Referee. The grounds for abandonment may include injury not ascribable to the opponent's actions.

2. If two contestants injure each other, or are suffering from the effects of previously incurred injury, and are declared by the tournament doctor to be unable to continue, the bout is awarded to the contestant who has amassed the most points. In Individual Matches if the points score is equal, then a vote (HANTEI) will decide the outcome of the bout. In Team Matches the Referee will announce a tie (HIKIWAKE). Should the situation occur in a deciding Team Match ENCHO-SEN then a vote (HANTEI) will determine the outcome.

3. An injured contestant who has been declared unfit to fight by the tournament doctor cannot fight again in that competition.

4. An injured contestant who wins a bout through disqualification due to injury is not allowed to fight again in the competition without permission from the doctor. If he is injured, he may win a second bout by disqualification but is immediately withdrawn from further Kumite competition in that tournament.

5. When a contestant is injured, the Referee shall at once halt the bout and call the doctor. The doctor is authorised to diagnose and treat injury only.

6. A competitor who is injured during a bout in progress and requires medical treatment will be allowed three minutes in which to receive it. If treatment is not completed within the time allowed, the Referee will decide if the competitor shall be declared unfit to fight or whether an extension of treatment time shall be given.

7. Any competitor who falls, is thrown, or knocked down, and does not fully regain his or her feet within ten seconds, is considered unfit to continue fighting and will be automatically withdrawn from all Kumite events in that tournament. In the event that a competitor falls, is thrown, or knocked down and does not regain his or her feet immediately, the referee will signal to the timekeeper to start the ten second count-down by a blast on his whistle, at the same time calling the doctor if required. The timekeeper will stop the clock when the referee raises his arm.

Explanation:

a. When the doctor declares the contestant unfit, the control table must be notified. The extent of unfitness must be made clear to other Referees.

b. A contestant may win through disqualification of the opponent for accumulated minor Category 1 infractions. Perhaps the winner has sustained no significant injury. A second win on the same grounds must lead to withdrawal, even though the contestant may be physically able to continue.

c. The referee should only call the doctor when a contestant is injured and needs medical treatment.

d. The doctor is obliged to make safety recommendations only as they relate to the proper medical management of that particular injured contestant.

e. When applying the “Ten Second Rule” the time will be kept by a timekeeper appointed for this specific purpose. A warning will be sounded at seven seconds followed by the final bell/or whistle at ten seconds. The timekeeper will start the clock only on the referee’s signal. The timekeeper will stop the clock when the competitor stands fully upright and the referee raises his arm.

f. The Referee will decide the winner on the basis of HANSOKU, KIKEN, or SHIKKAKU as the case may be.

g. In team matches, should a team member receive KIKEN, their score, if any, will be zeroed and the opponent’s score will be set at eight points.

Official Protests

1. No one may protest about a judgement to the Referee. Protests must be made to the senior referee present.

2. If a refereeing procedure appears to contravene the rules, Shihan Darren Murphy or the senior referee present is the only one allowed decide on whether or not to uphold a protest.

Explanation:

a. The protest must give the names of the contestants, the Referee officiating, and the precise details of what is being protested. No general claims about overall standards will be accepted as a legitimate protest. The burden of proving the validity of the protest lies with the complainant.

b. The protest will be reviewed by Shihan Darren Murphy or the senior referee and as part of this review, they will study the evidence submitted in support of the protest. Shihan Darren Murphy or the senior referee may also study videos and question Officials, in an effort to objectively examine the protest's validity.

c. If the protest is held by Shihan Darren Murphy or the senior referee to be valid, the appropriate action will be taken. In addition, all such measures will be taken to avoid a recurrence in future competitions.

d. Ensuing matches or bouts will not be delayed, even if an official protest is being prepared.

Powers and Duties
Referees

The Referee's powers shall be as follows:
1. The Referee (“SHUSHIN”) shall have the power to conduct matches including announcing the start, the suspension, and the end of the match.
2. To award points.
3. To explain to the senior referee present, if necessary, the basis for giving a judgement.
4. To impose penalties and to issue warnings, before, during, or after a bout.
5. To obtain and act upon the opinion(s) of the Judges or mirror referee.
6. To announce extensions.
7. To conduct voting of the Referee Panel (HANTEI) and announce the result.
8. To announce the winner.
9. The authority of the Referee is not confined solely to the competition area but also to its entire immediate perimeter.
10. The Referee shall give all commands and make all announcements.

Judges and Mirror Referees

The Judges (FUKUSHIN)/Mirror Referees powers shall be as follows:

1. To assist the Referee by signals.
2. To exercise a right to vote on a decision to be taken.

The Judges/Mirror Referees shall carefully observe the actions of the contestants and signal to the Referee an opinion in the following cases:

a) When a score is observed.
b) When a contestant has committed a prohibited act and/or techniques.
c) When an injury or illness of a contestant is noticed.
d) When both or either of the contestants have moved out of the competition area (JOGAI).
e) In other cases when it is deemed necessary to call the attention of the Referee.

Explanation:

a. When three judges (where judges are used) give the same signal, or indicate a score for the same competitor, the referee will stop the bout and render the majority decision. Should the referee fail to stop the bout the arbitrator will raise the red flag or sign and sound the buzzer.

b. When two judges give the same signal, or indicate a score for the same competitor, the referee will consider their opinions but may decline to stop the bout if he believes them to be mistaken.

c. However, when the bout is halted, the majority decision will prevail. The referee may ask the judges to re-consider, but may not give a decision against two judges, unless he has the positive support of the other judge.

d. When the Referee sees a score he will call “YAME” and halt the bout using the prescribed signal. He will then indicate his preference by holding his bent arm palm upwards on the side of the scoring contestant.

e. In the event of a two/two decision the Referee will indicate with the appropriate signal why the other contestant’s score is not considered to be valid and then award the score to the opponent.

f. The referee may ask the judges to re-consider when he believes them mistaken, or when implementation would be a violation of the rules.

g. When three judges each have different opinions, the referee may give a decision, which is supported by one of the judges.

h. At HANTEI the referee and judges each have one vote. In the event of a tied ENCHO-SEN the Referee will have a casting vote.

i. The Judges/Mirror Referee must only score what they actually see. If they are not sure that a technique actually reached a scoring area, they should signal that they did not see, (MIENAI).
j. In the event that the Referee does not hear the time-up bell, the Scorekeeper will blow his whistle

Starting, Suspending and Ending Matches

1. The Referee and Judges/Mirror Referee shall take up their prescribed positions and following an exchange of bows between the contestants; the Referee will announce “SHOBU HAJIME!” and the bout will commence.

2. The Referee will stop the bout by announcing “YAME”. If necessary, the Referee will order the contestants to take up their original positions (MOTO NO ICHI).

3. The Referee returns to his position and the Judges/Mirror Referee indicate their opinion by means of a signal. In the case of a score to be awarded the Referee identifies the contestant (Aka or AO), the area attacked (Chudan or Jodan), the scoring technique (Tsuki, Uchi, or Keri), and then awards the relevant score using the prescribed gesture. The Referee then restarts the bout by calling “TSUZUKETE HAJIME”.

4. When a contestant has established a clear lead of eight points during a bout, the Referee shall call “YAME” and order the contestants back to their starting lines as he returns to his. The winner is then declared and indicated by the Referee raising a hand on the side of the winner and declaring “AO (AKA) NO KACHI”. The bout is ended at this point.

5. When time is up, the contestant who has the most points is declared the winner, indicated by the Referee raising a hand on the side of the winner, and declaring “AO (AKA) NO KACHI”. The bout is ended at this point.

6. When time is up and scores are equal, or no scores have been awarded, the Referee shall call “YAME” and return to his position. He will announce a tie (HIKIWAKE) and start the ENCHO-SEN if applicable.

7. At HANTEI the Referee and Judges/Mirror Referee each have one vote. In the event of a tied vote at the end of an inconclusive ENCHO-SEN the Referee will have a casting vote which will be used to break the tie.

8. When faced with the following situations, the Referee will call “YAME!” and halt the bout temporarily.

a. When either or both contestants are out of the match area.
b. When the Referee orders the contestant to adjust the karate- gi or protective equipment.
c. When a contestant has contravened the rules.
d. When the Referee considers that one or both of the contestants cannot continue with the bout owing to injuries, illness, or other causes. Heeding the tournament doctor's opinion, the Referee will decide whether the bout should be continued.
e. When one or both contestants fall and no effective techniques are made within two to three seconds.
f. When both contestants are off their feet following a fall and begin to wrestle.
g. When a score is observed.
h. When three judges give the same signal, or indicate a score for the same competitor.

Explanation:

a. When beginning a bout, the Referee first calls the contestants to their starting lines. If a contestant enters the area prematurely, they must be motioned off. The contestants must bow properly to each other — a quick nod is both discourteous and insufficient.

b. When restarting the bout, the Referee should check that both contestants are on their lines and properly composed. Contestants jumping up and down or otherwise fidgeting must be stilled before combat can recommence. The Referee must restart the bout with the minimum of delay.

CLICKER CHAMPIONSHIP RULES

KNOCKDOWN CHAMPIONSHIP RULES (to follow)

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