AOKK Rules of Kumite Rev.1

The goal of kumite is to teach students how to move and deliver blows and takedown or throw their adversary to the ground. This is as close to fighting as we dare go and maintain the safety of the participants. AOKK also trains in range three or grappling (Na-waza). Kumite is range one and two fighting techniques. We purposely exclude the grappling from the Kumite.

Ring Size:

1. Ring size will be 30’ X 30’
2. Each fighter will be required to toe the mark prior to starting the match.

Note: There will be a mark on the tatami for each fighter. They cannot be over their mark prior to starting the kumite.

Ring Workers:

1. Center Referee (1) Fighter’s Protection
2. Corner Judges   (4) Score the Match
3. Timekeeper (1) Starts and stops the Match timer per Center Referee.
4. Scorekeeper (1) Counts the Score and tallies the Foul Point Awards
5. Tournament Director (1) Arbitrator

Center Referee:

1. The Center Referee will bow the competitors before and after the competition.
2. The duty if the Center Referee is to protect the fighters.
3. He/she can start and stop the competitor’s interaction at any point and restart the match.

Note: This should be done if the fighters are swing wildly and neither competitor is showing valid technique.

4. The Center referee can deduct points for excessive head, leg, or body contact.
5. The Center Referee can disqualify a fighter if they show little or no control after having points deducted.
6. The Center Referee can disqualify a fighter if they show disrespect for any person working in the ring.
7. The Center Referee will inspect the fighter’s gloves before the competition begins. Damaged or modified gloves will not be accepted. The tournament director can be called to render a decision.
8. The center referee in case of two consecutive ties by the corner judges count will declare the winner.

Note: The Center referee should base this win on the fighter that demonstrated the best skill and control of the ring in the competition.

9. When a fighter steps off the mat or out of the ring the corner judges will shout “OUT” and the Center Referee will bring the fighter to the center of the ring and restart the match.
10. If a fighter turns his/her back to the opponent, the Center Referee will stop the match. The Referee will then inquire if the fighter, that turned his/her back, wishes to end the match. If they do the fighter concedes the match and the opponent is declared the winner. If the fighter, that turned his/her back, wishes to continue the fight, the fighters will return to the center and the match will be restarted. Excessive turning of the back can result in point deduction by the Center Referee.
11. If a head-gear is removed during the match, the Center Referee will stop the fight and after the protective equipment is restored, will then restart the competition.
12. If a fighter is injured the Center Referee will stop the match. If the fighter cannot continue the match, a win will be awarded to the injured fighter’s opponent. If the injury was due to excessive force, the injured fighter will be declared winner and the aggressor will be disqualified.
13. In the event of a takedown or throw the Center Referee will count to three in a loud voice then stop the fight and again move the fighters to center ring and restart the fight.

Note: This should take no more than three seconds. If the Center referee is delaying the count the coach can register a complaint with the Tournament Director.

14. The Center Referee can deduct points from a fighter if they purposely delay a match.

Note: This is a controlled contest not a slug fest. It should be a safe learning experience.

15. One point will be awarded for a takedown by the corner judges, but if the takedown is controlled and dominated the center referee will signal a two-point award. This will be done after the fighters return to their mark.
16. A fighter can step off the tatami at any time and raise one hand to signify they no longer wish to continue the match. The match is then awarded to the opponent unless the fighter is seeking arbitration for a foul. Time will be stopped for arbitration of a foul.

Note: The Tournament Director will call the corner judges to the center of the ring for a conference and the foul will be discussed. If there is cause points will be awarded for the foul or possible disqualification of the opponent. If cause is not found, the fighter calling for arbitration forfeits the match.

Corner Judges:

1. The responsibility of the corner judge is to count what would be considered a viable punch or kick delivered by a fighter.
2. Each valid blow will receive one point.
3. A takedown or throw will receive two points.
4. If a fighter steps out of the ring, the corner judges shout out and the match stops.

Timekeeping:

1. Each bout will be two minutes of continuous run time.
2. Time can only be stopped by the Center Referee.
3. The Center Referee will stop time if there is an injury.
4. In the event of a shortage of ring workers the timekeeper can also act as the scorekeeper.
5. The timekeeper stops the match by yelling time and throwing a towel onto the tatami or mat.

Counting the Score: (Scorekeeper)

1. When the Center Referee deducts points, the deductions will be counted by the scorekeeper. At the end of the match the corner judges will be informed, by the score keeper, of how many points to deduct from each fighter’s tally.
2. When time expires each corner judge will look at their counters and deduct the penalty points from the fighter’s totals and determine, in their opinion, the winner of the competition.
3. The scorekeeper will poll each corner judge for their winner. The majority rules.
4. In the event of a tie, the scorekeeper will collect each judges’ count then subtract the penalty points from each fighter’s tally and the fighter with the most counted blows will win the match.
5. If there is still a tie, the counters will be reset, and match will continue for thirty seconds. Again, the scorekeeper will poll the judges, and if there is still a deadlock, the Center Referee will declare the winner.

Coaches:

1. Each fighter is allowed one coach.
2. The coach will stand between the corner judges behind their fighter.
3. The coach can throw in the towel and concede a match if they believe their fighter can no longer defend themselves. This is done by simply stepping onto the tatami, mat, or fighting surface and waving their hands.

Note: A fighter does not always know he/she is hurt. It is up to the coach to end a fight even if the fighter dose not wish to quit when they’re in danger.

4. Any disrespect shown, by a coach, to ring officials, and the fighter will be disqualified.

Scoring:

1. The outside of a fighter’s thighs between his/her hip and knee.
2. Any portion of the chest gear that would be considered a viable blow.
3. The front and sides of the head gear and face protector.
4. While on the tatami or mat both fighters can score if they strike valid target areas, but once the Center Referee’s count hits three the fighters can no longer score points until the match is restarted.
5. No strikes will be counted after the timekeeper stops the match.
6. One point will be awarded for a takedown, but if the takedown is controlled and dominated the center referee will signal a two point award.

Fouls: (All Fouls can lead to point deduction or disqualification)

Note: These techniques are taught in the AOKK and many other karate organizations, but they are life preservation techniques. We cannot allow competitors to be injured by not omitting these techniques.

1. Kicks to the inside of the thigh are prohibited.
2. Blows to the fighter’s spine are prohibited.
3. Blows to the back of the head are prohibited.
4. Blows to the fighter’s knee joint are prohibited.
5. Blows to the fighter’s hip joint with the ball of the foot are prohibited.
6. Throws via joint locks are prohibited.
7. Chokes are prohibited.
8. Strikes to the eyes and fish hooking are prohibited.
9. Takedowns and throws utilizing the head or neck are prohibited.
10. Elbows and knees to the head are prohibited.
11. Takedowns or throws in a ring without tatami or mats.
12. No throws made by wrapping both hands around the front or back of the opponent’s neck.

Note: An arm around the back of the neck is okay, but if the arm wraps around the head or neck that is an illegal throw, and the fighter can be disqualified.

14. Takedowns and throws cannot be made by utilizing the chest protector.
15. Grabbing the opponent and striking is allowed and is not considered a foul, but failure to release or stop fighting at the Center referee’s command is a foul and prohibited.

Equipment and Conduct:

16. All fighters are required to sign a waiver, or the match will not continue. If the fighter is a minor a parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver.
17. If the ring is covered with tatami or mats takedowns will be permitted. If the ring is not covered in tatami or mats, takedowns are not permitted, and if a takedown occurs the fighter responsible for the takedown will be disqualified.
18. Any disrespect shown to fellow competitors, judges, Center Referee, parents, or tournament workers will result in disqualification and you will be asked to leave the tournament grounds.
19. Fighters must have a rubber head gear and full-face protection.
20. Fighters must have a mouthpiece.
21. Male fighters must have groin protection.
22. All fighters are required to wear chest protectors.
23. All fighters will be required to wear shin and foot protection.
24. All fighters must wear hand protection.
25. Gloves will be inspected by center judge and if there is a question the tournament director can allow or disallow the use of a certain type of glove.
26. No throws in kumite until fighters have both reached the rank of purple belt. (The Larsen Rule)